Guest guest Posted July 19, 2002 Report Share Posted July 19, 2002 Oh...and one more thing...the reason i'm even more angry about this is b/c with Anthem...our deductible is less and we've already met it....where as with Guardian we have a much higher deductible... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 19, 2002 Report Share Posted July 19, 2002 Just wanted to update everyone... I wrote a letter to the president of Cranial tech regarding my situation with insurance and Wanda from the Paramus office...and she forwarded it to someone who said they contacted Wanda and they are looking into the situation and also will contact my insurance company. So hopefully i will have this straightened out...and if nothing else..at least they are aware of the situation. Mom to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Hi Tami, ((((((BIG HUGS)))))))). I can understand why you are frustrated. 10 Months is definitly not too old. started her band at 8 months and ended at nearly 11 months. We saw some of her most dramatic improvement in the last month of her treatment, she was in her band a total of 11 weeks 3 days, and have continued to see some improvememt since she graduated. As far as how she will react to the band...all babies are different but I would say the majority of them forget they have it on after the first day, never messed with hers after the first ten minutes other than to rub the velcro strap when she was tired. I know it was harder on me and the hubby than it was her. She loved all the attention she got from people and overall we only had a few " idiots " who were rude. I made a sticker for her band that said " what are you looking at?? I know I'm CUTE " I know decorating her band helped so much. People asked about it more when it was decorated than when it was not. Good luck and " Just Breathe " (never worked for me...but it might for you...LOL) in Texas Mom to , DOCband Grad 7/04 Plagio/Brachy(resolved)/Tort --- In Plagiocephaly , " Tami " <stressed_out_2day@y...> wrote: > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in 7 > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > shorthanded right now. " > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and her > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her in > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing it. > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to get > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > her before her head hardens? > > Thanks, > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Hi Tami, I understand your frustration. As long as it's an active band, you should still see dramatic results at her age. My Hannah got her 3rd band at 15 mos and saw great results even. You can see the pics in our before and after/DOCband section. She had 4 mos off between her 2nd and 3rd bands and even at her age adjusted fine to it. I agree that decorating the band helps with others reactions as well. Good luck Monday and please let us know how it goes. , mom to Hannah, DOCgrad Cape Cod, Ma > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in 7 > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > shorthanded right now. " > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and her > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her in > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing it. > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to get > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > her before her head hardens? > > Thanks, > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Thank you all for responding. I feel a little less angry and frustrated now. I'm a little confused (gee, I got from angry and frustrated to confused lol), do babies stay in the DOCband longer than the STARband? I may be way off, but it seems like that way to me. Is one more agressive than the other? McKenna's therapist and orthotist said they'd like her to get a good 8-12 weeks in the STARband, but I've seen the babies in the DOCband are in them for longer. Is it just the degree in which they have plagio or is the STARband more agressive because it's bulkier? Thanks for answering my 101 questions. I feel so clueless about helmets and McKenna is my 4th child! Tami > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in > 7 > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and > her > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her > in > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing > it. > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > get > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > > her before her head hardens? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Hi Tami, They are both active bands that would be equal as far as how agressive they are. The difference is that the STARband has thicker foam. CT did different trials w/their DOCband to find out which thickness was the most effective, which is thinner than what is used on STARbands. CT also found that the pressure points in the helmet are less effective over time, and they feel that after 16 weeks the baby needs a new helmet with fresh pressure points to see further correction. In that aspect, maybe the DOCband is a bit more agressive. After 16 wks the baby's head may have changed sigificantly enough anyway where they would need the pressures applied in slightly different areas. My daughter was very severe and was in the minority of babies having third bands. Most use only one, and some two, but only like 1% need 3. In each of her bands we saw the best correction in the first month. At Hannah's rapid growth rate with being only 4 mos old, the first DOCband only fit her for about 2 mos, where she wore the third for the maximum 16 wks. We do have some STARband babies go into a second helmet, but not as many as DOCband babies I'd say. Hope that helps! > > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told > me > > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here > in > > 7 > > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. > We > > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're > so > > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried > that > > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and > > her > > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted > her > > in > > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing > > it. > > > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll > react, > > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > > get > > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even > help > > > her before her head hardens? