After

Calina looks really good.

She doesn't feel really good, however. I think more than pain, she's just full of frustration. She's been through quite an ordeal, and all she wants is to be held and walked around or to lay down next to me in bed. And the frustration continues because neither of those things are possible yet.

She's in the ICU, and I can hold her, but it's quite an ordeal with all the monitors... and an IV in her hand and in her foot. So they kind of want me to just leave her in the bed. Which is fine when she's tired and sleeping, but they're finding she's one heck of a stubborn little girl when she's not getting what she wants. She'll fight sleep to the bitter end if she's not happy. And she is not happy lying in a weird bed, alone, with crap all over her. Plus she feels icky. What a nightmare.

Good news is, we're down to frustration. And a little bit of pain. The surgery itself has passed, and went beautifully. She, up to this point, still hasn't needed any blood. (I am keeping all my fingers and toes crossed that she, after all this, manages to escape a transfusion.) They're going to test her counts again in the morning, but she's looking great so far.

I also got a peek at her new head, and I think there could already be quite a difference. Her skull seems to have expanded sideways. I'll take some photos as soon as we're in a bright enough room. (They keep this ICU dark and quiet!)