Our Family =0): June 2012

Monday, June 25, 2012

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

I can hardly believe it; you are seven years old today! Seven years ago, I waited for you to take your first breath - it seems like yesterday. In other ways, it seems like a distant memory. You have amazed me with what you have already accomplished - I can hardly wait to see what you will accomplish in the future! You are such a sweet and happy little guy. You make the room a bit brighter the moment you walk in; you always bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. You mean the world to me. Happy birthday, sweetheart - I love you to infinity and beyond!

Since the original video wouldn't upload . . . :0}

This photo slideshow created with Smilebox

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Over the past 50 years, you have helped each other carry life's burdens, sharing in life's joy and sorrow. You have seen many changes and faced many challenges - you have so many memories together. Thank you for all the values and morals you taught us - you have given us an invaluable lesson in life and love, what it takes to be a couple, and what it means to stick together as a family. I love you guys!

Isaiah-isms =0)

This is our new addition to the page - Isaiah-isms. He can say some pretty funny things . . . it's a tad scary, all those thoughts that have been locked up for so long . . . . =0) Here are a few of the things Isaiah has been saying lately . . .

"You can't be sad when you poop, Mom!"

"I got a chicken-cups, eeep!" (hiccups)

"I not go to bed ta-day!"

"To if-fibiddy an beyon!" (thanks, Buzz Lightyear!)

"I can't wanna do it."

"Take it-ta da top and cha-cha-cha!" =0) (I have no idea where that came from, but he's too cute when he says it!) =0)

"I can't like dat, it's sticky!" (I think he's saying stinky, but anything he doesn't like is "sticky") =0)

"It's cuh-uuuuuuuuuuute!" (cute) =0)

"It wasn't me!" or "I did-ent do wit!"

"I'm da man!"

"Da farmer in da cow, da farmer in da cow! Hi-you, you! Da farmer in da cow!" =0) (aka, The farmer in the dell . . . )

"It's da sun's turn! It's a bwight sunny day!"

"It's nooooot!" =0)

"I'm so coughin' mad!" =0)

"He's the famous kangawoo I neber saw!"

"I like it an I did!"

"I feel car-able!" =0) (I feel terrible)

"Mom, that's not an option!" =0)

"I'm too bored to cwean up!" (clean up) . . . yeah, I feel like that sometimes, too =0)

"Nature can be dirty and sometimes it's wet." Makes sense, right? =0)

"La hoo-hah-rah-cha, la hoo-hah-rah-cha. An he needs a get a kit-tar!" (kit-tar = guitar) =0)

"Dri-ben tuh Tord's tar-by!" (I'm in the Lord's army . . .)

"Aaaaaaagh! You're a muggering me!" =0)

"Lord Jesus to play!" ("Lord, teach us to pray.") =0)

"I hab wubed you with an eber-asting wub." ("I have loved you with an everlasting love.") =0)

A little about Mastocytosis . . .

Mastocytosis is a group of rare disorders of both children and adults caused by the presence of too many mast cells (mastocytes) and CD34+ mast cell precursors in a person's body. It can affect just the skin or it can also affect internal organs such as the stomach, lungs, and intestines. Instead of being an autoimmune disease, mastocytosis is considered to be a myeloproliferative disease in that the bone marrow is producing too many of a certain type of cell - in this case, mast cells. Some of the possible symptoms of mastocytosis look a lot like food or environmental allergies. A person with mastocytosis may be convinced that they have food allergies but the antibody tests may be negative.

Some Symptoms Associated with Mastocytosis:
* Itching
* Rashes
* Abdominal cramping
* Anaphylaxis (shock from allergic or immune causes)
* Skin lesions
* Abdominal discomfort
* Episodes of very low blood pressure (including shock) & faintness
* Bone or muscle pain
* Nausea & vomiting

Patients with Mastocytosis may feel better when taking reflux meds. Proton pump inhibitors help reduce production of gastric acid, which is often increased in patients with mastocytosis.

