Colin F.'s scanning apptm't

[Guest guest]

Your good thoughts really helped us yesterday!

Colin did really really well ~ I was very proud of him. The drive

was only an hour (Rochester, NY) and my mom came with me which was

nice. We found the place, filled out some paperwork and they took us

in right away.

Chuck, the orthotist, was nothing as I had pictured him. I had

spoken with him on the phone a few times before our visit. He is

very well-spoken and knowledgeable about the treatment and band that

they use, etc. He looked like a Harley son motorcycle guy!! He

had a shaved head, mustache and goatee beard and had tatooes up and

down both arms!!! But again, he was very intelligent and soft-spoken

and Colin warmed up to him very quickly! He played peek-a-boo with

Colin with the stocking that went on his head and let Colin touch his

shaved head and face. It was cute. Colin didn't mind the stocking

going on at all (I will post a picture sometime).

He then layed Colin in the scanner and let C have his paci. C was OK

at first but wimpered a little bit. I had to hold his arms down to

his sides and I tickled his thighs with my lips (which makes him

giggle). We had to do the scan 3 times to get the best image.

The computer image was really cool and I loved being able to really

see his head. The measurements showed that his ratio of front-to-

back and side-to-side is 98% and Chuck said that ideally you want

that around 76-80% (I think; my paperwork is upstairs, but I'm sure

you experts know what I'm talking about!). His head is really flat

in the back (brachy) and he has some right plagio as well. He showed

me the 4 quadrants of the cross section of his head between his ears

and nose to neck and explained where the growth will be encouraged

and where the band will gently hold growth in the width of his head.

We ordered the Jumbo designed STARband (yellow with dancing

elephants) and he explained that the pattern might distort the images

of the elephants. I said that was fine because I have seen someone

else's and liked it just fine. He had some samples of the bands so

we got to look and feel them. We will get the band in 2 weeks (June

29th at 3pm EST). I think I may be more emotional during that

appointment but perhaps a lot of my anxiety has already been released

a little.

Chuck said that we do not need anything for sleep or car seat. I

think I may have more questions after we get it. Colin will get

check-ups every week. I like the weekly check-ups just to know what

is going on, but I know that there may not be progress every week.

Today is my day off from work so I need to get ready and play with my

little man! I thank you so much for your concern and will be back

tomorrow to respond to everyone else's posts!

Take care!

Sue

Colin F. 9/24/03 (bachy, rt plagio)

STARband starting 6/29/04

Buffalo, NY