Senior Brewer leaving UT

[Vowelguy]

Is it possible that the coaches wanted Brewer to redshirt this year and she refused? It sounds like Brewer has not fully recovered from her injury and therefore is not fully conditioned and ready to go at 100% this season. Perhaps Summitt is thinking the team doesn't really need Brewer at 70% this year but could really use Brewer at close to 100% next season (with so many posts graduating). Of course, the hole in my speculation is Summitt's statement about helping her transfer. If Brewer wants to play again and is thinking about transferring, she'd have to sit out a year anyway so why not just stay at Tenn and redshirt.

This one is tough to figure out.

My guess, based on nothing, was that they had set out clear rules for progress over the summer, and she did not meet them.

 

[doggydaddy]

Interesting, I was just mulling over the redshirt option. I wondered about the exact opposite. What if Brewer was legitimately concerned about her current health, and suggested that a year off might be the best thing for her. What if the response by Pat is, yes, that helps you, but doesn't help us. Just speculating, but what if Pat is thinking with the loss of Cain, and two frosh bigs, she needs post help this year, but next year she will be fine. What if they both conclude that a year off is good for Brewer, but doesn't do much for the LV's and the only other option is to play the last year elsewhere?

Phil, I think this might be it. If she felt she needed to sit out to recover and be 100% next year, Pat might have said that she would have to do that elsewhere. They really need a big body in the post and only Baugh and the freshman post kinda supplies that.

I know that I've read that Brewer has professional asperations. So playing at 60-80% and not being able to perform would really hurt those chances. Sitting out and playing one year at 100% would be her best options if that is the case.

The more I think about it the more I'm conviced that this is exactly what happened.

 

[UConnCat]

Phil, I think this might be it. If she felt she needed to sit out to recover and be 100% next year, Pat might have said that she would have to do that elsewhere. They really need a big body in the post and only Baugh and the freshman post kinda supplies that.

I know that I've read that Brewer has professional asperations. So playing at 60-80% and not being able to perform would really hurt those chances. Sitting out and playing one year at 100% would be her best options if that is the case.

The more I think about it the more I'm conviced that this is exactly what happened.

Add to it the fact that Summitt doesn't know how many years she has left to coach and believes this year's team has a chance to win a championship and the chances are increased with Brewer even if she is less than 100%. The more I think about it the more I think this makes more sense than what I suggested. Brewer is prepared to transfer in order to play healthy again which suggests she's also willing to redshirt in order to play healthy again. If Brewer is still legitimately hampered by her injury, then this is a very tough call for a coach to make. If it's a matter of a lack of effort or commitment, then I can see saying no to a redshirt request.

 

[dtbtbtb]

Before we get to worried for TN Let me note that an 8 player rotaion of: massengale, simmons, spani, stricklen, manning, johnson, burdick and baugh is one of the very best in the country with players who can play in few positions. Manning (who I see as a Farris Lite but taller) and Spani (who is slow but can streach a defence with her shooting ability) can very easy step into the post. It's not as tall of a team as TN had in the past and I do think that Brewer leaving takes them from a top 3 (after Baylor and ND) to top 10 but there are still a very good collection of players (all of them were HS AA).

 

[doggydaddy]

Before we get to worried for TN Let me note that an 8 player rotaion of: massengale, simmons, spani, stricklen, manning, johnson, burdick and baugh is one of the very best in the country with players who can play in few positions. Manning (who I see as a Farris Lite but taller) and Spani (who is slow but can streach a defence with her shooting ability) can very easy step into the post. It's not as tall of a team as TN had in the past and I do think that Brewer leaving takes them from a top 3 (after Baylor and ND) to top 10 but there are still a very good collection of players (all of them were HS AA).

I think every poster in this tread has said the very same thing. They will still be very good. I would disagree that moving Manning or Spani into the post helps with the departure of Brewer. Maria C, from The Summitt, has stated several times that Brewer was the only true 5 on the team. There will be an impact felt with her leaving.

