A Helmet

Sweet Pea,

Today we went back to LA for some follow-up appointments. You did just fine in the car on the way down. Our first stop was at the ear, nose, throat doctor. She looked into your right nasal canal (the one she had unblocked in March) and said it looked great! You don't need to have a quick fix it surgery because there wasn't any scarring that needed to be removed. In fact, this might be the last time you'll have to have the probe stuck up your nose. She also looked down into your throat and said it was a little red by your voice box, but she didn't think it was too red and so she thought it was ok that you not take anymore zantac for reflux. We were happy to hear that also.

We then went to see the plastic surgeon who had done your skull surgery and he thought you looked great. He was even impressed that you are taking all your food by bottle now! He gave us the address of the place that is going to do your helmet. They've been doing this for years and come highly recommended, so mommy and daddy are encouraged that they'll help your misshapen head.

We drove over to the place and met the owner and his assistant. They are both real nice and have been doing this for years (that's a good thing). They looked at your head and thought a helmet would definitely help. Mommy asked them if they'd even seen a head that looked like yours...and they said they'd seen lots of misshapen heads and given time they could definitely correct yours. So then Mommy asked them how long you would have to wear your helmet and they told her that because your head is on the extreme end of misshapen it might take anywhere from 12-18 months. We're going to pray that it happens sooner, but we'll also be patient and wait on God's timing for this. So after that they scanned your head. We'll be back in a couple of weeks to get your helmet and have them do the initial adjustment. We know that it seems like a long time, but we think it is worth it for you to have a normal shaped head.

Do you notice anything different about your picture today? Yup, you're right...no more nose tube! Mommy pulled it out last night because you are taking everything by bottle. We still have a few more from the hospital in case we need to put it back in, but you haven't used it in a couple of days so we thought it would be better not to have it in (less risk of infection) if you didn't need it!

We love you!!!

Mommy and Daddy