Alex had his four month check up yesterday and the great news is--for the most part he is a healthy little dude. He weighed in at 14 pounds 5 ounces, he was 25 inches long, and had a head circumference of 16.5 inches. Our doctor gave the go ahead to start solid foods, so we will soon be displaying pics of our little man spitting out prunes and rubbing green beans in his hair. He got several shots, but he did beautifully.
The bad news is that he was diagnosed with Plagiocephaly--which in non-medical terms is basically a flat head. Anyone who has cuddled him has probably noticed that he was born with a very large flat spot. I was hoping with time it would round out, but it hasn't improved much. Our doctor feels that it is better to be proactive and address the issue now while he is still growing. So today we began the process of getting "cranial orthotics" or in English--a helmet (which he will wear 23 hours a day for several months until his head begins to reshape). Alex had four x-rays made of his noggin at Children's Hospital this morning so the next step is to schedule an appointment to see the cranial specialist and get measured/fitted for the actual helmet.
I had very mixed emotions about the helmet. I knew going into the appointment that it was likely he would need one--his head is just SO distorted in the back and I don't want him to have to live with that. Part of me was still clinging to the hope that it wasn't "that bad" and he would outgrow it. But our doctor immediately said that it WAS that bad and that we needed to be very aggressive in treatment. I got teary eyed by the time I left the office. It's not that I dislike the helmets--our good friend Nate had one and it was adorable on him. But I was scared that this was going to cost a fortune at a time when we just don't have spare money for anything, and I was worried that Alex will hate it and not adjust well to the situation. After calling Leigh and checking out several Plagiocephaly website, though, I am feeling a little better. I know that in the long run this will make such a difference to Alex, and that is what is really important. And money is just money. We may eat ramen for a while, but at least my kid won't have a funky noggin! Josh has already started hoping we can get a purple and gold helmet in honor of LSU. Sheesh!
4 comments:
HUGS!!!
Poor mommy - so sorry you are worried/stressed! We didn't realize this was going on - so glad you had Leigh to talk to about it!!!!
i'll be here for questioning whenever you need it! it's really not all that bad, you get used to it in a week or 2. just SCRUB the inside of that thing with alcohol every night cause it will STINK. and use really scented shampoo, believe me it helps. ;)
Alison's daughter, Megan, was nanny to twins, one of whom had to wear a helmet. He DID NOT lose his hair. Josh may get his wish as that child DID have a helmet that was LSU PURPLE AND GOLD. Alison said that he looked adorable in it!!!
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