Update

[Guest guest]

Alan,

I'd settle for your NEW self, as long as it is a healthy one! You'll

be in our prayers until you're back on solid physical ground.

Hugs,

Judi

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much Judi. Hope you are well.

Love and hugs,

Alan

> Alan,

>

> I'd settle for your NEW self, as long as it is a healthy one!

You'll

> be in our prayers until you're back on solid physical ground.

>

> Hugs,

> Judi

[Guest guest]

geez alan i am sorry to hear about your troubles. hope they figure it out

soon

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan,

I'm glad they have you stabilized and out of the hospital, and I hope

they find some answers soon. I'm thrilled that it's not cancer, as I'm

sure you are, but sorry they've found the clot and inflammation. Can

you have GI inflammation from lupus, I wonder? You seem to have a lot

of systemic effects of RA, and maybe that's why they're investigating

lupus. I hope that doesn't end up your diagnosis.

As for the spine, I hope that goes away on it's own and that your MRI

comes out fine. The stress of all this is probably just making the pain

that much worse.

You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers, my friend.

Love you,

Carol

[ ] Update

Hi everyone,

Sorry I haven't responded to many posts as of late. I am out of the

hospital. My GI doctor was able to get the bleeding and pain under

control. I am now on a low residue diet. I had a colonoscopy done and

they found a huge blood clot and inflammation in my colon. The biopsy

results came back yesterday and it isn't cancer. Could be a form of

ascetic colitis but they aren't sure. My rheumy doesn't think it was

caused by my meds. I will be having an MRI done on my abdomen next

week to check my blood vessels. I am awaiting blood and stool sample

results and hope to get some answers today. Interestingly enough, my

rheumy is running tests for lupus.

I also had an MRI done on my cervical spine because I am still having

neck burning, cold and numb hands, sore shoulders, headaches behind

the eyes, tingling arms, etc. Could be degeneration and some cranial

settling. I am hoping to have the results back today.

I am continuing to stay positive and have missed not being able to

access our group. I hope all of you are doing well and I hope to be

my old self in no time. Thank you for your kind thoughts and well

wishes. It has meant an awful lot this past week.

My love to all...

Alan

[Guest guest]

Hi Carol,

How are you my dear? Yes, I am thrilled to be out of the hospital. I

guess if it had to happen last weekend is sure better than this one.

hate to have to spend father's day there.

I don't know if the stomach problems were what led my rheumy to check

for lupus but you are definitely right about the systemic effects of

RA beating the crap out of me...

I am really curious to see what the MRI results are. It's always a

double edged sword. You want to know there is something because you

are going through weird symptoms but you don't want to know. Only

time will tell I guess.

I am doing okay managing the pain. There is a huge ebb and flow to

it. I can only plan my days in 1/2 hour increments.

I hope you have a great day Carol.

Love you,

Alan

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much. I hope you're having a nice weekend. It's great

having decent weather for a change.

Love and hugs,

Alan

> geez alan i am sorry to hear about your troubles. hope they figure

it out

> soon

[Guest guest]

Randi, so glad had a good adjustment. Her age may be the

contributing factor to only going every 3 weeks. Let us know when

you get those measurments

Dustie

> Hello all-

> We just returned from our adjustment appointment, and I have a

> question. Is it normal to go three weeks with no adjustments? It

> has been 3 weeks since the last time we had an adjustment, but

there

> were no areas needing any shaving. is almost 13 months old,

so

> do I just attribute this to lack of growth? I think I notice her

> flat spot beginning to round (of course the biggie is her ears and

> there have been no changes, not a surprise), and my family says

they

> notice (Esp. with wet hair, but also by touch). Anyway, we go back

> in 3 more weeks (that will be 7 weeks total in the band) and if we

> will take more measurements then. Wish us luck.

> Randi, mom of , STARbanded 5-22-03

[Guest guest]

Hi Randi:There were some appointments that Abby went w/o needing any shaving or adjustments to her band, she too was over age one, so I'm sure that's playing a role in 's treatment right now.

3 wks is probably ok in between appointments right now. If you notice any redness or anything you're concerned about, I'm sure they'd see you sooner.

Get growin !

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGradMIrandisue_98 <randisue_98@...> wrote:

Hello all-We just returned from our adjustment appointment, and I have a question. Is it normal to go three weeks with no adjustments? It has been 3 weeks since the last time we had an adjustment, but there were no areas needing any shaving. is almost 13 months old, so do I just attribute this to lack of growth? I think I notice her flat spot beginning to round (of course the biggie is her ears and there have been no changes, not a surprise), and my family says they notice (Esp. with wet hair, but also by touch). Anyway, we go back in 3 more weeks (that will be 7 weeks total in the band) and if we will take more measurements then. Wish us luck.Randi, mom of , STARbanded 5-22-03

[Guest guest]

Jenna didn't always have an adjustment. She always had correction. Her diagnols improved at every aappointment. Anyway, I hope this helps.

