doc band update

*This is a long story, but I want to document our doc band experience for ourselves and for others who are going through it right now, too. And I couldn’t leave anyone hanging on what happened on Friday.

Remember how I said that I am a reformed control freak? That’s because so many things about motherhood are completely out of my control.

On Friday morning, Hudson, Hayes, and I left Columbia at 7:30 a.m. and headed 90 miles north for Charlotte. It’s a very easy drive. We have our portable DVD player rigged up in the car for Hudson. The drive time happened to be when Hayes’s morning nap takes place, so he slept the whole way.

It did hail on us for part of the drive, but we weren’t in a huge hurry- our appointment wasn’t until 10:00 a.m.

We got to the appointment and Hayes immediately got to try on his new, fun, head accessory. I thought I was going to cry when they put it on him, but I didn’t. He looked really cute and it didn’t seem to bother him a bit.

Hudson was very interested in Hayes’s new “hat” and he was pretty well-occupied watching Tangled on the iPad. All the rooms at Cranial Technologies have lots of toys in them and most of them have some kind of exersaucer. Hayes was content to crawl around the whole time.

Around 10:30, our therapist came in and checked Hayes’s head for any redness and then made some adjustments to try to make the doc band fit a little better. She came back around 11:00 and put the doc band back on Hayes and then told us we could go kill some time before coming back at 1:00 to re-check Hayes’s head and the fit of the band.

I had planned for us to meet my friend Katie at a nearby Chick-fil-A for lunch so we could visit while we killed about an hour and a half before our second appointment.

I’m so happy that Katie met us there. I got us all situated with our lunch. Hudson did manage to spill almost all of his milk on his pants. (I had packed some spare clothes for Hayes, but didn’t even think of spare clothes for Hudson.) I gave Hayes a bottle, Hudson ate all of his lunch, and I got to visit with Katie. And I got to devour the yummy chicken tortilla soup. Have y’all tried it? Amazing!

Hudson got to play on the playground with about ten other wild, crazy boys, and Katie and I got to chat and play with Hayes.

I noticed, though, that Hayes’s doc band kept sliding down in front of his eyes. The back of his head is so flat that there wasn’t really anything for the band to rest on to stay in place. It just didn’t fit well.

We said goodbye to Katie and went back to Cranial Technologies. Our wonderful therapist also noticed that the band wasn’t fitting well, so she made some adjustments and it still didn’t help much.

They ended up taking photos of Hayes in the band and sending the photos to their corporate office to get their opinion. About 20 minutes later they told us that we needed to have a new band made.

When I heard this, my heart sank. I had almost survived this day without any major drama. Hudson had his “moments” and Hayes was cranky, but we were almost done! We had survived. And then they told me we have to start over?

I had to get Hayes undressed and we had to do all new scans, which we had done at his appointment 3 weeks ago.

I started to worry because he’s 10 months old now and he should have been in his band 3 or 4 months ago for it be the most effective.

But I didn’t cry. I really wanted to, but I didn’t. I told our therapist how tired both boys were and it was hard on them to go through long days like this. But she gave Hudson some candy, and of course, all was good!

Around 3:00 we left Charlotte and headed home. We scheduled our next appointment to get our band (again) and we’ll go back in a week or so.

I’m thankful that we noticed that it didn’t fit well. Because I want this to be a good experience and I want it to work. I want Hayes to be comfortable.

My boys are troopers. They slept the whole way back to Columbia and I spent time thanking God for keeping everything in his control. It’s not in my control at all. I am reminded of that time and time again.

But we survived. And in a week or so Hayes will have his doc band and we’ll be able to bring it home with us. My sweet Hudson isn’t always so sweet, but it’s not his fault. He did his very best on Friday and toughed it out for as long as he could.

Thankfully, my mother-in-law is going to keep Hudson when we go back up there for our all-day appointment. That way I can be 100% focused on Hayes, and Hudson won’t have to spend all day tagging along again.

Thank you all for thinking of us!

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Comments

  1. says

    Thanks for updating us! Hopefully next time it will be a perfect fit and at least now Hayes got a chance to test it out for a little while before having to wear it all the time. Cute boys as always 🙂

  2. says

    I’m sorry it didn’t fit correctly. But, like you said, it’s better to get fitting so the little guy can see full benefits!

    When T got his braces for his feet, I thought the fitting part would never end. And he screamed the entire time! So I can feel your pain on the nerves of the situation.

  3. says

    That must have been frustrating to learn that they need to make a new band for him. I’m impressed that you kept it together and didn’t get super upset!

