Following
our visit to the doctor, and we were told of the possibilities of increased
growth and deformities associated with Hemangioma, I immediately wanted
to know what we could do to help our baby girl before it got any worse.
The doctor suggested that we wait to see what it would do. I became depressed
and blamed myself for her condition. My husband. Raffael comforted me by
saying that we didn't do anything wrong and that we had no control over
the situation. He reassured me that God wouldn't put anything on us He felt
we couldn't bear. Raffael said that we had to be strong for Alexis so that
we could protect her from what was yet to come.By the time she was two months old the Hemangioma had consumed her nose, upper and lower lip, and the left side of her face. I was conscious of how everyone started at us as if our family was any less normal than others. Never before had I experienced anything like this, it tore me apart inside. I just wanted everyone to look at her the way I did, as my beautiful little princess. Raffael and I were getting extremely frustrated with the waiting and the unanswered questions. We started going to the medial library researching the birth defect so that we could become more informed as well as educate others. When Alexis turned three months old, we requested a second opinion, because I was convinced that something could be done. We were referred to Dr. Magee and there are no words to capture the gratitude my husband and I have for him. From the first time we met, we felt very comfortable with his care of our daughter's condition and Alexis was comfortable with him. He explained everything in-depth, never keeping us in the dark, and he even gave us his home telephone number if we had any other questions or concerns.
When Alexis'
first surgery was scheduled, I experienced a gambit of emotions. I was happy
because we were finally going to start the process and scared of her actually
going under local anesthesia and what she would look like after the surgery.
Dr. Magee assured us that everything would be fine and that he would care
for her as if she were his own.The surgery results were miraculous. We have four surgeries behind us and more to come, but Alexis is still the same beautiful and perfect little girl she was on December 15, 1995 when she entered our lives and we owe it all to God and Dr. Magee.
Carmelita and Raffael Hanks, (757) 484-8871