Re: Ian got his helmet - Loma (Day 2)

January 25, 2004

Hi Melisa-

I to felt the same way when Dylan got his helmut, and I cried for 2-

3 days. I would be so sad and feel bad for him- it was especially

frustrating when I would try and breastfeed b/c the helmut made it

awkward and fell down over his eyes (it has since been adjusted and

it is much better) It has been almost 2 weeks, and things have

gotten better for both of us. He doesnt care whether its on or off

and im starting to not even notice it. We went for our first recheck

appointment and Dylan must have had a giant growth spurt b/c his

head change amazed the othothist and she remeasured him 3 times to

be sure, the change was from a 1 to a .3 (I think im writing that

right) so that gave us all the more confidence in our decision and

washed alot of the negative feelings I had away. Progress helps as

does time. I will admit he has still not wore his helmut for the

full 23 hrs- he still gets so sweaty and the helmut stinky, even

with cornstarch baby powder, and is getting a rash on his forehead

which the orthotist thinks could be a heat rash so I take of the

helmut thru out the day and let his forehead breathe a little-

Anyway hang in there, it soed get better and I never thought I would

be able to say that

Dylan 1-04 Local Helmut Los Angeles

> Thanks everyone for your kind words about my Ian.

>

> Well, today he wore his helmet about...20 hours. I checked on him

before I went to bed last night and he was sleeping peacefully. At

5:15 am (10 hrs after he went to bed) I heard him babbling so I went

in and he had his helmet in his hands and was chewing on it! Well, I

gave him a break (by not putting it back on), gave him his pacifier

and he went back to sleep for a couple hours. He wore it all day

today except at the end of his morning nap it was off again! He

probably took it off because he was sweating so bad. His hair was

all wet and beads of sweat were still inside the helmet. But, he

slept with it on for 2 hours during his afternoon nap. Tonight he

went to bed at 6:45, I just checked on him and he's sleeping

peacefully!

>

> It is causing a bit of a problem with Isabelle. They've just

recently started to play with toys together, take toys away from

each other, etc. And, I think Isabelle views Ian's helmet as HIS toy

that he WON'T share with her. She was really mad about it this

morning when they were playing. She kept grabbing it and he'd pull

his head away and she'd start to cry or worse let out one of her

really high pitched screams. It was kind of sad...ok and a little

funny.

>

> So here's the thing, Ian totally doesn't mind the helmet, he's as

happy as can be, but it still bothers me...why? Do I feel guilty? I

don't know. I can't figure it out. I think he looks adorable in it,

he's happy, no one else seems to mind it...so why do I still feel

bad for him? I'm sure in a few more days, when I'm completely use to

it, I'll feel better. Especially when I start to see his little head

rounding out!

>

> Well, that's our 'day 2' update. The helmet seems to fit really

good so hopefully things will continue going good.

>

> Melisa

> Ian B. 1/23/04 Loma

January 25, 2004

Thanks .

I think your right, once I see the progress I'll feel better, but Ian doesn't go for an adjustment until February 27th! So far today, he's had it on the whole time, since midnight, well except for 15 minutes this morning when I fed him. I let him air out because his forhead was so red.

I tell Ian everyday to eat lots so he grows faster. I have to say though, he is just being such a trooper, I'm so proud (corny, huh?)

Keep me updated on Dylan. That's awesome that your already seeing improvement. My Orthotist said you see the most improvement the first month, then the second month you'll see half the improvement of the first month, the third month you'll see half the improvement of the second month and so on...do you have any idea how long Dylan will have to wear it? My Orthotist keeps saying I'll probably stop putting it on Ian as soon as the May hot weather hits. I would hate to have him wearing it in the hot weather but I don't want to terminate his treatment before it's time either. I guess we'll just wait and see.

Melisa

Ian 1/23/04 Loma

ps. did you go to the Aquarium yesterday?

Re: Ian got his helmet - Loma (Day 2)