  4. says

    I’m so glad that I was able to meet you at Chick Fil A! It was definitely a fun treat for me. When I heard your message about having to get a new band I almost cried for you. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to be there to help with Hudson or to hug you! I’m glad that your mother-in-law is going to help with Hudson for the next visit & I can’t wait to see you!

  5. says

    glad it went well. i understand completely. we went to get fitted abd have to wait another month so we can get insurance to pay for his helmet. that means another scan and then waiting for the helmet. oh well. it will all be worth it in the end. i’ll keep thinking bout ya’ll!

  6. says

    Hayes looks adorable! Your boys are great sports and YOU did well. So much of their mood depends on yours and you were strong and held it all together and so did they. You found strength when you needed it!

    it will all be good with Hayes – his little accessory is very cute and maybe you can figure out ways to even decorate it!

  7. Tracy says

    I spent last Monday at Children’s Hospital with my daughter (for a different condition) and I know what a stressful day it is (and my daughter is a teenager-can’t even imagine how tough it must’ve been keeping 2 little guys happy & entertained all that time). Between the hourlong drive and speaking with all the different nurses, doctors, specialists, and all the waiting in between each of them and running down to the lab for bloodtests, then to radiology and then back up to the clinic for more consultations and then the hourlong drive back home that always happens to fall right during rush hour traffic- it is EXHAUSTING! Not complaining though, I’m happy that we have specialists only an hour away – just wanted to encourage you and say that you did a great job holding it all together (it IS hard). And sorry that your day had to end on such a disappointment after all that but hopefully the next visit will go much better for Hayes. Your boys are adorable and you are an awesome mom!

  8. step moMster says

    you all did SO well erin. i’m so sorry you have to repeat the entire day. you will all continue to be in my prayers. xoxo p.s. hayes look adorable in this doc band. so cute!

  9. says

    You and your boys are such troopers. And you’re a terrific mom. I’m very Type A also and have trouble going with the flow when things don’t go as planned. I have to remind myself to sit back and let God be in control. Hayes is precious in his new hat!

  10. says

    well… hayes looks simply adorable. what a great perspective you have and a great reminder that I should give it ALL over to God. It’s in His hands.

  11. says

    That sounds like a tough day! I can barely take two kids to the pediatricans office so I am really impressed that you were able to do this with 2. It will be so much easier to go back with just Hayes. Thinking of you. I am a reformed control freak too – motherhood changes everything!

  12. Allyce says

    I’m so glad you caught the issue and they are fixing it. Hopefully everything works out.

    I wouldn’t say I am a control-freak by any means but I do love my “routine” and I am constantly reminded everyday with my 3 month old that there is no form of control anymore. It is hard not to know “why” things happen or even when sometimes.

    It is nice to remember that it is all in His hands and will all work out how it is supposed to. I am glad your trip went well without any big disasters!

  13. says

    Wow. What a long and tiring day for everyone! Sounds like you handled everything amazingly!! I’m sure I would have been in tears and totally stressed out. I am very much Type A… but like you I’m learning to let go and trust God because so much is out of my control when it comes to my boys. Keeping ya’ll in my prayers!

  14. says

    I actually just blogged about our situation with our almost 5 month old son. We are working to self-correct his flat spot with re-positioning, and hoping that the helmet won’t be needed. It has been brought up to us, though, which has made me very nervous over the past couple of months. So, I really appreciate you sharing your story, it made me feel A LOT better!!

    Your son is absolutely adorable in his new headgear 🙂

  15. Paige says

    Oh gosh, I’m so sorry that you guys have to go back again! But yes, it is good that you and the therapist both noticed the band wasn’t fitting well so Hayes can get a new one and be comfortable with it! And honestly, can I just say that it sort of looks adorable on Hayes? That boy can certainly pull it off!

  16. says

    He’s such a handsome sweet boy! (They both are) I am sure he will do wonderfully with the band and ya’ll made the right choice….everything will work out and as parents we just do the best we can you know 🙂 He’s precious!

  17. says

    Erin, I am so sorry to hear this, I hate it for you guys.. Hopefully next time the band fits and is a nice good fit for Hayes. Thankfully though Hudson won’t have to go and can stay behind and have some one on one with a Grandparent. Which will be fun for him..

    Praying for you all.

