Hi Melissa,

I am sorry to hear that your little one has to stay in her brace. I can't imagine yet how hard it must be. I will pray that God will give you strength to get through it all.

After reading everybody's stories, it makes me sad that all these babies have to go through this and make me angry that there isn't more awareness in pediatricians to catch it in the first few weeks so that our kids don't live months at a time not being able to develop normally. I know I still am in disbelief that my daughter is 18 months old and had gone all this time without her doctor noticing. Arghh! I've been doing good for a couple days and now I am back to crying. It's been almost a week since her visit with the surgeon and the scheduler's still haven't called me with a surgery date. I just want this all to be over with. Right now, I am just cherishing the moments I have with Taylor not in a body cast. I am letting her get as dirty as she wants and fitting in all the baths I have time for. I just feel so sad for her and I can't do anything to fix it and make it better for her! My heart breaks for all that she will have to go through just to walk normally. From what the surgeon said, it sounds like it will be a long road for her since it was caught so late. He said even after her cast comes off, she will be in a brace for at least a year. Apparently kids learn how to walk with the brace on, but from everything I've read, I don't think she will be too happy about having it on.

Sorry I am rambling, it's just been a long and emotionally exhausting week and all of you are the only ones who really understand all of the feelings.

Rachelle