My Introduction

[Guest guest]

Good morning! I am new to this group but have joined to learn more about CMT due

to an overwhelmingly large population of family members from my father's side

who have CMT. My father has CMT as well, but has not spent the money, nor will

he, for genetic testing, PT, etc. He is 73. " at his age, " as he puts it, " why

bother? "

I am Jyll, 40, married mother of two teens (15 and almost 14.) I am my daddy's

little girl.:-) (the 7th of 7 kids!) Dad approached me with CMT about two years

ago that my uncle, several cousins, and most likely, dad have CMT. I believe

there are some women affected as well, but I am not sure which ones they are. My

cousin who is a Dr. at Hopkins was the one who discovered CMT in our

family, I guess, after doing some genetic testing.

So, here we are, living and learning. I have mentioned it to my Dr. at my

father's request, and I watch for signs and symptoms. Thus far, I have none and

I'm not paying the fee to be tested.

My father's symptoms began in his 40s soon after being vaccinated for swine flu.

Honestly, up until this all came about from relatives, we thought dad had a

severe reaction to the swine flu vaccine. He has walked with a limp, more

pronounced now, since his later 40s. But he has gotten along fine. His left leg

is extremely weak and that foot has a large pronounced arch. He actually walks

on the outside, toe area of that foot. He has taken many falls, thankfully none

terribly serious. He does not use a cane or any

appliances that would probably help, will not do PT, and does not have a Dr. he

sees for this. We have just gotten him to the Dr. to check out his own health in

the past month.

My mother passed away 9/11/2006 of complications of Alzheimers, COPD, and

Congestive Heart Failure. Now he has the time to take

care of him.

Dad realizes that he may not be getting along real well for long, so he is going

to New Jersey to visit his family, all of them (and there are A LOT)for

Thanksgiving. It makes me a bit nervous, but I am so happy he is going.As he

puts it, " I may be in a walker next year " and he may, or a wheel chair.

So that's about me and why I joined. I want to learn more and find ways to help

my dad,stubborn as he is.

Jyll