  18. says

    What a trooper! Your a great mom! I know those long days like that are hard especially when your by yourself. Hayes is so cute! He will do great with his Doc Band and will have the most beautiful head when all is said and done. =)

    I feel like us mom’s of toddlers and young babies are on this journey together. It’s so nice to hear empathy from other moms and encouraging words. It means so much to know you are not on this journey alone! =)

  19. says

    What a handsome little guy Hayes is! He looks darling in his hat. I have had close friends use the doc band with TREMENDOUS, AMAZING results. They’ve said that it was totally worth the annoying fittings, the $, the emotional trauma for the parents. I think you will feel the same. You are so sweet for sharing this journey with your blog readers. I’ll be praying for your next fitting.

  20. says

    I know that anxiety ridden feeling when these aren’t exactly going according to plan! I am glad that you made it through the day relatively unscathed! I am sorry Hayes didn’t get his Doc Band that day, but I am thankful that it will fit correctly the next time. It will all be over before you know it! 🙂

  21. Sus says

    Hayes looks so cute! He is just precious in the doc band. We’ll be praying his next visit goes smoothly and that ya’ll see wonderful results (quickly!). What a trooper Hudson was too. You’re raising such a sweet and wonderful family.

  22. says

    I hate that was such a long day for y’all and you didn’t come home with a helmet! Those days are hard… My good friend is on the tail-end of this experience with her little boy. He’s 14 months and wore his first for 12wks and his second for 6wks. They had his helmets “wrapped”… There is an organization here that does it for free. They wrap the helmets with custom cut decals. He had a camo one and then a football. It was very cute 🙂

  23. says

    Aw, I hate you have to redo the whole trip, but at least you figured it out before going all the way back home! He looks absolutely adorable in his doc band, though. Helmet babies are the cutest. 🙂
    Don’t worry too much about how old he is. Our little guy was late getting started too, and his head looks great. He actually outgrew his band before his 1st birthday, and it still worked fine.

  24. says

    Awww Erin- I’m sorry things Didn’t exactly work out this go around! Praying that your next visit goes much better !! You are such an incredible mother and I am amazed at how well you persevere through things!!

  25. Pinkprayers says

    Sorry it was a long day! It will be worth it in the end!! One of Mullins’ friends just got a baby blue one. He’s so cute! I know Hayes will look handsome in his too!!

  26. says

    Erin, I know that this is such a stressful process, but it seems you are handling it with aplomb! Also, Hayes looks adorable in his doc band- I just want to kiss that chubby little hand!

  27. MrsS says

    I’m glad they kept it together. I hope the next appointment is a little more successful for you all 🙂

  28. says

    Hey Erin 🙂

    I’m so glad things went ok at Hayes appointment and no major meltdowns! I know you must be frustrated but at the same time you have a great outlook on the situation and it seems y’all are in great hands with your therapist! I will keep you all in prayers and look forward to hearing more 🙂

    Laura

  29. says

    Both your boys are such troopers!! I’m so happy the band doesn’t seem to affect little Hayes. Good luck with everything at your next appt. I’ll be thinking of you.

  30. says

    oh my friend, I am so sorry yall didn’t get to come home with the doc band after such a long day 🙁 it is all going to work out and all this will just be a memory! call if you need to vent, no judgement here! 🙂 hugs friend!

  31. says

    You are so good about being patient and going along with the flow. I, too, am a “recovering” control freak, although this just shows how far off I am from letting things go. Being a mom has definitely taught me just how out of control I am in many situations, but it seems like I’m still holding on (which drives me crazy…crazier than I already am). I’m glad that you guys had a good day though and that you at least got to visit with a friend and let Hudson run around for a bit to get some of that energy out! I hope that the band fits perfect at your next appointment and you guys can move forward!

  32. Amanda R. says

    I have to admit in the past when I have seen kiddos with what I now know was a doc band, I had the mentality that maybe something was “wrong” with the child. I just never thought to research it. I’m embarrassed by thinking that way but feel at least a bit educated now that I have read the blogs you’ve written concerning Hayes and the doc band. So glad to have learned something new and understand what it is and what it does when I see a child with a doc band in the future. Thank you for being as transparent with your life as you can comfortable be. I love reading your blog and in so many ways relate and love that you don’t not blog just because it wasn’t a good day with roses and unicorns haha. Keep it up on all fronts! 🙂

  33. Catherine says

    Hi Erin — I’m long overdue in catching up on your blog and am just now hearing about the Doc Band for Hayes. If you end up with more free time in Charlotte for future appointments and need a place to go or just want to get together for a visit, I’d love to see you!! Hayes looks adorable in the doc band, by the way!

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