Guest guest Posted January 12, 2004 Report Share Posted January 12, 2004 Hi , I've been meaning to get on the computer all day to let everyone know how Ian's appointment went. His Orthotist's name is Mike. He was really nice. Ian's head was examined, measured and then he was casted. The casting was not at all what I expected. Mike put the little sock mask on him then wrapped his head in really thick, tacky tape stuff (looked like a bandage) that hardened within two minutes or so and that was it. I was a little surprised at how "un"-techinical some of the answers to my questions were. First, I asked how he would classify Ian's condition. He said, "I'd say Moderate since I would notice it if I walked by him in a store." Then, I asked how long treatment typically takes and he said "anywhere from 4-6 months but generally what happens is the parent comes in pretty much tells us when they are satisfied and no longer want their child to wear the helmet. In your case, in about 3-4 months it's going to start getting really hot and you probably won't want to subject Ian to the helmet anymore." Anyway, all in all, the appointment was good. I paid, and they gave me a 30% discount since my insurance doesn't cover it. That was a nice surprise. I pick up his helmet on the 23rd. It only takes a week to make it but they are short staffed so I couldn't get an appt. until two. Ian will be just turning 7 months (on the 24th) when we get the helmet. I was bummed I didn't have my camera with me. I didn't anticipate him being casted today (and he looked so cute with the sock on because it puffed out his cheeks) and anyway, since he sat on my lap for the whole thing, and I went alone, I wouldn't have been able to snap a picture. Oh, and they do custom designs on the helmets (I'm sure most of you know this but I didn't) and my husband wanted it camoflouge (sp?) and they have that. I read on a post earlier today that someone suggested going for the fitting appointment, then maybe hanging out in the area for a couple hours, shopping or something, and then going back to check the fit just to be sure. What do you think? I don't know if they do that & I'll have my daughter, Isabelle, with us for the next appointment but if it might save me 2 1/2 hours of driving in case he has problems...it's something to think about. Well, that's our update. I'm still nervous about how Ian will adjust to it (as it's harder than I expected it would be) but I've paid and it's being made so there's no turning back now! Melisa Melisa/Ian Hi Melisa,How did Ian's appointment go at Loma today? Who is his orthotist?/Makenna LLUMC helmet grad.For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 Hi Melisa, I am so happy to hear that things went so well and I am happy that you got Mike. He is really good. I know what you mean by his non technical answers though. At first that worried me, but rest assured, he does know what he is doing. Right after the helmet is given to Ian, they will fit it on him, make sure there is ample room for his ears and then re-adjust it if necessary and then put the air holes in. He will also give you a lot of prosthetic socks to put on under the helmet. That helps with any rubbing and sweating. With Makenna's socks, I cut the tip top off, so the top of her head wasn't covered with the sock. I thought that the helmet is hot enough without a sock too. It is a good idea to stick around after he gets the helmet the first time, for at least an hour I'd say just to see if it fits right. I didn't bother because I live so close (and there were no problems). I can almost assure you that there will be no problems, but you don't live really close and I'd hate for you to have to drive back if for some reason there were. I can direct you to some local malls or parks if you'd like. Let me know. Right now, I am probably 3 miles from the Orthotics dept. Please let us know how it goes and tell him the and Makenna said hello! > Hi , > > I've been meaning to get on the computer all day to let everyone know how Ian's appointment went. His Orthotist's name is Mike. He was really nice. Ian's head was examined, measured and then he was casted. The casting was not at all what I expected. Mike put the little sock mask on him then wrapped his head in really thick, tacky tape stuff (looked like a bandage) that hardened within two minutes or so and that was it. > > I was a little surprised at how " un " -techinical some of the answers to my questions were. First, I asked how he would classify Ian's condition. He said, " I'd say Moderate since I would notice it if I walked by him in a store. " Then, I asked how long treatment typically takes and he said " anywhere from 4-6 months but generally what happens is the parent comes in pretty much tells us when they are satisfied and no longer want their child to wear the helmet. In your case, in about 3-4 months it's going to start getting really hot and you probably won't want to subject Ian to the helmet anymore. " > > Anyway, all in all, the appointment was good. I paid, and they gave me a 30% discount since my insurance doesn't cover it. That was a nice surprise. I pick up his helmet on the 23rd. It only takes a week to make it but they are short staffed so I couldn't get an appt. until two. Ian will be just turning 7 months (on the 24th) when we get the helmet. > > I was bummed I didn't have my camera with me. I didn't anticipate him being casted today (and he looked so cute with the sock on because it puffed out his cheeks) and anyway, since he sat on my lap for the whole thing, and I went alone, I wouldn't have been able to snap a picture. > > Oh, and they do custom designs on the helmets (I'm sure most of you know this but I didn't) and my husband wanted it camoflouge (sp?) and they have that. > > I read on a post earlier today that someone suggested going for the fitting appointment, then maybe hanging out in the area for a couple hours, shopping or something, and then going back to check the fit just to be sure. What do you think? I don't know if they do that & I'll have my daughter, Isabelle, with us for the next appointment but if it might save me 2 1/2 hours of driving in case he has problems...it's something to think about. > > Well, that's our update. I'm still nervous about how Ian will adjust to it (as it's harder than I expected it would be) but I've paid and it's being made so there's