Ang

update

Hello all-We just returned from our adjustment appointment, and I have a question. Is it normal to go three weeks with no adjustments? It has been 3 weeks since the last time we had an adjustment, but there were no areas needing any shaving. is almost 13 months old, so do I just attribute this to lack of growth? I think I notice her flat spot beginning to round (of course the biggie is her ears and there have been no changes, not a surprise), and my family says they notice (Esp. with wet hair, but also by touch). Anyway, we go back in 3 more weeks (that will be 7 weeks total in the band) and if we will take more measurements then. Wish us luck.Randi, mom of , STARbanded 5-22-03For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Randi,

I can't speak for the STARband, my daughter was DOCbanded from 11mths

and one week old until she was 22 mths old. She went for an

adjustment every 2 weeks and needed her band shaved at EVERY appt.

received 90+% correction.

> Hello all-

> We just returned from our adjustment appointment, and I have a

> question. Is it normal to go three weeks with no adjustments? It

> has been 3 weeks since the last time we had an adjustment, but

there

> were no areas needing any shaving. is almost 13 months old,

so

> do I just attribute this to lack of growth? I think I notice her

> flat spot beginning to round (of course the biggie is her ears and

> there have been no changes, not a surprise), and my family says

they

> notice (Esp. with wet hair, but also by touch). Anyway, we go back

> in 3 more weeks (that will be 7 weeks total in the band) and if we

> will take more measurements then. Wish us luck.

> Randi, mom of , STARbanded 5-22-03

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Good to hear from you again. andra is a cutie, I love the sneeze

picture.

From the pictures, I'd say her plagio is severe, which of course

means improvement will take longer and may take longer time to notice

as well. And yes, improvement does depend on growth, so given her

age, her growth spurts have probably decreased some, so that will

take a bit longer as well. Don't get me wrong, she's still plenty

young to have good improvement, but growth spurts aren't as frequent

as they were a few mos or so ago.

The band looks like it's fitting her great and your ortho is

experienced, so let's just get her growing now huh?! She looks small

anyway, so hopefully she'll hit some good spurts here soon!

Keep us posted, keep your spirits up!!!

Debbie Abby's mom DOCGrad

MI

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <orthochik11@a...>

wrote:

> Hi all!

> I haven't posted in a while, but I've been trying to keep up on

> the messages. andra has been in her STARband for about 5 weeks

> now, and we're seeing slight improvement. I posted a whole bunch of

> pics under her name in the photos section. She isn't growing very

> quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if she'll be in this band

> forever! How soon is improvement usually noticed? Does it depend on

> the growth of the child? We're going to see the neuro on Tuesday so

I

> can ask these questions, but I wanted to hear from those of you who

> have firsthand knowledge. With all of the posts about STARbands and

> DOCbands as of late, I was starting to question whether I was using

> the right band, but the ortho is experienced and the band seems to

> fit just fine. I'm sure things will be just fine, but I could use

the

> reassurance. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and support you

> give, and also thanks for sharing the pics of all the adorable

babies!

>

> , mom to andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03

[Guest guest]

,

As long as your ortho is experienced you don't have anything to worry

about!!! How soon improvement is seen depends on age, severity and

growth. Hopefully she's due for a nice big growth spurt. That will

definitely help things along. Don't worry, I'm sure everything is

fine! andra looks so cute in the band! Thanks for sharing.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <orthochik11@a...>

wrote:

> Hi all!

> I haven't posted in a while, but I've been trying to keep up on

> the messages. andra has been in her STARband for about 5 weeks

> now, and we're seeing slight improvement. I posted a whole bunch of

> pics under her name in the photos section. She isn't growing very

> quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if she'll be in this band

> forever! How soon is improvement usually noticed? Does it depend on

> the growth of the child? We're going to see the neuro on Tuesday so

I

> can ask these questions, but I wanted to hear from those of you who

> have firsthand knowledge. With all of the posts about STARbands and

> DOCbands as of late, I was starting to question whether I was using

> the right band, but the ortho is experienced and the band seems to

> fit just fine. I'm sure things will be just fine, but I could use

the

> reassurance. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and support you

> give, and also thanks for sharing the pics of all the adorable

babies!

>

> , mom to andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

It's all about the growth spurts Hopefully andra will hit a

good one soon.