Hi Melisa-I to felt the same way when Dylan got his helmut, and I cried for 2-3 days. I would be so sad and feel bad for him- it was especially frustrating when I would try and breastfeed b/c the helmut made it awkward and fell down over his eyes (it has since been adjusted and it is much better) It has been almost 2 weeks, and things have gotten better for both of us. He doesnt care whether its on or off and im starting to not even notice it. We went for our first recheck appointment and Dylan must have had a giant growth spurt b/c his head change amazed the othothist and she remeasured him 3 times to be sure, the change was from a 1 to a .3 (I think im writing that right) so that gave us all the more confidence in our decision and washed alot of the negative feelings I had away. Progress helps as does time. I will admit he has still not wore his helmut for the full 23 hrs- he still gets so sweaty and the helmut stinky, even with cornstarch baby powder, and is getting a rash on his forehead which the orthotist thinks could be a heat rash so I take of the helmut thru out the day and let his forehead breathe a little-Anyway hang in there, it soed get better and I never thought I would be able to say that :)Dylan 1-04 Local Helmut Los Angeles> Thanks everyone for your kind words about my Ian. > > Well, today he wore his helmet about...20 hours. I checked on him before I went to bed last night and he was sleeping peacefully. At 5:15 am (10 hrs after he went to bed) I heard him babbling so I went in and he had his helmet in his hands and was chewing on it! Well, I gave him a break (by not putting it back on), gave him his pacifier and he went back to sleep for a couple hours. He wore it all day today except at the end of his morning nap it was off again! He probably took it off because he was sweating so bad. His hair was all wet and beads of sweat were still inside the helmet. But, he slept with it on for 2 hours during his afternoon nap. Tonight he went to bed at 6:45, I just checked on him and he's sleeping peacefully!> > It is causing a bit of a problem with Isabelle. They've just recently started to play with toys together, take toys away from each other, etc. And, I think Isabelle views Ian's helmet as HIS toy that he WON'T share with her. She was really mad about it this morning when they were playing. She kept grabbing it and he'd pull his head away and she'd start to cry or worse let out one of her really high pitched screams. It was kind of sad...ok and a little funny.> > So here's the thing, Ian totally doesn't mind the helmet, he's as happy as can be, but it still bothers me...why? Do I feel guilty? I don't know. I can't figure it out. I think he looks adorable in it, he's happy, no one else seems to mind it...so why do I still feel bad for him? I'm sure in a few more days, when I'm completely use to it, I'll feel better. Especially when I start to see his little head rounding out!> > Well, that's our 'day 2' update. The helmet seems to fit really good so hopefully things will continue going good. > > Melisa> Ian B. 1/23/04 Loma For more plagio info

January 25, 2004

Hi Melisa,

I remember when my son learned to take his 2nd band off, he would

chew on the plastic/foam sideburns. I was so embarrassed to show the

ortho, I considered blaming it on our pet but then decided that would

probably look worse, haha!

I'm sure in a couple more days both you and Isabelle will get used to

seeing it on Ian. Then he'll look funny without it in the bath.

Good luck, Natasha

> Thanks everyone for your kind words about my Ian.

>

> Well, today he wore his helmet about...20 hours. I checked on him

before I went to bed last night and he was sleeping peacefully. At

5:15 am (10 hrs after he went to bed) I heard him babbling so I went

in and he had his helmet in his hands and was chewing on it! Well, I

gave him a break (by not putting it back on), gave him his pacifier

and he went back to sleep for a couple hours. He wore it all day

today except at the end of his morning nap it was off again! He

probably took it off because he was sweating so bad. His hair was all

wet and beads of sweat were still inside the helmet. But, he slept

with it on for 2 hours during his afternoon nap. Tonight he went to

bed at 6:45, I just checked on him and he's sleeping peacefully!

>

> It is causing a bit of a problem with Isabelle. They've just

recently started to play with toys together, take toys away from each

other, etc. And, I think Isabelle views Ian's helmet as HIS toy that

he WON'T share with her. She was really mad about it this morning

when they were playing. She kept grabbing it and he'd pull his head

away and she'd start to cry or worse let out one of her really high

pitched screams. It was kind of sad...ok and a little funny.

>

> So here's the thing, Ian totally doesn't mind the helmet, he's as

happy as can be, but it still bothers me...why? Do I feel guilty? I

don't know. I can't figure it out. I think he looks adorable in it,

he's happy, no one else seems to mind it...so why do I still feel bad

for him? I'm sure in a few more days, when I'm completely use to it,

I'll feel better. Especially when I start to see his little head

rounding out!

>

> Well, that's our 'day 2' update. The helmet seems to fit really

good so hopefully things will continue going good.

>

> Melisa

> Ian B. 1/23/04 Loma

January 26, 2004

Melisa,

It sure sounds like Ian is moving in the right direction. I know

what you mean about looking at Ian with his helmet and still being

upset about it. There are days when I feel that same way, and it has

been 5 months for us. Most days, I am very thankful that we live in

a time, and place where it is possible to correct the plagio, but...I

will admit to the occasional pity party.

I have to say I have a great image in my mind of your two kids,

duking it out over Ian's helmet. LOL Thanks for the smile on a

Monday morning!

- mom to Aidan