Knee Braces

As if it weren't bad enough that she has to have surgery in a couple of weeks, Sarah also got a pair of knee braces last week to go with her ankle braces.  While we were visiting the Neurosurgeon last month he pulled in a Neurologist (yes, apparently there is a difference and the former does not liked to be called the latter) who said that she hyper extends her legs so badly and often that if she didn't get something for her knees she would need a knee replacement at 30.

So, we picked these babies up on Wednesday.  She is smiling for the camera, because she will always smile for the camera, but she was not happy about it.  She did like that she got to pick the color, but now I'm wondering if hot pink was the best choice.  They sure do stand out.

She was pretty bummed about them for the first couple of days, had a few pity parties and whined a lot, which was pretty hard to listen to.  It's bad enough that you have to do this to your child, but then to listen to them complain about it is torture.  It makes you feel like a horrible parent, even though you know you are doing what is best for them.

So, after a couple of days, I told her I was so, so, sorry, I wished she didn't have to wear them, I hate that it was the decision that we had to make, but sometimes Mommy and Daddy have to make decisions for kids that aren't the best thing because that is what is best for the kid.  I think it finally sunk in, plus she realized no matter how much she complained I wasn't going to give in and not make her wear them, and the last few days she's been really good about the whole thing.  It helps that her friends and the kids at school don't give her a hard time about them.  In fact I'm not positive that some of them don't even realize that she has them on.  Thank God for kind, accepting Kindergarten minds.

I have no idea how long she'll have to wear them or if they will do the trick, we'll just have to wait and see.  It would be awesome if six months down the line after her surgery they decide she doesn't need them anymore, but I'm not banking on it.  One day at a time.