SHOOTING FOR NORMAL

     I chose to write about “Designer Babies” for my scientific research paper. Although genetic engineering through gene manipulation is a fairly new development in biomedical technology, I was able to find a lot of valuable information to assist me. As I dug deeper into the subject, I found that it is even more controversial than I had initially thought. I’m sure that it is a provocative issue because of the ethical, legal, moral, religious, and social concerns that it raises.

     Some might even feel that genocide might be an apt term to use when referring to this type of science. When you think about it, those who feel this way may not be too far off the mark. For example, mutated genes have been found to cause inherited diseases, such as breast cancer, epilepsy, sickle-cell anemia, dwarfism, etc. In the science of gene manipulation, once a mutated gene is found in a fertilized embryo, that gene is removed in order to ensure that the child does not inherit the disease. Through the process of germline engineering, (not yet performed on humans), mutated genes can be removed from an entire family line, thereby ending whatever “curse” the family has had to endure.

     This type of science, if it becomes legal, could mean the end of many inherited diseases, but it could also mean the end of certain segments of the population who have inherited particular characteristics from their family line, such as those who are deaf, those who have Down’s syndrome, and those who are considered dwarves; “The Little People”.

     While the opportunity to possibly wipe out numerous disease conditions should not be denied, the truth does seem to be that in using this technology, there truly are some legitimate ethical, moral, and social considerations that must be brought to the table.

Just Do The Math!

I have to admit that I never imagined that I would do as well in school as I have. I am so glad to have made the President’s list twice, so far and the Dean’s list once.  I began school working towards an AAS degree in medical transcription, but I am now thinking of grander plans; a Bachelors in Hospital Administration, perhaps?  Once I’ve earned that, maybe a Master’s in the same field?  Maybe. I’m not sure yet. I think that I would really like administration, but I must confess: my fear of math is holding me back! It’s my understanding that I would have to take several math classes, and  the mere thought of even one math class terrifies me! For medical transcription, I did have to take one math class and somehow pulled a “B”. Sadly, this was the only class in which I received a grade that was less than an “A”. Still, I know I could have done worse. I will have completed my degree in medical transcription in just 7 months, so I do have time to think over my future plans, and also time to try and find the nerve to step outside of my comfort zone and do the math!

Rainia's Legacy

We lost her. We lost Rainia. On Friday January 14, 2011, we lost Rainia.

Rainia was my niece. She was 17-years-old and had the kind of chameleon-like eyes that you rarely see; her eyes seemed to copy whatever color clothing she wore. I used to say that her eyes were a virtual palette of colors; sometimes blue, green, gray, and sometimes even violet. Tall and beautiful, she was, with long light brown hair. She was a straight “A” student until she was about 8 or 9 years old. By then the effects of medication combined with the effects of her lifelong medical condition had begun to take their toll, and she was no longer able to remain a mainstream student.  You see Rainia was an epileptic. She had been having seizures since she was 9 months old. Sometimes she’d experience more than 20 in one day.

 Five years ago we were told about a device called a Vagus Nerve Stimulator. Supposedly this tool could not stop the seizures, but it had the power to not only cut down on the number of seizures that Rainia had in the course of a day, it also was suppose to lessen the severity of them.  We were told that the VNS, a rather small object, would be placed in her chest and wired to her brain. The surgery to insert the device would take a couple of hours, Rainia would be hospitalized for several days for monitoring and then she’d be released. Also, after 5 years she would need to come into the hospital as an outpatient to have the device adjusted because of her advanced age and weight.

We could hardly wait! We thought that once the surgery was performed, surely her worse days were behind her. After many weeks during which rigorous screening was done, finally the big day arrived; they inserted the VNS.

It didn’t take long for us to realize that the surgery made little difference. Rainia continued to have almost as many seizures, and nearly on a daily basis, as she had before. Also, the severity of them did not ease up.

Still, she endured. Actually, she did more than endure. She lived! While it’s true that she lagged mentally, in that she was very childlike, (more like a 12 or 13 year-old), and had to attend “special classes”, by the time she reached high school, she did attend a regular school. She had to wear a helmet for protection and she was escorted to and from each class, first by her loving older brother, and later by her friends. She loved to watch movies, was crazy about the color purple, and she had an afterschool job in a beauty salon that she was very proud of. She participated in studies for people who are afflicted with epilepsy, and she went to camp at Camp Blackhawk for kids like herself for two weeks every summer since she was 12. In October of 2010, she traveled to Effingham Illinois to attend the Statewide Transitional Conference for Special Needs Youth, which spanned three days. She spoke on epilepsy at the conference and participated in a documentary, wrapping it up by recording a video with her mom, my sister Carol.

