Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 Hi Debbie and Abby, Thanks for asking! We met with Greg Smits at Children’s Hospital in Denver last week. He fits the Starband. We went in for a consultation. I want to talk to a couple more people before we make our decision whether to helmet or not. I have an appt with a neurosurgeon Nov 20, although he is against helmets. I also have an appt with Cranial Technologies licensed company in Kansas City… Rehab Center of Am (I think it’s called that.) Greg didn’t think her head was that bad. He thought the flatness was mild. He said a lot of parents would be happy if their children had her head shape after banding. He took measurements. Her ears are lined up correctly (which we already knew) and her face is symmetrical (no bulging of one side vs. the other). She has some bulging on the back left side and flatness on the back right side. After measuring he said there is a difference of 3/8 to ½ inch between the back left side and the back right side. Visually, I see that her head is flatter in the back. To me it looks wider than most baby heads. It also looks taller. After our visit I felt confident that we would not need to band/helmet Regan. But now that a few days have past, I still find myself comparing her head to baby heads around us at Gymboree, play groups, etc. I also find myself replaying his opinion, but discounting it because he has only helmeted 20 kids, most of which are/were much worse off than Regan. I wonder how much of an expert he really is. Also, Regan is going to be 18 months in March… not enough time to Starband. So if we do anything, we’ll probably have to drive to Kansas City to do it… And I’m having another baby on January 19th, which is going to make traveling even more difficult. I just wish I could see Regan’s head at the end of 2 years, 4 years, etc!!! I feel like I’m obsessed with staring at other babies heads! How do these measurements and opinions sound to you? Thanks for checking in!!! Norwicke 7430 Delmonico Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 599-0215 & Regan in Colorado : Checking in with you to see if you've made any progress in finding a band or helmet for Regan. Hope things are well. Debbie Abby's mom dOCGrad MI For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 - I remember that feeling of wanted to look at Dane's head years down the road. That whole " what if " scenario seemed to hang above my head for so long. I think it is a wide decision to go for a consult in KC. 20 bands is not a lot. Particularly when you think that Colorado doctors (from your perspective) aren't very plagio saavy, so he probably sees the worst of the worst and a moderate or mild case may not be as concerning to him as it would be to other orthotists. My son had 14 mm of cranial vault asymmetry and 8 mm of facial asymmetry. His ears were off by about an inch. Congratulations on your upcoming baby! I can understand not wanting to travel. Dane's mom DOC Grad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 Thanks for the update ! From your description, it sounds like Regan's plagio is pretty mild. It is great that she has no assymetries! Most plagio babies have significant assymetries, ears, eyes, cheeks, etc. so that is great Regan has none! It does sound like you had a good appt with the orthotist in CO though. It won't hurt to continue on and get more opinions. An eval at Cranial Tech (you are correct, it is Rehab Design of America in KC) will be a wonderful help. They'll give you an honest opinion about Regan's plagio. They won't try to " sell " you their product. With as many plagio babies as they see, you'll really get a good opinion. Congratulations on your pregnancy. WOW, you're gonna be very busy having 2 under 2, YIKES!!! LOL. Only 2 more mos.! Do you know what you're having? Having to travel with a newborn along with a toddler would be even more difficult. Please be sure you keep us posted on your appts.. Good luck. Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad MI > Hi Debbie and Abby, > > > > Thanks for asking! We met with Greg Smits at Children's Hospital in > Denver last week. He fits the Starband. We went in for a consultation. I > want to talk to a couple more people before we make our decision whether > to helmet or not. I have an appt with a neurosurgeon Nov 20, although he > is against helmets. I also have an appt with Cranial Technologies > licensed company in Kansas City… Rehab Center of Am (I think it's called > that.) > > > > Greg didn't think her head was that bad. He thought the flatness was > mild. He said a lot of parents would be happy if their children had her > head shape after banding. He took measurements. Her ears are lined up > correctly (which we already knew) and her face is symmetrical (no > bulging of one side vs. the other). > > > > She has some bulging on the back left side and flatness on the back > right side. After measuring