It is that time of the year again for Little Bambi to undergo laser treatment at the Royal Children's Hospital for the birthmark on her face. I dread it so much, I really do. Today was her third laser treatment and it was an real tough one for all of us, especially me.
Back in 2013, at 10 months, her first treatment. The doctors missed a portion of her birthmark from laser, citing reasons that it was not visible under theatre lighting. I know, it was a WTF moment for me.
One year later, at 20 months, her second round of laser. The doctors treated the entire birthmark. By then, 2/3 of the birthmark had been treated twice, while the remaining 1/3 only treated once. Overall, Little Bambi responded really well to laser treatment, and the entire birthmark is hardly noticeable at all. Doctors advised that she does not need any further treatment. They left the decision to me, for a third round to treat the small leftover area.
The decision for round three was difficult. Do I put my gorgeous little girl through the ordeal of laser and general anaesthetic again? For something so small? Was it even worth it?
I decided to delay the procedure to later this year. I told the doctors I needed time. Time was not something I could easily buy considering there was a 12 month waiting list for admission to operating theatre. I thought of Little Bambi, and considered the possibility of treatment much later, maybe when she's 5 or 6 years old. But then, 5 or 6 means she would remember it. For life! I then considered the doctors and the current government. We had both treatments completely bulk billed. I will not be surprised if at some stage the rules change and it comes at a cost. While cost should not be a factor, the level of care (apart from the area of the birthmark they missed) Little Bambi has received at the Royal Children Hospital has been excellent.
So there you go, I decided to proceed with the third round, despite differing opinions from Grumpy and my parents. I also wanted it done sooner rather than later. I wanted it done before her 3rd birthday and during winter, when there's less sun (for recovery). I had to negotiate with a lady at the hospital for Little Bambi to be brought forward in the waiting list. Then next up was for my mum to organise her flights so that she can be here for Little Bambi's recovery. Oh and lets not forget, convincing my family that this was the right thing to do. Was it?
Today entailed my mum and I waking up at 2am to feed Little Bambi milk. I then woke up at 4.30am, for some quiet time by myself with a hot cup of tea in hand. Calm before the storm. At 6am, I woke Little Bambi up, and fed her some juice. This was her last drink before fasting. By 6.30am we were out the house and at the hospital by 7am. My heart was aching. All week I explained to Little Bambi about the doctors putting a mask on her face and taking a short nap. She did not understand why but she accepted it, hesitantly. "Is the doctor checking me for my peanut allergy, mummy?" "I love you to the moon and back my gorgeous girl!"
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| At the hospital, waiting for her turn. |
Because of her age, we waited forever for her turn. Young babies go in first, older ones go later. Finally at 10.15am, they called us in. The anaesthetist was with us when the nurse handed me a gown for Little Bambi to change. As I took her clothes off, she said to me "Mummy, I want to keep my undies!" That definitely made the doctors laugh. Once we went inside the theatre, it was a completely different story. I don't blame her. A cold room with machines, and at least ten people all dressed up staring at you. She refused to lie down on the bed, making it more difficult for the gas to work. She fought the doctors hard when the mask was placed on her face, and it took about 4 people to hold her still. My heart ached. The anaesthetist assured me only the intelligent ones fight back. When she finally went to sleep, I walked out the theatre asking myself WHY?!
Finally at 11am, it was done. They called us in and Little Bambi is awake. She is disorientated and of course she's crying for me. I try my best to console her. I hold her close to me, tight. The nurse offers her an icy pole, and that makes everything better. Her appetite is back, and she enjoys some sandwiches with apple juice. I look at the eye, and this time round, the doctors have treated not only the remaining 1/3 of the birthmark, they treated small areas of the entire birthmark. I am not sure if I agree with that, although my mum assures me it was probably a good move. There is always a risk of discolouration.
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| Its over! |
The swelling at her eye is quite bad. Did I mention how much it breaks my heart? Apart from the swelling, she is back to her cheerful self. My baby deserves the outstanding award for bravery. Well, my baby and all the other kids at the hospital today.
