Praise for propranolol!

Caroline had an appointment this week with Dr. Prose, so I decided to print off some comparison pictures to take with me to show him the difference. I had not really compared Caroline's most recent pictures to ones before propranolol, so I was shocked at how different the hemangioma looked. Maybe there has been dramatic change after all! Although I was hoping to keep her on it just a little bit longer, it was decided to continue weaning her off the propranolol. We had decreased to two doses a day, now we are down to one. Dr. Prose really feels like Caroline is at the point now where her body will take over and the hemangioma will begin going away on it's own. This week, I've really been thinking about the blessings to be thankful for in all of this. While certainly if given my choice, I would rather have never known what a "hemangioma" is at all, there are countless ways I truly believe the Lord has taken care of Caroline and her needs. I'm thankful to have a pediatricians office who listened to my concerns and referred us to a specialist in the early stages of the hemangioma. I'm thankful that we were led to Duke and the wonderful care that Dr. Prose has given Caroline. I'm thankful that Dr. Prose was willing to try a new treatment for her (propranolol) when the hemangioma began growing again and we were trying to avoid the awful side effects of restarting the steroid. Even the location of her hemangioma is a blessing! Most doctors advocate taking a "wait and see" approach with hemangiomas unless it is impacting a vital function or organ. Basically, this means that unless it is affecting seeing, eating, or breathing, NO treatment is given and the hemangioma is left to run it's course. This could take years! Left untreated, hemangiomas like Caroline's can grow very large, very quickly, causing ulceration (sores) that are extremely painful and difficult to manage. I have seen the pictures and read the stories from parents who are dealing with that firsthand and it's heartbreaking. Thank you, Lord, for protecting Caroline! Here are the before and after pictures so you can see for yourself:

Day one of propranolol

This is day two 0r three

This is now, taken two weeks ago.

Pretty dramatic to me!