We have been enjoying going to the farm of a friend of mine, every Friday we sprnd time there. Hannah seems to breathe so much easier. She has good lung funtion after spending the day there. She has such a good time, as does Sarah. We let the girls help with the chores and feed the animals when they can. Hannah's favorite thing to do is to collect eggs from the chicken houses. Sarah loves to help, but prefers to stay out side the door of the hen house. We always have so much fun and enjoy the time we can spend with our extended "family".
We went to our local church on Sunday, Hannah slept most of the time. She has had a few tiring days lately, but we know that Jusus holds us in the palm of his hand. Have a blessed week.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Hannah
Hi everyone, We are good today, and trust you are as well. Hannah has had a lazy day, she hasn't felt well today, her arms and legs are achy and her head has hurt some today. We are taking it easy. We have played some board games, and read a bit, and not worried about schoolwork, or chores. Hannah needed a quiet day. We are planning on going to church in the morning, and then relaxing the rest of the day.
Hannah did write her penpal from Canada today, that was fun. We added lots of stickers and Bible verses. It is neat to learn about the different cultures.
Hope that you each have a blessed week.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Hannah did write her penpal from Canada today, that was fun. We added lots of stickers and Bible verses. It is neat to learn about the different cultures.
Hope that you each have a blessed week.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Vulcan
If you have been in the Birmingham, Alabama ares you probablly have seen the large statue of a man pointing skywards. It is Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge. The histor of Vulcan is deeply tied to Birmingham's roots and its growth. Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge, was originally built in 1904 and has stood as a symbol of Birmingham for over 100
years. Vulcan stands 56- feet tall. What is this pagan colossus doing on the virtual buckle of the Bible Belt?
Vulcan was sculpted by artist Giuseppe Moretti for steel town Birmingham as an exhibit for the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. He was (and still is) the world's largest cast metal statue and the largest statue ever made in the U.S. His height was originally planned for 50 feet, but when Birmingham learned that a pagan Buddha in Tokyo stood 52 feet tall, they made their pagan Vulcan four feet taller.
Find more information at http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
or google Vulcan, Birmingham, Alabama.
We enjoyed our visit and loved the scavenger hunt. We did go up to the observation deck and could see all around Birmingham. We learned a lot of interesting facts and had fun in the process. Hope you are able to visit Vulcan sometime.
Have a blessed day...
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
years. Vulcan stands 56- feet tall. What is this pagan colossus doing on the virtual buckle of the Bible Belt?
Vulcan was sculpted by artist Giuseppe Moretti for steel town Birmingham as an exhibit for the Palace of Mines and Metallurgy at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. He was (and still is) the world's largest cast metal statue and the largest statue ever made in the U.S. His height was originally planned for 50 feet, but when Birmingham learned that a pagan Buddha in Tokyo stood 52 feet tall, they made their pagan Vulcan four feet taller.
Find more information at http://www.roadsideamerica.com/
or google Vulcan, Birmingham, Alabama.
We enjoyed our visit and loved the scavenger hunt. We did go up to the observation deck and could see all around Birmingham. We learned a lot of interesting facts and had fun in the process. Hope you are able to visit Vulcan sometime.
Have a blessed day...
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Places of interest
We were recently in Birmingham, at Children's Hospital and were able to stay at the newly remodeled Ronald McDonald House. It was such a blessing for us. The staff is very nice, they care about the families that stay in the House. Your stay can be from one night to several months. We stayed one night, but we learned so much. There are fun things to do, the library was Hannahs favorite place to be, I think that if I had allowed her, she would have slept on the floor in the library all night, we made several trips down to get more books. There was also an outdoor play area, and it had a long covered porch, with rocking chairs. We enjoyed play time for several hours sitting on the porch. There were board games, televisions, computers, and several play areas to keep little ones busy. It was for parents and kids, and everyone meet and talked at leasure.
There are several ways to suport the House, including but not limited to collecting pop tabs from cans, monetary donations, books and toys, food, as well as a wish list for needs for the home. They take new and slightly used items, as long as they are in good condition. If you are in the area, stop by and check them out.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
There are several ways to suport the House, including but not limited to collecting pop tabs from cans, monetary donations, books and toys, food, as well as a wish list for needs for the home. They take new and slightly used items, as long as they are in good condition. If you are in the area, stop by and check them out.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Sarah and Hannah
Sarah is 10, she is in the 5th grade. She is failure to thrive, but has outgrown most of her health issues. She is small for her age. She enjoys homeschooling, most days. Her favorite things are feild trips. Sarah also likes computer time and she likes art, spelling and math.
She collects monkeys and has more that she can count... her favotire color is red or blue, depending on what day you ask her.
