Monday, April 21, 2008
Let's Go Team!
Attention...shirts are on order and as of today we have a total of 34 registered walkers! Now, it's time to raise donations to reach our goal. Let's make this year even better then last. Jeff's Entourage raised almost $5,000 in 2007, according to everyone's listed goal amount we are hoping to reach almost $8,000. Let's make it happen guys! Also, if your goal amount listed is not what you are expecting to raise, please adjust so that we can get a better idea of what the team goal is. Thanks to you all and please keep checking the blog for weekly updates!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Carrier Screening for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
After posting the previous, I realized that some of you reading may have questions regarding the process for carrier screening for CF. I found this information on the March of Dimes website, and thought it may explain the process a little clearer.
For those of you who don't know, Mandy and I will be walking in the March for Babies tomorrow morning. We are walking for Team Brangelina. Andrea the mother of two little wonders (Bradyn & Angelina) is Scott's cousin. They were born January 19, 2007 @ 27 weeks gestation - they both have beat many odds in the last year and continue to thrive. We walk tomorrow in honor of them and their fight, but also for all the past, present and future babies that are born fighting for their life.
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Carrier Screening for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic (inherited) disease. About 30,000 children and adults in the United States have the disorder. Cystic fibrosis severely affects breathing and digestion. It is caused by an abnormal gene that makes the body produce thick mucus in the lungs. This mucus promotes infections that are often life threatening. In the pancreas, similar thick secretions can lead to serious problems with food absorption. People with CF usually survive into their 30s. Researchers continue to search for more effective CF treatments as well as a cure.
CF carrier testing is a blood or saliva test. It checks to see if parents-to-be have (carry) the abnormal gene that causes CF. The test can help determine if you're at increased risk for having a child with CF.
The only way to get CF is to have two genes that cause CF—one from your mother and one from your father. This means that both parents are CF carriers. A CF carrier has only one CF gene and has no CF symptoms. You could inherit the CF gene from one of your parents and never even know it.
If only one parent from a couple is a CF carrier, none of the children will have CF. But there is a 50-50 chance that each child will be a symptomless carrier.
When both parents carry the CF gene, there is a 25% chance (1 in 4) that their child will have CF. There is a 50-50 chance that the child will be a carrier like the parents. And there is a 25% chance that the baby will not have the gene—not a carrier and not have the disease.
Are You or Your Baby's Father Likely to be a CF Carrier?
Approximately 1 in 30 Americans is a symptomless carrier of the CF gene. If you have a family history of CF, you're more likely to carry the gene than someone from an unaffected family.
The risk is increased if you're of Caucasian background. If so, you have a 1-in-29 chance of carrying the gene, compared to 1-in-46 for people of Latino background, 1-in-65 for African-Americans, and 1-in-90 for Asian-Americans.
Remember that the only way you can pass CF to your baby is if both you and the baby's father have the CF gene. Luckily, this is pretty rare.
If test results show that both parents are CF carriers, your health care provider can test the baby in utero. If the baby has CF, parents can take time before delivery to learn more about the disease and find appropriate specialists.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that health care providers make the CF carrier screening test available to all couples. Deciding whether or not to have the test is your own personal choice. Talk it over with your partner and with your health care provider and get as much information as you need to decide what's right for you and your baby.
For those of you who don't know, Mandy and I will be walking in the March for Babies tomorrow morning. We are walking for Team Brangelina. Andrea the mother of two little wonders (Bradyn & Angelina) is Scott's cousin. They were born January 19, 2007 @ 27 weeks gestation - they both have beat many odds in the last year and continue to thrive. We walk tomorrow in honor of them and their fight, but also for all the past, present and future babies that are born fighting for their life.
__________________________________________________________________
Carrier Screening for Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic (inherited) disease. About 30,000 children and adults in the United States have the disorder. Cystic fibrosis severely affects breathing and digestion. It is caused by an abnormal gene that makes the body produce thick mucus in the lungs. This mucus promotes infections that are often life threatening. In the pancreas, similar thick secretions can lead to serious problems with food absorption. People with CF usually survive into their 30s. Researchers continue to search for more effective CF treatments as well as a cure.
CF carrier testing is a blood or saliva test. It checks to see if parents-to-be have (carry) the abnormal gene that causes CF. The test can help determine if you're at increased risk for having a child with CF.
The only way to get CF is to have two genes that cause CF—one from your mother and one from your father. This means that both parents are CF carriers. A CF carrier has only one CF gene and has no CF symptoms. You could inherit the CF gene from one of your parents and never even know it.
If only one parent from a couple is a CF carrier, none of the children will have CF. But there is a 50-50 chance that each child will be a symptomless carrier.
When both parents carry the CF gene, there is a 25% chance (1 in 4) that their child will have CF. There is a 50-50 chance that the child will be a carrier like the parents. And there is a 25% chance that the baby will not have the gene—not a carrier and not have the disease.
Are You or Your Baby's Father Likely to be a CF Carrier?
Approximately 1 in 30 Americans is a symptomless carrier of the CF gene. If you have a family history of CF, you're more likely to carry the gene than someone from an unaffected family.
The risk is increased if you're of Caucasian background. If so, you have a 1-in-29 chance of carrying the gene, compared to 1-in-46 for people of Latino background, 1-in-65 for African-Americans, and 1-in-90 for Asian-Americans.
Remember that the only way you can pass CF to your baby is if both you and the baby's father have the CF gene. Luckily, this is pretty rare.
