STEM CELL RESEARCH/TO MARY C.

[Guest guest]

Dear C.

I hope your daughter gets better...she has my prayers....You have hit upon a topic that I am also puzzled about ...stem cell research.....I know that cord blood from newborn babies is chock full of stem cells and can be used for research ......yet these umbilical cords are thrown away as medical waste by the millions, everyday!! Unless the Parent specifically ask that the cord blood be saved.

I think there should be a law that all cord blood be saved in a Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank.....Or at least the Parents should be told of this Option.....most people just don't know of it.

I hope I haven't crossed the line about what is acceptable for the group....I just question the laws about stem cell research.when there is plenty of unassigned stem cells being trashed that could save peoples lives and cure illnesses.

C.

To Mojo - Re Creainine

Dear Mojo . . . Yes, a 4.9 creatinine is very high and definitely awarning sign. In Jane's case this rejection episode is treated withlarge infusions of solumedrol (sp?), which is some sort of high poweredsteroid, to try to jump- start the kidney. This kidney, which is hersecond one,was already 25% necrosed when this current high creatininestarted so we don't know how much more damage there is. If the kidneyfails, she'll go back on dialysis which she dreads. She was on dialysis22 months before her first transplant (kidney/pancreas) and 8 monthsafter the first kidney failed before she received the second kidney.She will go back on the list for another transplant if she loses thisone. For some utterly wonderful reason the pancreas has hung on througheverything and completely eliminated the diabetes. Also, although shedreads dialysis, she realizes its lifesaving qualities and knows peoplewho are on dialysis permanently because they aren't qualified for atransplant. Both of her sisters offered her a kidney but were turned downbecause of protein in the urine which neither had any notion she had andwere told it wasn't a problem at that time but could be a problem in thefuture. They were both stunned to know this because both look healthyand feel healthy. Both of Jane's donor's were victims of brain bleeds,both were women, and Jane has always felt unbelievably grateful for thefamilies of these women who allowed their mother's organs to be donated.From the first woman, two people received her kidneys, several receivedparts of her liver, skin, and other organs. These organs have given lifeto many people and all recipients are truly humbled by this sacrifice.It's just that some organs are stronger than others and some recipientsare more successful at "hanging on" to the new organs. What will "cure" these failed organs will be, and could be now, theintroduction of stem cells. But the politics and religious fervor inthis country have blocked this life-saving treatment and people dieevery day waiting for an available organ because there are so few. Janehas been fortunate to have received two already. But a stem celltransplant would regenerate the organ and also would require noimmuno-suppressant drugs. This is the treatment of the future but Godonly knows how long it will take to get the idea across to the uptight,hidebound folks on the far right who look at the whole thing as the"work of the devil". They would quickly change their tune if they had achild who needed a transplant. Or a spouse. Or a parent. Jane takes ahandful of drugs twice a day, including prednisone. The drugs improveall the time but are still hard on the system and leave the patientswith no immunity. For now though, they are lifesavers despite the awfulside effects some people suffer. And yes, she gets cranky and aggressive sometimes when the toxinsbuild up in her blood while the creatinine is rising and she doesn'tknow it. Also some of the drugs cause problems with personality changesespecially at first. Sometimes I marvel at how strong the human bodycan be. When I see what she's been through and still maintains a goodattitude (most of the time) I have toknow there's more fight in us than seems possible sometimes. You asked me some powerful questions and you cn see it put me on mysoapbox. I appreciate the chance to talk about transplants since ourfamily has been impacted seriously in watching Jane get her life backtwice. Now we may be in need of a third miracle. You hang on to your kidneys. Sounds as if you're on the right trackand have earned the "kidney purple heart" for a battle well fought. Lots of love, C "The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/lupies