Hannah is 8 and in the 3rd grade. She has several health issues. We do what we can and go from there. Hannah likes math and science. She also loves to read. She likes feildtrips too, especially Old Alabama Town. She collects princess, and anything purple. Her favorite color is purple.
Mom and Dad enjoy being with our girls and keeping them busy. We love listening to praise and worship music and we enjoy making a joyful noise along with the radio... We do many family things, usually dad is at work during the day, but helps with homework at night. It is sometimes to busy to think.....
Hope that you have enjoyed learning abbout us...
Have a blessed day....
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
She collects monkeys and has more that she can count... her favotire color is red or blue, depending on what day you ask her.
Hannah is 8 and in the 3rd grade. She has several health issues. We do what we can and go from there. Hannah likes math and science. She also loves to read. She likes feildtrips too, especially Old Alabama Town. She collects princess, and anything purple. Her favorite color is purple.
Mom and Dad enjoy being with our girls and keeping them busy. We love listening to praise and worship music and we enjoy making a joyful noise along with the radio... We do many family things, usually dad is at work during the day, but helps with homework at night. It is sometimes to busy to think.....
Hope that you have enjoyed learning abbout us...
Have a blessed day....
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
CVID
This is what we know.....
Hypogammaglobulinemia -- or --
Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)
* CVID basically means low antibody count, dysfunctional immune system and poor resistance to infection.
* Exposure to germs in daily life can produce challenges.
* Life can be semi-normal with CVID, and it can also be quite difficult.
Hypogammaglobulinemia essentially means antibody deficiency, and includes numerous primary immune deficiency disease such as Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID). Unlike AIDS or chemotherapy-induced immune deficiency, primary immune deficiencies are considered inherent, perhaps genetic. One of the rarest forms of hypogammaglobulinemia, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, is nicknamed the "boy-in-the-bubble" disease - a somewhat popular example known to movie viewers. Both Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) and IgA deficiency, whereas antibodies are decreased but not absent, are much more common. The approximate rate for CVID is 1:50,000 persons and the rate for IgA deficiency is as frequent as 1:750 individuals. As the immune system is quite complex, CVID often involves additional defects in the immune system. Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) is mild to life-threatening: dependent on resistance to infection, treatment success, and if complications occur. Significant risk of developing certain cancers and autoimmune illness also exists for patients.
The immune system consists of five primary types of antibodies called immune globulins, two of which are commonly affected in CVID: immune globulin G (IgG) and immune globulin A (IgA). IgM deficiency occurs less frequently, though up to 50 percent of the time.Each antibody class plays a different role in response to infection:-- IgA is the chief protector of mucosal linings, including the mouth, stomach, respiratory tract, intestines, and external reproductive organs. -- IgG is the body's main defense antibody throughout the body. Some CVID patients mount little to no antibody response to both common and dangerous bacteria -- causing pneumonia, tetanus, strep, and colds, for instance.Symptoms of Common Variable Immune Deficiency-- frequent and chronic bacterial, viral or fungal infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, colds, influenza, ear infections, skin infections etc.)-- chronic sinusitis or upper respiratory damage, bronchiectasis-- fatigue-- lymph gland enlargement-- joint pain or arthritis (may be due to infection)-- hair loss-- infections or disorders of the digestive tract, diarrhea-- anemia-- spleen enlargementOther Complications:-- lymphoma-- autoimmune disease-- premature death* Note that children with primary immune deficiency may have other difficulties, such as failure to thrive, due to their immature immune systems, physical development and germ exposures. Symptoms for mild to moderate CVID and IgA deficiency may be similar. However, there is no treatment for IgA deficiency other than keeping an upper-hand on infections with antibiotic therapy. Diagnosis of Common Variable Immune DeficiencyTesting is done by measuring immune globulin levels in the blood. Supportive tests such as antibody response tests and CT scan of sinus or lungs may also be utilized.CVID often goes undiagnosed until symptoms are more profound, in the second to fourth decade of life.
Chronic infections and damage to the lungs and sinus may occur well before diagnosis.Difficulties in DiagnosisWhether testing is underutilized or the total immunoglobulin level is misinterpreted, both contribute to diagnosistic delay.Additionally, the total IgG or IgA count can be misleading, and these levels alone are not necessarily indicative of the patient's health status. As each immune globulin class is divided into subclasses, sometimes one subclass is abundantly produced while one or more other subclasses remain deficient or absent. A more refined test, called an IgG subclass level, is often necessary to pinpoint CVID.Additionally, treatment of CVID is very costly (thousands of dollars monthly). Insurance companies may refuse treatment if antibody levels are not considered "low enough," and physicians can be misled as to what constitutes CVID. Treatment for Common Variable Immune DeficiencySome antibodies may be replaced by what is known as intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). IVIG is a very refined blood product gathered from a select pool of donors. Other forms of administration, such as subcutaneous injection under the skin, is less frequently involved.Whereas IgG antibodies can be replaced, no replacement for IgA is available. IVIG is optimally administered on a bi-weekly to monthly basis. Infusions typically last a few hours and temporary side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, are common. Immune therapy replacement is not a cure for CVID; Generally, IVIG therapy is a lifelong treatment that helps patients' better ward off infections and complications of the disease. Most patients are healthier on IVIG, and some lead rather normal lives other than the inconvenience attributed to the infusions. The majority of CVID patients ultimately experiences some degree of disability, from mild to severe, and maintain higher than normal rates of infection. The earlier CVID patients receive IVIG the better the prognosis. With adequate treatment, sinus and lung damage as well as other complications may be prevented.
