Alyssa graduated, no more plane trips

November 29, 2004

Hi-

I meant to post this sooner but I just wanted to tell everyone that

Alyssa graduated from her DOC band about 2 weeks ago. She was in it

for 4 months. We took 22 flights together (11 round trip).

We decided to do the exit cast. She did better than she did the

first time. The OT said that Alyssa had great correction. It

wasn't 100 percent though. She still has one cheek fuller than the

other and the area right behind her right ear is flat. The left

side of her face has a slight " c " shape. But, the back and side

look so much better. The left forehead really filled in nicely and

I had no idea that it even needed correction!

I was told that the remaining plagio/asymmetry is due to damage that

was done in utero. Alyssa's head grew tweaked/crooked while in the

womb. I asked about a second band but the areas that would need to

be improved are very difficult to fix and the OT did not know if it

would be possible. She looked at the exit cast and said that there

was great correction and did not feel that a second band was

necessary.

I am thrilled with the results. I wish the facial asymmetry had

been resolved completely and I wish I could fix the remaining areas

but I also understand that she was born that way and it will never

be perfect. She is perfect to me already, of course : )

I will work on posting before and after pictures soon. The best

part is that her head doesn't look like it is veering off to the

right so much and her face doesn't look vertically crooked like it

used to. The size of her eyes match so much better now too.

It is weird seeing her without her " hat. " She reaches up for it

from time to time. She was very attached to her helmet. She isn't

used to bonking her head like she is now that she is walking (just

learned a week ago).

When I hand her the helmet she tries to put it back on. I feel kind

of bad because she really liked her helmet believe it or not. It

must have been like what a " blankie " is to other kids.

The other shocking thing is that she sleeps worse without the helmet

than with it on. She has been tossing and turning alot since it has

been off. I have put it on a few nights and she has slept perfectly.

I have to boast about knowing how to travel with a baby on an

airplane now. It was a huge fear of mine before and now I am pretty

good at it

I wish I could have participated more on this board during the

treatment. I want to thank everyone for their support and

suggestions along the way. I do stop by and read the messages, I

just haven't been able to post as often as I would have liked. I

will definitely continue to check the board and try to help others.

I guess the big question is.........was it worth it?

It was extreme to fly from WA to Arizona every 2 weeks (could have

made it every 3 but already bought all of the tickets when they were

on sale).

It was absolutely worth it. The financial debt, the stress of

flying and the long days 5 am to 9 pm. every other week. I would do

it all over again without hesitation. I am very happy that I got

the helmet and that I went with the DOC even though it was the most

difficult and expensive choice. Of course I wish I would have done

it at age 4 months old instead of starting her at age 9 months old

but atleast we still got great correction.

The whole experience was way better than I thought it would be. It

is kind of weird going out in public now without the stares. I kind

of got used to the attention, lol.

I did do something that was kind of bad. I put the helmet back on

Alyssa for the day after Thanksgiving sales. There was a doorbuster

sale that had a toy I really wanted for her and I thought that if

there were limited quantities and everyone was fighting over them

that I might be able to distract people because they would be

looking at Alyssa's helmet instead of reaching for the toy and then

I could

swoop in and get the toy.

When I got there, all of the toys were taken. I was really bummed

out. I was holding Alyssa (no stroller to avoid shopping cart jam)

and my 4 year old was with me also. We attracted someone's

attention because this customer came up to me and handed me the toy

and told me " Merry Christmas. " I thought that was so nice of her

and I thanked her graciously. I don't think it would have happened

had the helmet not have been on. We have had our share of stares

and a few rude comments during the last 4 months so I didn't feel

too guilty about using the helmet as a distraction/to our advantage

for the sale. One other reason I put it on was because it was cold

out and I couldn't find a hat and thought the helmet would keep her

warm.

Thanks again and I will post pics soon.

Diane

Alyssa DOC 7/04-11/04 graduated!!

WA state

November 29, 2004

Hi Diane,

Well you're done! Congratulations to your family, I can't wait to see pictures of Alyssa. It was great reading your update and I know what you mean about posting more on the board, I have too much trouble keeping up. Lina is still in her helmet for a little while longer, will post when she is done too. Give Alyssa a big kiss on her nice round head for me.

