Frustrated

Hey guys. I think I can speak for Alissa (my SIL I've been talking about) and the entire family when I say that frustration has set in.
She has been in that hospital since February 16th and just when things look positive, there's a delay in her release. The last time I wrote about her, the Neuro surgeons decided to enter a drain tube into her spine, to drain the CSF fluid (brain fluid surrounding the brain) out from her spine.There whas been a leak coming out of her nose from day 1. She needed her nose cavity to heal and it wasn't doing this b/c of all the fluid. So, this procedure alone, was extremely painful for her and put her back in ICU b/c of the difficulty with it. I think that was last Friday.

After several different CAT scans, they finally discovered where the leak was coming from and planned her 30 min to an hr long surgery on Monday. The surgery would consists of taking fat from her stomach and putting it into the hole to stop the leak. During surgery, they found another hole that they didn't see before and went ahead and patched it up as well. This made things much more difficult b/c they weren't aware of how long her brain was being exposed from the holes. In order to do the surgery, they had to go back into the cut from ear to ear she already had, and go into her brain from there. The surgery ended up taking 7 hours!

Alissa was making such hopeful progress. Her hair was growing back, her scar was closed. She was walking and able to go to the bathroom again. She was feeling the end. Now, she's back on bed rest, with a cathetar. Her head is shaved. She's got staples in her head again. She's got a tube up her back. And she is just flat out miserable. And to top this all off, the dr's say they missed the deadline to repair her nose and her eye sockets which are both broken. They can still be fixed, but it will be very difficult now. Something about the way they heal after so long. IDK.

So, she's stuck on the neuro floor for this week, and they are monitoring her leak to make sure it stopped. And again, it's all a waiting game. I know she thought she was coming home this week b/c she wrote on my facebook that she couldn't wait. But now she's stuck there. Nobody knows what will happen next.

This just breaks my heart for her. She's so angry at everyone now and extremely frustrated. The bad part is that she's going through all of this stuff all over again, but actually knows what's going on now. For several weeks, when this all started, she had no idea of anything. One person, especially a 19 year old, should not have to endure so much pain. She's realizing her life is different and that she looks different. I cannot even fathom what is going through her mind right now.

I just found out that there will be a benefit for her locally to help raise money for medical expenses. And this really warms my heart. It's in the early stages, but I know it will turn out great and hopefully lift up her spirits.

I'm just asking for everyone to please keep praying for her right now. And my parent in laws as well. This is taking a toll on everyone in he family, especially them.
Last night, some very well known traveling evangelists prayed over Alissa and her parents and I'm hoping that it helped lift her up at least a little.

When I get any more news, I'll be sure to update.

And again, thank you everyone for the prayers!