Don't worry about your choice of bands. We used a STARband and had

great results!!

& (15 months, STARband Grad)

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <orthochik11@a...>

wrote:

> Hi all!

> I haven't posted in a while, but I've been trying to keep up on

> the messages. andra has been in her STARband for about 5 weeks

> now, and we're seeing slight improvement. I posted a whole bunch of

> pics under her name in the photos section. She isn't growing very

> quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if she'll be in this band

> forever! How soon is improvement usually noticed? Does it depend on

> the growth of the child? We're going to see the neuro on Tuesday so

I

> can ask these questions, but I wanted to hear from those of you who

> have firsthand knowledge. With all of the posts about STARbands and

> DOCbands as of late, I was starting to question whether I was using

> the right band, but the ortho is experienced and the band seems to

> fit just fine. I'm sure things will be just fine, but I could use

the

> reassurance. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and support you

> give, and also thanks for sharing the pics of all the adorable

babies!

>

> , mom to andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Jenna was banded at 9 months. We saw quite a bit of improvement the 1st two weeks, then it slowed down. She had improved at every adjustment but it wasn't as significant as the 1st 2 weeks. Then right before she graduated she hit a spurt. She only ended up wearing it 12 weeks with 80% correction. I just think it is a little slower with older babies. will hit that spurt soon! Let us know what the neuro says on Tuesday.

Ang and Jenna

Hi all! I haven't posted in a while, but I've been trying to keep up on the messages. andra has been in her STARband for about 5 weeks now, and we're seeing slight improvement. I posted a whole bunch of pics under her name in the photos section. She isn't growing very quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if she'll be in this band forever! How soon is improvement usually noticed? Does it depend on the growth of the child? We're going to see the neuro on Tuesday so I can ask these questions, but I wanted to hear from those of you who have firsthand knowledge. With all of the posts about STARbands and DOCbands as of late, I was starting to question whether I was using the right band, but the ortho is experienced and the band seems to fit just fine. I'm sure things will be just fine, but I could use the reassurance. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and support you give, and also thanks for sharing the pics of all the adorable babies!, mom to andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

andra is so darn cute!! I love the sneeze pict. lol I'm not

quick enough to capture something like that. lol Thanks for the

update on her. Post when you can

Dustie

--- In Plagiocephaly , " " <orthochik11@a...>

wrote:

> Hi all!

> I haven't posted in a while, but I've been trying to keep up on

> the messages. andra has been in her STARband for about 5 weeks

> now, and we're seeing slight improvement. I posted a whole bunch of

> pics under her name in the photos section. She isn't growing very

> quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if she'll be in this band

> forever! How soon is improvement usually noticed? Does it depend on

> the growth of the child? We're going to see the neuro on Tuesday so

I

> can ask these questions, but I wanted to hear from those of you who

> have firsthand knowledge. With all of the posts about STARbands and

> DOCbands as of late, I was starting to question whether I was using

> the right band, but the ortho is experienced and the band seems to

> fit just fine. I'm sure things will be just fine, but I could use

the

> reassurance. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and support you

> give, and also thanks for sharing the pics of all the adorable

babies!

>

> , mom to andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03

[Guest guest]

Hi :

That's wonderful news about andra's progress. I know what you

mean about staring at the head all the time. It's like an

obsession. Everytime I take his band off I keep looking for any new

development...I'm obsessed.

Lori and on doc banded 6/23/03

-- In Plagiocephaly , " " <orthochik11@a...>

wrote:

> Ang,

> Yes, andra went to the neuro for a checkup yesterday. He is

happy

> with her progress, and he told me to be patient because andra

is

> obviously a slow grower. She has had 5 mm of correction on her

right

> side, so now I feel better actually seeing solid evidence that she

is

> growing. My DH kept telling me that he could see improvements and

not

> to worry. I thought that was a mom's job! Anyway, she's gone from

> 11mm of flattening on her right side to 6mm. I guess it still looks

> so flat to me because she seems to have a combination of plagio and

> brachy. I know, sounds kind of funny, but the entire back of her

head

> was flattened, but the right side was flatter than the left due to

> her tort. Boy, that's confusing! We also got some very good news

from

> her PT yesterday. Her tort is almost resolved (only 2 to 3 degree

> head tilt remains) and she will probably be discharged from PT in 3

> weeks at her next visit! I was so happy to hear that. Now we just

> keep our fingers crossed for a growth spurt! Sorry for the long

post,

> and I really appreciate you asking how things went!

