Help! How do you know when you're done? (long)

[Guest guest]

Hi Everybody,

I have a few questions... First some background. received his

locally-made helmet in early December at 7 1/2 months. For each of

the first two months we saw improvement. 's facial assymetry is

nearly unnoticeable and the flat spot on the right side of his head

has rounded considerably. However, the bulge over his right eye and

the lump on the back left side of his head both remain quite

prominent.

My question is this, has anyone experienced a fair amount of progress

and then absolutely nothing for over a month? I think 's growth

has slowed considerably and he's begun crawling around like crazy -

could his increased activity be slowing his head growth along with

his overall growth?

We are due for another adjustment next Wednesday, but I'm kind of

starting to worry that we may have reached the limits of our

orthotists ability. Also, my husband is starting to loose faith and

wants to stop using the helmet because he feels the majority of the

improvement has been done. I have since convinced him that we must

continue the treatment for at least the amount of time they first

recommended when was diagnosed (4 months).

But from what I've learned in this group, even then it will NOT be

too late for to improve even more (he's just 10 1/2 months old

now). I'm concerned that if I don't receive a fair amount of

improvement over the next several months, I may feel the need to seek

another treatment device that is more pro-active (like the DOC

Band). Of course, that would require that we travel 7+ hours (one

way) for treatment or fly (cost of treatment, travel, loss of work

time, it all adds up!) - YIKES - BUT this is our son's head!!!!

Beyond all of that, I'm not sure if I'll have the support of my

husband, our ped (who was a second opinion to begin with), our

insurance company, or my boss - BUT AGAIN THIS IS OUR SON'S HEAD!!!

This started off as a simple questions and now it's turned into a

full-blown panic attack of " what ifs " . Am I paranoid? To those who

have " graduated " when did you know you were done? Should I be

satisfied with facial symmetry? I'm sorry this is so long, but any

advise would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you so much for

listening to me stress-out...

e - mushering up a

4/00 (banded 12/00)

Gaylord, Michigan

[Guest guest]

To those who have "graduated" when did you know you were done? Should I be satisfied with facial symmetry?

We didn't really think Hanna was done, but the doctor said she was. He said her face looked good, and therefore there would be no second band.

Kendra in CanadaFor more plagio info, visitwww.plagiocephaly.org/support...

----- Original Message -----

From: e Meisner

Plagiocephaly

Sent: Saturday, March 10, 2001 7:05 PM

Subject: Help! How do you know when you're done? (long)

Hi Everybody,I have a few questions... First some background. received his locally-made helmet in early December at 7 1/2 months. For each of the first two months we saw improvement. 's facial assymetry is nearly unnoticeable and the flat spot on the right side of his head has rounded considerably. However, the bulge over his right eye and the lump on the back left side of his head both remain quite prominent. My question is this, has anyone experienced a fair amount of progress and then absolutely nothing for over a month? I think 's growth has slowed considerably and he's begun crawling around like crazy - could his increased activity be slowing his head growth along with his overall growth? We are due for another adjustment next Wednesday, but I'm kind of starting to worry that we may have reached the limits of our orthotists ability. Also, my husband is starting to loose faith and wants to stop using the helmet because he feels the majority of the improvement has been done. I have since convinced him that we must continue the treatment for at least the amount of time they first recommended when was diagnosed (4 months). But from what I've learned in this group, even then it will NOT be too late for to improve even more (he's just 10 1/2 months old now). I'm concerned that if I don't receive a fair amount of improvement over the next several months, I may feel the need to seek another treatment device that is more pro-active (like the DOC Band). Of course, that would require that we travel 7+ hours (one way) for treatment or fly (cost of treatment, travel, loss of work time, it all adds up!) - YIKES - BUT this is our son's head!!!! Beyond all of that, I'm not sure if I'll have the support of my husband, our ped (who was a second opinion to begin with), our insurance company, or my boss - BUT AGAIN THIS IS OUR SON'S HEAD!!!This started off as a simple questions and now it's turned into a full-blown panic attack of "what ifs". Am I paranoid? To those who have "graduated" when did you know you were done? Should I be satisfied with facial symmetry? I'm sorry this is so long, but any advise would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you so much for listening to me stress-out...e - mushering up a 4/00 (banded 12/00)Gaylord, Michigan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/11/2001 12:00:45 AM Central Standard Time, p-nutsmum@... writes:

To those who have "graduated" when did you know you were done? Should I be satisfied with facial symmetry?

We knew we were done because Vince was already 17mos old. The neuro only treats up to 18mos and Vince was already in his third helmet. His face looks better but his head is still quite crooked. He did have a big improvement but no where near 100%. Belinda(Indiana)

[Guest guest]

I think the decision to be done must be based on your specialists thoughts,

your orthotists thoughts and ultimately your feelings. What does your

specialist say?

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

[Guest guest]

Where do you live at? My son and I travel every two weeks to

Charlotte which is a seven hour drive one way. It is definitely

worth it. There are organizations who can help with travel. Have

you contacted ANGEL Flight?

--- In Plagiocephaly@y..., " e Meisner " <brandiemeisner@h...>

wrote:

> Hi Everybody,

>

> I have a few questions... First some background. received

his

> locally-made helmet in early December at 7 1/2 months. For each of

> the first two months we saw improvement. 's facial assymetry

is

> nearly unnoticeable and the flat spot on the right side of his head

> has rounded considerably. However, the bulge over his right eye

and

> the lump on the back left side of his head both remain quite

> prominent.

>

> My question is this, has anyone experienced a fair amount of

progress

> and then absolutely nothing for over a month? I think 's

growth

> has slowed considerably and he's begun crawling around like crazy -

> could his increased activity be slowing his head growth along with

> his overall growth?

>

> We are due for another adjustment next Wednesday, but I'm kind of

> starting to worry that we may have reached the limits of our

> orthotists ability. Also, my husband is starting to loose faith

and

> wants to stop using the helmet because he feels the majority of the

> improvement has been done. I have since convinced him that we must

> continue the treatment for at least the amount of time they first

> recommended when was diagnosed (4 months).

>

> But from what I've learned in this group, even then it will NOT be

> too late for to improve even more (he's just 10 1/2 months old

> now). I'm concerned that if I don't receive a fair amount of

> improvement over the next several months, I may feel the need to

seek

> another treatment device that is more pro-active (like the DOC

> Band). Of course, that would require that we travel 7+ hours (one

> way) for treatment or fly (cost of treatment, travel, loss of work

> time, it all adds up!) - YIKES - BUT this is our son's head!!!!

> Beyond all of that, I'm not sure if I'll have the support of my

> husband, our ped (who was a second opinion to begin with), our

> insurance company, or my boss - BUT AGAIN THIS IS OUR SON'S HEAD!!!

>

> This started off as a simple questions and now it's turned into a

> full-blown panic attack of " what ifs " . Am I paranoid? To those

who

> have " graduated " when did you know you were done? Should I be

> satisfied with facial symmetry? I'm sorry this is so long, but any

> advise would be greatly appreciated!!! Thank you so much for

> listening to me stress-out...

>

> e - mushering up a

> 4/00 (banded 12/00)

> Gaylord, Michigan