During Vala's two week old appointment with her pediatrician, she was referred to a pediatric dermatologist due to a raised red lesion below her right eye, diagnosis birthmark infantile hemangioma. A condition that if left untreated near the eye could cause blindness and deformities. A few days later we were at the dermatologist's office confirming the diagnosis. The treatment for her condition required close monitoring. The plan was to see her in a couple of days for a three hour office visit to monitor her vitals, heart rate, oxygen, and glucose levels after taking the medication Propranolol - a medication primarily used to treat the heart. During the first month, she would start a low dosage and increase that dosage the following month, and so on.
On Friday morning (8/11/17) our dermatologist called to change the plan to a more aggressive approach giving Vala the maximum dose of Propranolol she can handle in the span of three days to halt the growth of the birth mark. She informed me to pack our bags immediately for a three day stay at the university hospital an hour away. Without hesitation, plans were made; Izzy, Dad, Vala, and I embarked to the children's hospital while Maksim stayed with my mom at home.
Upon arrival we were greeted by nurses, pediatric cardiologist (with crew), and dermatologists. Her first dose of Propranolol was administered at 5:30 p.m. (and every eight hours after) She was monitored one hour and two hours after taking her medication. At 8:00 p.m. Andrey arrived at the hospital due to a video shoot engagement he was producing that he couldn't get out of.
At the hospital hooked up to multiple machines, including an EKG.
Soundly sleeping in her hospital bed.
Family came to visit. Here's Gumma giving Vala a bath in our room.
More bath pictures. Gumma loves her granddaughter.
Feeding Vala Nutramigen.
Took over two doctor visits to eliminate breast milk
and two different types of formulas to figure out Vala is intolerant to milk/dairy.
The whole situation was emotional for me who wanted to breast feed exclusively,
however grateful there are such formulas to nourish Vala.
The 12th floor of the Children's Hospital gave a beautiful view of Kinnick Stadium.
At the 12th floor of the Children's Hospital, Maksim poses like an eagle.
He came back to the hospital that saved his life
when he was one month old.
So grateful for our boy.
All in all, the staff at the hospital performed admirably. They were impressive and took good care of our sweet little Vala girl. We are also grateful for everyone who prayed for our baby. It was a scary experience that completely shook me. We are so blessed by all the love and support.
Per her multiple doctors, Vala will be taking this medication for six months to a full year. Propranolol to be administered every 8 hours. The redness is diminishing slowly, not a vast difference but noticeable. Our beautiful girl is such a good sport through all this. So thankful for modern medicine. Amen!
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