Gina Heslop
The inspiring journey of Baby Hulk, a resilient girl who defied all odds to survive, is a remarkable tale of strength and determination. Born with a rare condition known as lymphangioma, Baby Hulk, whose real name is Armani, exhibited an extraordinary appearance from birth. Lymphangioma is characterized by non-cancerous growths in the body’s lymphatic vessels, causing significant hypertrophy in Armani’s upper torso and arms, giving her the striking resemblance of a miniature bodybuilder.
Armani’s condition was diagnosed during her mother’s 17th week of pregnancy, and at birth, she weighed a remarkable 12 pounds, drawing attention due to her mother’s large pregnancy size. Despite initial bleak predictions by doctors, who gave her a “zero percent” chance of survival, Armani displayed incredible resilience by crying shortly after her C-section delivery at 33 weeks.
Armani’s mother, Chelsey, openly shared her emotional journey, from devastation upon learning of her baby’s condition to the deep sense of confusion about why her child was affected. She expressed her gratitude for her daughter, who, despite her unique appearance, has not developed deformities and rarely cries. Armani’s excess skin, a result of her condition, is expected to diminish with time, though there will be notable scarring from surgeries. Armani’s developmental progress, including rolling over and attempting to say “momma,” is nothing short of a miracle in their lives.
Chelsey Milby’s pregnancy was marked by severe health challenges, daily suffering, and a need for constant stomach fluid drainage. She chose to deliver at 33 weeks as her body was deteriorating rapidly. Despite the difficult childbirth experience, the moment she saw her baby’s face, it made all the challenges worth it, though she required medication to keep calm due to a panic attack. Armani’s father, Blake, anxiously awaited the delivery in the hallway, and the emotional moment when she came out crying left everyone in the room deeply moved.
After Armani’s birth, the family moved to a Cincinnati hospital for her recovery, where Chelsey faced postpartum depression but stayed strong for her children, calling their journey a daily rollercoaster. Armani is now preparing for surgeries to remove excess lymphatic vessels in her arms and chest, with the hope of achieving a more typical appearance. Medical professionals will use procedures like sclerotherapy to address her condition and improve fluid drainage.
Baby Hulk’s story is one of resilience, love, and hope, reminding us that even in the face of adversity, the human spirit can overcome incredible challenges.
