I came from my friends house yesterday (him and his brother were sick but didnt have strep throat) and today i started feeling light headed on the computer. Then when i tried swallowing my spit, i couldnt the first time then succeeded the second time. Now the back of my mouth feels weak (when i try to swallow i feel the weakness). do i have very early sypmtoms of strep throat or could it just be a regular old cold?

Unless your throat is swolen and red, you do not sound like you have symptoms of strep.

Gavin’s story: A mother’s crusade against pertussis May 8th, 2011 @ 10:00pm by Jennifer Stagg

SALT LAKE CITY — most new parents try to take every precaution with their newborns, staying away from anyone who may be sick and keeping everything clean. But what if you as the parent are carrying the very thing that could kill your infant?

The Norton family suffered a terrible loss from a disease they didn’t even think was a threat.

Pertussis, known more commonly as whooping cough, is a disease that is highly contagious and one of the most preventable with regular vaccinations. The disease is usually mild in adults, but can be deadly for infants.

Richie and Natalie Norton believe each of their four sons were born with a purpose. and on the day their youngest, Gavin, entered the world, they had no way of knowing just how significant — and brief — his life would be.

“With each of our children, we felt something different at their birth,” Natalie said, “And Gavin, we just felt absolute joy — just elation.”

Gavin David Bruce Norton was named after Natalie’s younger brother, who had passed away at age 21. Natalie was particularly cautious with her new son.

Whooping cough symptoms The symptoms of whooping cough usually occur in two stages.

• First stageRunny nosesneezingPossibly low-grade fever
• Second stageUncontrolled coughing spells or fitsPossible whooping noise when child breathes inCan last for 6-10 weeks

If your child has these symptoms keep them home and contact your health care provider.

The Norton’s planned to travel from their home in Hawaii to visit family in Utah when Gavin was two months old. to make sure he was healthy, Natalie visited her doctor who gave Gavin a clean bill of health and the green light for the trip.

The Norton’s traveled to Utah, believing that everything was fine. About a week into their trip, Gavin developed a cough.

Concerned, they took Gavin to a doctor who told them it was RSV, but Gavin’s condition quickly declined. They rushed him to the emergency room at Primary Children’s Medical Center.

“It was horrifying and very scary,” Richie described. “But at the same time, we just had all the faith in the world that he was going to be fine — we were going to be leaving — but that’s not the way it happened.”

Doctors diagnosed 8-week-old Gavin with Pertussis.

It wasn’t something the Norton’s knew much about. and it would turn their healthy, perfect newborn into an infant fighting for his life.

Watching their son’s condition move from a cough to being placed in the pediatric intensive care unit was absolutely horrifying, Natalie related.

Desperate for a miracle, Natalie, a photographer, poured her heart into her blog and strangers from around the world listened.

“We were getting messages from one man in Istanbul,” Richie stated. “He said he stayed up all night praying for our baby. We got messages from Ireland and Australia — anywhere in the world you can think of.

Natalie continued: “People were telling us they hadn’t prayed in years and here they were praying for the first time all over this sweet little boy.”

Doctors tried their hardest to save little Gavin’s life, but the Norton’s came to believe that there was a different plan for their baby.

And at 10 weeks old, they watched him quietly slip away.

“For a moment, it was as if the heavens opened and we just could really feel — I guess — love, for him and his life,” Richie said.

“We snuggled him and we sang to him,” Natalie added, “and we said goodbye.”

The Nortons learned that for all of their precautions, pertussis was in Gavin’s system before they ever left their home in Hawaii.

When Natalie gave birth, she had a little bit of a cold. There was a high probability that Natalie passed pertussis on to Gavin, which is something that no mother wants to think about.

According to the Sounds of Pertussis Campaign, 80 percent of the time, babies contract pertussis from their parent or caregiver.

What many people don’t realize is that vaccines lose their effectiveness over time. Individuals, especially parents, should be updating their vaccines to ensure that they do not contract a previously vaccinated disease.

The Norton’s are now passionate spokespeople for the Sounds of Pertussis. They want every adult to get their T-Dap vaccination — including every new mother — before they leave the hospital with their baby.

“Being a mom, standing and watching, and there’s nothing you can do, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone,” Natalie described. “And if all it takes is a little shot to protect us, it’s absolutely worth it.”

Gavin was buried next to the uncle he was named after.

His parents stress the importance of education — other babies will live because of the Norton’s loss.

Despite the heartache the Norton’s have experienced, Natalie believes that there is one message that everyone should know.

“I really truly believe with all my heart that Gavin’s purpose was to help people know that they have a Father in Heaven who loves them.”

Gavin was born on October 24th, 2009 and passed away on January 7th, 2010.

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My boyfriend has recently been experiencing pain, redness, and slight swelling in his foot and ankle. Both his dad and his brother have suffered from blood clots. What tests can he have done to see if that is what is causing his problems? Also, do these sound like DVT symptoms?

