things seem to be getting harder instead of easier

I know many of you are looking for an update. It's hard to know when blogging is obnoxious blabbering vs. interesting information, so I tried to error on the side of "less is more". Also, I know I've had a few requests for more detailed information. Although it would be easy for me to blab a bunch of stuff, I'm trying to keep Kassie some semblance of privacy. If you want more info, just email me your questions and I'll try to respond.

We seem to be in a roller coaster pattern with good and bad swings. Yesterday was good, but today is...not so good. Her neck pain and original surgery recovery seem to be going well. Now, the biggest complaint is headache, nausea, and just "not right".

I'm not a doctor, but from what I understand about her complication, I'll share with you my GUESS. She was leaking cerebral spinal fluid out her incision. They sewed up her incision, the leaking stopped on the outside, but it could a) still be leaking on the inside, or b) still have an excess of fluid that hasn't absorbed yet, or c) leaked too much, and now her brain is playing catch up to make more. The doctor didn't give me any answer saying simply that he didn't know. We would ALL like to avoid more MRI's and tests. The hope is that we can just keep the status quo at home. We will have to go back to Temple Children's if her fever gets to 101 - 101.5, or if her headaches are unbearable. Last I checked, she was 100.9

She is simply miserable, but doesn't really have "symptoms". Her eyes just run and run. I'm starting to wonder if it's Cedar Fever - since the counts are going up. I also wonder if it's just how you feel when you have a fever - not well.

We have simple hospital bags packed and a list of things we need to grab - like cell phone chargers. I'm hoping that we won't have to use them. In the meantime, I'm trying to take down Christmas and related clutter. When Kass woke up from a nap and 2 rooms were back to normal, she was REALLY glad. As much as Kimber thrives in Christmas Chaos, Kass and I will probably feel a lot better with Streamlined Simplicity.

I am hoping that 2011 goes out slowly like a dimming candle with nothing flashy or that needs extinguishing. For those requesting specific prayers, please pray that her fever would go down (away) and that she would start feeling normal. Pray that whatever is causing the fluid to go crazy inside her brain would simply "heal itself" so that we don't need further medical intervention. And finally, pray that Kevin and I would have discernment if we need to take her back to the hospital. Thanks for your prayers.