Ding Dong, The Helmet's Off

For those of you new here, Dylan was diagnosed with torticollis on March 14th, 2007, just a little before turning 4 months old. For the first four months of the poor kid's life, he had colic. I'm not sure how I got through that, but I did. So, that was finally over, and then we learned he would need to start physical therapy for the torticollis once a week. That started the therapy sessions, the exercises, the stretches, and the doctor visits. At his 4 month pediatrician visit, we also learned he has eczema, probably inherited from me (sorry Dylan).

On June 15th, at almost 7 months of age, Dylan started wearing a helmet. The torticollis caused him to always lay on his head a certain way, which caused his head to be flat in the back. He was also born with a hematoma, (basically a blood blister on his head), which also affected his head shape. Then we added the visits to the helmet place to have it adjusted, about twice a month.

I'm sure you can guess who the majority of these responsibilities fell on. I'm exhausted by it all. But, not Dylan. He has taken it all in stride, from the very first therapy session, to the very first time we put the helmet on. Honestly, him wearing the helmet couldn't have gone any better. I'm the one who has been annoyed by the darn thing. I was so sick of the questions, the stares, the looks of pity, every stinkin' place I took him. I was sick of the 45 minute drive to the place to get the adjustments, where I would try to keep Dylan entertained and still when he needed to be, usually for an hour each time!

I will say this. It was a love/hate relationship I had with that helmet. Every time my crazy, fearless kid would dive head first off the couch, I would sing its praises. When he was just learning to walk, and was extremely unsteady on his feet, I hugged it, and kissed it, and called it George.

2 days of wearing the helmet..


During the under, over, and everywhere in between stage I loved that helmet...


When cruising, it's always safer to wear a helmet...


The poor kid had to be put in here 4 times for scans of his head - can you say "claustrophobia"?


Preparation for the final scan...


For 6 months, two weeks, and 2 days I waited, and on Dec. 31st, the last day of 2007, the day was finally here! Look out world, because here comes Dylan with his (mostly) round head! I'm so proud of you, Dylan! (When the therapy sessions are over, I'm probably throwing you the party of all parties).