Hi all,

Thanks for the words of encouragement. We had the harness fitted on Monday and I thought she was going to take to it well at first. She didn't fuss at all when it was fitted and even fell asleep in the pram as we were leaving. Then we got home! She basically didn't stop crying for the next 14 hours. She was already tired but every time she started to nod off her reflex to kick or straighten her legs kicked in and she would wake her self up with a huge shudder to her whole body and begin screaming. We tried taking her for a walk to get her mind off things but the same thing happened. She wanted to sleep but would wake herself up every minute or so. I ended up keeping her in the pram all night and rocking her when she would startle. She did fall asleep by about 3:30am and had a few hours sleep. I think she is finally getting over that part of being in the harness but when she is awake she is still so miserable.

We went to the orth surgeon yesterday and he said she would most likely be in the harness for 12 weeks. I don't know if it is 24/7 for that entire time - I hope not. He also said she might have to go into another brace for a while after that depending on how she goes. Reading everyone's stories has already taught me not to set my hopes too high when seeing the doctor.

Scarlett finally got some longer sleeps in last night as is actaully settling much better when I put her down although she will not go to sleep in her cot yet. I am still putting her to sleep in the pram in her room. After a few more days I'll try the cot again.

Anyway - you can expect me to rant and rave here a bit over the coming weeks/months as I think people who have not experienced this can't really understand. All anyone can say is that it is all for the best in the long run etc (which I know) but they don't have to live through it all day every day.

Nicole