We arrived at the hospital yesterday morning at 7:30am for Eva’s first round of sedated laser on her hemangioma.
We checked in and were taken into a prep room. The nurse came to do the paperwork and take Eva’s vitals.
The plan was then to give her an oral sedative and then to apply a topical numbing cream.
Long story short – I made the mistake of giving her a granola bar just before 6am.
I should have known better. Eva has been sedated enough times for me to know that she needs to arrive with nothing in her stomach.
I should have known better. Eva has been sedated enough times for me to know that she needs to arrive with nothing in her stomach.
However, in my defense, the woman I spoke with when making the appointment mentioned nothing about no solids after midnight. We spoke at length about several things including the fact that this particular sedative won’t put her fully to sleep.
She took full responsibility for not mentioning it and came and apologized profusely. I took my own accountability in the situation and should have know better. We should have arrived NPO just in case.
She took full responsibility for not mentioning it and came and apologized profusely. I took my own accountability in the situation and should have know better. We should have arrived NPO just in case.
They told me we could wait 8 hrs and then do the sedation.
No thanks.
I suggested we try with the numbing cream only. Our dermatologist was very willing to give it a go and see how she tolerates it.
So we got my girl ready.
Numbing cream being applied (with a clear dressing)
Keeping busy while waiting to be wheeled into the procedure room
They came to get her and wheeled her down the hall, took her into the room and she gave me a thumbs up. I was shocked. Normally she is an “anxious crier” and tears up easily when nervous. There was no hint of tears yesterday.
She did amazing. She tolerated the procedure just fine.
Five kids had the same procedure done yesterday. Eva was the only one to go through it without sedation.
Giving her that granola bar ended up being a blessing in disguise.
We were able to leave almost immediately after the procedure because she wasn’t sedated, therefore no need for post procedure monitoring.
We were able to leave almost immediately after the procedure because she wasn’t sedated, therefore no need for post procedure monitoring.
They took her vitals as soon as we got back into the recovery room
The 5:15am wake up call was hitting her at this point
then we went home with instructions for no sun, no swimming and low key activity for the rest of the week. Now I’m kinda hoping it rains all week…
They would like to try and get her in next month for another treatment.
From then we will go every 8-12 weeks until the laser resolves as much of the hemangioma as possible.
Layman’s terms – the colour will disappear from the birthmark as the laser closes off the blood vessels.
Once the hemangioma is resolved as much as it can be, we head to plastics to repair the damage that the ulcers left in their wake.
Her neck will never look “normal”. The skin will have a different texture and there may be some depigmentation in some areas but I have faith in her amazing doctors that they can make all that “barely noticeable”.
From then we will go every 8-12 weeks until the laser resolves as much of the hemangioma as possible.
Layman’s terms – the colour will disappear from the birthmark as the laser closes off the blood vessels.
Once the hemangioma is resolved as much as it can be, we head to plastics to repair the damage that the ulcers left in their wake.
Her neck will never look “normal”. The skin will have a different texture and there may be some depigmentation in some areas but I have faith in her amazing doctors that they can make all that “barely noticeable”.
The road ahead is still a long one, but we know where we’re going now. There isn’t the uncertainly surrounding her hemangioma that there was 5 years ago.
It’s a good feeling.
Finally.
Finally.
Your daughter is a champ! Please congratulate her for being so brave!
wishing her a speedy recovery! xo
Marley and I were just taking about bravery and Eva was our definition. I love resiliency in children, it is such an example for us all. I also have a soft spot for Sick Kids 🙂
Thank you everyone! There is definite relief now that we have a path to travel on with this.
And yes – I still feel such pride in how brave she was.
She’s always been a good patient – she learned to be at a very early age!
I will continue to post progress!
Awesome! It’s amazing to see how far she’s come in all those pics! I’m not to sure if I could do it without the sedation myself..she’s definitely a strong young lady!
What a brave, brave girl! Go, Eva! And so thankful you guys are making such awesome progress!
I am so incredibly happy that you (and she!) are at this point. So happy.
xoxo
I’m SO glad things went so smoothly! And no tears!! What a good, brave girl you have there, lady… wow! YAY!!! xox
That is awesome news Christine! She looks so calm in the pictures (which are great pics by the way) Hope all the other procedures required go just as smoothly:)