Adorable Millie Field’s birthmark was initially just a small blue mark. However, within days, it changed rapidly, spreading across half of her face and placing her in a critical condition by affecting her airway and voice box.

Millie’s birthmark was identified as a hemangioma, a non-cancerous growth formed by blood vessels in the skin. These birthmarks can grow quickly and, in rare cases like Millie’s, may block the airway.

At just three weeks old, Millie became critically ill and was admitted to intensive care after developing serious breathing difficulties.

Millie had to have a tracheostomy tube inserted during a seven-hour surgery, which allowed her to breathe but temporarily prevented her from making any sounds.

Her parents, Michelle and Stuart, were heartbroken and feared their daughter would never breathe freely, let alone speak or smile.

“One of the hardest things was not being able to feed her and care for her, and never hearing her cry or make a sound. The growth was spreading, making it impossible for her to suck, swallow, and breathe at the same time,” explained Michelle Field, from Rochford, Essex, as reported by the Daily Mail.

According to Michelle, everything happened so quickly that she and her husband could not imagine what the future would hold. Doctors at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London gave Millie strong steroids to reduce the growth, but they had little effect.

While her daughter remained seriously ill in the hospital for six months, Michelle learned about a drug trial in France using propranolol, a beta-blocker traditionally used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions, which had shown promising results in reducing hemangiomas.

“We discussed it with Millie’s dermatologist and ear, nose and throat specialist. At the time, because Millie was dealing with pneumonia and breathing problems, they didn’t think it was the right option. But in the end, we had to try it. She needed regular morphine to keep her comfortable. She had very little quality of life and was getting worse and worse,” Michelle explained.

The decision made a remarkable difference. Millie’s condition began to improve almost immediately, the birthmark started to shrink and fade, and within a week she was able to leave the hospital.

“It completely changed her life. The growth was incredibly painful, and she never liked being touched or held because it caused so much discomfort. But then we were able to kiss and cuddle her, and within a few days she could move her head again,” Michelle recalled.

However, Millie’s journey was far from over. The growth had caused significant damage, and she later underwent surgery to create a new airway using a piece of rib cartilage.

She stopped taking her medication in August after two years of treatment and is scheduled to undergo surgery this month to reconstruct her lip.

Millie can now smile brightly, although she still experiences some speech difficulties because of the damage to her mouth.

Source: Detik Health