Tag Archives: disease

RootsWeb Has List of Old Names For Diseases

Sometimes, your genealogy research can lead you directly into a mystery. You finally found the death certificate for your ancestor. Or, you located a newspaper clipping that shows the obituary of your ancestor. You can read what disease your ancestor died from, but don’t have a clue what that disease actually was. How can you learn more? RootsWeb has an excellent list of the old names for diseases. You’ve been keeping track of the health issues of your ancestors, in order to put together a medical form of your family tree. The problem is that your ancestor died from a … Continue reading →

A Disease of Epidemic Proportions

There is an epidemic in our society. A severe disease threatens our society. You might think cancer, Alzheimer’s, heart disease and yes, they all exist, but none of them are the disease I’m talking about. It’s one that affects people of all ages. This disease is probably one you or I have experienced at some point in our lives. Maybe even at the present time. The disease which has reached epidemic proportions is loneliness. I’ve been reading Radical Reformission by Mark Driscoll recently. He says ‘many people are lonely and lack the community gathering points in which they can make … Continue reading →

Fighting for Peace

As my family was remembering 9/11 this week, I have been pondering peace and what it means to me in my life, both as an American, and as a mother. I think that for me, peace is freedom from fear. If I had absolute peace of mind, I wouldn’t have to worry about my children going to school and being potential targets of assassins or terrorists. I wouldn’t have to agonize over their health and wonder how disease might negatively affect their lives. I’d never worry that people could bully or take advantage of them. And I’d be free from … Continue reading →

Recommended Vaccines For Adults

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Regular immunizations have virtually wiped out diseases that used to cause serious problems in the general population. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommend several vaccinations for adults. Tetanus/Diphtheria (also known as Td) — protects against tetanus (lockjaw) and diphtheria. The initial vaccination is a three dose series. The first dose now, the second dose four weeks later, and the third dose six to twelve months after the second. Adults also need a booster shot every ten years or so. Influenza (also known as the flu shot) — a yearly vaccination to protect against the flu. Recommended for adults over … Continue reading →

Celebrities Putting A Famous Face On Diabetes

November is American Diabetes Month. For those of you unfamiliar with the disease, diabetes is a serious condition that affects the body’s ability to produce or respond properly to insulin, a hormone that allows blood glucose (sugar) to enter the cells of the body and be used for energy. According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly 21 million children and adults in the U.S. have the disease. It is the fifth deadliest disease in the U.S. and it has no cure. Families.com has an incredible diabetes advocate in our own blogger, Kristyn Crow. You can read her many excellent blogs … Continue reading →

Combating the Black Spot

In a previous blog I shared a story about my grandfather’s award-winning roses. I also shared memories of the countless days I spent helping him cultivate his prize-winning specimens. He poured so much time and energy into creating those spectacular rose gardens, but his efforts went beyond physically tending to the fragrant flowers. He also spent hours sitting on his recliner reading books about roses. His research helped him create the right environment to maximize growth and it also taught him how to identify and combat a rose bush’s many “enemies.” One of the most common and problematic diseases facing … Continue reading →

How You Can Help the Sick and Suffering

Imagine getting some test results at the doctor’s office, and learning that you have an incurable illness. (It could happen to any of us.) Suddenly, you want to know what research is being done and how you can get well. What if you knew that cures were on the horizon, but people just aren’t that interested in getting involved? My good friend and mentor, author Rick Walton, recently learned he had Parkinson’s disease. Just prior to this diagnosis, his four-year-old son was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. With all of these life changes, Rick is taking up the cause of encouraging … Continue reading →

Oranges and Ball Machines: My Training in Caring for My Son’s Diabetes

In the lobby of the Children’s Hospital and Health Center of San Diego there used to be a rather fantastic ball machine. After arriving with his suitcase packed, a somewhat bewildered Garrett stopped to watch the balls in the machine as they rolled around the mini-tracks, up and down, activating spinners and gadgets. It was difficult pulling him away from it. But we checked in, and Garrett was given a patient wrist band. We were directed to his room, which was ready and waiting. A nurse met us and drew Garrett’s blood, much to his displeasure. We tried to situate … Continue reading →

Crossing the “Why” River

As we struggle with parenting special kids, I think there’s a wide, raging river we need to cross. The river is called, “Why?” The “Why River” extends from the banks of injustice to the shores of acceptance. On one side is a dark and frightening forest with rising mists; this is where we now stand. On the other side is an open sunny valley with occasional rain. Flowers grow there. It’s peaceful and tranquil. That’s the place we want to be, and yet, there’s that river. The thing is, you can’t cross the river, because it’s too wide and treacherous. … Continue reading →

How I Learned my Son has Juvenile Diabetes: Garrett’s Story

Garrett, about a year after his diagnosis It started with a passing thought that my son seemed rather thin. Garrett had just turned seven, and had always been a slender, active child. But as he was coming out of the bath one evening, his shoulder blades stuck out noticeably. A few days later, a friend commented, “Wow, he’s a really skinny kid, isn’t he?” I started making a conscious effort to be sure he ate his dinner and had plenty of helpings of dessert. But it didn’t make an obvious difference. Still, despite his low weight, he was happy, playful, … Continue reading →