 

[EricSD]

I think every poster in this tread has said the very same thing. They will still be very good. I would disagree that moving Manning or Spani into the post helps with the departure of Brewer. Maria C, from The Summitt, has stated several times that Brewer was the only true 5 on the team. There will be an impact felt with her leaving.

agreed. I had tennessee making it to the final 4. this was before Brewer decided to leave the team. Tennessee fans are saying Brewer was 60% give or take this past summer. Well Doty was less than 100% this summer too as she rehabbed. i'm not sure what it would have taken to get Brewer back to 100%. i've never seen her for any extended time so i'm unsure what her 60% vs. 100% looks like. but it seems that they (some) are just trying to minimize her departure. when you add up Cain and Brewer leaving the team, that would be like Dolson and Buck leaving. could UCONN still win? sure, but it would be a hell of a lot harder...

i agree with dtbtbtb that the rest of their core is very good on paper and Burdick and Massengale should be good for them too. and maybe relying on Baugh to play the 5 for 35 minutes in big games will be just fine, but i'd hate to rely on that. Tennessee will still out-talent most teams. but any team with big, strong, and relatively agile centers will pose a matchup problem for them. Pat excels at teaching defense. IMHO, not so much on offense. CAN they make a deep run into the tourney with no true center on the team? sure. did it just get a lot harder? you bet. i see them making the elite 8 but predict they will fall short of the final 4.

does anyone honestly think Harrison as a freshmen would be as good as Heather last year as a junior? and yet when Stef went down with fouls in the ND game, Heather did not get in. while i still disagree with that, i'm not the coach and don't see them every day in practice. my point is, who do you put on the court when Baugh comes out? Johnson as the tallest player? see if Harrison is up to the challenge? again, Tennessee will out-talent most teams. but if/when they face UCONN, Maryland, Duke, Miami, A&M, Stanford, Baylor, LSU and maybe a few others, they will have issues with big, strong, and/or agile centers.

 

[doggydaddy]

it seems that they (some) are just trying to minimize her departure. when you add up Cain and Brewer leaving the team, that would be like Dolson and Buck leaving. could UCONN still win? sure, but it would be a hell of a lot harder...

maybe relying on Baugh to play the 5 for 35 minutes in big games will be just fine

does anyone honestly think Harrison as a freshmen would be as good as Heather last year as a junior?

again, Tennessee will out-talent most teams. but if/when they face UCONN, Maryland, Duke, Miami, A&M, Stanford, Baylor, LSU and maybe a few others, they will have issues with big, strong, and/or agile centers.

I agree. They may be trying to minimize her departure. We would be doing the same thing if Buck was leaving and Stokes was our only other center. That being said, if she was 60% (and who knows that that really means) this summer, you would expect improvement by November. I'm sure Pat was hoping to see something close to the 10/6 she averaged her soph year.

I seriously doubt you will see Baugh play 35 minutes in ANY games this year. Healthier is one thing. Healthy enough to play 35 minutes is another. My guess is she averages 20 MPG this year. And some games she will play 25 or a little more. It would be risky considering her injury history. I would say the same for Doty.

Harrison will see some extended minutes in blowouts, just to get her time on the court. But I would guess she would play only 5-10 minutes at the most in most games. It takes time for freshman posts to get the hang of things. 3 points and 2 rebouns a game is my best guess.

As long as Baugh can give them 20-25 minutes a game, they should be ok. Johnson played a lot of center for them last year with the limited minutes of Baugh, Cain, and Brewer. She will play lots of center for them again and that impacts their pressing defense when she can't pressure the ball and has to defend the basket.

Should be interesting to say the least.

 

[EricSD]

I agree. They may be trying to minimize her departure. We would be doing the same thing if Buck was leaving and Stokes was our only other center. That being said, if she was 60% (and who knows that that really means) this summer, you would expect improvement by November. I'm sure Pat was hoping to see something close to the 10/6 she averaged her soph year.

I seriously doubt you will see Baugh play 35 minutes in ANY games this year. Healthier is one thing. Healthy enough to play 35 minutes is another. My guess is she averages 20 MPG this year. And some games she will play 25 or a little more. It would be risky considering her injury history. I would say the same for Doty.

Harrison will see some extended minutes in blowouts, just to get her time on the court. But I would guess she would play only 5-10 minutes at the most in most games. It takes time for freshman posts to get the hang of things. 3 points and 2 rebouns a game is my best guess.

As long as Baugh can give them 20-25 minutes a game, they should be ok. Johnson played a lot of center for them last year with the limited minutes of Baugh, Cain, and Brewer. She will play lots of center for them again and that impacts their pressing defense when she can't pressure the ball and has to defend the basket.