he said there is a difference of 3/8 to ½ > inch between the back left side and the back right side. Visually, I see > that her head is flatter in the back. To me it looks wider than most > baby heads. It also looks taller. > > > > After our visit I felt confident that we would not need to band/helmet > Regan. But now that a few days have past, I still find myself comparing > her head to baby heads around us at Gymboree, play groups, etc. I also > find myself replaying his opinion, but discounting it because he has > only helmeted 20 kids, most of which are/were much worse off than Regan. > I wonder how much of an expert he really is. Also, Regan is going to be > 18 months in March… not enough time to Starband. So if we do anything, > we'll probably have to drive to Kansas City to do it… And I'm having > another baby on January 19th, which is going to make traveling even more > difficult. > > > > I just wish I could see Regan's head at the end of 2 years, 4 years, > etc!!! I feel like I'm obsessed with staring at other babies heads! > > > > How do these measurements and opinions sound to you? > > > > Thanks for checking in!!! > > > > Norwicke > > 7430 Delmonico Drive > > Colorado Springs, CO 80919 > > (719) 599-0215 > > > > & Regan in Colorado > > > > : > Checking in with you to see if you've made any progress in finding a > band or helmet for Regan. > Hope things are well. > Debbie Abby's mom dOCGrad > MI > > > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 Thanks! I will definitely keep you posted. I want to clarify the ¾ to ½ inch difference on the back of her head… Does this sound like a familiar measurement to anyone? He measured her right side forehead to her left back side and her left side forehead to her right back side. The difference between the two was 3/8” to ½”, which HE said was not that big of a difference. What do others think? The “access” is on the back left side. Norwicke 7430 Delmonico Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80919 (719) 599-0215 & Regan in Colorado > > > > : > Checking in with you to see if you've made any progress in finding a > band or helmet for Regan. > Hope things are well. > Debbie Abby's mom dOCGrad > MI > > > > > For more plagio info, go to www.plagiocephaly.org/support > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 : Abby never had any measurements taken of her head, so I can't really help you there. Many of our plagio babies never had measurements taken, but I hope someone can help you! Debbie > > Hi Debbie and Abby, > > > > > > > > Thanks for asking! We met with Greg Smits at Children's Hospital in > > Denver last week. He fits the Starband. We went in for a > consultation. I > > want to talk to a couple more people before we make our decision > whether > > to helmet or not. I have an appt with a neurosurgeon Nov 20, > although he > > is against helmets. I also have an appt with Cranial Technologies > > licensed company in Kansas City… Rehab Center of Am (I think it's > called > > that.) > > > > > > > > Greg didn't think her head was that bad. He thought the flatness was > > mild. He said a lot of parents would be happy if their children had > her > > head shape after banding. He took measurements. Her ears are lined > up > > correctly (which we already knew) and her face is symmetrical (no > > bulging of one side vs. the other). > > > > > > > > She has some bulging on the back left side and flatness on the back > > right side. After measuring he said there is a difference of 3/8 to > ½ > > inch between the back left side and the back right side. Visually, > I see > > that her head is flatter in the back. To me it looks wider than most > > baby heads. It also looks taller. > > > > > > > > After our visit I felt confident that we would not need to > band/helmet > > Regan. But now that a few days have past, I still find myself > comparing > > her head to baby heads around us at Gymboree, play groups, etc. I > also > > find myself replaying his opinion, but discounting it because he has > > only helmeted 20 kids, most of which are/were much worse off than > Regan. > > I wonder how much of an expert he really is. Also, Regan is going > to be > > 18 months in March… not enough time to Starband. So if we do > anything, > > we'll probably have to drive to Kansas City to do it… And I'm having > > another baby on January 19th, which is going to make traveling even > more > > difficult. > > > > > > > > I just wish I could see Regan's head at the end of 2 years, 4 years, > > etc!!! I feel like I'm obsessed with staring at other babies heads! > > > > > > > > How do these measurements and opinions sound to you? > > > > > > > > Thanks for checking in!!! > > > > > > > > Norwicke > > > > 7430 Delmonico Drive > > > > Colorado Springs, CO 80919 > > > > (719) 599-0215 > > > > > > > > & Regan in Colorado > > > > > > > > : > > Checking in with you to see if you've made any progress in finding > a > > band or helmet for Regan. > > Hope things are well. > > Debbie Abby's mom dOCGrad > > MI > > > > > > > > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 4, 2002 Report Share Posted November 4, 2002 Luke's measured 9/16" (1.5cm) different & is considered mild.That is about 33% larger difference than what they measured on Regan. Hope that helps!Kelli & Luke (almost 1yo & 3.5 wks.in helmet) -- & Regan in Colorado> > > > > > > > :> > Checking in with you to see if you've made any progress in finding > a > > band or helmet for Regan.