What? More swelling?

I spent the night last night back at the Ronald McDonald House (RMH) and my mom stayed at the hospital with Kyara. I had a very hard time leaving her. I am feeling completely torn between staying with Kyara (who was awake and wanting me to stay with her) and Kassey (who is still nursing). I miss Skylar and Gunars, too. I had a bit of a breakdown... I guess all this stuff kinda hit me. I have regrouped and I am feeling better.

So, when I came back to the hospital this morning, I was shocked to see Kyara's face completely swollen. Her left eye was swollen shut, she had a large (HUGE) lump of swelling on the side of her head, and the swelling was increasing around her neck and into her chest on the left side. WHAT IS THIS?? It seems that the leak in the suture line from her neck is leaking air (and a little fluid) and it is going into the tissues in her neck, face, and chest. The doctors decided to put in another larger chest tube on the left side (they used the same hole and removed the smaller tube). We are hoping this will help eliminate any more swelling. The swelling that is already present will have to be reabsorbed by the body. This will take a couple (2-4) days.

I also learned that we are looking at probably 3+ more weeks here. Looks like we will be spending Thanksgiving in Ann Arbor. She is on heavy pain and sedation medications that cause withdrawal symptoms if not weaned carefully. Just the weaning can take a couple of weeks, and we don't even have the breathing tube out, yet. As for the breathing tube, they are still hoping to take it out by the end of the week.

One of the nurses during the night shift has been braiding Kyara's hair. What a sweet gesture! This time she put some ribbon in it and wrapped it up by her head. Very cute! Like a beautiful present with a bow on top!