The Progeny
In Which We Meet Dr. Gene
Loren had another rehab session this morning, and came out of it as good or better than ever. In fact, his "exercise specialist" gave him a gold star on his chart. *gag* I think it's just as well I was not there. No need to get the stomach riled up before lunch. What this does say, is that Loren is getting stronger. Perhaps in small increments, but he is definitely getting stronger.
We didn't want to pay for parking for just a one hour segment, so I dumped Loren at the Gonda building, and drove around town and north of the city a while. Such a pity, now that I am finally beginning to enjoy driving, Loren will soon get his privileges back, and I'll probably never get to drive again. That's ok. He has at least 3 years to make up for. I'll admit I didn't always like being the only driver. A car is just a means of getting from "here" to "there." But when I actually drove back from Indiana by myself, after dropping Sharon off at college, I truly had fun. I think it had something to do with being in total control of the radio. That, and feeling free to stop for a double quarter-pounder. (I only did it once)
We had quite a long session with the genetic people this afternoon. To begin with, they had to reconstruct the whole family chart starting with Loren's grandparents. This would have been totally unnecessary if someone could have only found this wonderful chart that Nelda and her doctor had taken great pains to write up. We showed it to the cardiologists with many a, "This is incredible!" comment. Then, when we really needed it.....lost! Or misplaced in someone's records. We are hoping it will turn up in a file, somewhere.
When we met with the genetics doctor, he went into quite a bit of detail about chromosomes, genes, and translocation. My head is still spinning. I thought I was back in Dr. J's biology class, getting ready to flunk another exam. It was scarey. (it's been 28 years since college biology, and cells are dying off, every single day! Most of them, in my brain)
The upshot is, there are some studies going on at various places around the country, which may or may not give us any useful information. ARVD is still in fairly early stages of investigation, and while eight genes have been identified as being related to ARVD, there is only one specific test for one of those genes. (as I understand it)
To start the ball rolling, Loren will have some extra blood drawn at his next lab appointment, tomorrow. They will store some in the DNA bank, through cryopreservation, and have some analyzed for abnormalities to the gene structure. If something unusual turns up, siblings and offspring can be checked to see if the same abnormality appears.
Another big day tomorrow: heart biopsy, bloodwork, chest x-ray, a bone density test, and the usual visits with the coordinator and transplant cardiologist, to find out what all of this means.
I think that density test has something to do with how dumb your bones are, but I'm not sure....
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We didn't want to pay for parking for just a one hour segment, so I dumped Loren at the Gonda building, and drove around town and north of the city a while. Such a pity, now that I am finally beginning to enjoy driving, Loren will soon get his privileges back, and I'll probably never get to drive again. That's ok. He has at least 3 years to make up for. I'll admit I didn't always like being the only driver. A car is just a means of getting from "here" to "there." But when I actually drove back from Indiana by myself, after dropping Sharon off at college, I truly had fun. I think it had something to do with being in total control of the radio. That, and feeling free to stop for a double quarter-pounder. (I only did it once)
We had quite a long session with the genetic people this afternoon. To begin with, they had to reconstruct the whole family chart starting with Loren's grandparents. This would have been totally unnecessary if someone could have only found this wonderful chart that Nelda and her doctor had taken great pains to write up. We showed it to the cardiologists with many a, "This is incredible!" comment. Then, when we really needed it.....lost! Or misplaced in someone's records. We are hoping it will turn up in a file, somewhere.
When we met with the genetics doctor, he went into quite a bit of detail about chromosomes, genes, and translocation. My head is still spinning. I thought I was back in Dr. J's biology class, getting ready to flunk another exam. It was scarey. (it's been 28 years since college biology, and cells are dying off, every single day! Most of them, in my brain)
The upshot is, there are some studies going on at various places around the country, which may or may not give us any useful information. ARVD is still in fairly early stages of investigation, and while eight genes have been identified as being related to ARVD, there is only one specific test for one of those genes. (as I understand it)
To start the ball rolling, Loren will have some extra blood drawn at his next lab appointment, tomorrow. They will store some in the DNA bank, through cryopreservation, and have some analyzed for abnormalities to the gene structure. If something unusual turns up, siblings and offspring can be checked to see if the same abnormality appears.
Another big day tomorrow: heart biopsy, bloodwork, chest x-ray, a bone density test, and the usual visits with the coordinator and transplant cardiologist, to find out what all of this means.
I think that density test has something to do with how dumb your bones are, but I'm not sure....
Tweet
posted by Ma Hoyt | 6:21 PM
5 Comments:
Ruby says if she could, she'd be happy to donate a strong bone or two from down NC way. In a density test some years ago, she was told she has the bones of a 20-year-old. How about that!? (She's not as old as Ms.Blogger's dad, but getting closer year by year, percentage-wise.)
Aren't you beginning to despise the word "test"?? Patience, Loren. You've only about 2 million to go!
I know personally the word test has come to be a very bad thing in my life. I hope any test ya'll have tomorrow go better than the one I have, its in abstract algebra... something I know nothing about. :) I am so glad that you go a gold star on your chart too, dad! Maybe they will give me a gold star as my grade for one of my classes this semester. Love you guys! your 11th child Heather
:-) :-)
I'm the primary driver in our household and I hate it. I get lost faily easily and feel intimidated when Gary is with me and I don't know which way to turn. When I'm by myself, I just turn, then go back if it isn't the right way. Gary has also had blood taken for DNA studies for his eye disease (which is called Stargardt's disease)and they did isolate the gene responsible for it. Must be nice to have interesting blood, huh?
Becky, didn't know how or want to take the extra time to do the sign in. But wanted you both to know that we continue to pray for you and it's great to hear of the progress! Isaiah 50:10 may be encouraging or at least somewhat meaningful. Sandy is having a difficult time with her school & needs prayer. Looking forward to a great time with family a few days AFTER Christmas and around New Years. Jason will be glad to learn that we have another funeral [3rd this fall!] this Friday. Thanks for keeping us up with Loren's progress and your fascinating winning way of drawing us into your wonderful family! God Bless you all! Pastor Jack
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