Re: That's my baby girl!

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing your story , Abby is such a sweetie! I commend you for all your hard work and efforts getting Abby into a better fitting band. We also travel about 10 hrs for Angelina's helmet adjustments every three weeks. Good luck with further rounding!!

, mommy to Angelina 11.5 mos in , B.C. tort, local helmet 07/09/04

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto:allison@...]Sent: Tuesday, September 21, 2004 5:32 PMPlagiocephaly Subject: That's my baby girl!Oh My Goodness!! I was just going to hop on for a quick minute tonight, and there is my little angel baby as the Front Page Star!! I'm sooo glad I jumped on... I almost didn't because I am positively pooped from today's trip to Oakbrook CTI. But I wanted to let you all know that ABBY GRADUATED TODAY... and now this! Couldn't have been a better end to my (long) day!! So I will tell her story - but beware, it is rather lengthy!Abigail was born at 36 weeks gestation, after I had been on bedrest since week 19 of the pregnancy. I started with preterm labor that early (and the baby was very low in my pelvis to start with), and spent the next five months lying in bed or on the couch. I was nearly hospitalized at one point, because I was still on my feet too much (trying to take care of my three year old with only part-time help), but I managed to avoid it by moving in with my parents. At that point, my husband, daughter and I were basically homeless - we had sold our house, and the one we were building was not finished yet. We were staying at my in-laws' place, but they could offer no help with the day-to-day tasks of family life because of their failing health. So my daughter and I moved back 'home', while my husband continued to work from his office at his parents' house. I would not recommend this arrangement to anyone... talk about stress!Anyway, after months of rest (during which Abby was jammed in my pelvis with her head crinked to the side - we can clearly see her position on our ultrasound tape), I was induced at 36 weeks (it was planned for 35 weeks but we failed the amnio test for lung maturity), and Abby spent her first 8 days in neonatal with Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a heart murmur, and jaundice. Once we got her 'home' we noticed that she always looked over her right shoulder, but our older daughter had also preferred the right side, so we thought it was normal. Even though Abby is my second baby, I had no idea I was supposed to reposition her... I was more uptight about her being on a monitor, and was grateful IF she slept, I didn't care HOW she slept. By her 2 month check-up, I was noticing some flattenening to her head, but the ped dismissed my concerns. By her 4 month check-up, I was much more insistant that her head was getting flatter, and we got a script for a StarBand form a local orthotics place that is part of a rehab hospital ( Free Bed, for any Grand Rapidians out there!). That night I came home and hopped on the internet to do some research... and I found this group! I lurked for quite awhile, reading posts and absorbing as much info as I possibly could. This is where I learned about Torticollis, and the next day I called the ped to ask about PT for it, since I was SURE that this was part of Abby's problem. He agreed that she had tort, but told me it would 'heal' itself as she got older and learned to roll over and sit up. Bull. After jumping through all sorts of hoops, I finally got Abigail evaluated for her tort, but had to wait for insurance to approve... we finally started PT/OT at EIGHT months of age (after 4 months of delays. ARGHHHHH!)We had Abigail's head scanned for the StarBand on January 26, and got her band on February 10, at five months of age. We followed the break-in schedule to the minute, and Abby had red spots almost right away (which is normal), but we had adjustment after adjustment with no relief. The last adjustment was done by a different ortho than we had been seeing, and IMHO he totally screwed it up. Our orthotist finally decided to re-scan Abby, and get a new band made to see if it would be a better fit. It wasn't. In fact, it was worse. I had requested a different ortho, to see if that was part of the problem, but the second band was horrible. It didn't fit from day 1, and Abby was out of it more than she was in it because of terrible red sores. It was even flattening Abby's head in a previously rounded area! At that point, we were faced with a huge decision... keep trying the local orthotist (covered by insurance), or travel 4 hours one-way to Chicago to get a DOC Band. After talking to our families, and lots of advice from this board, we chose to go with the DOC, even though our insurance wouldn't cover it. (Side note: we are in stage 3 of the appeal with the insurance... they say we need to see a neurosurgeon, our ped says that's a load of poopy. He's on our side, and he's rather ticked at BCBS of MI).Anybody still reading?!? I warned you it was long!!At our initial visit to CTI, I knew that was the right place for Abby's treatment. We have had nothing but compassion and expert care from them. We immediatly were comfortable with Ginny and Kay, and the bi-weekly trips have been worth it 100%. Yes, it sucked to drive eight hours every other week, but Abby graduated today, and I would do it all again in a heart beat! Abigail was banded at eight and a half months old, and spent 16 weeks in her DOCBand. She only had two red spots, and missed two weeks of wear due to healing or illness/fever, but she never had a problem adjusting to it at all. I would say that her correction is around 85% to 90%. We have no real numbers to go by, as we didn't have measurements taken before/after treatment. But I will post her B & A photos as soon as I figure out how to use the scanner. She has a little remaining facial asymmetry, but her head is rounder, and her ears are less crooked. I can only hope that as her hair grows more (please grow!!!), it will be less noticable. As it is, I am still very aware of it, but I am a member of the plagio police, so I look at EVERYONE's head closely. LOLSo there's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! I will hang around for a while, even though Abby graduated today (I just had to say it again, it is so exciting!). If I can be of any help to any Michigan families, please feel free to share my email address with them. And hopefully I will have good news regarding our appeal one of these days... maybe by the time Abby is 2! LOL!, mom to Abigail in MIStarBand dropout, DOCBand grad!!!!Tort resolved (only 1 more PT appt next mo., then we are done!!!)For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