Take care,

, mommy to Angelina 13 mos in , B.C. Canada

-----Original Message-----From: alex00alys03 [mailto:alex00alys03@...]Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 5:25 PMPlagiocephaly Subject: Alyssa graduated, no more plane tripsHi-I meant to post this sooner but I just wanted to tell everyone that Alyssa graduated from her DOC band about 2 weeks ago. She was in it for 4 months. We took 22 flights together (11 round trip). We decided to do the exit cast. She did better than she did the first time. The OT said that Alyssa had great correction. It wasn't 100 percent though. She still has one cheek fuller than the other and the area right behind her right ear is flat. The left side of her face has a slight "c" shape. But, the back and side look so much better. The left forehead really filled in nicely and I had no idea that it even needed correction!I was told that the remaining plagio/asymmetry is due to damage that was done in utero. Alyssa's head grew tweaked/crooked while in the womb. I asked about a second band but the areas that would need to be improved are very difficult to fix and the OT did not know if it would be possible. She looked at the exit cast and said that there was great correction and did not feel that a second band was necessary. I am thrilled with the results. I wish the facial asymmetry had been resolved completely and I wish I could fix the remaining areas but I also understand that she was born that way and it will never be perfect. She is perfect to me already, of course : )I will work on posting before and after pictures soon. The best part is that her head doesn't look like it is veering off to the right so much and her face doesn't look vertically crooked like it used to. The size of her eyes match so much better now too. It is weird seeing her without her "hat." She reaches up for it from time to time. She was very attached to her helmet. She isn't used to bonking her head like she is now that she is walking (just learned a week ago).When I hand her the helmet she tries to put it back on. I feel kind of bad because she really liked her helmet believe it or not. It must have been like what a "blankie" is to other kids.The other shocking thing is that she sleeps worse without the helmet than with it on. She has been tossing and turning alot since it has been off. I have put it on a few nights and she has slept perfectly.I have to boast about knowing how to travel with a baby on an airplane now. It was a huge fear of mine before and now I am pretty good at it I wish I could have participated more on this board during the treatment. I want to thank everyone for their support and suggestions along the way. I do stop by and read the messages, I just haven't been able to post as often as I would have liked. I will definitely continue to check the board and try to help others.I guess the big question is.........was it worth it?It was extreme to fly from WA to Arizona every 2 weeks (could have made it every 3 but already bought all of the tickets when they were on sale).It was absolutely worth it. The financial debt, the stress of flying and the long days 5 am to 9 pm. every other week. I would do it all over again without hesitation. I am very happy that I got the helmet and that I went with the DOC even though it was the most difficult and expensive choice. Of course I wish I would have done it at age 4 months old instead of starting her at age 9 months old but atleast we still got great correction. The whole experience was way better than I thought it would be. It is kind of weird going out in public now without the stares. I kind of got used to the attention, lol. I did do something that was kind of bad. I put the helmet back on Alyssa for the day after Thanksgiving sales. There was a doorbuster sale that had a toy I really wanted for her and I thought that if there were limited quantities and everyone was fighting over them that I might be able to distract people because they would be looking at Alyssa's helmet instead of reaching for the toy and then I could swoop in and get the toy.When I got there, all of the toys were taken. I was really bummed out. I was holding Alyssa (no stroller to avoid shopping cart jam) and my 4 year old was with me also. We attracted someone's attention because this customer came up to me and handed me the toy and told me "Merry Christmas." I thought that was so nice of her and I thanked her graciously. I don't think it would have happened had the helmet not have been on. We have had our share of stares and a few rude comments during the last 4 months so I didn't feel too guilty about using the helmet as a distraction/to our advantage for the sale. One other reason I put it on was because it was cold out and I couldn't find a hat and thought the helmet would keep her warm.Thanks again and I will post pics soon.DianeAlyssa DOC 7/04-11/04 graduated!!WA state For more plagio info

November 30, 2004

Your story is very touching. I cant believe all the obstacles you had to go

through and all the traveling etc for you child. That is just wonderful and

she is so lucky she has you for a mom. Congrats on graduation!

Tish

Teagan 4/25/04

Plagio/Tort/DOC band 11/26/04

Alyssa graduated, no more plane trips

>

> Hi-

> I meant to post this sooner but I just wanted to tell everyone that

> Alyssa graduated from her DOC band about 2 weeks ago. She was in it

> for 4 months. We took 22 flights together (11 round trip).

