Re: Digest Number 3252

[Guest guest]

Dear Malisa,

I had two pregnancies. It was difficult for me to become pregnant and I

nearly lost both pregnancies. The first was nearly fatal. I had placenta

previa,

toxemia, was in and out of the hospital and bedridden after the first 3

months. In spite of everything my daughter was a preemie. She was in the

intensive care nursery for several weeks after birth. Even after she was able

to come

home she required a great deal more attention than a full term baby. My

second pregnancy was no better and included diabetes as well as everything else.

Again my son was a preemie. He was no sooner out of intensive care and home 2

weeks than he developed a collapsed lung and a fulminating pneumonia. Back

to the hospital for several more weeks. He was fragile until he was 4 years

old when we finally decided he might survive. To this day, at 26, he is still

prone to pneumonia, has a learning difficulty and all the telltale signs of

MELAS. My daughter was stronger but developed skoliosis and kyphosis by the

time

she was 11. She has had reproductive problems since the onset of menses.

In the days of my pregnancies mitochondrial disease were not diagnosed. Had

I known, I would not have had children but adopted. My daughter will adopt.

My son is considering the no children route, not because he will transmit the

disease (He won't) but is concerned that he may not be able to fulfill the

lifelong obligations of rearing children.

This is a nasty disease and until there is some alternative way for

treating/preventing it, careful thought must go into the additional reproductive

responsibilities it carries. I find myself alternatively angry, sad, and

frustrated

about the disease as I read the trials of the members of this list and cope

with my own problems. All of you are remarkable people and have a great deal

to offer society as do both of my children. Unfortunately the other side of

the coin is a painful, burdensome, and destructive disease.

a

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/16/2004 12:04:52 PM Eastern Standard Time,

pattengale@... writes:

This is a nasty disease and until there is some alternative way for

treating/preventing it, careful thought must go into the additional

reproductive

responsibilities it carries.

Hi & a,

Thanks for sharing your experiences with your pregnancies. It helps to hear

what others have gone through. a, I am 26 yrs old as well....how affected

is your son? Has he had symptoms since birth? Is he mildy affected?

Malisa