Birthmarks are a lie. They are not always at birth. They can show up a month after birth. How do I know this you ask? Well, I have done way too much research on them. Particularly on a type called HEMANGIOMA - or just H as many moms and dads refer to them on forums and blogs.
When Jesse was about 2 weeks old, I noticed a flat red cloud on her stomach. I thought nothing of it but asked the dr about it at her 2 week appt. She said it was a birthmark that might actually puff out, but not to worry because it is not harmful and will go away. I was not concerned and a week later, noticed another one on the base of her hairline. I brought this one up to her at the next week appt. and received the same answer. They both started to get bigger like she said and we were not too worried because they were only cosmetic issues.
This is where the internet can be your enemy for a new parent. Anything and everything that might be wrong with your baby can be found. I would see a rash on her face and it possibly could be baby acne or a flesh eating disease that would give her 2 weeks to live!
For our situation I did see some information that was contradictory to what our pediatrician told me. There are some h's that require attention. They can ulcerate very badly and be incredibly painful. There are some that can get so big they interfere with breathing or eyesight. I became a little more alarmed and decided I would keep a closer watch.
The one on her stomach stayed small, while the one on her neck seemed to be growing bigger overnight. I tried to avoid bumping or tugging it while changing clothes and laying her down. Sometimes bumping it slightly would cause her to cry in pain. She got it over the pain quickly, but i am always aware of it.
People stare at it when we're out, and I've had a few people ask me what it is and share with me their grandchild or niece had one.
About 2 months ago, it started to scab. When I had seen them do that on the internet, it usually meant it would become infected and would become very painful for the child. This was my fear and got a dr. appt for the next day. She said she had never seen one do that (which is not the time I wanted to have a unique child) and got us an immediate referral to Dr Ghali in Grapevine. He is I believe the only pedi dermatologist in the area.
He told me that i needed to put this ointment on it to keep from becming infected and that we needed to think about getting an MRI. I was surprised to learn that he was more concerned about the location of it, rather than it getting infected. It falls exactly on the center of her body which means it could be attached to her spine.
This just opened up my google search to an extreme high!! I found a forum for hemangioma's and began a correspondence with one of the leading dr's of vascular formations - specializing in hemangioma's. I sent pics and explained the dr's concerns. He responded a few days later and told me he was fairly certain it was not on the spine. This was very reassuring, but of course I spent many more hours researching and trying to find answers.
Both of our dr's said they were sure as well but not 100%. They still recommended it and we scheduled it for late July, when she would be a little over 5 months.
This all leads me to this past week.....the dreaded MRI. Jesse would have to get sedated and I tried not to think about it in the weeks leading up to it. So much of me thought the risk of sedation outweighed the possibility of something being wrong. But I knew if there was something wrong, I would totally regret not having got it.
When Jesse was about 2 weeks old, I noticed a flat red cloud on her stomach. I thought nothing of it but asked the dr about it at her 2 week appt. She said it was a birthmark that might actually puff out, but not to worry because it is not harmful and will go away. I was not concerned and a week later, noticed another one on the base of her hairline. I brought this one up to her at the next week appt. and received the same answer. They both started to get bigger like she said and we were not too worried because they were only cosmetic issues.
This is where the internet can be your enemy for a new parent. Anything and everything that might be wrong with your baby can be found. I would see a rash on her face and it possibly could be baby acne or a flesh eating disease that would give her 2 weeks to live!
For our situation I did see some information that was contradictory to what our pediatrician told me. There are some h's that require attention. They can ulcerate very badly and be incredibly painful. There are some that can get so big they interfere with breathing or eyesight. I became a little more alarmed and decided I would keep a closer watch.
The one on her stomach stayed small, while the one on her neck seemed to be growing bigger overnight. I tried to avoid bumping or tugging it while changing clothes and laying her down. Sometimes bumping it slightly would cause her to cry in pain. She got it over the pain quickly, but i am always aware of it.
People stare at it when we're out, and I've had a few people ask me what it is and share with me their grandchild or niece had one.
About 2 months ago, it started to scab. When I had seen them do that on the internet, it usually meant it would become infected and would become very painful for the child. This was my fear and got a dr. appt for the next day. She said she had never seen one do that (which is not the time I wanted to have a unique child) and got us an immediate referral to Dr Ghali in Grapevine. He is I believe the only pedi dermatologist in the area.
He told me that i needed to put this ointment on it to keep from becming infected and that we needed to think about getting an MRI. I was surprised to learn that he was more concerned about the location of it, rather than it getting infected. It falls exactly on the center of her body which means it could be attached to her spine.
This just opened up my google search to an extreme high!! I found a forum for hemangioma's and began a correspondence with one of the leading dr's of vascular formations - specializing in hemangioma's. I sent pics and explained the dr's concerns. He responded a few days later and told me he was fairly certain it was not on the spine. This was very reassuring, but of course I spent many more hours researching and trying to find answers.
Both of our dr's said they were sure as well but not 100%. They still recommended it and we scheduled it for late July, when she would be a little over 5 months.
This all leads me to this past week.....the dreaded MRI. Jesse would have to get sedated and I tried not to think about it in the weeks leading up to it. So much of me thought the risk of sedation outweighed the possibility of something being wrong. But I knew if there was something wrong, I would totally regret not having got it.
Where's the rest of the story? Anxious to hear what happened. Hope she is well. Really sorry you've had to go through that. Thanks for sharing your story.
ReplyDeleteAkk! THe suspense! Either finish this story or call me and let me know how the results went.
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Anna