Post surgery update

On May 22, Eva had her nevus removed. She had three, one on each leg around her knee and the third on the bottom of her foot.
We arrived at the hospital by six.  She was in a very good mood too. After we arrived we did the basic check in process. Time went by swiftly and she was entertained by the life skills nurse. After both the plastic surgeon had circled her spots and the anesthesiologist gave a visit, the last nurse came and pushed her away in the car. She was very willing to go with her even though the picture doesn't seem to support that theory.
The procedure lasted about 50 minutes and the nurse told me that she was in recovery. Then her surgeon came and said that she did great. They will do a biopsy of the spots and I will know by next Thursday. Either way, they will call me.  We also have to visit his office within two weeks and then in six months.  I received home care instructions from him and we were finished.  Simple.
After about five minutes, the nurse brought Eva back to me in her arms.  She was in and out of consciousness. When she was out, she was snugly. When she would come to she was extremely physical and very irritable. She would whine, kick, punch, and have almost uncontrollable body movement.  If I didn't know any better, I would think that she was having mini five to seven seizures. It was a just a little concerned about her actions.  About ten minutes of this and the nurse came in with dismissal paperwork.  She was explaining to me what I needed to do at home while I was wrestling Eva, at that moment. I requested assistance to the car. The nurse asked if she could carry Eva. I told her that was fine as long as Eva would not act like she just was with me.  Well, instantly, she was a calm, sweet, recovering three year old that loved this new stranger.  Her demeanor was completely different. We walked through half the hospital to our vehicle and it seemed like everything was back to normal. I went to get the car while the nurse and Eva waited at the entrance. I put Eva in the car and we went home. No more struggles. No more hitting. I had Eva back and it took a nurse to make that happen, at least that's what I feel it was.
We got home and she was wanting to go outside and play. I did not let her go, I felt as though her legs and foot were still numb and I didn't want her to unknowingly hurt herself.  She ate lunch like a bird and took a four hour nap.
The next day, she woke up not wanting to walk on her heel and kept saying that her boo boo was ouchy. I gave her some ibuprofen and took her to school. She was instantly back into her student mode when we arrived and our normalcy continues.

Melonoma Follow-up

Eva had her procedure 11 days ago and it went smoothly.  This past Friday we got the phone message from the nurse sounding a bit distressed that we were not available but that we needed to call for her biopsy results before closing time at 2pm.  When I was checking the voicemail message, it was after four. 
Today I called and I found out that the mole on her right thigh a A-typical features.  This means that there is a possibility of future return and regrowth, or profound and confirmed melanoma.  the surgeon is sending over the slides to the dermatologist office for further review and confirmation. We should hear back from this office within two weeks. 
Also today, Eva had Field Day at school.  She was walking from the side walk towards the pavement and missed the step. ultimately falling on her knee, shin, and palms.  She took it like a trooper but her knee was bleeding, and did not stop. I took her to the restroom to clean it out and put a band aid on it and noticed that the gash on her knee was the size of a pea.  Seriously, it was super gross to look at and was really deep.  I asked the Director for some antibiotic.  We went home and I decided to call the doctors office to get it checked out.  I figured a copay was cheaper than a 20% ER visit.  After talking with the nurse, I figured out that this gash wasn't just from the fall but actually she had reopened one of her scars from the procedure.  That totally explained the large gash.  After I got home, I called the surgeon's office and they just told me to cover it with antibiotic and a band aid, keep it clean and covered. 

Insurance Battle

I have been giving words of encouragement to parents all over the world when it comes to getting all that you can for your child.  I have been telling them that as KDVS parent, you are their voice.  If you want something for your child, then fight for it.  Now, unfortunately, I must admit, it is our turn. 

Eva is no longer receiving any type of therapy services.  All of the sessions allowed have been used.  She was given 60 per diagnosis.  That's right, 60 visits for KDVS will ultimately make Eva's ability level parallel with her peers.  60.  Speech, physical, and occupational is no longer provided, ever. 

I am furious that this has happened and this is the first chapter of my fight against our insurance (or lack of) company. 

Horse Riding

 

All I can say is Eva loved it - and rode all by herself... Sorry Mr. Wallet, I can see this in your near future.

Our Last Bunny

Easter came and went again this year with absolutely beautiful weather.  When we were looking for our many candy filled plastic eggs, but Eva's attention span lasted through only about eight eggs and she was done.  She really enjoyed the playset the best. 

We did manage to get her to wear the bunny costume.  She looked just too cute.  I even video recorded her running to the playset and her little bunny tail just wobbled back and forth with every step.  It is probably one size to big for her but next year it should be perfect. 

Dinner was excellent and we enjoyed our dessert too...  Thanks Easter bunny!

Dermatology Follow-up

Good news - Eva has benign acquired nevus(moles).  However, our doctor explained that these moles can become malignant over time so she recommends that they all be removed, the one on her foot and legs.  We have been referred to a pediatric plastic surgeon to get his recommendations and to get this procedure done in a timely matter.  We have some serious traveling plans in July and I will not let the procedure interrupt our plans. 

 

Our appointment is the second week of May with the surgeon.  I hope our consultation will go in our favor.

 

One thing that I learned from the dermatologist is the ABCDEs of melanoma.  These signs are:

 

A:Asymmetry - One half unlike the other half

B: Border - Irregular, scalloped or poorly defined border.

C: Color - Varied from one area to another; shades of tan & brown, black; sometimes white, red, or blue.

D: Diameter - While melanomas usually are greater than 6mm (size of a pencil eraser) when diagnosed, they can be smaller.

E: Evolving - A mole or skin lesion that looks different from the rest or is changing in size, shape or color.

 

"Benign" refers to a condition, tumor, or growth that is not cancerous. This means that it does not spread to other parts of the body. It does not change or destroy nearby tissue. Sometimes, a condition is called benign to suggest it is not dangerous or serious.  (1)

 

While melanoma is rare in young children, it is helpful for parents to know that there are different types of moles. Most moles are harmless, but there are a few types that should be examined by a dermatologist just to be sure. (2)

 

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanoma

(2) http://www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet/moles_children.html

 

Concerned spots

In the past year or so, I have talked with parents of KDVS children that have been diagnosed and treated with melanoma.  I always felt so sympathetic of what other parents have to experience and feel fortunate with Eva's minimal KDVS symptoms.  That spot was just smaller than a pencil eraser then one day, it doubled in size and had two babies.  It was just strange so I made an appointment. 


Dark spot on left heel area

At the doctors office last week, our doctor said that she was not at all worried about the armpit or the knee.  Although she was concerned with the one on her foot.  She said that it was a dark, deep discoloration that should be observed by a dermatologist.  I asked her what was her level of concern.  She answered "40%".  She also said that the dermatologist office has to call us and schedule an appointment.  I know what that meant.  Normally, a new patient visit takes about 4-6 weeks or much longer.  The next day, their office called me, yes the next day.  I was shocked.  We made an appointment for the 23rd of this month.  I think that all Kool Kids beat the odds so I am just going to assume that this spot will most likely be removed (and since there had been such a quick response, my doctor's 40% could just possibly be higher).  I am hopeful to post a good response from our new doctors visit next week.  Wish us luck...