Exhale

Huge sigh of relief today:  We had scheduled an appointment with the pediatric neurosurgeon for Jack's head on the recommendation of PT & the people who make the helmet, just to be absolutely sure there weren't any problems.  We went to the appointment feeling like the chance was very remote, but we just wanted to CYA.  Unfortunately, based on the neurosurgeon's evaluation of his head, he was very concerned about craniosynostosis, which is where the skull bones fuse prematurely.  The only treatment for this problem is surgery, and not a benign one at that.  The neurosurgeon proceeded to explain to us the details and risks of a surgery where they would have to remold the skull bones.  I could barely keep it together.  The only way to know for sure whether surgery was indicated was to CT Jack's skull

So today the 3 of us went to the main hospital for his CT appointment.  Jack was an amazing trooper given he was tired because we were interrupting his nap and he's been under the weather with a viral infection and febrile.  He sat still for the 15 seconds of the CT exam and then we made our way back to the neurosurgeon's office for the outcome.  Again, Jack continued to be a trooper as we had to wait an additional 1 1/2 hours in the doctors office to see the surgeon.  Just before I thought I was going to lose it with anxiety, the surgeon came in and let us know that his sutures were not fused, he just has a significant case of positional plagiocephaly, and no surgery was indicated.  Exhale. 

So.  We'll take 3-4 months of a helmet any day of the week, with a smile on our face!  He has to wear it 23 hours a day.  And, we've been told that the best way to know if parents are diligently using it is if the helmet smells.  Especially in the warm months of the year.  Again, with a smile on our face  :)