no turning back now! > > Melisa > Melisa/Ian > > > Hi Melisa, > How did Ian's appointment go at Loma today? Who is his > orthotist? > /Makenna LLUMC helmet grad. > > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 13, 2004 Report Share Posted January 13, 2004 Hi & Everyone, It's so reassuring to hear from someone who has used the same clinic, not to mention the same Orthotist! All the success stories and encouragement from everyone on this list is helping so much! I just feel like I'm going to get the helmet and he's not going to like it and I'll feel bad and not use it (although my husband won't let that happen). I created an Album for Ian called "Ian B." Unfortunately, it not only created his album, but it created an empty album, with the same name as a subfolder of the first Ian in the group (does that make sense?). I'd delete it but I couldn't figure out how??? Sorry. I don't understand how that happened but I'm sure it was something I did. If anyone knows how I can delete it just let me know. Anyway, I uploaded a photo of Ian with his twin sister Isabelle and one of him by himself. I'll update it in a couple weeks when we get his helmet. Oh , if you could let me know of a park or mall or something in the area, that would be great. I think I will want to stick around for a while. One more question for everyone, it's been really warm lately but still cool enough for long sleeves and pants, but should I dress Ian lighter than usual the day he gets the helmet? I know someone else mentioned dressing him lighter at bedtime too. Right now he wears a cotton (footed) sleeper with socks underneath and a fleece sleepsack. I guess I could eliminate the socks and use his cotton sleepsack instead. What do you all think? Thank goodness he gets the helmet on a Friday so my husband can help out if it takes him a night or two to adjust. Melisa Ian, gets helmet on 1/23 from Loma Melisa/Ian> > > Hi Melisa,> How did Ian's appointment go at Loma today? Who is his > orthotist?> /Makenna LLUMC helmet grad.> > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 14, 2004 Report Share Posted January 14, 2004 Hi Melisa, Ian and Isabelle are sooo cute! Ian looks like he may be a handful - already sticking his tongue out at his sister LOL. I would be prepared to adjust Ian's clothes accordingly. If you're going out maybe dress him lighter and take a sweater or another layer. He will be warmer, especially the first few days. After that his body will adjust some. Remember to check his belly or back of the neck for correct temperature. His hands and feet are not a good indicator. Of course if you take the helmet off and he is sweating that is a good sign he's warm : ) & na Melisa/Ian> > > Hi Melisa,> How did Ian's appointment go at Loma today? Who is his > orthotist?> /Makenna LLUMC helmet grad.> > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 16, 2004 Report Share Posted January 16, 2004 Hi Melisa, I hope you get this before your appointment. I was out on Wednesday and Thursday and didn't see this until today. I promise I'll be around more now. I recently had a death in the family and have been busy with funeral arrangements and family gatherings. The funeral was yesterday, so I think things will be getting back to " normal " now. If you take the 10 freeway west to the 215 north, there is a mall on your right. You can't miss it. There is a park near the clinic too. It is, I believe one or two streets to the west of the clinic off of barton street. Let me know how Ian took to the helmet!! > > Hi , > > > > I've been meaning to get on the computer all day to let everyone > know how Ian's appointment went. His Orthotist's name is Mike. He was > really nice. Ian's head was examined, measured and then he was > casted. The casting was not at all what I expected. Mike put the > little sock mask on him then wrapped his head in really thick, tacky > tape stuff (looked like a bandage) that hardened within two minutes > or so and that was it. > > > > I was a little surprised at how " un " -techinical some of the answers > to my questions were. First, I asked how he would classify Ian's > condition. He said, " I'd say Moderate since I would notice it if I > walked by him in a store. " Then, I asked how long treatment typically > takes and he said " anywhere from 4-6 months but generally what > happens is the parent comes in pretty much tells us when they are > satisfied and no longer want their child to wear the helmet. In your > case, in about 3-4 months it's going to start getting really hot and > you probably won't want to subject Ian to the helmet anymore. " > > > > Anyway, all in all, the appointment was good. I paid, and they gave > me a 30% discount since my insurance doesn't cover it. That was a > nice surprise. I pick up his helmet on the 23rd. It only takes a week > to make it but they are short staffed so I couldn't get an appt. > until two. Ian will be just turning 7 months (on the 24th) when we > get the helmet. > > > > I was bummed I didn't have my camera with me. I didn't anticipate > him being casted today (and he looked so cute with the sock on > because it puffed out his cheeks) and anyway, since he sat on my lap > for the whole thing, and I went alone, I wouldn't have been able to > snap a picture. > > > > Oh, and they do custom designs on the helmets (I'm sure most of you > know this but I didn't) and my husband wanted it camoflouge (sp?) and > they have that. > > > > I read on a post earlier today that someone suggested going for the > fitting appointment, then maybe hanging out in the area for a couple > hours, shopping or something, and then going back to check the fit > just to be sure. What do you think? I don't know if they do that & > I'll have my daughter, Isabelle, with us for the next appointment but > if it might save me 2 1/2 hours of driving in case he has > problems...it's something to think about. > > > > Well, that's our update. I'm still nervous about how Ian will > adjust to it (as it's harder than I expected it would be) but I've > paid and it's being made so there's no turning back now! > > > > Melisa > > Melisa/Ian > > > > > > Hi Melisa, > > How did Ian's appointment go at Loma today? Who is his > > orthotist? > > /Makenna LLUMC helmet grad. > > > > > > > > For more plagio info Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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