Should be interesting to say the least.

right. i wasn't really saying that Baugh would play 35 minutes in big games - i meant that if they really needed to rely on her for 35 minutes in big games, it might work, but it's way risky. but i should have added that i don't see her playing that much either.

and ur right - Johnson did play a lot when Baugh, Cain and Brewer were on the bench last year. didn't help them make the final 4. that's partly why i predicted elite 8 but no further for them.

 

[Tonyc]

Well I will disagree with many or you. I dont think TN will be a good team this season. For TN to be a good team this season Baugh has to play 25 minutes a game and or Harrison steps up. I dont see Baugh playing a full season playing 25 minutes a game. Maybe 10 minutes but not much more then that. TN right now looks like UConn did when Geno went small last season with Maya in the middle. Tenn is a very talented team, that has underperformed for 3 seasons. Now without a post player who can play how can they be better. TN has no legit post this season unless Baugh and Harrison are miracles.

I think now we are seeing there is truly a problem at TN. To many kids leaving with excuses.

 

[Replicant]

IMO, Ms. Brewer was the most effective big of the group consisting of herself, Baugh, Cain and Johnson. She had the best footwork and was the best finisher around the rim. Being a lefty made her tougher to guard as well. This is a huge loss for this year's team. Injuries have plagued Baugh and fouls have plagued Johnson. Taking a quick look over their TN careers, they have combined to foul out of 11 games (Baugh 6, Johnson 5). Johnson has been extremely healthy and never missed a game, but her fouls have increased each year while her minutes remained fairly static at 24/25 MPG. Since Baugh and Johnson will now be called on to provide greater minutes, it will put greater stress on Baugh's health and Johnson's ability to play under control and out of foul trouble. Should be a real challenge for both ladies.

 

[Coler]

I can't wait for them to come to the RAC this season.

 

[UConner]

What are the rules on red shirting and then deciding to transfer? If she started practicing, but never played, and transferred at the end of the first semester, would she only be able to play the second half of next year? I think that's why the timing was yesterday. Here's my guess. Both parties agree a red shirt is called for. Brewer says she wants to play professionally and will need a great last year to prove it, meaning 25-30 minutes a game. Pat can't guarantee that, so leaving frees up schollie for next year and Brewer can undoubtedly find a school that can give her those minutes. That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Vowelguy]

... so leaving frees up schollie for next year ...

Tenn already has a boatload of scholarships to offer next year (9 I believe). That was most definitely not the reason.

 

[EricSD]

as a side note, i find it interesting, assuming that they don't win the NC this year, that the 2nd best tennessee recruiting class of all time (which is made even better if you consider the class ahead of them consisted of Bjorkland, Cain and Baugh), may go thru their 4 years of college not only never winning a NC, but never even making the final 4.

yes i know Bjorkland, et al, won the NC as freshmen, but they've not even been back to the final 4 since then...

 

[Vowelguy]

as a side note, i find it interesting, assuming that they don't win the NC this year, that the 2nd best tennessee recruiting class of all time (which is made even better if you consider the class ahead of them consisted of Bjorkland, Cain and Baugh), may go thru their 4 years of college not only never winning a NC, but never even making the final 4.

yes i know Bjorkland, et al, won the NC as freshmen, but they've not even been back to the final 4 since then...

Was it considered the 2nd best? I know the 91 HS class also had high expectations, and perhaps some in the 80s.

 

[EricSD]

Was it considered the 2nd best? I know the 91 HS class also had high expectations, and perhaps some in the 80s.

honestly i don't know. i only have tennessee recruiting info going back t0 1995. Manning, Grey, Stricklen, Brewer and Johnson were all top 20 kids and i think Grey, Johnson and Stricklen/Manning were all in the top 10 by at least one service. Bass was not in anyone's top 20. i'm not sure what other recruits were in the classes that included Catchings and Holdsclaw.

another class that was rated really high was Ely, Moore, Munoz, Jackson, and Young (2001). not sure if that class was rated higher.

 

[connboy77]

Interesting, I was just mulling over the redshirt option. I wondered about the exact opposite. What if Brewer was legitimately concerned about her current health, and suggested that a year off might be the best thing for her. What if the response by Pat is, yes, that helps you, but doesn't help us. Just speculating, but what if Pat is thinking with the loss of Cain, and two frosh bigs, she needs post help this year, but next year she will be fine. What if they both conclude that a year off is good for Brewer, but doesn't do much for the LV's and the only other option is to play the last year elsewhere?