>

> and andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03

> TX

>

>

> > > Hi,

> > > Jenna was banded at 9 months. We saw quite a bit of

> improvement

> > the 1st two weeks, then it slowed down. She had improved at

> every

> > adjustment but it wasn't as significant as the 1st 2 weeks.

Then

> > right before she graduated she hit a spurt. She only ended up

> > wearing it 12 weeks with 80% correction. I just think it is a

> little

> > slower with older babies. will hit that spurt soon!

> Let

> > us know what the neuro says on Tuesday.

> > >

> > > Ang and Jenna

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > Hi all!

> > > I haven't posted in a while, but I've been trying to

keep

> up

> > on

> > > the messages. andra has been in her STARband for about

5

> > weeks

> > > now, and we're seeing slight improvement. I posted a whole

> bunch

> > of

> > > pics under her name in the photos section. She isn't

growing

> very

> > > quickly, and I'm starting to wonder if she'll be in this

band

> > > forever! How soon is improvement usually noticed? Does it

> depend

> > on

> > > the growth of the child? We're going to see the neuro on

> Tuesday

> > so I

> > > can ask these questions, but I wanted to hear from those of

> you

> > who

> > > have firsthand knowledge. With all of the posts about

> STARbands

> > and

> > > DOCbands as of late, I was starting to question whether I

was

> > using

> > > the right band, but the ortho is experienced and the band

> seems

> > to

> > > fit just fine. I'm sure things will be just fine, but I

could

> use

> > the

> > > reassurance. Thanks to everyone for all the advice and

> support

> > you

> > > give, and also thanks for sharing the pics of all the

> adorable

> > babies!

> > >

> > > , mom to andra (10 months) STARbanded 5/19/03

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

make sure you get plenty of rest tess. i went to the dr yesterday. he said if

my bladder woes continues he wants me to see another urologist. says

everything looks right. my rheumy wanted me to have another nerve test, but he

thinks

it'll just be inconclusive again and said he wanted to try me on a drug for

the nerves. (just what i wanted was another drug, can't afford the ones i am

on!!) when he told me neurontin i said i was already on it. (it is an expensive

one too!!)i don't remember why i stopped it or whatever but i remember taking

it and trying to give the samples to someone else but the mgs were wrong and i

threw them away. i go back on the 28th for labwork. i was the only one who

showed up at work yesterday, so needless to say....i didn't get paid. they live

in the town of Libertyville, they had a microburst over the weekend and lost

power.so while i was at the office trying to figure out what i'm going to do

with my life. he (my boss) was sitting at poolside with his wife and 5 kids. my

job interview is Wednesday at 10. job is maybe 10 miles farther (but north,

opposite of traffic) we shall see, dr's wife said she was going to call the post

office to see if they had more of our mail. (sure, it's a conspiracy!!)well

better get my butt moving. gotta get in their face and make sure i get my $

today!!! kathy in il

[Guest guest]

Such an exciting time, Tess! Hard to believe that the wedding day is so

close.

I hope you were able to get some rest after all.

You and yours have my prayers,

[ ] update

> Dearest Friends...well, after several fashion " emergencies " and

> confusions, it looks like everything is pretty well set for the

wedding.

> I'll have a link for any of you who'd like to see photos probably a

> couple weeks afterwards.

>

> This Mother-of-the-Bride is one very happy but very achy lady. I've

had

> to do far more driving than usual (neither Gen nor Em drive) so I'm

the

> chauffeur. (Andy - Gen's fiance, and my other daughter Chrissi, have

> done a lot of errands, too...but for some things a girl just needs her

> Mom.) Physically I feel pretty awful tonight...there's lot of pain

where

> there isn't usually so much pain. And stiffness, and I'm so tired

it's

> hard to sleep. I've really been trying to take care of myself keeping

> up on exercising and wise food choices. But, I'm overdrawn at the

bank

> of " energy. " : )

>

> Please say a little prayer that I don't go into a big, long lasting

> flare. I REALLY need to help with things right now. And I don't want

to

> lose ground for my upcoming surgery.

>

> I love you all, always....

>

> Tess ((((((((((((RA~Family)))))))))))

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I'm praying for you Tess! All of this excitement is catching up to

you.

I know how much you are enjoying all the fun with your girls.

Hopefully you will have a good night's sleep tonight and will feel

better

in the morning. You have to much to do to be slowed down by a flare!

a

On Tuesday, July 8, 2003, at 12:48 AM, tess_northwest@... wrote:

> Dearest Friends...well, after several fashion " emergencies " and

> confusions, it looks like everything is pretty well set for the

> wedding.

> I'll have a link for any of you who'd like to see photos probably a

> couple weeks afterwards.