YEAH ABBY!!

You're a DOC GRAD!

CONGRATULATIONS!

,

Wow what a day. Graduation and front page star!! She is so cute!!! I really hope you sent a pic to CT for the calendar contect - wll maybe I don't that would mean more competition for na LOL. Wow you're had a journey. I'm sure you are on top of the world tonight. Woo hoo!!! I can't wait to see the B & A pics.

mom to na

DOC Grad

Tort Resolved

SC

www.thefilyaws.com <allison@...> wrote:

Oh My Goodness!! I was just going to hop on for a quick minute tonight, and there is my little angel baby as the Front Page Star!! I'm sooo glad I jumped on... I almost didn't because I am positively pooped from today's trip to Oakbrook CTI. But I wanted to let you all know that ABBY GRADUATED TODAY... and now this! Couldn't have been a better end to my (long) day!! So I will tell her story - but beware, it is rather lengthy!Abigail was born at 36 weeks gestation, after I had been on bedrest since week 19 of the pregnancy. I started with preterm labor that early (and the baby was very low in my pelvis to start with), and spent the next five months lying in bed or on the couch. I was nearly hospitalized at one point, because I was still on my feet too much (trying to take care of my

three year old with only part-time help), but I managed to avoid it by moving in with my parents. At that point, my husband, daughter and I were basically homeless - we had sold our house, and the one we were building was not finished yet. We were staying at my in-laws' place, but they could offer no help with the day-to-day tasks of family life because of their failing health. So my daughter and I moved back 'home', while my husband continued to work from his office at his parents' house. I would not recommend this arrangement to anyone... talk about stress!Anyway, after months of rest (during which Abby was jammed in my pelvis with her head crinked to the side - we can clearly see her position on our ultrasound tape), I was induced at 36 weeks (it was planned for 35 weeks but we failed the amnio test for lung maturity), and Abby spent her first 8 days in neonatal with Respiratory Distress Syndrome,

a heart murmur, and jaundice. Once we got her 'home' we noticed that she always looked over her right shoulder, but our older daughter had also preferred the right side, so we thought it was normal. Even though Abby is my second baby, I had no idea I was supposed to reposition her... I was more uptight about her being on a monitor, and was grateful IF she slept, I didn't care HOW she slept. By her 2 month check-up, I was noticing some flattenening to her head, but the ped dismissed my concerns. By her 4 month check-up, I was much more insistant that her head was getting flatter, and we got a script for a StarBand form a local orthotics place that is part of a rehab hospital ( Free Bed, for any Grand Rapidians out there!). That night I came home and hopped on the internet to do some research... and I found this group! I lurked for quite awhile, reading posts and absorbing as much info as I

possibly could. This is where I learned about Torticollis, and the next day I called the ped to ask about PT for it, since I was SURE that this was part of Abby's problem. He agreed that she had tort, but told me it would 'heal' itself as she got older and learned to roll over and sit up. Bull. After jumping through all sorts of hoops, I finally got Abigail evaluated for her tort, but had to wait for insurance to approve... we finally started PT/OT at EIGHT months of age (after 4 months of delays. ARGHHHHH!)We had Abigail's head scanned for the StarBand on January 26, and got her band on February 10, at five months of age. We followed the break-in schedule to the minute, and Abby had red spots almost right away (which is normal), but we had adjustment after adjustment with no relief. The last adjustment was done by a different ortho than we had been seeing, and IMHO he totally screwed it

