please help

1Cathi

Prayers for Jennifer (and you Karen) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX.

Yes Amanda has so many decisions to make,  she/we meet with a counselor on 9/14 after her next set of tests on 9/9,  all I can do is listen and support,  there is now way anyone can make these decisions for her,  but you do wonder what you would do if faced with the same thing. 

LOVE TO YOU ALL - XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

barbe1958

I do know what I would do, but that dosn't make it right....what a tough call!

Shirlann

HI SISTERS!!!!  I am sitting on the Sea Princess, looking at the ocean.  Not very good weather, but I like the cold, and even a little rain, San Diego has been in the 90"s and above for a long time.  We get to Ketchikan tonight. 

Anyway, hope all is well, many hugs and kisses!

Shirlann 

1Cathi

Barbe I don't think there is any right or wrong answer, I have hashed over what I would do for the last couple days sense she asked me, and still have not come up with a clear defenite answer,  I guess mostly because I don't have to really make the decision.  She just needs to know and realize no matter what choice she makes there will be someone who wants to "JUDGE" and I have just plainly told her "TO HECK WITH THEM"  

portiasproudmom

There are always going to be people who judge, Cathi.  You're right.  No matter what her decision.  My feeling is this--you have no right to judge anyone unless you've walked in their shoes.  I truly believe that.  God Bless her in whatever decision she makes.

Hugs,

Karen

portiasproudmom

Shirlann, I'm so jealous!  Have a wonderful, safe trip!

Hugs,

Karen

Mary22

Cathi bless your heart and your daughters heart. She will have a very tough decision to make. She should never be judged based on her decision. But at least she will have counselling to help her w/ her decision.

barbe1958

Cathi, tell her we said that no matter what decision she makes it IS the right one! Does she get that or is she too torn emotionally? Dumb question, but you know what I mean...

1Cathi

I am not sure Barbe what she gets right now,  she and SIL have of coarse discussed it,   as much as he is "on my nerves" (Ed still says I am to tuff on him) I feel for him in that he is so sad over the fact that his "little girl" may never be able to walk,  talk or even go to the bathroom on her own,  what will she feel and think seeing her siblings doing things she can not -  but even with his thoughts and opinions,  it is still really just Amanda's decision.  I was a bit shocked today when I spoke with Jaclyn,  she was VERY opiniated on the decision of termination - COMPLETELY AGAINST IT,  thankfully she was speaking to me,  she was ANGRY at the thought of it.  I did tell her she must keep her opinions to herself,  its ok to have them,  but in this instance NOT OK TO EXPRESS them to her sister -  it's not her place to do that. 

Oh well,  I just don't know.  Anyway on Saturday all of us are taking a trip to the Mermaid Park up in N. Florida,   it will be great for the little girls and there is also a small water slide park,  a fun - but exhausting day I am sure.

LOVE YOU ALL - XOXOXOXOXOXOX

barbe1958

Now that I have said "my piece", I'd like to tell you about a woman with spina bifida that I know. Her Dad left her Mom when she was born. She grew up very close to my exes family (always in a wheelchair, or she'd drag herself around). At my first wedding, my husband lifted her in his arms to "dance" with her and carried her around the floor (she was his age). Her Dad bought her a handicapped car that she could drive even though her Mom had never been able to afford a car! She was VERY creative and did a ton of crafts, there was no "mental" problems with her at all, just physical. She wanted a baby desperately, so, with her Mom's knowledge she had one! The baby was totally normal. Don't know how they are all doing, as I left the ex 22 years ago.

1Cathi

There are so many great stories out there Barbe, Amanda is in touch already with the SB foundation,  and I think the "torn" feelings come not so much from the physical limitations the baby will face as much as the possible mental ones and how severe,  I think we might have a better picture on that after the appointments on the 9TH and 14TH,  Amanda has said if they had just told her the baby was Down Syndrome,  the decision would have been easy HAVE HER,  but unfortunetly SB if quite high in the spine is a whole diffrent ball game,  and right at this point it looks to be mid level spine for sure. 

hrf

Cathi, I agree that whatever Amanda decides will be the right decision. No one can know without walking in her shoes so no one else's opinion counts. I hope the support she is receiving from all the women on these boards provides some comfort. While I think I know what I would do, I guess I really don't know unless I was faced with the decision myself. I agree with what you are doing - as parents, we don't make the decisions - we just support them whatever they do - and that's a tough spot to be in. Best wishes and lots of hugs.   Helen

Anonymous

Happy Birthday Sue!

Anonymous

Happy Birthday Sue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

barbe1958

SUE, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!!!

NancyD

Happy happy happy birthday!

Wren

Happy Birthday Sue!!!

sueps

Why thankyou sisters  

You are all in my heart , I am going to have a nice read and a catch up xxxxxx 

geebung

Happy birthday Sue - sorry this is hugely late. Been away, no computer for a few days. Hope you had a wonderful day. oxoxo

barbe1958

But that's why I LOVE birthdays! I've NEVER been this old before! Cool, eh?

Mary22

Happy Birthday Sue. Yesterday was also my sister's 21st birthday.

Have a great extended weekend!!!

EWB

Barbe- I agree...birthdays are for celebrating....I am ALWAYS glad to see another birthday.........

Mary22

Yeah I like birthdays too, but this year I wll celebrate the 21st anniversary of my 21st birthday!!!!!!

1Cathi

Sue sorry I missed your big day - HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES - hope you are still celebrating - XOXOXOXOXOXOX. I am with you all,  GREATFUL every year to have another B'day, I never thought I would be saying that a few years ago.

md_mouse

Happy belated birthday Sue.  I am sure it was a wonderful celerbration of you.

 mouse

 To all the others, you are always in my thoughts.  I read weekly but usually don't have much to contribute.  I do have news - my neice had a baby girl so I am a great aunt.  Never thought at 43 I would be a great aunt.  Hugs to you all and UB too! 

portiasproudmom

Hi Mouse!  Good to see you!  Congrats on the new niece!  I became a great aunt when I was 38!  My niece's son is a year older than Chase.  Funny, huh?  My brother is 9 1/2 years older than me and they started their family early.

Hugs,

Karen

lvtwoqlt

Sue, sorry I am so late in wishing you happy birthday! I am usually late in wishing happy birthday's anyway. but better late than never.

Sheila

portiasproudmom

It's the first day of school for my kids!  I'm so glad to have the house to myself.  Here are a couple of pictures from this morning.  Check out Portia's outfit!  What you don't see is the hot pink shoes she wore!  She is so funny!

Have a great day, everyone!

Hugs,

Karen

EWB

first day outfits are most important!!! This is first yr I did not see my dd's and it was kind of sad (first yr of university).

portiasproudmom

That will be a sad day for me too, Elaine.  For sure!