Color Inspired: 4 weeks post surgery

Ellie can talk clearly now! :)

I took Ellie to Dr. McKenna on Monday. He was very pleased with her progress so far. He took the paper wafer - splint - out of her mouth and he also changed her bands so that they aren't holding her jaws shut anymore. This was a very happy day for Ellie! So now it's just like any other kid with braces and bands. She now says she feels much more comfortable going out to public (it never really stopped her before) because she can talk to anyone to sees now. (If you didn't know Ellie before - she is a talker!!) Her swelling has continued to go down - I would say she still looks just a little puffy in the cheeks. She is still partially numb in her nose and cheeks but she is gaining back some feeling so this will just take additional time.

She is to continue on soft foods only for the next 2 weeks. No chewing. She is gaining her strength back everyday. And she is slowly gaining some of the weight she lost back too.

She is going on our youth group mission trip - she leaves Sunday - this has always been the highlight of her summers so she is very excited that she feels well enough to go! We are just going to send her with her own (soft) food.

I finally got the okay to post pics of her before, during and currently. Just amazing quite honestly. I am so grateful for the Drs. that learn how to do things like this. And even more grateful to Dr. McKenna and the team of Doctors that assisted him through Ellie's surgery and entire process.