You just may be right Phil, I was thinking the same thing.

 

[msf22b]

The thing about Brewer is: that when she was healthy, she was a major scoring threat, a wonderful touch around the basket, a superb garbage collector, for me: one of the young lady's of that team that I truly feared.
She had an independent streak as well; I have no idea what happened, but she was one dangerous dude! too bad for them. Good for the rest of us.

 

[HuskyFan1125]

honestly i don't know. i only have tennessee recruiting info going back t0 1995. Manning, Grey, Stricklen, Brewer and Johnson were all top 20 kids and i think Grey, Johnson and Stricklen/Manning were all in the top 10 by at least one service. Bass was not in anyone's top 20. i'm not sure what other recruits were in the classes that included Catchings and Holdsclaw.

another class that was rated really high was Ely, Moore, Munoz, Jackson, and Young (2001). not sure if that class was rated higher.

Yes! True they have underperformed. Do you guys remember if Tennessee was recruiting a PG in this group, because I feel that is what this group is truly missing. Yes Strickland did an ok job, but she was NOT a PG. I think this hurt her too, because she couldn't play her natural spot. Just wondering if anyone knew?

 

[EricSD]

Yes! True they have underperformed. Do you guys remember if Tennessee was recruiting a PG in this group, because I feel that is what this group is truly missing. Yes Strickland did an ok job, but she was NOT a PG. I think this hurt her too, because she couldn't play her natural spot. Just wondering if anyone knew?

Tennessee ebbs and flows in the recruiting of PG's IMHO. back in the day they had Marciniak, then Kristen Clement, then Loree Moore, but then injuries and transfers required them to look at the JUCO ranks to get Bobbitt. then they went dry (they got Bass as part of the Anaconda class, but she's not an elite level PG) and had to rely on Stricklen and Williams until they have Massengale coming in this year.

they also landed Cait McMahan in 2006, but chronic knee issues including several surgeries ultimately derailed her career, and Sade Wiley in 2004, who was grossly over rated and ended up transferring to Maryland where she finished her lackluster college hoops career.

 

[Vowelguy]

Yes! True they have underperformed. Do you guys remember if Tennessee was recruiting a PG in this group, because I feel that is what this group is truly missing. Yes Strickland did an ok job, but she was NOT a PG. I think this hurt her too, because she couldn't play her natural spot. Just wondering if anyone knew?

Bass in the PG in this class.

 

[tigger]

First of all, I see something missing, and that is the Harrison/Burdick issue. NO ONE has indicated that they expect much of anything from Harrison, and not lots more from Burdick. Has everyone forgotten DOLSON? She was not as highly regarded by rating systems as either of the previous two. Yet, she turned out to be more than OK, I think all will agree.

Why is everyone ruling out the possibility that Harrison and/or Burdick can step in and play right away? Burdick is a Top 5 player by everyone. And Stricklin is 6'2" and can play 2, 3, or 4.

Also, Ely was not a true center, either. Now of course, she had somebody named Candace who could play 1-5, who picked up her slack. (she is now a center in the W correct?)

I think Pat's biggest problem is that she will only have 6 players returning. She's got 3 committed, but she obviously needs more, and I personally don't want her to get Hollivay, Adams, or Howard. I may sound cruel, but it wouldn't bother me in the least if they had 9 players going into next year...JC here we come!!!

Has everyone forgotten Louisville when Angel was a senior? They had no center!!

ND's Peters is only 6'2", and everyone seems to think that she can handle anybody but Griner. The tallest player on the team is Achonwa at 6'3", so they have no true center and yet everybody thinks they're gonna win the NC!!

And let's all remember that A&M won the NC with a SIX FOOT, ONE INCH tall center. Gilbert only played about 10 minutes and scored around 3 points per game. Kind of off topic, but they certainly don't have that problem this year---they are HUGE, as are Stanford, Baylor, and LSU (whose gonna have backcourt issues).

The first two times LSU went to the FF we had no center, except the second year when Sylvia saw 10 to 15 minutes a game.

I still maintain that UT's main problem is depth---even if they get production from Burdick and Harrison, they're going to have to get really good MINUTES from them AND Baugh. Otherwise, you can't play a 30 game season and post-season with 6 players taking most of the minutes. They simply won't make it that far physically.

I guess what I'm saying is that Pat may be in some trouble this year, but as much as a hate to say it, it just doesn't matter because Baylor will be virtually unstoppable.

just my 2 cents...

