Leaving the hospital went very quickly and uneventfully. We signed the papers and left. Ella was in a good mood and we started her newfound freedom with a bath as she was smelly and crusty. Since she seemed to be up to it, we put her in the stroller and went out for a walk. Ella enjoyed the outside and especially places with many people or music. We ended up in the wonderful Chicago zoo, but only stayed for a short visit, Ella was getting tired. After spending this time with us at her side always (throughout the hospital stay) it is now difficult for Ella to part with us and going to sleep is a bit traumatic. Hopefully this will go away soon. She is still very swollen and this will probably stay with her for the coming month. At least that is how it was after the previous surgery.
The pain seems to be under control and for now the main challenges are getting her to drink and eat and also getting down the antibiotics that is mixed in with some juice. A few times today she reached out to some food, a cracker, or bread and started bringing it to her mouth. Then, before it could reach her mouth she dropped it, as if afraid of what will happen if she chews it. I wonder what her mouth feels like. Very strange probably. The configuration is all wrong. It is numb in parts and there is a section missing… Tomorrow we fly home.
I am apprehensive of the flight and hope it won’t be too difficult for her (and us). She is planned to start school in a week.