If test results show that both parents are CF carriers, your health care provider can test the baby in utero. If the baby has CF, parents can take time before delivery to learn more about the disease and find appropriate specialists.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that health care providers make the CF carrier screening test available to all couples. Deciding whether or not to have the test is your own personal choice. Talk it over with your partner and with your health care provider and get as much information as you need to decide what's right for you and your baby.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Thoughts on CF and Love!
November 27th 2007, was the first time I held my precious niece Jolie Cate Blankenship for the first time. Seeing the amazing gift of life before my eyes and her taking her first breath, helped me realize just how much love a child can bring forth in a family. I love her as she was mine, and am so amazed to see the transformation that Mandy has made into a Mommy, she is truly amazing. My point of the story is some of you may not know that when Mandy found out she was pregnant, she under went several blood tests, not to uncommon. One of those being the test to see if she was a carrier of CF. With having a family member so close in the blood line having CF, the doctor said it was a must that she get tested. After the results came back, our family went through a brief period of time of shock, Mandy was a carrier of CF. Needless to say she was a mess, along with me by her side. Being an identical twin, there is no doubt that I myself am also a carrier. The next step, test Scott! So Scott gets in the next day and gives his blood, results come back, and Scott tests negative. There is no way that the child growing inside Mandy could have any chance of having CF...sigh of relief! At this time I remember asking Mandy if it would have mattered, and she came back with only one reply, absolutely not! I have been asked before if it scared me knowing that I was a carrier and if there were a chance that my "future" child could get CF if I would decide to not have kids. My only answer is, absolutely not! Although it is a horrible disease and I without a doubt would never wish a child to live with it, it would never alter my decision to become a mother. I see the way Mandy looks at Jolie and that kind of love is falter proof. I see the strength that my mom endured during the course of my brothers illness and she truly is the most amazing woman and mother.
There's a term in astrology, "Fixed Stars," which (from the Latin stellae fixae) are celestial objects that do not seem to move in relation to the other stars of the night sky. Some of the Fixed Stars near the ecliptic and of significant magnitude do, however, exert considerable influence. The images on which our Zodiac is based are of course patterns drawn from constellations of Fixed Stars, but the constellations are not exactly the same as the Signs of the Zodiac. Since I remember, it has always been 4 Stars...My Fixed Stars...Bubba, Mom, Mandy, and Myself. Although our life's have been altered with finding love, marriage, and children, I always count on My Fixed Stars to guide me through life. I owe so much of the person I have become, to them, and I am forever thankful for the earthly family I was blessed with. I know without a doubt that they will always be constant in my life! Now with the new addition of Jolie Cate, our worlds are overflowing with love and joy!
So you may ask the reason of this post and where I'm going with it. As you have read, CF has always been apart of our lives and we will always remember the bond that it has blessed our family with. I have realized just how sweet life is and how everyday is so very precious, so although we all have our struggles and fair share of sadness there is always a brighter side of the situation. Love...is what carries you through life, so if you have it, grab a hold of it, and cherish it! I know that I have!
There's a term in astrology, "Fixed Stars," which (from the Latin stellae fixae) are celestial objects that do not seem to move in relation to the other stars of the night sky. Some of the Fixed Stars near the ecliptic and of significant magnitude do, however, exert considerable influence. The images on which our Zodiac is based are of course patterns drawn from constellations of Fixed Stars, but the constellations are not exactly the same as the Signs of the Zodiac. Since I remember, it has always been 4 Stars...My Fixed Stars...Bubba, Mom, Mandy, and Myself. Although our life's have been altered with finding love, marriage, and children, I always count on My Fixed Stars to guide me through life. I owe so much of the person I have become, to them, and I am forever thankful for the earthly family I was blessed with. I know without a doubt that they will always be constant in my life! Now with the new addition of Jolie Cate, our worlds are overflowing with love and joy!
So you may ask the reason of this post and where I'm going with it. As you have read, CF has always been apart of our lives and we will always remember the bond that it has blessed our family with. I have realized just how sweet life is and how everyday is so very precious, so although we all have our struggles and fair share of sadness there is always a brighter side of the situation. Love...is what carries you through life, so if you have it, grab a hold of it, and cherish it! I know that I have!
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Becoming an Organ Donor
It is a quick and simple process that could change the life of up to 7 deserving people, and many many more if you throw in the family, friends and loved one's of the patients. I know some may think of it as morbid and not necessary, but the thought of my organs and tissues possibly saving the life of another human, is the most awesome gift I could ever think about blessing someone and their family with. Please if you aren't already, become a donor and help save the life of someone who has a chance of inspiring to live a long and healthy life. Click here to become a donor.
Proof that Organ Donations and Transplants actually change lives...Tricia whom we've mentioned in previous posts, is now holding baby Gwyneth for the first time with no vent and less CF lungs! How amazing is that!!! Thank you Nate & Tricia for sharing your beautiful journey with all of us here in Bloggerland...you guys are truly an inspiration...keep up the fight!!!
Proof that Organ Donations and Transplants actually change lives...Tricia whom we've mentioned in previous posts, is now holding baby Gwyneth for the first time with no vent and less CF lungs! How amazing is that!!! Thank you Nate & Tricia for sharing your beautiful journey with all of us here in Bloggerland...you guys are truly an inspiration...keep up the fight!!!
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Prayer Request
Please keep Tricia, Nate, and Gwyneth in your thoughts and most importantly your prayers. Tricia is currently in the OR undergoing a double lung transplant...may God keep her safe while she is in surgery and bring her out breathing like she never has before. We are praying for you here in Texas!
To stay updated visit CF Husband.
To stay updated visit CF Husband.
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