Re: we've taken the band off for now

May 27, 2002

,

Hi...as Debbie mentioned my son also did not adjust quickly to his

helmet. has had a locally made helmet since April 17/02.

Mackenzie's behaviors sound EXACTLY like 's...unhappy, whiny,

just plain miserable. I wish I could say that he has adapted

completely to his helmet :-( BUT he is doing much better than when

we first started :-) Once his head started to change shape and the

pressure points faded, he tolerated the helmet for longer periods of

time. We still do not have him in the helmet for 23 hours a day and

I have resigned myself to the fact that not all kids adapt as well

as others. Mine is just overly stubborn. LOL.

I suppose, I could keep him in the helmet and listen to him whine

for half the day...but...I have decided that I need to see my

smiley, happy boy for part of the day at least. I am lucky that he

sleeps EXCELLENT in his helmet. I am also comforted in the fact

that his head continues to round out. Whether I would have seen

more of a change had he been in the helemt for 23 hours is a

question I will never know. I am pleased with the changes I have

seen and will not regret anything by the time he graduates.

A friend of mine whom I had not seen in several years visited me

today...she knew about 's head shape and honestly told me she

could not see anything wrong. I ofcourse still see the flatness and

I hope by the time graduates we will see even greater

improvement.

Keep in mind that does not have the doc band...perhaps once

Makenzie's band is adjusted she will wear the helmet no problem.

(fingers crossed). If she continues to fuss while in the helmet, I

would speak to your orthotist and just try to keep her in the band

for as long as you can. Believe me I know it's hard to see your

child miserable but keep in mind that you made the right decision.

Soon this will all be over and Mackenzie will not remember a thing.

Good luck and hang in there...

Dana (mom2)

Ont.

> Just a short update on my earlier post...we've taken the band

completely

> off Mackenzie until we can get her into CT. We'd taken it off her

while

> she had a nap and when it was put back on she changed so

drastically

> into a very miserable, unhappy, whiny baby...now that she has been

w/o

> it...she is absolutely fine. I'm positive that there are some

> adjustments that need to be made to it before it gets put back on

and we

> decided that we are not going to subject our daughter to any type

of

> torment until we know what is up. Right now we are actually

wondering if

> we made the right decision to do this...I know in my mind we did

but my

> heart is telling me that we didn't. I just hope that the right

> adjustments can be made and our Mackenzie will become the happy go

lucky

> child she's been since birth.

>

> Thanks,

> (mom to Mackenzie - happy & unbanded at the moment)

>

> Debbie - Thanks for your response...she doesn't seem to have a

fever so

> that hasn't been a concern for us as of yet. She hasn't been sick

today

> so we're hoping she is over whatever illness she had the past

couple of

> days. She is also breaking in some new teeth this weekend which

> definitely makes for an unhappy camper.

May 27, 2002

:

That's a good idea to keep the band completely off her right now if

she's that unhappy with it on & the red spots aren't fading w/i one

hr off.

Try not to question you decision! I am sure it's difficult with the

troubles you are currently having, but CT will make some adjustments

tomorrow & all will hopefully be fine again.

Please let us know what they do at CT tomorrow & how Mackenzie

tolerates the band, fingers are crossed

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI