November is Alpha-1 Awareness Month!

As many of you know I started writing this blog to share the journey my family is on dealing with Alpha-1  Antitrypsin Deficiency. Alpha-1 is a genetic condition that is passed on by parents to their children through their genes and can cause serious liver disease in children and liver and/or lung disease in adults. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein that is produced mostly in the liver. Its primary function is to protect the lungs from neutrophil elastase. Neutrophil elastase is an enzyme that normally serves a useful purpose in lung tissue-it digests damaged or aging cells and bacteria to promote healing. However, if left unchecked, it will also attack healthy lung tissue. Alpha-1 antitrypsin, in sufficient amounts, will trap and destroy neutrophil elastase before it has a chance to begin damaging the delicate lung tissue. Consequently, if an individual doesn't have enough alpha-1 antitrypsin, the enzyme goes unchecked and attacks the lung.  My Dad was diagnosed in 2008 and my Dad and our family have been fighting the ups and downs of the journey since. Some days are easier then others but we stick together through it all and try to make the best of the situations that may be thrown our way. We have had the opportunity to do many amazing things since my Dad's diagnosis. Some things we originally thought would be impossible but later realized with some modifications and good planning they could be done.  Alpha-1 doesn't have to take over your life, you can keep on living, just with modifications. We have been lucky enough to be able to take a trip to California and travel to other places we love dearly since his diagnosis. Sometimes these trips can be difficult with medicine, oxygen and the traveling but we make it work and will continue to for as long as we can. November is Alpha-1 Awareness month.  As part of Alpha-1 Awareness month I will be posting information and personal stories about my family and my journey with Alpha-1. This year is the 50th anniversary of Alpha's discovery and it's time to get the word out and begin to find a cure.
My Family in Yosemite National Park. 

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