We're getting G a second helmet

etoyama · April 2012

Thank you to those of you who responded to my post the other day. After a lot of talking and soul searching we've decided to try a second helmet in hopes of correcting some of the 5mm of asymmetry G has left. I just could not let it go knowing that I could have done more and chose not to. Now, even if we don't see any more improvement, at least we can know that we did all we could. And don't get me wrong, I know that 5mm is a tiny amount. I know LOTS of babies crawling around with at least that. I think my daughter is beautiful, and a tiny amount of asymmetry can't change that

Thanks for listening.

Mouseygail · April 2012

I am all for doing whatever needs to be done to avoid regret....its a terrible feeling! I'm glad you made a decision!

cbubbles2 · April 2012

I missed your previous post but it sounds like a good decision to me! And yes, Grace is pretty darn adorable!

sescms2004 · April 2012

I think you did the right thing. Not b/c of his measurement, but because you recognize that it matters most what YOU think and what your DD will think when she's older. That is the reason we opted for a helmet for our DS to begin with. I have a close friend whose son needed one, and they waited too long to get it. He has a noticeable flat spot to this day, and she said she can't look at his little noggin without feeling bad. For me, I never wanted DS to say to me one day, "mommy, why didn't you help me?" Granted, his involved facial asymmetry that was noticeable, but I still would have felt the same way if it were just a flat spot. I couldn't live with myself, had I not done everything I could for him. We were fortunate enough that his got down to a 3mm after 11 weeks. Had he still been at a 5, I probably would have opted to continue the treatment also.

Hugs, mama you did the right thing

DeputiesWife · April 2012

I am glad that you are doing what is best for your family.

G is absolutely beautiful!

Imanurse03 · April 2012

Sorry I didn't see your original post. But I think it's good that you're getting G a 2nd helmet. It can't hurt and can only help. She is beautiful, btw!!!

LucyPevensie · April 2012

Good for you mama! You know some of my story - and I suffered, a lot, after realizing that we got bad advice - and mediocre treatment - from the orthotist who fitted and maintained Jack's STARband. You'll probably see another 2mm of correction, she is still a young baby. May take a few months to get those couple extra mm but go for it - it is now or never! And - with any additional correction she gets - she will also continue to ever so slightly correct on her own, as her own body seeks to achieve balance. Jack continues to improve on his own but it's TINY little changes. I am learning to accept his remaining facial asymmetry and tell myself he's so freakin' cute that no one else notices or cares. But if I had to do over again - I'd make different medical decisions for him - and I think YOU are making the right decision for your girl but also for YOURSELF - as you said - if she doesn't make any additional noticeable changes - well then you'll KNOW you took her as far as you could, WHEN you could, and you'll be able to let it go. One of my biggest issues has always been the knowledge that there was a MISSED opportunity to do more for my boy. That caused me a lot of pain for a while, but I am doing much, much better now, thank God.

Good luck to you and your sweet girl, and keep me posted on her additional progress!!

mikeandangie · April 2012

She is a doll anyways, but I totally understand where you're coming from.

Jenny952 · April 2012

I think you made a good decision, mama.

armywife76 · April 2012

I missed your last post, but I think if you notice it, then you're doing the right thing. DS was really late getting into his (about the age your daughter is now) and while we got a lot of correction after 5 months of wear, its definitely not perfect and still noticeable to me. In fact, not a day goes by that I don't look at the remaining flatness and wished I'd done things differently, pushed harder earlier, and got him in it before 8 months. He has a double cowlick that makes it more noticeable (to me) and maybe no one else notices it. But I do. In fact, everyone told me it looked fine and he didn't need it before we got the helmet, but afterward everyone said how much better it looked, lol. Had it not been for him being over 1 y/o when he got it off and not expected to improve much after that, I might have done another helmet. Good luck!! It will be well worth it to know you've done all you can!

kbeach82 · April 2012

You sound like you are at peace with your decision, and I think that means you are absolutely doing what is best for your family. G is just gorgeous :-)

JenCW · April 2012

E - I was on our little vacation when you posted your first update.

After seeing this, I wanted to let you know (as a fellow helmet mama) that you are doing what's best for G, and that's perfect! It never hurts to try everything possible before accepting a medical outcome. Good for you for doing all you can for her!!! I hope there is some continued improvement with the new helmet.

FWIW, when my G was done with his helmet (and subsequent surgery and therapy) he did still have some asymmetry. Over time, specifically as he got more hair and has gotten older, nobody can tell. As his mom, I still notice it some, but even to me it's hardly detectable and I rarely think about it anymore.

JM1977 · April 2012

It sounds like you made a great decision for your daughter. Wishing her well with the helmet!

LCS040209 · April 2012

aww, haven't been on here in a while, but Grace is adorable. You are doing all that you can do and are a great mama!

FaithRocks · April 2012

I think you are doing the right thing for your little girl. Sounds like you guys are doing something that you feel comfortable with. I can totally see where you are coming from - Trig's growth hormone treatment is something we chose to do. It may not work but we had to try everything to give him the best chance at being a normal height. Good job, mom, for sticking up for your little girl.

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