>

> This Mother-of-the-Bride is one very happy but very achy lady. I've

> had

> to do far more driving than usual (neither Gen nor Em drive) so I'm the

> chauffeur. (Andy - Gen's fiance, and my other daughter Chrissi, have

> done a lot of errands, too...but for some things a girl just needs her

> Mom.) Physically I feel pretty awful tonight...there's lot of pain

> where

> there isn't usually so much pain. And stiffness, and I'm so tired it's

> hard to sleep. I've really been trying to take care of myself keeping

> up on exercising and wise food choices. But, I'm overdrawn at the bank

> of " energy. " : )

>

> Please say a little prayer that I don't go into a big, long lasting

> flare. I REALLY need to help with things right now. And I don't want

> to

> lose ground for my upcoming surgery.

>

> I love you all, always....

>

> Tess ((((((((((((RA~Family)))))))))))

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

WOOOHOOO Randi!

Thanks for sharing such a great update on !!! 4 weeks is going

to fly by. Keep us posted.

> Hello all:

> We just got home from the ortho, so I thought that I would give you

> all an update. has been in her STARband for almost 8 weeks

> (friday), and even without having any major adjustments her

assymetry

> has gone from 6mm to about 2mm and her head circumfrence is 143

from

> 140. He thinks that at this rate, we have about 4 more weeks!!!!

> She looks sooo much better, and I would LOVE to be done, but he

> thinks we still have some correction that can be made ('specially

if

> she grows!) Just wanted to let you all know.

> Randi and

[Guest guest]

That's amazing! I hope she has a growth spurt soon!

Anne

Central NJ

> Hello all:

> We just got home from the ortho, so I thought that I would give you

> all an update. has been in her STARband for almost 8 weeks

> (friday), and even without having any major adjustments her

assymetry

> has gone from 6mm to about 2mm and her head circumfrence is 143

from

> 140. He thinks that at this rate, we have about 4 more weeks!!!!

> She looks sooo much better, and I would LOVE to be done, but he

> thinks we still have some correction that can be made ('specially

if

> she grows!) Just wanted to let you all know.

> Randi and

[Guest guest]

Randi, that is wonderful news!! Sounds like is really growing

nicely. Be sure and keep us updated on her progress.

Dustie

> Hello all:

> We just got home from the ortho, so I thought that I would give you

> all an update. has been in her STARband for almost 8 weeks

> (friday), and even without having any major adjustments her

assymetry

> has gone from 6mm to about 2mm and her head circumfrence is 143

from

> 140. He thinks that at this rate, we have about 4 more weeks!!!!

> She looks sooo much better, and I would LOVE to be done, but he

> thinks we still have some correction that can be made ('specially

if

> she grows!) Just wanted to let you all know.

> Randi and

[Guest guest]

Yeah . Jenna was the same way. She didn't have many major adjustments but still had wonderful improvement. Keep us posted. Angie and Jenna update Hello all:We just got home from the ortho, so I thought that I would give you all an update. has been in her STARband for almost 8 weeks (friday), and even without having any major adjustments her assymetry has gone from 6mm to about 2mm and her head circumfrence is 143 from 140. He thinks that at this rate, we have about 4 more weeks!!!! She looks sooo much better, and I would LOVE to be done, but he thinks we still have some correction that can be made ('specially if she grows!) Just wanted to let you all know.Randi and For more plagio info

[Guest guest]

Wonderful! I bet she'll get some more correction. My dd got more

correction than we thought she would at the very end.

Kat & Olivia-STARband grad

TX

> Hello all:

> We just got home from the ortho, so I thought that I would give you

> all an update. has been in her STARband for almost 8 weeks

> (friday), and even without having any major adjustments her

assymetry

> has gone from 6mm to about 2mm and her head circumfrence is 143

from

> 140. He thinks that at this rate, we have about 4 more weeks!!!!

> She looks sooo much better, and I would LOVE to be done, but he

> thinks we still have some correction that can be made ('specially

if

> she grows!) Just wanted to let you all know.

> Randi and

[Guest guest]

GREAT news Randi!!! will be a grad in no time and she'll have a

nice round head to show for it!

Marci (Mom to )

Oklahoma

> Hello all:

> We just got home from the ortho, so I thought that I would give you

> all an update. has been in her STARband for almost 8 weeks

> (friday), and even without having any major adjustments her

assymetry

> has gone from 6mm to about 2mm and her head circumfrence is 143

from

> 140. He thinks that at this rate, we have about 4 more weeks!!!!

> She looks sooo much better, and I would LOVE to be done, but he

> thinks we still have some correction that can be made ('specially

if

> she grows!) Just wanted to let you all know.

> Randi and