> > Hope things are well.> > Debbie Abby's mom dOCGrad> > MI> > > > > > > > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2002 Report Share Posted November 5, 2002 , Well, I can certainly see your dilemna. The truth is that the ortho is probably correct in that some parents would be happy with the head shape you described at the end of treatment, however, she is your baby and YOU have to be happy with her head shape. It does sound mild if the ears are aligned and if there is no facial assymetry. I guess I would suggest keeping the consulation with the DOCband people for a second opinion and then make your decision from there. Good luck - I can only imagine what a struggle this decision must be for you. Keep us posted. Marci (mom to ) Oklahoma In a message dated 11/4/2002 6:11:08 PM Eastern Standard Time, " " <Lnorwicke@...> writes: >Hi Debbie and Abby, > > > >Thanks for asking! We met with Greg Smits at Children’s Hospital in >Denver last week. He fits the Starband. We went in for a consultation. I >want to talk to a couple more people before we make our decision whether >to helmet or not. I have an appt with a neurosurgeon Nov 20, although he >is against helmets. I also have an appt with Cranial Technologies >licensed company in Kansas City… Rehab Center of Am (I think it’s called >that.) > > > >Greg didn’t think her head was that bad. He thought the flatness was >mild. He said a lot of parents would be happy if their children had her >head shape after banding. He took measurements. Her ears are lined up >correctly (which we already knew) and her face is symmetrical (no >bulging of one side vs. the other). > > > >She has some bulging on the back left side and flatness on the back >right side. After measuring he said there is a difference of 3/8 to ½ >inch between the back left side and the back right side. Visually, I see >that her head is flatter in the back. To me it looks wider than most >baby heads. It also looks taller. > > > >After our visit I felt confident that we would not need to band/helmet >Regan. But now that a few days have past, I still find myself comparing >her head to baby heads around us at Gymboree, play groups, etc. I also >find myself replaying his opinion, but discounting it because he has >only helmeted 20 kids, most of which are/were much worse off than Regan. >I wonder how much of an expert he really is. Also, Regan is going to be >18 months in March… not enough time to Starband. So if we do anything, >we’ll probably have to drive to Kansas City to do it… And I’m having >another baby on January 19th, which is going to make traveling even more >difficult. > > > >I just wish I could see Regan’s head at the end of 2 years, 4 years, >etc!!! I feel like I’m obsessed with staring at other babies heads! > > > >How do these measurements and opinions sound to you? > > > >Thanks for checking in!!! > > > > Norwicke > >7430 Delmonico Drive > >Colorado Springs, CO 80919 > >(719) 599-0215 > > > > & Regan in Colorado > > > >: >Checking in with you to see if you've made any progress in finding a >band or helmet for Regan. >Hope things are well. >Debbie Abby's mom dOCGrad >MI > > > > >For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 5, 2002 Report Share Posted November 5, 2002 Hi , I can certainly see your dilemma. One of the reasons that we felt it was necessary to band our son was due to the severe ear misalignment and moderate facial asymmetry. Since your daughter's plagio sounds mild to begin with, and no facial or ear asymmetry, I can imagine the gray areas that are turning in your mind at night! Actually, I can somewhat relate because the ped we went to made me feel like I was overreacting, that my son didn't need a band, and no one was perfect. So I felt like I had to make THE choice all on my own, but hindsight being 20/20 it should have been an easy decision for us. You may find that CT recommends not banding, there have been members post that CT said it didn't warrant banding, so you may find that even they won't feel its necessary. CT sent me home with my son @ 3 mnths old to reposition for a month- so I have faith that as a company they will be very honest and upfront, as they were with us, and did not have one agenda to merely sell bands. Good luck in your decision making process- keep us posted! ' Mom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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