After 3 castings, 2 sets of measurements, 13 flights, 3 different hotel stays, 3 rental cars, 12 taxis, and much much more, we are FINALLY done!  On October 17th, my husband Jeff, baby Ian (now officially toddler Ian) and I flew to Phoenix for the final time.  We went to Cranial Tech where our orthotist Margaret gave Ian his final band adjustment.  She also took measurements and exit photos.  We decided against the exit cast since Ian had gone through the process less than 3 months ago and the improvement we had received visually from his two headmolds was enough for us to be satisfied.

Afterwards, we visited Dr. Manwaring to receive his blessing on Ian's band therapy.  I was estatic when he told us that Ian did tremendously well in the DOC Band and went from moderate severe diagnosis to nearly perfect (approximately 95% correction).  The back of his head rounded out nicely and the asymmetry on his left side corrected as well.  He was happy to report that Ian's headshape was within the "normal" headrange.

It's hard to believe we are finally done with the treatment.  We started this in February and finally completed in November.  A very special thanks goes to Cranial Technologies, especially Margaret Finestone, who treated Ian with both DOC Bands.  I also want to thank our pediatrician, Dr. Lieber who supported us the entire way, and specialists who saw Ian, Dr. Hubli and Dr. Manwaring.  And many thanks to the Yahoo Groups Plagiocephaly page - you guys have been the best!  It's been a emotional and difficult journey, both with the travel involved and the process, but it has been totally worth it!!!

August 26, 2001

Ian and I flew to Phoenix last Thursday (8/23) for his first adjustment in the new band.  I'm happy to report that in just 2 weeks in the 2nd DOC band, we've seen MORE improvement.  With the new pressures of the band, we've seen more lengthening  and rounding in the back and his asymmetry is  not as noticeable.  His ears are just about aligned at this point.  Although it's hard to see the difference in the photos (between the "after 4 month and after 6 month" shot), you could definately tell if you monitored Ian in person during that timeframe.  So for all you parents curious about whether to reband or not, for us, it was well worth it.  We are SO HAPPY we decided to go forward with a second band simply from the additional correction only after 2 weeks!  Here's some pictures of our last trip to Phoenix...Oh, and don't forget to check out the progress link...

Hanging out with Dad right before the flight...	Ian being the good United Airlines passenger...
Ian with Margaret (his orthotist) at CT...	Hanging out at CT waiting for a band adjustment

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August 20, 2001

Ian and I went to visit the neurosurgeon on July 6th to determine if Ian needed a second band.  The doc said Ian was in a "borderline" case that he could go either way.  Jeff and I were disappointed, hoping Ian would be finished, but after thinking it through carefully, we decided to reband and continue treatment a bit longer.  Ian graduated from his 1st DOC Band July 19th.  He was headband free for nearly three weeks.  Jeff has a more flexible schedule than I during the week so we decided he would take Ian to get casted.  They flew to Phoenix August 6th, Ian was casted August 7th (his first birthday!!), and fitted August 8th.  Here's Jeff's story...

June 17, 2001

Ian is now 3 1/2 months in DOC Band therapy and is doing very well.  Our orthotist Margaret at CT estimates that Ian has received about 75-80% correction which we are very happy with.  We have an appt with the neurosurgeon July 6th to determine whether Ian will need a second band.  I guess he falls in the "grey" area where if he went with a second band,  we could see even more improvement.  The travel is getting difficult and with the summer weather, Ian gets a sweaty head.  He even got a funky tan on top of his head!!  Now that Ian is older (10 months), he tugs at his band and even unfastens the velcro strap.  He realizes the band is an external part of him.  He still doesn't mind it, but it would be nice he could graduate soon.  Anyhow,  here's some recent pix of Ian and we'll will keep you posted on the diagnosis.

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March 15, 2001

Positional Plagiocephaly is the deformation of the skull caused by any consistent external pressure such as back sleeping or inutero constraint.  The abnormal headshape is most often the result of the extended time infants spend on their back (back sleeping, carseats, bouncy seats, swings).  The number of plagiocephaly cases have risen since 1992 when the Back to Sleep campaign was first launched and well, we just happen to be one of them.  Here's our story....

 We noticed Ian's head was quite flat around his 4 month appointment.  We were told by his pediatrician to try and reposition him to sleep on his side, to help "round out his head".  Well, that advice worked to NO avail.  Disappointed, our pediatrician said there was nothing we could do and no treatment options in the U.S.  Luckily, there's the Internet and I began my search by simply typing "flat head" in google and wouldn't you know it, it came back with several hits.  I also mentioned Ian's flat head concern to a friend of mine who told a friend of hers.  He sent me an email with the Cranial Technologies website, who is the leader is making DOC Bands which  treats Positional Plagiocephaly.  

Once Jeff and I knew we wanted to get Ian into a helmet, I had to convince our pediatrician to write a script for it.  Since it was a non-invasive solution, he did it with no problem.  Dr. Lieber, our pediatrician was then inundated with tons of plagio information from yours truly which he appreciated very much. I started to look for alternative options since CT (Cranial Tech) only had clinics throughout certain parts of the US, of  course, not Colorado.  We looked into the STARBand which is a similar treatment and decided to go for it since it was a local solution. Below are pictures of Ian right after his STARBand casting.  He was 6 months old.

    Right after the casting for STARBand (6 months) 

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Since we were so ANXIOUS to get Ian started in the helmet therapy, we pushed ahead with the casting before we saw the cranial facial specialist.  It's always hard to get an appt and plus we had to fly to Northern VA to see him.  I took some "before" pix of Ian before his treatment started.  He's pretty flat as you can tell from the side and top view.  He's just plain cute in the front view pix!

           Side, top, and front view before treatment (7 months)

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    Ian in his STARBand (banded 2/22/01) - wore about 1 week

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After seeing Dr. Hubli, the specialist, Ian was officially diagnosed with moderate brachecephaly and plagiocepahly.  Brachecephaly is completely flat in the back, often with the headshape being tall and wide.  This is the second most common type of plagio.  Ian is also plagiocephalic, where he is more flat on the left than his right, causing his ears to be misaligned and his forehead diagonal to his left to bulge out.  For more information of headtypes you can check out the plagio support page under head types.  Since we had to correct Ian on 2 planes, both brachecephalic and plagiocepalic, and the fact that he was moderate and not mild, we decided to change treatment options to CT since they are experts and have years of experience in dealing with this.  So, Ian and I headed for Phoenix, AZ, spent 3 days out there so that Ian could get his measurements taken, get casted, and fitted with the DOC Band.  Below are some pix of his first day with the band.  He's posing for you in the Courtyard Marriott!

    Ian is his DOC Band - first day - (banded 3/6/01)

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Ian will have to wear the DOC for at least 4 1/2 months to correct his asymmetry.  Ian and I travel to Phoenix every other week for band adjustments.  It's difficult and very exhausting, but I know it will totally be worth it.  You have to correct plagiocephaly within the first 18 months of life when babies head are still growing and are malleable.  Once his sutures have fused together, it's too late.  I'm so glad we caught this in time and I can only tell others to PLEASE tell new moms to reposition and rotate your babies.  Back sleeping has tremendously cut down the statistics of SIDS, but remember to give your baby alot of time on his tummy while awake and the reposition him side to side while sleeping.  

Anyhow, I'll keep you posted on our progress.  Below are pix of Ian with his DOC band on.  He wears it 23 hours a day, with 1 hour off during bathtime.  He doesn't mind it (thank goodness) and it's very lightweight, 6oz.  Stay tuned for the next update. 

                At home....

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