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Hi Tami and welcome to the group! I see has answered all of your 101 questions so far! Don't worry about the questions, that's what we are all here for. The last line of your post to stating you are clueless and McKenna is your 4th child; Well, my plagio daughter was my 3rd and I really thought I was a professional parent, boy did plagio prove me wrong. You are doing a great job! Good luck on Monday, keep us posted on how she is doing. Dustie > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in 7 > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > shorthanded right now. " > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and her > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her in > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing it. > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to get > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > her before her head hardens? > > Thanks, > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without this board (and the few from my BabyCenter birth board that referred me here.) Is it normal to feel so emotional about the helmet? One minute I'm ok, and the next I'm in tears. I feel so confused and frustrated, but I think part of it may be that she doesn't have her helmet yet, and the unknown is so worrisome and scary. I feel like I could/should have prevented the plagio. Her therapist told me that it isn't my fault. Her rapid birth caused it, but I still feel like it's my fault, like I should have held her more (single parent of 4, so that was touch.) I've already been told she won't be 100% when she's done with the helmet. That they're shooting for 90%. My biggest hope is they can get her ears positioned right. They're so off right now. What if they can't correct the ears? Does the size of her soft spot on the top of her head indicate anything? Kenna's seems small (smaller than a dime.) Does this mean we're running out of time? THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. Tami > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in > 7 > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and > her > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her > in > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing > it. > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > get > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > > her before her head hardens? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Hi Tami, Yes, most of us were very emotional about the helmets before we got them. Once we had them things went back to " normal " . And then to top it off once our kiddos were done we (I) kind of missed it and the ortho (I got over it). You are not responsible for McKenna's head shape. You are taking actions to correct it which is wonderful. 90% correction is great. Nobody's head is perfect. Even if they measure 0 mm assymetry they are only measuring fixed points and straight lines on a 3 dimensional head. It doesn't tell the whole story (which many orthos will tell you too). That's why one child's 8 mm looks mild and another's looks moderate. The soft spot decreases in size as the sutures close. Most infants have open sutures well into the 2nd year if not the third. I read that some sutures do not fully close for years. Of course there needs to be a certain amount of openess in the sutures for the band to work. The STARband is used in children up to 18 months of age. McKenna is well within those guidelines. {{HUGS}} mom to na DOC Grad SC > > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told > me > > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here > in > > 7 > > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. > We > > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're > so > > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried > that > > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and > > her > > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted > her > > in > > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing > > it. > > > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll > react, > > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > > get > > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even > help > > > her before her head hardens? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Tami, 10 months isn't too old, it will just take longer for the rounding the occure since her head is growing slower. The helmet will help her ;-). I can understand your frustration though. That would piss me off. My Makenna got her helmet (a passive one) at 8 months and it took awhile, but she rounded out nicely. Don't lose hope. --- In Plagiocephaly , " Tami " <stressed_out_2day@y...> wrote: > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in 7 > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > shorthanded right now. " > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and her > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her in > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing it. > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to get > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > her before her head hardens? > > Thanks, > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 How do you know if the helmet is passive or active? I remember the therapist mentioning something that led me to believe it was active. She also mentioned that we didn't have time to mess around with repositioning. My McKenna doesn't have a big flat spot. She has a little one, but it's more lumpy than actually flat. I don't notice it in her face, but the ortho and therapist said her eye sockets, cheek bones, and jaw are slightly off. The only way I can tell her ears of off is by a bird's eye view and then you can really notice it. I'm sure I'll breath a sigh of relief when she is actually in the helmet. The waiting is SOOOOOOO stressful! I guess my super rapid delivery wasn't so wonderful afterall since the therapist said that's probably what cause the mild tort and plagio. Tami > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in > 7 > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and her > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her > in > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing it. > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > get > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > > her before her head hardens? