Equipped to be Fixed

This morning we all piled in the suburban and made the 2 hr trip to Dallas to pick up Cash's helmet. 

Mr. Dwain came right in and got to work. He showed us the helmet and the model of what we hope Cashs head will look like when treatment is finished. Next, he demonstrated how the helmet opens and closes and the correct way to put it on and take it off.  He explained the areas that will "hold" the parts of his skull we don't want to grow and the areas that have space to allow growth. Here is a picture of the diagram from our exam room that may help you visualize what I mean. 

The arrows show the area with room to grow to help round out the head. 

Before he put the helmet on Cashs head Mr. Dwain let him touch it and play with it. 

Mr. Dwain explained to Cash that he was going to place it on his head and that it will help his head grow the right way.  

After Mr. D got the helmet on he checked the fit around his ears and eyes.  He made some marks in the areas that needed to be trimmed.

The outside of the helmet is a hard plastic while the inside is a stryofoam. When he took the helmet off there were some red spots on Cashs head showing Mr. D the areas that needed to be shaved away. Mr. D made the changes and it was time for us to practice putting it on and taking it off. Tyler went first, then I did and last Grammy. 

It's awkward to put on, but even more so to take off.  It's going to take some practice.  Mr. D held Cash for a long time while we talked about proper use and care. Cash was so comfortable he fell asleep in his arms. 

The little guy was tuckered out but he never seemed to mind the helmet.

We were given a schedule to break him into wearing it full time.

Day 1: 1 hr on 1 hr off  no sleeping

Day 2: 2 hrs on 1 hr off no sleeping

Day 3: 4 hrs on 1 hr off naps only

Day 4: 8 hrs on 1 hr off naps and bed

Day 5: 23 hrs on 1 hr off for bath 

Sweating is a big deal while wearing the helmet. The area that helps cool him is now covered all the time. Mr. D gave us some suggestions to help keep Cash cool such as leaving his socks off and wearing short sleeves. I am little worried about this because Cash is already a sweaty fella. We could us some prayers for his comfort. 

We go back next Friday for our first adjustment. 

I will leave you with a few extra pictures. 

*please pardon any typos...I wrote this on my phone driving home. Thanks!! ;0)