Prompt administration of antibiotics when necessary and regular evaluation by an immunologist or specialist is another crucial form of treatment for CVID patients.Treatment ComplicationsSlower administration of IVIG and preemptive administration of diphenhydramine HCL (Benedryl) can greatly minimize infusion-related reactions. Ibuprofen or asprin may also be recommended.More serious or life-threatening IVIG reactions occur in a smaller number of patients. The latter group may be unable to receive immune globulin therapy due to natural antibodies that react to trace amounts of IgA or other substances contained in immune globulin products.
Still learning....
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Hypogammaglobulinemia -- or --
Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)
* CVID basically means low antibody count, dysfunctional immune system and poor resistance to infection.
* Exposure to germs in daily life can produce challenges.
* Life can be semi-normal with CVID, and it can also be quite difficult.
Hypogammaglobulinemia essentially means antibody deficiency, and includes numerous primary immune deficiency disease such as Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID). Unlike AIDS or chemotherapy-induced immune deficiency, primary immune deficiencies are considered inherent, perhaps genetic. One of the rarest forms of hypogammaglobulinemia, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency, is nicknamed the "boy-in-the-bubble" disease - a somewhat popular example known to movie viewers. Both Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) and IgA deficiency, whereas antibodies are decreased but not absent, are much more common. The approximate rate for CVID is 1:50,000 persons and the rate for IgA deficiency is as frequent as 1:750 individuals. As the immune system is quite complex, CVID often involves additional defects in the immune system. Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID) is mild to life-threatening: dependent on resistance to infection, treatment success, and if complications occur. Significant risk of developing certain cancers and autoimmune illness also exists for patients.
The immune system consists of five primary types of antibodies called immune globulins, two of which are commonly affected in CVID: immune globulin G (IgG) and immune globulin A (IgA). IgM deficiency occurs less frequently, though up to 50 percent of the time.Each antibody class plays a different role in response to infection:-- IgA is the chief protector of mucosal linings, including the mouth, stomach, respiratory tract, intestines, and external reproductive organs. -- IgG is the body's main defense antibody throughout the body. Some CVID patients mount little to no antibody response to both common and dangerous bacteria -- causing pneumonia, tetanus, strep, and colds, for instance.Symptoms of Common Variable Immune Deficiency-- frequent and chronic bacterial, viral or fungal infections (bronchitis, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, colds, influenza, ear infections, skin infections etc.)-- chronic sinusitis or upper respiratory damage, bronchiectasis-- fatigue-- lymph gland enlargement-- joint pain or arthritis (may be due to infection)-- hair loss-- infections or disorders of the digestive tract, diarrhea-- anemia-- spleen enlargementOther Complications:-- lymphoma-- autoimmune disease-- premature death* Note that children with primary immune deficiency may have other difficulties, such as failure to thrive, due to their immature immune systems, physical development and germ exposures. Symptoms for mild to moderate CVID and IgA deficiency may be similar. However, there is no treatment for IgA deficiency other than keeping an upper-hand on infections with antibiotic therapy. Diagnosis of Common Variable Immune DeficiencyTesting is done by measuring immune globulin levels in the blood. Supportive tests such as antibody response tests and CT scan of sinus or lungs may also be utilized.CVID often goes undiagnosed until symptoms are more profound, in the second to fourth decade of life.
