Re: second thoughts about helmet

[Guest guest]

, HUGE HUGS!!!

I'm so sorry you are so stressed out. I just looked at Jenna's

pictures and she is so cute and so sweet. Could you refresh my

memory as to your history on this journey? There is a chance of it

rounding some but possibly not to the extent and as quickly as it

could with a helmet. My son *still* does not like to wear any hats

but he does not mind the helmet AT ALL. I couldn't believe it. Jenna

will adjust fine to it I will assure you of that. The casting may be

stressful on her but she will quickly recover and will never remember

it. We didn't have casting so others may talk to you about that. It

is a non-invasive therapy that will be over with before you know it

and you have nothing to lose by trying it. Take it one day at a time

and if something does not work out as you had hoped you can stop at

anytime. You are not locked it. But again, I think she will do just

fine. Look forward to hearing from you again.

Sue

Colin F. 10 mos.

StarBand 6/29/04

Buffalo, NY

> Hi.I need some advice here please!!!!! I am really having second

> thoughts about getting a helmet.We had a terrible experience with

> just the x-rays. Jenna broke out in a rash on her face and head

> right after x-rays , have no idea from what, and she totally

freaked

> out the whole time.We got home and she took a nap , woke up and

> headed back to the hospital.When she woke up her face and eyes

were

> swollen, still no idea what she was allergic to.I really cant see

> putting her thru the trauma of the casting and wearing the helmet,

> she hates anythign on her head already.I know we want to do whats

> best for her. Is there any chance of it rounding out it's own or

can

> it get worse? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi there

You poor things, it sounds like you have just had the most horrible

time. Poor little Jenna- I really feel for you with this. When

you've had a horrible experience like that I can see why it would

make you think twice. All I'd say is that you don't have to make any

hasty decisions in the next few days. Just be kind to yourselves and

her and let the dust settle before deciding what to do.

Have you any idea what caused her allergy? I'm not surprised she

freaked out if she got a bad rash. Do you think it was something at

the hospital/X-ray, or could it be unconnected, such as food? My

little daughter Lucia had an allergic reaction twice last week (just

eye swelling) and I never identified what it was. It wasn't her

helmet as she had it on all the time. I didn't give her any new

foods either. It would really help you if you could perhaps narrow

that down, then you would know whether she would be likely to have

the same reaction again in any circumstances.

Don't worry about Jenna hating things on her head- Lucia does and

always pulls off every hat I ever put on. She has never even noticed

her helmet at all. I think this is because it is custom-made and so

lightweight, she doesn't feel it. It is just like popping a pair of

shoes on her. She also has incredibly sensitive skin prone to red

marks and rashes and we've worked around that just fine.

I won't try and persuade you to do something you don't feel is right

for Jenna. All I'll say is give yourselves time to be upset about

today and a bit of time to think. This is an entirely understandable

reaction based on the strong emotions you are feeling now, but

chances are, you may feel differently in the future.

Do let us know how Jenna is tomorrow and how you are all feeling.

Hannah (mum to Lucia, London, UK)

Plagio, passive helmet, 4/7/04

> Hi.I need some advice here please!!!!! I am really having second

> thoughts about getting a helmet.We had a terrible experience with

> just the x-rays. Jenna broke out in a rash on her face and head

> right after x-rays , have no idea from what, and she totally

freaked

> out the whole time.We got home and she took a nap , woke up and

> headed back to the hospital.When she woke up her face and eyes

were

> swollen, still no idea what she was allergic to.I really cant see

> putting her thru the trauma of the casting and wearing the helmet,

> she hates anythign on her head already.I know we want to do whats

> best for her. Is there any chance of it rounding out it's own or

can

> it get worse? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Connor also freaked out with the x-rays and screamed bloody murder,

and we had to do it twice. Connor has had a few allergic reactions on

his face, although we haven't figured out from what yet. He's out of

his helmet now, so that isn't the problem. Connor has very sensitive

skin and eczema, but his head actually did better while he was wearing

the helmet. Connor did pretty well with the casting and only cried

near the end. I know it's hard to put them through it, but it is a

very short amount of time. Connor never had a problem with having the

helmet on, even though he's not crazy about hats. I can't remember

what Jenna's age is, so I can't say whether repo is an option for you.

Connor (PPO helmet grad 8/04, tort)

> Hi.I need some advice here please!!!!! I am really having second

> thoughts about getting a helmet.We had a terrible experience with

> just the x-rays. Jenna broke out in a rash on her face and head

> right after x-rays , have no idea from what, and she totally freaked

> out the whole time.We got home and she took a nap , woke up and

> headed back to the hospital.When she woke up her face and eyes were

> swollen, still no idea what she was allergic to.I really cant see

> putting her thru the trauma of the casting and wearing the helmet,

> she hates anythign on her head already.I know we want to do whats

> best for her. Is there any chance of it rounding out it's own or can

> it get worse? Thanks.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm sorry, I haven't been as active on the board the past couple of

days so I'm not familiar with your story. I'm so sorry that the x-

rays went so poorly for you. Did she break out with hives? I can

remember the xrays being hard with us too. My son Aidan screamed so

loud and it took four people to hold him still. I cried and cried.

But do you know what? Aidan never would wear hats but honest to God,

the day that his DOCband was put on him, he went to grab it, I

distracted him with a toy and it never bothered him, and this was at

age 12 months. I know that that sounds hard to hear and I wouldn't

have believed it either.

As for rounding on its own. Some kids do, I would think that a

brachy headshape with straight across even flatness could pop out

some but plagio on one side, there will probably always be

assymmtry. No one on this board can tell you what to do. You have

to feel it in your gut. We will support you either way but try not

to let the xray experience be the deciding factor, no small child

likes to hold still.

Hugs to you,

Natasha

Atlanta, GA

> Hi.I need some advice here please!!!!! I am really having second

> thoughts about getting a helmet.We had a terrible experience with

> just the x-rays. Jenna broke out in a rash on her face and head

> right after x-rays , have no idea from what, and she totally

freaked

> out the whole time.We got home and she took a nap , woke up and

> headed back to the hospital.When she woke up her face and eyes

were

> swollen, still no idea what she was allergic to.I really cant see

> putting her thru the trauma of the casting and wearing the helmet,

> she hates anythign on her head already.I know we want to do whats

> best for her. Is there any chance of it rounding out it's own or

can

> it get worse? Thanks.