Week 1: May 3 - May 10

We finally got our Doc Band on Friday, May 3, 2013. It was a day I was looking forward to for many reasons. I wanted to start treatment as soon as possible so we could correct Miso's head as soon as possible. I also was getting frustrated because we have been doing all of these positioning techniques and exercises for what felt like FOREVER!! And while we had not gotten any worse we had not gotten any better either.  We developed pretty good head control and neck strength but there was still that darn flat spot. But, with all of that I was also anxious and scared. I didn't want people to think something was "wrong" with my baby or that we had done something wrong. I also didn't want people to think my little guy was anything less than perfect. Despite his little flat spot, he is perfect to us.

So...Friday came and I really wanted to cry when we put the helmet on for the first time. He quickly got hot and upset and started throwing a fit because he was so hot.  I ended up stripping him down to just a onesie. Now, let me just say we are an undershirt family. Jose wears undershirts and Ipolito has always worn undershirts (onesies, t-shirts during fall and winter, and tanks during spring and summer). Miso has until now always worn onesies under his clothing.  We are strictly supposed to dress him down. He hardly ever wears socks and basically just a onesie for the first couple of days until he gets used to the helmet.

After we left the building I was still in shock. My little guy was cute and rockin' that helmet but still it was just so LARGE  and WHITE!!! That first night Miso was up every THREE hours. He ate so it was hard to know if it was due to hunger or the helmet.  He hasn't woken up more than once since he was a month old! It sleep has definitely been interrupted. I ordered some special vinyl stickers with Misael's name and I put his name on his helmet.  This is just temporary until we get it decorated May 17.

It took a few days to get used to the helmet but the first week went by without a hitch. We followed directions and basically Miso wears his helmet 23 hours a day. I take it off at night and clean it with alcohol and then let it air dry. We bathe him and make sure his head and helmet are dry before putting it back on.

At Church I have to admit I didn't make eye contact with anyone because I was scared of what I would see in people's eyes. I didn't want to see pity, curiosity, disgust, or anything. But, I did keep my head up and proceeded with life as always. Hopefully this will get easier in the coming weeks. All in all week one was a success.