Hi,
This is a little difficult for me to ask, since I'm not a very religious person and don't seem to have the strength of faith that so many of you do.

My oldest son Sean (21) is in the army. He's been having hip pain for some time and just learned this week that he has stress fractures in both of his hips, as well as shin splints in both legs. He's walking with a cane and has been placed on "profile" which means he can't do the physical training necessary to complete his job.

This is very frustrating for him, because he was due to rank up, and he was applying for the Green to Gold program where the army would discharge him, pay for his college, then bring him back as an officer. He is now unable to do either of these things because he is on profile.

The doctor said it could be a year before it heals. Sean doesn't know if he will be assigned a desk job for that time period, or if the army will send him packing with a medical discharge. I'm praying they will keep him, and hopefully retrain him in an interesting desk job, such as intelligence. He scored extremely high on all his testing and graduated at the top of his class. I fear they will give him some boring filing job instead of putting his brain to use.

Please keep him in your prayers for fast healing, and also to be given the proper support from the army. Thanks everyone.

Kathy

I'm carrying him to prayer right now and will keep him in my prayers. That's amazing that he was able to get around with stress fractures and shin splints - that's one strong (physically and mentally!) son you have there! I'm sure (and will pray) that the army recognizes that and will find a special niche for him during this time.

Kathy...my thoughts are with you. I am sending you vibes of strength and to him too!

PS....love your new pic!

Kathy . . . I'm praying for your son right now that all will work out for him.

Kathy, I'm not a "religious" person in the formal sense of the word, but I have faith in the universe. I offer prayers and hopes for Sean that he will heal quickly be able to pursue the career of his dreams.

I'm there for your son as well...with prayers galore.

COunt me in on the boomer women prayers. Youth and young adults are some of my favorite people to pray for so I'm definitely there for him.

Did they say what caused all this? Is it the exercise regimen they've had him on?

I hope he speaks up for himself and gets a job where they use everything he has to offer. I have a feeling they will. They know a good egg when they see one.

Kathy, like you and Meredith, I am not a religious person either, but I do know that the prayers and thoughts of others have helped me so much this past year. I am holding you and your son in my heart and hope for the best possible outcome.

Well, ladies, I'm thinking this "prayer thing" (no offense everyone!) does really work! I posted my prayer request on Sunday and then the forums were down for the next two days. But the few people who saw it prayed for him, and guess what?

He called me Monday evening to say that he had been "ranked up" to the next pay grade! And apparently they have been withholding money each month for a food card, which he never had, so he'll get a refund of that money as well. So the prayers are working on his spirit!

Now we'll keep praying for his hips to heal and his army career. Thanks ladies!