We saw a Plastic Surgeon on Wednesday who specializes in hemangiomas. This picture was waiting to see the doctor.
He recommended that we start a medication that will stop the growth of the tumor and hopefully start the involution process sooner. He was very optimistic that with early treatment, the birthmark would be undetectable by the time she starts kindergarten. If we did not do the medication, there is risk of scarring, ulceration (which is very painful) and no telling how big it would grow during the next 6-9 months. We were hesitant to start the medicine, but he reassured us, this is the best route to go for Little Miss Mae! They did a full on photo shoot of her to monitor the progression/regression of the birthmark.
When we called our Pediatrician to tell him about the medicine, he recommended that we follow-up with a Cardiologist in regards to the heart murmur they heard in the NICU, before starting the medicine. The medication is used to treat heart rhythm problems, but also has proven to have great success with hemangiomas.
So Thursday we saw a Pediatric Cardiologist for an EKG and an echocardiogram. Our insurance company is loving us, I am sure!! Waiting to see the doctor.
Echocardiogram
EKG
Ashlyn measured 20 inches long and weighed 6.15! She is growing like a weed! We found out that she has two small holes between the left and right atrium in her heart. It is called an atrial septal defect and is very common in children especially preemies. The doctor felt very confident that the holes would close on their own within the next 2 years. She will have no problem what so ever from this small defect. We wouldn't have even known it was there if we hadn't done the echocardiogram. The doctor told us that she is not worried about it and weren't allowed to either. A little easier said than done, but she was very very sure that it would be closed by our next appointment! She was also very reassuring that the medicine the plastic surgeon was recommending was safe for Ashlyn and she has seen really good results when it is used to treat hemangiomas. So we felt pretty good about starting the medicine. Getting her to take the medicine is a different story! It isn't easy getting a 6 week old baby to swallow something that doesn't taste very good! The nurse told us not to mix it with milk, but that is the only way we can get it down her...3 times a day! I noticed an obvious difference in her birthmark the next day, but I am not sure if it is due to medication or just fluctuation in the color. Anyway, we are very optimistic.
On a sad note, Grandpa B, Karen's dad, passed away this morning. My dad, Karen and Sarah we able to be with him yesterday. He didn't get to meet Ashlyn. We are happy that he is with Grandma B now and he can eat all the apple pie he wants, as Sarah said!
Ashlyn got to officially meet her Aunt Teresa and was showered with love and kisses! I can tell we aren't going to have a shortage of baby sitters!
Here are a couple more pictures from this week.
Hanging out in my stroller (in the house because it is too hot to go for a walk)
Waiting on my Gpa to come see me
39 days old
We have a relaxing weekend planned with some visits from family and friends and celebrating Chance's first Father's Day! How exciting!
She is so cute! And totally chunking up! :) LOVE that she's getting some little rolls - go Ashlyn! :) What a week y'all have had -- can't wait to come visit! On a separate note, we would have to give Lainey medicine with her binky in her mouth -- we would push the binky aside and shoot the medicine into her mouth and move the binky back so she'd suck on it. Quite a process!! I am not even sure if the medicine is in a syringe. But if it is, that technique may be worth a try (if you haven't already!).
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