To learn more about Mastocytosis, please visit:
http://www.mastokids.org/

or

http://www.tmsforacure.org/

What is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that is sudden in onset and can be fatal.

Anaphylaxis occurs within seconds/minutes or hours of ingesting or coming into contact with a trigger (an allergen). Symptoms can include edema (swelling), hives, difficulty breathing, hypotension (low blood pressure), tachycardia, and/or gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, vomiting, cramping).

According to FAAN, "an anaphylactic reaction may begin with a tingling sensation, itching, or a metallic taste in the mouth. Other symptoms can include hives, a sensation of warmth, wheezing or other difficulty breathing, coughing, swelling of the mouth and throat area, vomiting, diarrhea, cramping, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness. These symptoms may begin within several minutes to two hours after exposure to the allergen, but life-threatening reactions may get worse over a period of several hours.

In some reactions, the symptoms go away, only to return two to three hours later. This is called a “biphasic reaction.” Often these second-phase symptoms occur in the respiratory tract and may be more severe than the first-phase symptoms. Studies suggest that biphasic reactions occur in about 20 percent of anaphylactic reactions."

A little about Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

Description from the National Cancer Institute:

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia is a rare, chronic cancer that is classified as a plasma cell neoplasm. It affects plasma cells, which develop from white blood cells called B-lymphocytes, or B cells.

B cells form in the lymph nodes and the bone marrow, the soft, spongy tissue inside bones. They are an important part of the body's immune (defense) system. Some B cells become plasma cells, which make, store, and release antibodies. Antibodies help the body fight viruses, bacteria, and other foreign substances.

In Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, abnormal plasma cells multiply out of control. They invade the bone marrow, lymph nodes, and spleen and produce excessive amounts of an antibody called IgM. Excess IgM in the blood causes hyperviscosity (thickening) of the blood.

Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia usually occurs in people over age 65, but can occur in younger people. A review of cancer registries in the United States found that the disease is more common among men than women and among whites than blacks.

Some patients do not experience symptoms. Others may have enlarged lymph nodes or spleen, and may experience fatigue, headaches, weight loss, a tendency to bleed easily, visual problems, confusion, dizziness, Alzheimer's-like symptoms, and loss of co-ordination. These symptoms are often due to the thickening of the blood. In extreme cases, the increased concentration of IgM in the blood can lead to heart failure (taken from http://www.iwmf.com/WhatIsWM.htm).

To learn more, please visit:
http://www.iwmf.com/WhatIsWM.htm

or

http://www.iwmf.com/

Monday, June 25, 2012

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

Since the original video wouldn't upload . . . :0}

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Isaiah 58:8-9

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

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About Us

Isaiah-isms =0)

Isaiah

A little about Mastocytosis . . .

What is Anaphylaxis?

Watch my Autism Speaks video message

My Dad (aka Grandpa . . . okay, so he's Ye-Ye)

A little about Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

My Mom (aka Grandma . . . okay, so Nai-Nai)

Followers

Blog Archive

Me & My Favorite Little Man!

My Blog List

Pediatric Mastocytosis Awareness Ribbon

The Mastocytosis Society

Visitor's Map

Monday, June 25, 2012

Happy Birthday, Little Man!

Since the original video wouldn't upload . . . :0}

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Isaiah 58:8-9

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Follow me on Facebook

BlogFrog!

Subscribe via email

Subscribe To

About Us

Isaiah-isms =0)

Isaiah

A little about Mastocytosis . . .

What is Anaphylaxis?

Watch my Autism Speaks video message

My Dad (aka Grandpa . . . okay, so he's Ye-Ye)

A little about Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia

My Mom (aka Grandma . . . okay, so Nai-Nai)

Followers

Blog Archive

Me & My Favorite Little Man!

My Blog List

Pediatric Mastocytosis Awareness Ribbon

The Mastocytosis Society

Visitor's Map