4th and 5th years.

Shae was out of the Navy and the pain was getting much worse.

He would go to work from sun up to sun down.  By the time he got home he was wiped out and had no energy left after not just working all day, but doing it in a lot of pain.

We began to apply with the Veteran's Administration for health care.

Our goal was not to get money, but for them to cure Shae.  We all wanted him well.  They did not want to help him, though.

We fought for years just trying to get health care until finally one day the letter came in the mail that said they would see him. 

And then began the years of fighting for the right diagnosis.

During the 4th and 5th years, the pain was about 7 on a scale from one to ten.  Ten being the worst.

His emotional state was not the best.  He didn't know how to deal with this ever increasing pain in his head.  Anger, frustration, exhaustion.  Sometimes fear, sorrow, and dread.  He tried desperately to be happy and content but could only accomplish this at times.

I was really turning to God at this point.  I knew that the kids, his pain, and our lack of money was more than I could handle.  I knew God could handle Shae, his pain, and all of our problems.

God started to become my rock and fortress.

Not for Shae....not yet anyways.