Lauralee, Id expect the brace and some specific exercises would slow down the curving and give you that 'breathing space and time' so dont feel so bad.. Now I dont know how bad yours is but I remember many years ago when my daughters were 10 and doing ballet Id see an old lady pushing her walker down the street, she could not look forward but only down as her bend was at a good 90o+. I thought then that she would be 'kinking' off her vital organs but lo and behold about 10yrs later I saw her again, and even more bent but obviously fairly independant to a degree.
Work daily at stretching yourself back up.. mentally make those muscles do the action and keep the left as strong as the right. I am trying hard to get bend back in my lower back and rub those spurs off my thoracic spine several times a day.. We might not be able to stop it but we can sure put the brakes on and slow it down
If you like swimming and can get to a heated pool [even a spa] and just stretch those muscles without stress, may help... good luck