Hi Dear Friends- 

First off I want to thank everyone who has offered their prayers to me.  Life here has continued to be a challenge.  My DD is wearing her brace at home about 16-20 hours a day depending on when we are home.  She did where it out for lunch today.  I was going to ask her if she wanted to but she just did without me asking.  I know she was self conscience about it but, one step at a time.  My DH was pretty hard on her yesterday and said that he did not care what she wanted to do she was going to have to wear it out of the house, she was in tears and would not even eat lunch with us.  (he was not to dear to me at that time)  I let her cool off and then went and talked to her.  It continues to be a problem.  He asked me what he should say and I said nothing around her.

I have a friend at church who wore a brace as a teen.  She has been wanting to take her out but her life has been crazy (she has a child graduating from college in another state) in a couple of weeks she is going to come and get her and take her out shopping.  We are still dealing with the pants falling down issue.  I was at Walmart today but forgot to look for velcro.  But thanks for the idea. 

I pray everyday that it will get a little easier.  We went to the doctor last week and he answered most of my questions.  Some of them he just sluffed off and would not even address.  He was so concerned about breast cancer and xrays that he would not even think about taking the xtra xrays that Shriners wants (although he did say they were necessary)  We go to Shriners in June.  I am so thankful that we were able to get into their program. 

My DH is still not handling this well.  He has critized me for jumping into the brace before we get the second opinion.  But says that he thinks maybe she could avoid surgery (one book he looked at was all about alternative medicine)  I tried to explain to him that that book is just one mans opinion.  The other books have hard fact in them where this book just has ideas that may work no facts.  I am not against trying things that could be beneficial but, I do not want to put her thru things that are unnecessary.

Somedays life seems like it is unbearable. She has always been my even keel child but now I have 4 very emotional children and one very tired mama.

I am usually not a whinner.  I am a very strong person but this is really wearing me down.  We are also dealing with my DH dad who is an Alcoholic and has been sober for sometime but has recently started drinking again.  Which is taking it's toll on my husband and myself.

Thank You so much for your prayers.  Your post mean so much to me.  I am sorry that I have not keep you up to date better.  I have been keeping up with you all but, just have not felt like blogging.

Sarah