first fitting questions

[Guest guest]

Well we leave on Sunday to get Lucas's helmet. I am somewhat nervous about driving 6+ hours with a two year old and a 6 month old. I am hoping to time it so we leave immediately after Lucas has eaten in order to get as far as I can before I have to stop and feed him.

What can expect when we receive his starband. What things are normal? What should I expect to see and what should I be alarmed about? Do they have any trouble sitting in their car seats with it on? It looks like it would be uncomfortable. Do you think Caleb will be jealous (for lack of a better word)? The orthotists office suggested to try a bicycle helmet for an older child. Have any of you tried that and does it work? How long does the first appointment take. What things do I need to ask about? Sorry for the barrage of questions. I am afraid to get up there and not ask something I should or something will not be right and I wont know it. I would hate to get back home only to find out something was wrong and I should have done something about it while I was there.

Thanks for all your help. I am so glad I found this list. I was just bragging on all of you and what a tremendous support you have been. I will be back on Thursday. I will let you know how it goes. I will even try and get some pictures to send.

[Guest guest]

When Novali got her STARband, the appointment lasted about 2 hours

(make sure you have something to keep them entertained! Novali

thinks the orthodist's office is her personal playground!) When they

first brought the band out it was way too big all the way around on

her face. So they made several adjustments, trimming the forehead,

ears, and back areas. Then they kept the helmet on her for I believe

15-20 min to check for any red spots. Then they adjusted some more

and left it on again for 5 minutes. It was a long and tedious

process. It didn't help that Novali would freak everytime the

orthodist came near her (stranger anxiety). But Lucas is younger so

you probably won't have that problem. All in all it was a little bit

frustrating being in there for so long, trying to keep Novi off all

the physical therapy equipment down the hall The orthotist should

explain what to look for as far as the red spots, how to clean the

band, and when to come back. They wanted to see us after 1 week,

then 2, then 3, finally now once a month. Good luck!!!!

Tamara, mom to Novali (16 mo. STARband since 7/2/02)

> Well we leave on Sunday to get Lucas's helmet. I am somewhat

nervous about driving 6+ hours with a two year old and a 6 month old.

I am hoping to time it so we leave immediately after Lucas has eaten

in order to get as far as I can before I have to stop and feed him.

>

> What can expect when we receive his starband. What things are

normal? What should I expect to see and what should I be alarmed

about? Do they have any trouble sitting in their car seats with it

on? It looks like it would be uncomfortable. Do you think Caleb will

be jealous (for lack of a better word)? The orthotists office

suggested to try a bicycle helmet for an older child. Have any of you

tried that and does it work? How long does the first appointment

take. What things do I need to ask about? Sorry for the barrage of

questions. I am afraid to get up there and not ask something I should

or something will not be right and I wont know it. I would hate to

get back home only to find out something was wrong and I should have

done something about it while I was there.

>

> Thanks for all your help. I am so glad I found this list. I was

just bragging on all of you and what a tremendous support you have

been. I will be back on Thursday. I will let you know how it goes. I

will even try and get some pictures to send.

>