up. Our orthotist finally decided to re-scan Abby, and get a new band made to see if it would be a better fit. It wasn't. In fact, it was worse. I had requested a different ortho, to see if that was part of the problem, but the second band was horrible. It didn't fit from day 1, and Abby was out of it more than she was in it because of terrible red sores. It was even flattening Abby's head in a previously rounded area! At that point, we were faced with a huge decision... keep trying the local orthotist (covered by insurance), or travel 4 hours one-way to Chicago to get a DOC Band. After talking to our families, and lots of advice from this board, we chose to go with the DOC, even though our insurance wouldn't cover it. (Side note: we are in stage 3 of the appeal with the insurance... they say we need to see a neurosurgeon, our ped says that's a load of poopy. He's on

our side, and he's rather ticked at BCBS of MI).Anybody still reading?!? I warned you it was long!!At our initial visit to CTI, I knew that was the right place for Abby's treatment. We have had nothing but compassion and expert care from them. We immediatly were comfortable with Ginny and Kay, and the bi-weekly trips have been worth it 100%. Yes, it sucked to drive eight hours every other week, but Abby graduated today, and I would do it all again in a heart beat! Abigail was banded at eight and a half months old, and spent 16 weeks in her DOCBand. She only had two red spots, and missed two weeks of wear due to healing or illness/fever, but she never had a problem adjusting to it at all. I would say that her correction is around 85% to 90%. We have no real numbers to go by, as we didn't have measurements taken before/after treatment. But I will post her B & A

photos as soon as I figure out how to use the scanner. She has a little remaining facial asymmetry, but her head is rounder, and her ears are less crooked. I can only hope that as her hair grows more (please grow!!!), it will be less noticable. As it is, I am still very aware of it, but I am a member of the plagio police, so I look at EVERYONE's head closely. LOLSo there's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! I will hang around for a while, even though Abby graduated today (I just had to say it again, it is so exciting!). If I can be of any help to any Michigan families, please feel free to share my email address with them. And hopefully I will have good news regarding our appeal one of these days... maybe by the time Abby is 2! LOL!, mom to Abigail in MIStarBand dropout, DOCBand grad!!!!Tort resolved (only 1 more PT appt next mo., then we are

done!!!)For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Congrats to graduating!!!!!! Thanks for sharing your story. I will tell you that as her hair grows the remaining asymetry will not be noticeable when her hair grows.

I have said before I went through the band with my daughter who is now 5 and she got about the same amount of correction being in the band from 19 months of age to 21 months of age. She still has a small flat spot on the left side of her head, but with all the hair she has now no one notices it. The only time I notice it is when I wash her hair and I think I notice it just because I know it is there.

Congrats again and I can't wait to see the before and after photos.

Johanna and Repo'in Annlayse

>From: "" <allison@...> >Reply-Plagiocephaly >Plagiocephaly >Subject: That's my baby girl! >Date: Wed, 22 Sep 2004 00:31:30 -0000 > Don’t just search. Find. Check out the new MSN Search!

Oh My Goodness!! I was just going to hop on for a quick minute

tonight, and there is my little angel baby as the Front Page Star!!

I'm sooo glad I jumped on... I almost didn't because I am positively

pooped from today's trip to Oakbrook CTI. But I wanted to let you

all know that ABBY GRADUATED TODAY... and now this! Couldn't have

been a better end to my (long) day!! So I will tell her story -

but beware, it is rather lengthy!

Abigail was born at 36 weeks gestation, after I had been on bedrest

since week 19 of the pregnancy. I started with preterm labor that

early (and the baby was very low in my pelvis to start with), and

spent the next five months lying in bed or on the couch. I was

nearly hospitalized at one point, because I was still on my feet too

much (trying to take care of my three year old with only part-time

help), but I managed to avoid it by moving in with my parents. At

that point, my husband, daughter and I were basically homeless - we

had sold our house, and the one we were building was not finished

yet. We were staying at my in-laws' place, but they could offer no

help with the day-to-day tasks of family life because of their

failing health. So my daughter and I moved back 'home', while my

husband continued to work from his office at his parents' house. I

would not recommend this arrangement to anyone... talk about stress!

Anyway, after months of rest (during which Abby was jammed in my

pelvis with her head crinked to the side - we can clearly see her

position on our ultrasound tape), I was induced at 36 weeks (it was

planned for 35 weeks but we failed the amnio test for lung

maturity), and Abby spent her first 8 days in neonatal with

Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a heart murmur, and jaundice. Once we

got her 'home' we noticed that she always looked over her right

shoulder, but our older daughter had also preferred the right side,

so we thought it was normal. Even though Abby is my second baby, I

had no idea I was supposed to reposition her... I was more uptight

about her being on a monitor, and was grateful IF she slept, I

didn't care HOW she slept. By her 2 month check-up, I was noticing

some flattenening to her head, but the ped dismissed my concerns.

