When I asked my eldest whether she is afraid of getting MS, when she was about 13 or 14, she said "no way . . . I wouldn't have to work and could sit around the house playing on the computer all day".

The pediatrician neurologist apparently asked my youngest what her top three wishes were, and she told me that she responded:

1. That the boy I like will like me for a long time too.
2. That my best friend will never turn into a leach, like some of the "wanna' be" girls are.
3. That my friend who is having a brain tumor removed is going to be ok.

After she told me what she had said, she said "oh, I guess I should have wished for you to be ok with your MS, mom".

Yeah she worries a little about me, but in her mind, that is not nearly as important as keeping the loyalties of the boy she likes.

She says she is not afraid of MS . . . I guess because it looks like I have a very easy life to a teenager.

As far as the blonde comment, it was more a stereotype, and she isn't even blonde any more. She is just a very carefree, actress, cheerleader, musician, non-academic type. She is actually a very strong kid because she spilled boiling water on her legs a few years ago, and go severe burns on her legs. She knows what pain and trauma are . . . even if her life has been a pretty cushy number overall.

As for her headache/backache, I'll respond in another posting. We had a very difficult day yesterday . . .

Cherie