On January 13, 2011, it was time to adjust the VNS. She had it done on an outpatient basis as planned, and she was later sent home.

She passed away the next morning.

My sister firmly believes in organ donation. People in need will benefit through the donation of some of Rainia’s organs. The Rainia Holmes Scholarship Foundation was  established in January of 2011, and several scholarships have been awarded to deserving students in Rania's name.

She lives on.

SUNNY THURSDAYS

For anyone who has a little spare time on their hands, a caring heart, and who is looking for a way to "give back", I highly recommend volunteering.  I became a volunteer about a year ago and have found that what they say about it is true: it really is a rewarding experience.

I devote about four hours or so every Thursday to the Occupational Medicine Department of a local hospital. My duties are varied but neither difficult nor strenuous. I answer the phone, type up prescriptions, file patient charts, copy important documents, create patient files, greet patients, decorate the office for holidays, make sure our candy dish is always filled with suckers, and I water the office plants. However, out of all the duties that I have in the office, the one that I like best is preparing packages for delivery to Third World countries. We send off just about any medical supply that you can think of: syringes, saline and glucose solutions, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, cotton coils and gauze strips and pads, linen and pillows, towels and toiletry items, and things I've never heard of and cannot properly spell. Unfortunately, these shipments are not made on a daily or even on a weekly basis; in fact, we probably only get to send  them out every couple of months or so. Still, when it's time to make the shipments my Thursdays always shine a little brighter.

During the first week of College Comp. II, I may have mentioned my love of reading. For me, the latest medical thriller, murder mystery, or well-known classic takes precedence over any television show or movie that a theatre has to offer. Wherever I go I take along my latest thriller or classic tale to enjoy as I wait in long lines at the doctor’s office or perhaps at the DMV. As an adult, one of the first purchases I made for my very first apartment was a bookcase. By then I had accumulated so many books that I actually needed several to hold them. Every night since I first learned to read, my favorite thing to do has been to curl up with a good book and read myself to sleep. Unfortunately the cost of a hardcover book has skyrocketed along with every other consumer good you can think of. A year or two ago when the Nook and the Kindle electronic book readers came on the scene, I said that I could barely wait to get my hands on one. The lightweight portability of an E-Reader excited me almost as much as the fact that it was simply a new toy in the form of my number one pastime. Also, the average cost of an electronic book is approximately one third of the cost of a regular book. With all of these pluses in mind, I was just about ready to launch myself into the new world of electronic reading. I could just see myself, totally engrossed in book after book purchased at considerably discounted prices. But then I realized that I had doubts; could I curl up with a Kindle the way I do with a “real” book? Could I nestle with a Nook while all snug in my bed? For me the answer is no. It just wouldn’t be the same. I guess I’m just old-school, you know?    

LET'S HEAR IT FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

The benefits that higher education can provide are enormous.  A well-educated person is much more likely to end up with a higher paying job, not to mention a better and healthier lifestyle and better self esteem to boot. Needless to say, people who earn at least a bachelor’s degree stand a better chance of improving their lives overall than those who only hold a high school diploma. The addition of a master’s degree and perhaps a doctorate, of course, only serve to enhance one’s prospects for a better life even more. Although, most of us have always been aware of this, many of us are simply tired of the educational scene once we finish high school. Then, because we are not qualified, we sometimes are forced to accept menial jobs rather than the choice jobs we would prefer. I think that if we all viewed education as the priority that it is throughout our lives, we would be better off.

IT'S TIME TO GIVE THE DECORATIONS A REST!

Greetings Everyone.

I enjoy the holidays as much as, or perhaps more than, the next person. Also, I particularly love the kinder gentler spirit that seems to overtake so many of us during that special season. Like most people, I like to decorate my home and I enjoy taking a ride to view the bright and shiny decorations of my neighbors. Sadly, Christmas is over and it won't be back for approximately 11 months.  However, it's apparent in many neighborhoods here in suburban Chicago, that some people either aren't aware that the holidays are over, or they simply don't care.  Not only do I see block after block of homes where the Christmas decorations are still in place, but some actually are displayed with lights still aglow!  Christmas is gone for now, people, so give the decorations a rest!