Coming Soon...Helmet #2!

When TJ got his helmet we knew that he might possibly need a second one, but who knew it would be so soon! They initially told us the first helmet would last 2-4 months, and then we could reevaluate. 2 weeks ago though (at his 5 week appointment) they said he only had another month or so left in this helmet, as it was starting to get small on him. OK...no problem. Well last week, at his 6 week appt, they were a little concerned. His head grew so much in one week that we needed to put the 2nd helmet on fast forward! His head has gotten SO much better already, but he still has plenty of room for improvement. So we said, let's get it going! They took all the pictures to submit to insurance for the approval, but unfortunately, TJ might still have a week without the helmet in-between! By the time insurance approves it, we have the 3D images done, and they make the helmet, it will be 2-3 weeks and they weren't sure if his current helmet will fit him for that long. Oh well...we are trying to get it as quickly as possible because this little boy is growing like crazy!

Just to give you an idea of the progress that he has made so far...here's an example. One of the ways they determine the need for a helmet is by taking measurements. They measure the distance from the middle of his forehead to the center of the back of his head. They take one measurement around the right side of his head, and another around the left side of his head. They then compare the measurements, because the flat side of the head will have a much smaller distance than the other. In TJ's initial appointment there was a 30mm variance between the 2 measurements. After 6 weeks there was only a 15mm variance between them. That means he is half-way there!

And if you are wondering how TJ feels about all this...I am guessing that he is fine. He still doesn't seem to even know his helmet is there. I think we could all do without the weekly trips to Paramus, but wearing the helmet is not a problem!