Well, it's official. Emma will be undergoing surgery with Dr. Gage, a pediatric plastic surgeon at UNC Chapel Hill, on March 7th. We have a pre-op meeting with him on the 2nd of the month, and then surgery on the 7th (barring any unforseen issues).
It's going to be really strange to see her without her "Special Spot," or her "Easy Button," as we like to call it.
It is good timing to have it removed, though, because it seems to coincide with other babies/kiddos around her finally noticing the spot and wanting to touch it. This could be risky for it opening, getting infected, etc. So, best to do this now while she's small and won't remember it, versus when she's older and would remember it.
Our meeting with Dr. Van Aalst (Dr. Gage's partner), went well a few weeks ago. He told us we really only had two options (as opposed to what the peds dermatologist told us): 1. Do nothing, let it grow and involude. Hair will never grow there and her scalp/hairline would have to be surgically corrected later on down the line. OR, 2. Just remove it now.
After discussing the risks and benefits with the doctor, we decided to go ahead and schedule surgery. Dr. Van Aalst was very confident that he could remove the hemangioma and be able to close the wound with internal sutures (meaning there'll be nothing external to worry about except to put some triple antibiotic ointment on it). He did say that Emma could not be submerged in water for up to a month, so we had to postpone her swimming class with Daddy on Sundays. We'll just do it sometime in May or June.
Grammy and Grampy Farrell will be coming down to stay with Emma during the week following her surgery so that she doesn't have to go to school. Brian and I will both take the day of Emma's surgery off. We'll keep you posted on her recovery. Per Dr. Van Aalst, "Whatever trouble she's causing that morning, she'll be causing that afternoon (after the surgery)."
I can't believe Emma is 6 months old....Look who can sit all by herself!
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