Update about Ella

I (Jeff) wasn't there at the girls' visit yesterday, but I've got time to post a couple words about it.

Quick story: Ella's recovery is slow. X-ray still summed as "not good." Next appointment on Friday, 11 January. Stay on meds; no time allowed outside.

Longer story:
It sounds like it was a very trying time at the hospital. Their wait for an x-ray alone was over an hour ("forever," as May said several times).

Ella was overtired and sick (= hyper and cranky), with no toys to occupy her. Several folks waiting around on stretchers and in wheelchairs made it all the stranger for Ella.

To complicate things, Czech Republic started a new co-pay system from 1 Jan 2008. The added paperwork/legwork caught Maylia unaware. Instead of getting her x-ray picture, she got a slip of paper she couldn't understand and few people were willing to explain to her. Finally, she understood to return outside, to pay a 30 Kc ($1.50) at a machine, to get her paper slip validated.

Lastly, instead of getting their x-ray picture like last time, the results were interpreted by a technician and written down on a note for May to return to the doctor. The doctor was new to Ella and didn't have the older x-ray (or see the newer one), for comparison.
Only reading the note, the doctor summed up to Maylia: "not good." ...okay.
Sounds like it was a frustrating and unwelcome visit.

Next follow-up is next Friday, 11 Jan. I will be at that appointment, and with our nanny, Kristyna. Not to mention, it's real likely May will give birth by the 11th.

So, more news after the 11th.

-Jeff