Dear Donna,
this is a fabulous success story. you have much to be proud of. while i don't know what it is like, i can appreciate the difficulty and distress of going through what you have described - and that it could damage your self-esteem. i am glad you see it though, because then it can improve.
i hope your husband appreciates what a fine person you are.
thank you for this thread... it somehow gives a message of hope.
~ waves ~