's Graduation and Measurements

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We had our appointment Monday at 3:00 for 's exit scan and discharge. Like normal, screamed and spit up during the scan. Three of us held her down so it was a good scan. She was banded at 14 months 3 weeks and wore it for 25 weeks or almost 6 months (20.5 months). grew a total of 1.41 cm during the 6 months. She only grew 1.1 mm in the last 8 weeks and 3.3 mm in the 8 weeks prior. The rest of the growth was in the first 9 weeks. In the last 8 weeks, she also got 0.3 mm wider and 0.7 mm longer for an improvement from 92.4 to 92.2 percent in her brachy.

We've been comparing each of her scans to the scan that was completed for making the band, but I asked (ortho) to look at that scan and compare it to the previous scan because the substitute ortho had a really hard time getting to hold still. She had said that we finally had a "good enough" scan to create the band, but I never had full confidence in those numbers. pulled up the first and second scans and agreed with me. She said she could see that was struggling. There was extra head height on that second scan. So, we used the first scan and my comparison numbers are with the scan that was completed 3 weeks before got her STARband.

Width: 136.8 to 139.2 (2.4 mm growth)

Length: 144.1 to 151.0 (6.9 mm growth)

Cephalic Ratio: 95 percent to 92.2 percent (2.8 decrease) - goal less than 91

Diagonal Difference: 1.6 mm to 2.5 mm (yes this got slightly worse but is still normal) - goal less than 3

Cranial Vault Asymmetry Ratio: 1.2 to 1.7 - normal is less than 3.4

Anterior Symmetry Ratio: 98.9 percent to 98.1 percent -

Posterior Symmetry Ratio: 95.2 percent to 97.9 percent - normal is above 90.8

Overall Symmetry Ratio: 97.1 percent to 98 percent - normal is above 92.7

Upper Facial Symmetry Ratio: 99.2 percent to 99.4 percent

Radial Symmetry Index: 16.5 to 12.9 - normal is less than 30.8

Ear Offset: 3.6 to 2.7

One thing that I found very interesting is that her asymmetry at the level 3 slice of the head got slightly worse and yet the symmetry of the volume of her head improved. I think that just illustrates that there can be improvements in the head that we can't see when we only look at the measurements for one slice.

also took "after pictures" and we examined the 3D image of her head. pointed out that although 's head is not as long as the "normal" head, it has many of the features. For example, it has rounded out quite nicely and the general curve towards the back makes it look normal. The width is decreased enough that it doesn't shout out that it's different for anyone who is not looking for it. She printed out a copy of the birds eye view for me and showed me the profile view. I plan on contacting and asking her to send me a printout of that view as well. I am in the process of taking my own "after" pictures and pulling together a good variety of before pictures to compare with. My scanner is not working right now so I can't upload my scans right now. I do plan on posting those soon.

I've been trying to feel good about our progress, but part of me feels sad and guilty that we couldn't get her number down further. I really was hoping to get her down to the 91 range, but we fell short of it. I blame myself for not banding earlier. I question whether the scan for the band was really "good enough" and wonder whether I should have waited the extra 5 days to have do it. I wonder whether we should have not shaved from her sides after the first 9 weeks, although she only grew an additional 0.4 mm in width after that so that probably was not the reason. And, most of her growth was in the right direction. I don't think that she grew more in width than I've seen in other scans.

looks so different now without her helmet. I tried to put a barrette in her hair this morning, but her hair is still too fine and thin for it to stay in. Her bangs were too long so I trimmed them just a little bit. has adjusted well to being out of it. She only stayed in it for the evening after the appointment. We took it off for the bath and it hasn't gone back on. Daycare said that she spent the next day rubbing her hands through her hair. I do love being able to feel her soft little head against me so I won't complain about that. Without her helmet, she now looks like a little girl.

I'm going to attach a group of pictures that I pulled together that were taken within the last month. I plan on taking some "after" pictures tomorrow night when I give her a bath. I will also follow up with the scan and 3D photos after I figure out how to get my scanner to work. Anyway, I'd appreciate any feedback about how "normal" her head looks. Please be honest.

, mom to , 20.5 months

STARband grad on 05/11/09 after 25 weeks

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