New Helmet

Here it is! Gracie was fitted for her new "clear" helmet this morning. It has no padding, so we hope that will improve the way her skin reacts to her wearing schedule. I know it looks hideous, but there are some very good points about this helmet. First, we can see through it to her skin. This way, if there are any irritations, we can see them right away. Next, it is much smaller than the first two helmets. It is about a quarter of an inch thick. Finally, it is very flexible. I can put it on her (and take it off) very easily. This is good because I can clean it and give her skin a chance to cool off without going through a big ordeal to take it off of her. We will see how this one works. Hopefully, all will go well, and we will get Gracie's head rounded out. Please cross your fingers for no more rashes. I can't bear to put Gracie through any more suffering.

Hanna is at her Grammie and Grampie's this week. She is out of school for conferences, so Mom and Dad took her for a few days. She is having a great time. It has been quiet around the house without her, but it has felt really good to have a little "me" time.

Casting

This morning Gracie was casted for her new helmet. Once again, I worried way more than I needed to. She was calm and very well-behaved. Things got a little ugly at the end but only after the plaster cast was removed. I don't think she liked getting cleaned up. However, she thoroughly enjoyed her warm bath when we got home!

As you can see, a cloth stocking was placed over her head and face to prevent the plaster from getting in her eyes, nose, and mouth. Strips of plaster-coated cloth were placed on her head (after being dipped in warm water). She sat on my lap, and I think it was probably kind of relaxing for her. It will probably be about two weeks until the new helmet arrives. In the meantime, Gracie's head continues to heal from the last outbreak. It is looking really good, but she has quite a few scratches from her sharp (trimmed daily) nails. Hopefully, the itching will go away soon and the sores will heal.

News

No picture today, but I do have news. The "vent" holes seemed to be working on the "colander" helmet. Gracie was still developing small "rashes", but they healed rather quickly (two to three days) so we opted to keep trying. She worked her way into a full 23 hours each day, but last Friday her head was completely broken out when I removed the helmet for bathtime. She looked like a tomato! I am convinced that she must be allergic to something in this new helmet. We visited the orthotist today, and we have decided to order a different type of helmet for Gracie.

When Gracie was fitted for the first helmet, a lazer scanner was used to take a picture of her skull. This "scan" was sent to a company that manufactured the helmet to fit Gracie perfectly. It fit snug against her "holding spot" (the place on her head that we want to remain unchanged), and it left room on the side that we want to "grow out". The new helmet will be created much the same, but the "fitting" process will be different. This time her skull will need to be "casted". Basically, a stocking will be placed over her head (with holes left for her eyes and mouth), and the orthotist will pour plaster over her head to create a plaster cast. I will try to stay positive about this... Yep, I am positive that Gracie is going to kick and scream. Ha!

The helmet will be pretty ugly. It will have no padding (we think the padding is the culprit in this whole mess), and it will be clear (as in transparent). Yuck, huh? However, the new "hat" will be a quarter of an inch thick. This is a big change because her current "hat" is at least an inch thick (including all of the padding). Anyway, please be thinking about Gracie Thursday morning at 10am. I am sure she will be thinking that I am subjecting her to cruel and unusual punishment at about that time. :)