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Tami, I'm not sure if you read my earlier post about my son Dylan. He just graduated after 5 months in the Starband and he started at 10 months old. We did not see total correction but we saw enough so that his plagio wouldn't be noticeable to anyone who didn't know that he had it. I wish we would've begun earlier but we had heard so many conflicting opinions on the helmet. I'm still so glad we did it and you will be too. I'm sorry that you're frustrated. I don't blame you since every day counts but don't worry because you will see improvement even if it may be slower because of McKenna's age. Check out Dylan's pictures under Dylan F in the plagio kids albums. You can see how much he grew in that time. 10 months is definitely not too late and some kids are banded at even later ages and their head shapes improve. Beth Grand Rapids, MI > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told me > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here in 7 > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. We > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're so > shorthanded right now. " > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried that > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and her > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted her in > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing it. > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll react, > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to get > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even help > her before her head hardens? > > Thanks, > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Tami, If you are getting a STARband it is active. The Clarren is passive and made by the same company. You're therapist was right at 10 months you don't have time for repo. The AAP has said after 5 months orthotic cranioplasty is required. The bird's eye view is the best for seeing ear assymetry. Have you taken any pics (from all angles)? It helps to have something to compare to when " waiting " for correction with the helmet. mom to na > > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told > me > > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here > in > > 7 > > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. > We > > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're > so > > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried > that > > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and > her > > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted > her > > in > > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing > it. > > > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll > react, > > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > > get > > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even > help > > > her before her head hardens? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2004 Report Share Posted August 21, 2004 Hello Tami I see you have gotton a ton of good replies, so I just wanted to welcome you to the group. (a bit behind here ) ) I can't stress enough that it is not your fault, that Kenna has plagio. There really isn't much you can do if you don't know about plagio. We all know that the plagio education you receive is not just lousy, but just non existant. To the emotional roller coaster. I think that is totally normal. You are worried about your baby, and hey: that is a Mom's job. I can't imagine having 4. Not that I wouldn't want that many, but you must have your hands full. Let us know how the fitting goes, oh and stick around there for awhile to make sure Kenna gets a good fit with the band. Sandy Willow's Mom Torticollis resolved Cranio Germany Grad In Plagiocephaly , " Tami " <stressed_out_2day@y...> wrote: > Honestly, I don't know what I'd do without this board (and the few > from my BabyCenter birth board that referred me here.) > > Is it normal to feel so emotional about the helmet? One minute I'm > ok, and the next I'm in tears. I feel so confused and frustrated, > but I think part of it may be that she doesn't have her helmet yet, > and the unknown is so worrisome and scary. > > I feel like I could/should have prevented the plagio. Her therapist > told me that it isn't my fault. Her rapid birth caused it, but I > still feel like it's my fault, like I should have held her more > (single parent of 4, so that was touch.) > > I've already been told she won't be 100% when she's done with the > helmet. That they're shooting for 90%. My biggest hope is they can > get her ears positioned right. They're so off right now. What if > they can't correct the ears? > > Does the size of her soft spot on the top of her head indicate > anything? Kenna's seems small (smaller than a dime.) Does this > mean we're running out of time? > > THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. > > Tami > > > > > > > > > McKenna was fitted for her helmet 2 weeks ago today. They told > me > > > it would take 7-10 days to get the helmet in. The orthotist was > > > supposed to put a rush order in on it and said it would be here > in > > 7 > > > days. I've called 4 times this week and finally today they told > > > me " Yes, her helmet is here. Its been here for a couple days. > We > > > can't get her in to be fitted until Monday at 4pm because we're > so > > > shorthanded right now. " > > > > > > Ok, what was the point of putting a rush on it? I'm worried > that > > > she's getting too old. She'll be 10 months old on the 25th and > > her > > > therapist wanted her in it before she was 9.5 months old. > > > > > > I'm so angry. I've been calling and calling because I wanted > her > > in > > > it ASAP. Now we have a weekend wasted that she could be wearing > > it. > > > > > > I think I'm also frustrated because I don't know how she'll > react, > > > how I'll react, or how others will react to her. I just want to > > get > > > on with it and then I can stop stressing about it so much. > > > > > > Is 10 months too old to have the helmet put on? Will it even > help > > > her before her head hardens? > > > > > > Thanks, > > > > > > Tami and McKenna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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