> We decided to do the exit cast. She did better than she did the

> first time. The OT said that Alyssa had great correction. It

> wasn't 100 percent though. She still has one cheek fuller than the

> other and the area right behind her right ear is flat. The left

> side of her face has a slight " c " shape. But, the back and side

> look so much better. The left forehead really filled in nicely and

> I had no idea that it even needed correction!

> I was told that the remaining plagio/asymmetry is due to damage that

> was done in utero. Alyssa's head grew tweaked/crooked while in the

> womb. I asked about a second band but the areas that would need to

> be improved are very difficult to fix and the OT did not know if it

> would be possible. She looked at the exit cast and said that there

> was great correction and did not feel that a second band was

> necessary.

> I am thrilled with the results. I wish the facial asymmetry had

> been resolved completely and I wish I could fix the remaining areas

> but I also understand that she was born that way and it will never

> be perfect. She is perfect to me already, of course : )

> I will work on posting before and after pictures soon. The best

> part is that her head doesn't look like it is veering off to the

> right so much and her face doesn't look vertically crooked like it

> used to. The size of her eyes match so much better now too.

> It is weird seeing her without her " hat. " She reaches up for it

> from time to time. She was very attached to her helmet. She isn't

> used to bonking her head like she is now that she is walking (just

> learned a week ago).

> When I hand her the helmet she tries to put it back on. I feel kind

> of bad because she really liked her helmet believe it or not. It

> must have been like what a " blankie " is to other kids.

> The other shocking thing is that she sleeps worse without the helmet

> than with it on. She has been tossing and turning alot since it has

> been off. I have put it on a few nights and she has slept perfectly.

> I have to boast about knowing how to travel with a baby on an

> airplane now. It was a huge fear of mine before and now I am pretty

> good at it

> I wish I could have participated more on this board during the

> treatment. I want to thank everyone for their support and

> suggestions along the way. I do stop by and read the messages, I

> just haven't been able to post as often as I would have liked. I

> will definitely continue to check the board and try to help others.

> I guess the big question is.........was it worth it?

> It was extreme to fly from WA to Arizona every 2 weeks (could have

> made it every 3 but already bought all of the tickets when they were

> on sale).

> It was absolutely worth it. The financial debt, the stress of

> flying and the long days 5 am to 9 pm. every other week. I would do

> it all over again without hesitation. I am very happy that I got

> the helmet and that I went with the DOC even though it was the most

> difficult and expensive choice. Of course I wish I would have done

> it at age 4 months old instead of starting her at age 9 months old

> but atleast we still got great correction.

> The whole experience was way better than I thought it would be. It

> is kind of weird going out in public now without the stares. I kind

> of got used to the attention, lol.

> I did do something that was kind of bad. I put the helmet back on

> Alyssa for the day after Thanksgiving sales. There was a doorbuster

> sale that had a toy I really wanted for her and I thought that if

> there were limited quantities and everyone was fighting over them

> that I might be able to distract people because they would be

> looking at Alyssa's helmet instead of reaching for the toy and then

> I could

> swoop in and get the toy.

> When I got there, all of the toys were taken. I was really bummed

> out. I was holding Alyssa (no stroller to avoid shopping cart jam)

> and my 4 year old was with me also. We attracted someone's

> attention because this customer came up to me and handed me the toy

> and told me " Merry Christmas. " I thought that was so nice of her

> and I thanked her graciously. I don't think it would have happened

> had the helmet not have been on. We have had our share of stares

> and a few rude comments during the last 4 months so I didn't feel

> too guilty about using the helmet as a distraction/to our advantage

> for the sale. One other reason I put it on was because it was cold

> out and I couldn't find a hat and thought the helmet would keep her

> warm.

> Thanks again and I will post pics soon.

>

> Diane

> Alyssa DOC 7/04-11/04 graduated!!

> WA state

>

> For more plagio info

November 30, 2004

Thanks for the great news. Congratulations Alyssa!!!!!! It sounds like she

received awesome correction. I can't wait to see her before and afters.

It has been almost 2 years since jenna graduated. When she sees her band

she will still try to put it on.

Angie and Jenna