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Our Kids - Meet Braydon

Most people don't think that moles are a serious medical condition. However, Braydon's parents, Jeff and Kelly, disagree - and for good reason.

Braydon

Braydon, Congenital Nevi

When Braydon was born, doctors noticed that parts of his body had dark patches. Diagnosed with Large Congenital Nevi, or moles, Braydon had toonie-sized spots that covered his body.

His right leg was completely covered in a dark nevus - mole - resulting in a significant difference in colour compared to his left leg. Though most of the nevi are flat spots, some are raised and bumpy. Nevi can penetrate into the nervous system and lead to fatal outcomes, so Braydon's doctors performed a biopsy to ensure that the nevi were benign. A risk of melanoma exists with this condition so his doctors will track his progress. Braydon's doctors also found some nevi on his brain, and as a result, will be monitored closely through yearly MRIs.

In December 2005, Braydon underwent surgery to remove nevi from his arm, forehead, and partially from his cheek. Doctors can either use laser treatments, skin grafting, or skin expansion to remove a nevus. Skin expansion allows doctors to stretch healthy areas of skin over areas affected by a nevus. However, because Braydon's entire leg is covered in the nevus, doctors aren't able to use skin expansion as an option for treating that part of his body but have other options to consider using in the future.

Braydon's parents had never heard of this condition prior to his diagnosis and felt overwhelmed when they first learned of the condition. Through the care that Drs. Ronald Zuker and Suzanne Blaser provided, they always felt safe and reassured that he was receiving the best treatment available.

Braydon's stays at SickKids were always shorter than originally planned because he would respond better to his care than doctors predicted. This overjoyed the family who travel from Welland, Ontario every time Braydon has an appointment. "SickKids has changed our lives and given us hope that we will all be okay," explained Kelly.

Braydon is a thriving young boy who loves to play with his big brothers, Drew and Jacob. He is starting to understand that parts of his body look different but Drew and Jacob take good care of him to make sure he is always safe and protected.

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