 

[Ctpaul0825]

Will there be others that transfer? My guess is yes, especially if UT under performs again this year and Pat's disease appears to impact her coaching. How far along is she with her memory and decision making? This is a disease you can't really hide, I have had at least 5 family members suffer through it.

 

[Icebear]

Will there be others that transfer? My guess is yes, especially if UT under performs again this year and Pat's disease appears to impact her coaching. How far along is she with her memory and decision making? This is a disease you can't really hide, I have had at least 5 family members suffer through it.

The decision making impact of Alzheimer's is something many people do not recognize about the illness. One of the regular signs for those with Alzheimer's is the inability to make simple decisions they have made their whole life like choosing something to eat off a menu or choosing between two things to do. Fits of anger can, also, be common from overloading frustration and the loss of self control functions in the fore brain.

CT ail, having been down the path with a family member and a variety of parishioners I feel for your experience, blessings and prayers to all.

 

[Vowelguy]

Will there be others that transfer? My guess is yes, especially if UT under performs again this year and Pat's disease appears to impact her coaching. How far along is she with her memory and decision making? This is a disease you can't really hide, I have had at least 5 family members suffer through it.

(1) There's no one left to transfer. I'm not joking; the Vols have 6 underclassmen (Next year, Spani will be a SR, Williams a RS JR, Simmons a JR, and this year's 3 frosh).

(2) Few people have better access to high-quality care. She will be well-monitored, and I presume she & her staff have already thoroughly discussed decision making. I'm sure the transformation is well underway to making her more of a figure head with the majority of the work falling on her assistants.

 

[EricSD]

First of all, I see something missing, and that is the Harrison/Burdick issue. NO ONE has indicated that they expect much of anything from Harrison, and not lots more from Burdick. Has everyone forgotten DOLSON? She was not as highly regarded by rating systems as either of the previous two. Yet, she turned out to be more than OK, I think all will agree.

Why is everyone ruling out the possibility that Harrison and/or Burdick can step in and play right away? Burdick is a Top 5 player by everyone. And Stricklin is 6'2" and can play 2, 3, or 4.

I think Pat's biggest problem is that she will only have 6 players returning. She's got 3 committed, but she obviously needs more, and I personally don't want her to get Hollivay, Adams, or Howard. I may sound cruel, but it wouldn't bother me in the least if they had 9 players going into next year...JC here we come!!!

I still maintain that UT's main problem is depth---even if they get production from Burdick and Harrison, they're going to have to get really good MINUTES from them AND Baugh. Otherwise, you can't play a 30 game season and post-season with 6 players taking most of the minutes. They simply won't make it that far physically.

I guess what I'm saying is that Pat may be in some trouble this year, but as much as a hate to say it, it just doesn't matter because Baylor will be virtually unstoppable.

just my 2 cents...

hey tiggs... i took out some of your comments as it was a long post and i only wanted to reply to some of it anyway!

Burdick is a 4 who wants to be a 3 (per her comments). she's certainly athletic and i expect her to contribute much like Walker did for UCONN before she left. i don't think tennessee's problem is depth, per se. 9 players is enough for a team to make a NC run. UCONN usually plays 7 or a max of 8 in big games anyway. their starting is as talented on paper as almost anyone else in the country. their problem is size.

Baugh - 6'4", athletic, coming off injuries that sidelined her for much of the past 2 years
Johnson - 6'2", another athlete who is a horrid FT shooter but active everywhere
Stricklen - 6'1", a natural wing who will get to play her natural position finally
Simmons - 5'9", slender shooting guard extraordinaire
Massengale - 5'7", proved in the USA games that she's a terrific PG

on paper, that's as talented as any final 4 contender this year. but the problem is the bench. in general, for Baugh and Johnson, you have only Harrison and Burdick, both freshmen, unless you want to count 6'1" Manning and Spani as forwards, which they certainly can do effectively. the main issue is the 5 spot. they can play all day with 4's in the 6'0" to 6'1" range.

for guards, all you have is Bass, who's not really good enough to compete at an elite level. so that means when Massengale comes out, either Simmons or Stricklen takes over the 1 and you have Spani and Manning coming in as the 2 or 3. they will have 9 players, but several of them could be playing "out" of their natural/comfortable position. i think tennessee will have problems against teams with centers who are tall, strong, athetic, and/or mobile. as i said before teams like Maryland, LSU, UCONN, Stanford, Baylor, Miami, Duke, and maybe a few others i'm not remembering at the moment.