Chronic infections and damage to the lungs and sinus may occur well before diagnosis.Difficulties in DiagnosisWhether testing is underutilized or the total immunoglobulin level is misinterpreted, both contribute to diagnosistic delay.Additionally, the total IgG or IgA count can be misleading, and these levels alone are not necessarily indicative of the patient's health status. As each immune globulin class is divided into subclasses, sometimes one subclass is abundantly produced while one or more other subclasses remain deficient or absent. A more refined test, called an IgG subclass level, is often necessary to pinpoint CVID.Additionally, treatment of CVID is very costly (thousands of dollars monthly). Insurance companies may refuse treatment if antibody levels are not considered "low enough," and physicians can be misled as to what constitutes CVID. Treatment for Common Variable Immune DeficiencySome antibodies may be replaced by what is known as intravenous immune globulin (IVIG). IVIG is a very refined blood product gathered from a select pool of donors. Other forms of administration, such as subcutaneous injection under the skin, is less frequently involved.Whereas IgG antibodies can be replaced, no replacement for IgA is available. IVIG is optimally administered on a bi-weekly to monthly basis. Infusions typically last a few hours and temporary side effects, such as flu-like symptoms, are common. Immune therapy replacement is not a cure for CVID; Generally, IVIG therapy is a lifelong treatment that helps patients' better ward off infections and complications of the disease. Most patients are healthier on IVIG, and some lead rather normal lives other than the inconvenience attributed to the infusions. The majority of CVID patients ultimately experiences some degree of disability, from mild to severe, and maintain higher than normal rates of infection. The earlier CVID patients receive IVIG the better the prognosis. With adequate treatment, sinus and lung damage as well as other complications may be prevented.
Prompt administration of antibiotics when necessary and regular evaluation by an immunologist or specialist is another crucial form of treatment for CVID patients.Treatment ComplicationsSlower administration of IVIG and preemptive administration of diphenhydramine HCL (Benedryl) can greatly minimize infusion-related reactions. Ibuprofen or asprin may also be recommended.More serious or life-threatening IVIG reactions occur in a smaller number of patients. The latter group may be unable to receive immune globulin therapy due to natural antibodies that react to trace amounts of IgA or other substances contained in immune globulin products.
Still learning....
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
Our family
Our daughter Hannah is 8, her siste Sarah is 10. We homeschool our girls and keep busy with lots of extras. We also care for our neice, Carissa -4, and our nephew, Zachary -8, during the week, so there is never a dull moment here.
We enjoy attending church and lear all we can about Jesus. We also attend Awana, Children's choir and other fun activities as we are able.
Hannah has recently been diagnosed with health issues, so we do what we can, and don't stree over the rest. Hannah has allergies, asthma, pulmonary valve stonosis, heart murmur, sleep disorder, migranes, and CVID.
We are learning as we go. Here is some of what we know.....
Hypogammaglobulinemia -- or -- Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)
* CVID basically means low antibody count, dysfunctional immune system and poor resistance to infection.
* Exposure to germs in daily life can produce challenges.
* Life can be semi-normal with CVID, and it can also be quite difficult.
Hypogammaglobulinemia essentially means antibody deficiency, and includes numerous primary immune deficiency disease such as Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID).
We are blessed in that the dr.'s were able to figure this out early, in 4 years.
Hannah has had her first treatment of IVIG and had no ill side affects. She is still tired, the IVIG helps her have better days. Usually there is one hard week of feeling yucky and three good weeks. For Hannah this will be an improvement, since she is sick all the time, with few good days between each sickness time. We hope that you will check back often, and that you will see Jesus through us. Have a blessed week.
Much Love and prayer's,
Lori and crew
We enjoy attending church and lear all we can about Jesus. We also attend Awana, Children's choir and other fun activities as we are able.
Hannah has recently been diagnosed with health issues, so we do what we can, and don't stree over the rest. Hannah has allergies, asthma, pulmonary valve stonosis, heart murmur, sleep disorder, migranes, and CVID.
We are learning as we go. Here is some of what we know.....
Hypogammaglobulinemia -- or -- Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)
* CVID basically means low antibody count, dysfunctional immune system and poor resistance to infection.
* Exposure to germs in daily life can produce challenges.
* Life can be semi-normal with CVID, and it can also be quite difficult.
Hypogammaglobulinemia essentially means antibody deficiency, and includes numerous primary immune deficiency disease such as Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID).
We are blessed in that the dr.'s were able to figure this out early, in 4 years.
Hannah has had her first treatment of IVIG and had no ill side affects. She is still tired, the IVIG helps her have better days. Usually there is one hard week of feeling yucky and three good weeks. For Hannah this will be an improvement, since she is sick all the time, with few good days between each sickness time. We hope that you will check back often, and that you will see Jesus through us. Have a blessed week.
Much Love and prayer's,
Lori and crew
Things to ponder
Hi Everyone,
We want to be open to seeing God working in our everyday life's. We look for God to show himself in small ways and big ways. We are never amazed at God's provisions, blessings or His path's He has for us.
We want to be an example of His grace and mercy. We strive to show others Jesus through us. Please join us in our adventures and trials as we lean on Jesus and show others Him.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
We want to be open to seeing God working in our everyday life's. We look for God to show himself in small ways and big ways. We are never amazed at God's provisions, blessings or His path's He has for us.
We want to be an example of His grace and mercy. We strive to show others Jesus through us. Please join us in our adventures and trials as we lean on Jesus and show others Him.
Much Love and Prayer's,
Lori and crew
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