So, when a doctor tells you that there is something "wrong" with your baby, it breaks your heart.
Landon was born with Torticollis. The muscle on the left side of his neck was tighter than the right. This caused him to sleep with his head tilted to the left. As a result, he developed Positional Plagiocephaly. A simpler way to put it: his skull became deformed from always sleeping on that side. As new parents, we didn't know anything was wrong, and we just thought he favored that side because it was more comfortable to him.
Landon had a series of X Rays at CT scans to confirm. And, at 7 months old, he was fitted for a molding helmet. He would have to wear this helmet 7 days a week, 23 hours a day, as it gently and slowly reshaped his skull. I can remember days that we would have to change the liner 4-5 times because he was just dripping sweat. We ended up giving in, and shaving off his beautiful long hair.
Luckily for us, Landon's issue wasn't life threatening, and it was treatable. He had physical therapy for 4 months, and his helmet came off in 7 months. He's now a happy energetic toddler.
As a mother, I think it was harder for me to go through that than it was for him. I had a hard time dealing with the stares of strangers while shopping. Some would make comments, and others would seriously walk up and point to him. If it wasn't for Loma Linda and their Pediatric Craniofacial and Orthotics Teams, he might have to endure that his entire life.
I don't work for KFROG anymore, but I'm a huge supporter of their annual radiothon to benefit Loma Linda University Children's Hospital.
I know money is tight for a lot of people right now, but every little donation helps!
Tune in tomorrow and Wednesday form 5a-7p, and if you can, please, please donate.
For everyone that has a healthy child, grandchild, niece or nephew, do it in honor of them.
Please listen for the stories of Peyton and Laiken, too. Two very beautiful little girls that were patients at Loma Linda!
1 comment:
Hi there Tierra!
This is Tiffany from Children's Hospital, I came across your blog through a google alert that I have set up for Children's Hospital. Each time something is posted on the internet with LLUCH in it I get an email.
Anyways, I just wanted to say thank you so much for putting this on your blog and encouraging people to support KFROG and LLUCH.
I had no idea your son was a patient at LLUCH and your family had been dealing with all of this. I'm so glad to hear that Landon is thriving now, he is absolutely adorable!
Blessings,
Tiffany
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