United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

For her cranial band. She cried almost the whole time b/c they put a netting over her whole face and then cut out just a small hole near her mouth. Then they cast her head for the size and shape so they could make the helmet have the proper fitting. The whole process took about 15 minutes or so, but it seemed like forever. I am very proud of her though! She will get the helmet in 2 weeks and will wear it from there on for a few months. I know most of you arent too familiar with the band, but I thought I would share my experience.
Krista

Awww poor Ella- that must have been scary! Glad it's over. Will you take a picture when she has it so we can see what you are talking about?
-francine

I will be sure to take a picture of her with the band on. Speaking of pictures, I decided that we better get her 6 month pics a little early so she doesnt have the band on. I know we will also have tons of pictures with her band on, but I think we will do the 6 month pics right before she starts to wear it. I hope I dont sound selfish about it or like I am trying to hide the band..I dont mean to sound that way =).

We are careful not to have studio pictures done with casts and splints either. Just something about it... We do have lots of snap shots, they don't seem as painful to look at. My Mother in Law was trying to be well meaning after Kelsey's primary and had her pic taken at a studio with all of her bandages and everything on. I hid the picture. I just couldn't look at it. Good Luck with everything!

I do not have a single picture of myself when I had my two surgeries as a child. I remember the surgeries because they were when I was 10 and 11 but my parents never wanted to take any photos. I really feel as if it is part of my life that is not documented. It is missing. I wish they had taken photos.

Just my personal take on it.

Nancy

Hi Krista,

What is ther cranial band for? Sorry to hear Ella had a hard time with the casting! Hope all goes well for her while she has to wear her helmet.

Missy

Nancy,

We have lots of snapshots of Kelsey after her surgeries, with her splints on and after. We want those for her. The large 8x10 was just too much for me:) We also have one picture of Kelsey with her sol splint on her head as a horn! It is too funny!

Hi Missy, Ella's cranial band is for her Deformational Plagiocephaly (flat side of her head). It was caused from the Erb's which caused her to have torticollis and then led to the Plagio. Since she slept looking towards the injured side so long as a newborn her head got really flat. We waited it out to see if it would reshape itself, but it didnt. On the flat side of her head her ear sticks out more and her forehead and eye and pushed out a tiny tiny bit...I cant see it unless the doctor explains and points it out. If we didnt have her fitted for the band then it could get worse. The band works best when worn at an early age before 1 yr old. It will reshape her head and bring her facial features back to normal. I think thats it! =)
Krista