By her 4 month check-up, I was much more insistant that her head was

getting flatter, and we got a script for a StarBand form a local

orthotics place that is part of a rehab hospital ( Free Bed, for

any Grand Rapidians out there!). That night I came home and hopped

on the internet to do some research... and I found this group! I

lurked for quite awhile, reading posts and absorbing as much info as

I possibly could. This is where I learned about Torticollis, and the

next day I called the ped to ask about PT for it, since I was SURE

that this was part of Abby's problem. He agreed that she had tort,

but told me it would 'heal' itself as she got older and learned to

roll over and sit up. Bull. After jumping through all sorts of

hoops, I finally got Abigail evaluated for her tort, but had to wait

for insurance to approve... we finally started PT/OT at EIGHT months

of age (after 4 months of delays. ARGHHHHH!)

We had Abigail's head scanned for the StarBand on January 26, and

got her band on February 10, at five months of age. We followed the

break-in schedule to the minute, and Abby had red spots almost right

away (which is normal), but we had adjustment after adjustment with

no relief. The last adjustment was done by a different ortho than

we had been seeing, and IMHO he totally screwed it up. Our

orthotist finally decided to re-scan Abby, and get a new band made

to see if it would be a better fit. It wasn't. In fact, it was

worse. I had requested a different ortho, to see if that was part

of the problem, but the second band was horrible. It didn't fit

from day 1, and Abby was out of it more than she was in it because

of terrible red sores. It was even flattening Abby's head in a

previously rounded area! At that point, we were faced with a huge

decision... keep trying the local orthotist (covered by insurance),

or travel 4 hours one-way to Chicago to get a DOC Band. After

talking to our families, and lots of advice from this board, we

chose to go with the DOC, even though our insurance wouldn't cover

it. (Side note: we are in stage 3 of the appeal with the

insurance... they say we need to see a neurosurgeon, our ped says

that's a load of poopy. He's on our side, and he's rather ticked at

BCBS of MI).

Anybody still reading?!? I warned you it was long!!

At our initial visit to CTI, I knew that was the right place for

Abby's treatment. We have had nothing but compassion and expert

care from them. We immediatly were comfortable with Ginny and

Kay, and the bi-weekly trips have been worth it 100%. Yes, it

sucked to drive eight hours every other week, but Abby graduated

today, and I would do it all again in a heart beat! Abigail was

banded at eight and a half months old, and spent 16 weeks in her

DOCBand. She only had two red spots, and missed two weeks of wear

due to healing or illness/fever, but she never had a problem

adjusting to it at all. I would say that her correction is around

85% to 90%. We have no real numbers to go by, as we didn't have

measurements taken before/after treatment. But I will post her B & A

photos as soon as I figure out how to use the scanner. She has a

little remaining facial asymmetry, but her head is rounder, and her

ears are less crooked. I can only hope that as her hair grows more

(please grow!!!), it will be less noticable. As it is, I am still

very aware of it, but I am a member of the plagio police, so I look

at EVERYONE's head closely. LOL

So there's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! I will hang around for

a while, even though Abby graduated today (I just had to say it

again, it is so exciting!). If I can be of any help to any Michigan

families, please feel free to share my email address with them. And

hopefully I will have good news regarding our appeal one of these

days... maybe by the time Abby is 2! LOL!

, mom to Abigail in MI

StarBand dropout, DOCBand grad!!!!

Tort resolved (only 1 more PT appt next mo., then we are done!!!)

For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Congratulations Abby!!!!!! I am so happy for you guys. I cant wait to see

her before and afters. She is a cutie!

Angie and Jenna

That's my baby girl!

> Oh My Goodness!! I was just going to hop on for a quick minute

> tonight, and there is my little angel baby as the Front Page Star!!

> I'm sooo glad I jumped on... I almost didn't because I am positively

> pooped from today's trip to Oakbrook CTI. But I wanted to let you

> all know that ABBY GRADUATED TODAY... and now this! Couldn't have

> been a better end to my (long) day!! So I will tell her story -

> but beware, it is rather lengthy!

>

> Abigail was born at 36 weeks gestation, after I had been on bedrest

> since week 19 of the pregnancy. I started with preterm labor that

> early (and the baby was very low in my pelvis to start with), and

> spent the next five months lying in bed or on the couch. I was

> nearly hospitalized at one point, because I was still on my feet too

> much (trying to take care of my three year old with only part-time

> help), but I managed to avoid it by moving in with my parents. At

> that point, my husband, daughter and I were basically homeless - we

> had sold our house, and the one we were building was not finished

> yet. We were staying at my in-laws' place, but they could offer no

> help with the day-to-day tasks of family life because of their

> failing health. So my daughter and I moved back 'home', while my

> husband continued to work from his office at his parents' house. I

> would not recommend this arrangement to anyone... talk about stress!

