Ella was born at Mercy Medical Center on April 29, 2009. When Ella was brought home from the hospital, Ella’s parents noticed a very purple lump growing very rapidly on her left temple. A doctor friend of her dad, suggested that they contact the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital to get the lump investigated and immediately she was hospitalized. Ella was diagnosed with a subcutaneous hemangioma—a large birth mark that is purple in color.
During her first couple of days, Ella went through all kinds of tests with many many doctors. Dr. Atkins, Ella’s primary physician, wanted to try a new drug that was currently being used to treat this type of hemangioma. The doctors at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital have been fantastic through the process. Ella, now two years old, still sees Dr. Atkins and Dr. Pesce monitors Ella’s growth as well as the hemangiomas growth. So far, all signs are pointing to great and over time the Hemangioma will start to resolve itself.
