Lydia's Helmet Therapy

Before Lydia's surgery, the surgeon who performed the endoscopic procedure told us that 50% of the treatment is the surgery and 50% is the helmet therapy.  Since the brain is normal in craniosynostosis, but the skull is not, the brain continues to grow, but if it isn't allowed to grow in one direction, then it will grow in another.  The surgery reopened Lydia's fused sutures and the helmet helps mold the head allowing for places that overgrew previously, to be held and places that weren't able to grow, to grow extra.  Since over two-thirds of physical brain growth occurs in the first year of life, wearing a molding helmet (or cranial orthosis) as much as possible early on is essential.    

Being fitted for her first helmet

It's now been almost two months since Lydia started to wear her helmet.  I have to say, it really doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would.  I was first disappointed that so many of Lydia's baby pictures would be of her wearing a helmet, but it's become such a part of her now that we hardly notice it.  I've actually kind of enjoyed being able to decorate it every few weeks with different stickers.

                                             

1st decoration -- Butterflies and dragonflies

2nd decoration -- Hearts

3rd decoration -- Tulips

4th decoration -- Apple blossoms

Five weeks after surgery, I took Lydia in for her first helmet adjustment.  They took a scan of her head and gave me a printout.  The most change can be seen in her forehead which is what we were hoping for.  

  Profile change after 5 weeks.  

Birdseye view after 5 weeks.  (the hole is part of the the imaging and not her soft spot)

Before surgery her cephalic index was 91%.  A normal index is between 78-80%.  After 4 weeks in the helmet her new index is 88.5%.  We're getting closer.  Lydia is schedule to get a new helmet the end of April.  I'm eager to see on paper how close she is getting!  We'll keep you posted!

~Kelli  

God's Provision!

We have to share with you God's great provision!  Just a few months ago we were feeling totally overwhelmed as we faced unexpected travel, medical, housing, and tuition costs.  We didn't know how in our own strength our costs would be met.  Fortunately, God is known for showing His strength when we are unable to do things on our own (2 Cor. 12:9).  From gifts from people we have never even met to medical costs being slashed inexplicably, we are just in awe!  We believed that God would provide, but it is still exciting to see how things are coming together!

Medical
*Hospital (one night in the pediatric ICU): originally $14,796, we paid $991  (Over $11,000 was written off!)
*Anesthesiologist: originally $1778, we paid $85!
*Cranial helmets: originally $3700 each (totally outrageous for a piece of nylon!), we pay $400 each (covered by a generous gift from an individual!)
*Surgeons: originally $15,600, waiting for insurance to process to find out our responsibility

Tuition
*40% off tuition scholarship
*$1000 grant
*Remaining paid by a generous individual donor

Housing in Dallas
5 months rent: generous gifts from family

Travel
*Initial flights to the States: love-offering from Kelli's home church
*First trip from Dallas to San Antonio, lodging during the week of surgery, and some food costs: Children's Crainofacial Association financial assistance grant
*Return to trip Brazil and future trips to San Antonio for Kelli and Lydia: awaiting costs

We may still some significant unknown costs, but we are confident that God will continue to provide in amazing ways!

~Kelli