>

> Anyway, after months of rest (during which Abby was jammed in my

> pelvis with her head crinked to the side - we can clearly see her

> position on our ultrasound tape), I was induced at 36 weeks (it was

> planned for 35 weeks but we failed the amnio test for lung

> maturity), and Abby spent her first 8 days in neonatal with

> Respiratory Distress Syndrome, a heart murmur, and jaundice. Once we

> got her 'home' we noticed that she always looked over her right

> shoulder, but our older daughter had also preferred the right side,

> so we thought it was normal. Even though Abby is my second baby, I

> had no idea I was supposed to reposition her... I was more uptight

> about her being on a monitor, and was grateful IF she slept, I

> didn't care HOW she slept. By her 2 month check-up, I was noticing

> some flattenening to her head, but the ped dismissed my concerns.

> By her 4 month check-up, I was much more insistant that her head was

> getting flatter, and we got a script for a StarBand form a local

> orthotics place that is part of a rehab hospital ( Free Bed, for

> any Grand Rapidians out there!). That night I came home and hopped

> on the internet to do some research... and I found this group! I

> lurked for quite awhile, reading posts and absorbing as much info as

> I possibly could. This is where I learned about Torticollis, and the

> next day I called the ped to ask about PT for it, since I was SURE

> that this was part of Abby's problem. He agreed that she had tort,

> but told me it would 'heal' itself as she got older and learned to

> roll over and sit up. Bull. After jumping through all sorts of

> hoops, I finally got Abigail evaluated for her tort, but had to wait

> for insurance to approve... we finally started PT/OT at EIGHT months

> of age (after 4 months of delays. ARGHHHHH!)

>

> We had Abigail's head scanned for the StarBand on January 26, and

> got her band on February 10, at five months of age. We followed the

> break-in schedule to the minute, and Abby had red spots almost right

> away (which is normal), but we had adjustment after adjustment with

> no relief. The last adjustment was done by a different ortho than

> we had been seeing, and IMHO he totally screwed it up. Our

> orthotist finally decided to re-scan Abby, and get a new band made

> to see if it would be a better fit. It wasn't. In fact, it was

> worse. I had requested a different ortho, to see if that was part

> of the problem, but the second band was horrible. It didn't fit

> from day 1, and Abby was out of it more than she was in it because

> of terrible red sores. It was even flattening Abby's head in a

> previously rounded area! At that point, we were faced with a huge

> decision... keep trying the local orthotist (covered by insurance),

> or travel 4 hours one-way to Chicago to get a DOC Band. After

> talking to our families, and lots of advice from this board, we

> chose to go with the DOC, even though our insurance wouldn't cover

> it. (Side note: we are in stage 3 of the appeal with the

> insurance... they say we need to see a neurosurgeon, our ped says

> that's a load of poopy. He's on our side, and he's rather ticked at

> BCBS of MI).

>

> Anybody still reading?!? I warned you it was long!!

>

> At our initial visit to CTI, I knew that was the right place for

> Abby's treatment. We have had nothing but compassion and expert

> care from them. We immediatly were comfortable with Ginny and

> Kay, and the bi-weekly trips have been worth it 100%. Yes, it

> sucked to drive eight hours every other week, but Abby graduated

> today, and I would do it all again in a heart beat! Abigail was

> banded at eight and a half months old, and spent 16 weeks in her

> DOCBand. She only had two red spots, and missed two weeks of wear

> due to healing or illness/fever, but she never had a problem

> adjusting to it at all. I would say that her correction is around

> 85% to 90%. We have no real numbers to go by, as we didn't have

> measurements taken before/after treatment. But I will post her B & A

> photos as soon as I figure out how to use the scanner. She has a

> little remaining facial asymmetry, but her head is rounder, and her

> ears are less crooked. I can only hope that as her hair grows more

> (please grow!!!), it will be less noticable. As it is, I am still

> very aware of it, but I am a member of the plagio police, so I look

> at EVERYONE's head closely. LOL

>

> So there's my story, and I'm stickin' to it! I will hang around for

> a while, even though Abby graduated today (I just had to say it

> again, it is so exciting!). If I can be of any help to any Michigan

> families, please feel free to share my email address with them. And

> hopefully I will have good news regarding our appeal one of these

> days... maybe by the time Abby is 2! LOL!

>

> , mom to Abigail in MI

> StarBand dropout, DOCBand grad!!!!

> Tort resolved (only 1 more PT appt next mo., then we are done!!!)

>

>

>

>

> For more plagio info