i'm not saying they can't win, but games will be closer and the coaches will really have to monitor how much wear and tear Baugh takes during the year, and hope Harrison is ready for prime time. additionally, they will have issues at the guard spots as Bass, at 5'2", is nothing like Bobbitt or even Dixon for UCONN last year.

like you i hope they get shut out of any and all top recruits. Howard already eliminated tennessee. Adams (IMHO) ends up at USC. i hope Hollivay chooses RU or OU. that makes Russell an absolute must get for them next year, and to be honest, i think they have a harder and harder time as Pat's condition slowly but surely deteriorates. tennessee is going to be a tough sell for kids in the 2013 class and it will get worse after that.

 

[willtalk]

I fear there might be more of an impact that Alzheimers might have on a type A personality such as Pats. This would manifest itself far more in her case as opposed to to those who were more placid and in a less stressful environment. There have been numerous statements on this thread about things going on at Tenn. It would be natural, especially for Pat. who has always been sharp and on top of things to have an emotional reaction to the percieved loss of her natural abilities. Her abilities to reason and think quickly are a major part of her identity and self. To her it would not just be a loss of her faculties but a loss of herself. This would make her period of denial rougher than most resulting in strong emotional reactions which would impact her decision making negatively even beyond Alzheimers effect on her mental capacity.

 

[justML]

to be honest, i think they have a harder and harder time as Pat's condition slowly but surely deteriorates. tennessee is going to be a tough sell for kids in the 2013 class and it will get worse after that.

No matter what's happened in the past, the truth of your statement just saddens me to the core. Alzheimer's disease is a dirty thief.

 

[Vowelguy]

I fear there might be more of an impact that Alzheimers might have on a type A personality such as Pats. This would manifest itself far more in her case as opposed to to those who were more placid and in a less stressful environment. There have been numerous statements on this thread about things going on at Tenn. It would be natural, especially for Pat. who has always been sharp and on top of things to have an emotional reaction to the percieved loss of her natural abilities. Her abilities to reason and think quickly are a major part of her identity and self. To her it would not just be a loss of her faculties but a loss of herself. This would make her period of denial rougher than most resulting in strong emotional reactions which would impact her decision making negatively even beyond Alzheimers effect on her mental capacity.

We already have enough speculation on this board, with folks believing they know what 16-yr old girls are thinking and will want to do. Do we really need speculation on how a terrible degenerative disease is going to affect a particular person and how she may (or may not) react?

Nobody on this board knows her personally nor the specifics of her prognosis. It is unfortunate for anyone to specuulate on whether she will fare better or worse than other patients.

 

[willtalk]

We already have enough speculation on this board, with folks believing they know what 16-yr old girls are thinking and will want to do. Do we really need speculation on how a terrible degenerative disease is going to affect a particular person and how she may (or may not) react?

Nobody on this board knows her personally nor the specifics of her prognosis. It is unfortunate for anyone to specuulate on whether she will fare better or worse than other patients.

Actually I am not speculating but only a response to observation that would be in refence to things that have already transpired.She is now aware and no longer in denial so that should not effect her anymore. I was referring to an explaination for certain out of character actions during the last season that some people ( and now it appears very unjustly ) raked her over the coals for. This was not a slam on her character or her personally but only to bring light to or explain past circumstances. I only saying that she has been dealing with far more than the average person who suffers from that desease. It is a testement to her perserverance in regard to what she was dealing with and has accomplished despite off. My post was never about her prognosis but the effects on a person as they go though the process of recognition and denial.

Long before it became known that Pat was suffering from EOD, it appeared to me that she was on the decline in relation to her previous high standards of coaching . This was based on subtle observations. Recognize that some people are able to perceive certain things that escape others notice. Her diagnosis gave those observations reason and made sense of them to me. They same can be said for the effects on a person during a period of denial. Reconizing this helps to makes sense of past actions. Do you want me to get specific ? I don't think that serves any purpose. What I am really saying in my previous post is that in recognizing her condition she has already over come her most difficult obstacle. Which in my eyes might even be the most admirable accomplishment in her life. I is obvious that you did not understand the meaning or intent of my post. It was meant to help understand what she had been dealing with this past year in order to put it into context. No speculation what so ever since speculation mostly deals with the future not the past.