Tuesday, January 18, 2011

I got the good gene!

I've always felt that I got all the bad genes in my family.
I started wearing glasses when I was 4.
I am incredibly uncoordinated.
I have frizzy crazy hair.
I am dyslexic.
I gain all of my wight in my tummy.
I got the double chin.
You get the picture.

Yesterday, I got a phone call that showed I was wrong.

About 3 years ago, my then 3 month old nephew was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.  About a year and a half later, my niece was also diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.  In order to have cystic fibrosis both parents must be carriers of the genetic mutation.  That meant that both my sister and my brother were carriers as were their spouses.

About a month ago, I went to the genetics department to find out if I too am a carrier.

I'm not.  I inherited the normal healthy gene.

That means that my children and my future grandchildren won't have to worry about having cystic fibrosis.  Instead we can focus on finding better treatments and a cure for my niece and nephew.

You can learn more about my family and cystic fibrosis by watching this short video.

You can learn more about cystic fibrosis and/or make a donation to the cystic fibrosis foundation at The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's website

4 comments:

  1. Oh my goodness, what a story! It's amazing how easily our perspective can change... It is so sad that your niece and nephew have cystic fibrosis but it is so good that you can be so thankful not to be a carrier.

    Found your blog through one of the Iowa Etsy Teams :) xo

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  2. Does this mean there is another baby in your future?

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  3. You have to be incredibly coordinated to make those amazing bow ties! (and play ehs soccer?)

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  4. Oh how I love that picture! You might think you are uncoordinated but I have seen you huck a waterballoon with amazing aim...:)
    I am glad you have healthy genes and lots of love goes out to your family and their little ones!

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