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Last June while on vacation with his family, 3-year-old Austin Jones suddenly became ill with flu-like symptoms. the young boy’s parents, Cortney and Ben Jones, became concerned when he was not recovering. after many visits, doctors discovered that Austin had contracted E. coli, which was weakening his digestive system and attacking his kidneys.   he was soon diagnosed with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Austin needed to be on dialysis daily and his parents started looking for a kidney transplant. Cortney was a close match and pegged as the likely donor.  in early March the family hit a bump in the road. Cortney had stones in both kidneys and could no longer donate a kidney to her son.   Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking news alerts delivered right to your inbox. the bad news sent the family scrambling while Austin’s situation was in disarray. Luckily, help came calling, and it was close to home.   Austin’s uncle, Jacob Jones, was a near-perfect match.   “I was really disappointed, but it gave me a lot of hope when, in the same moment that I found out that I was not able to give my kidney, they informed me that my brother-in-law was a good match,” Cortney said.  

There are more CT scans set for Jacob, which should answer whether or not he can help his nephew. if the tests come out positive, Austin will be able to have a functioning kidney and carry on a more normal life.   “I want to do this for the family. I have to do this,” said Jacob, a 25-year-old law student at Arizona State University.   a life-threatening kidney condition is a struggle for anybody, but for a young boy it poses a special challenge.   “He doesn’t like going to dialysis, and he tells me he doesn’t want to go” Cortney said.   this situation has been difficult for his sister Emma as well.   “This whole thing has been really hard on her, but she is doing remarkably well,” said Cortney.   Cortney and Ben estimate the cost of the transplant and post care are more than $50,000. Post care expenses include anti-rejection medication and regular doctor visits. in order to alleviate some of the financial burden, the Jones family has found creative ways to raise money.   “We are selling shirts, bracelets. Volunteers are having a dinner auction in New York, family and friends are doing one in Washington and people are doing car washes in Thousand Oaks,” Cortney said.   So far Cortney and Ben have raised nearly $10,000 with the help of Children’s Organ Transplant Organization, church members and friends. even though $10,000 seems like a big chunk, they still need about $40,000 more. in the near future Cortney plans to put together a local fundraiser that would take place after Austin’s transplant to further aid in the medical costs.   To contribute to Austin’s care, click here. Read more about Austin’s story here.

I owe my ability to laugh at almost any obstacle to my brothers. when your family has autism in it, you have to laugh. Sometimes that is the only option. my brother Lance was diagnosed with autism and bi-polar disorder at a very young age. this combination gives you an OCD, manic depressive, non sleeping, sensory deprived child. Sounds like fun right?

Lance was an escape artist. he was never running away, he was always going to the park, looking for the “yellow dragons” (construction equipment), or looking for his Dad. We had alarms on his bedroom door and his window (on the second floor) was nailed shut and the handle was removed. this was done after he found a way to open the window and jumped out, twice! The first time he got out at night he was picked up by the police. when we discovered he was gone it was mass panic. Mom called the police while Dad and I searched the neighborhood. The police brought him home, he was fine. They would have brought him home sooner, but when they asked Lance what his name was, he answered very sincerely, “Pinocchio”. The police officer then asked what his Daddy’s name was, which Lance logically replied “Geppetto”. Needless to say the officer did not have a home address for Pinocchio or Geppetto.

One night, Lance was about 10 years old, he would not go to sleep. he was having a bi-polar episode which made his emotions swing from one extreme to another. Screaming and punching walls to manic laughter. he finally grew quiet and everyone was able to go to sleep In the middle of the night he woke up Mom and Grandma, who was visit from Oregon at the time,yelling that he was stuck. Mom got to the room first and found Lance dangling from the window sill. he had somehow gotten his window slightly open and tried to climb out, all he was able to get through the small gap was one foot, the rest of him was hanging upside down. Grandma kept yelling “call 911, call 911!” Mom disappeared into her room, Grandma thought she was calling 911 until Mom reappeared with the handle to Lance’s window.

After much ado Lance was finally freed with very little damage. Not feeling like they could trust Lance in his room alone again, Mom and Grandma place him on the couch with his blanket, watching him sleep while they got none. The next morning Lance woke up happy as a lark. he turned to Grandma and said, “Grandma, what a pretty nightgown.” Completely exhausted they could laugh or cry, they chose to laugh, a lot.

When autism and families are together laughter is the best medicine.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Cargile

I know a 15 year old with Autism who recently does not like anything about his 12 year old sister. when she walks in the room, he blows the air to get rid of her germs and will not be close to her at all. He will not talk to her, will not use the same bathroom as she does, does not like the sound of her voice, etc. He pretty much does not like her at all. He is fine with his 10 year old brother and his parents and even anyone else that he may come into contact with. this, of course, is very upsetting to his sister. She wants to look up to her older brother so much but it is so hard for her right now. you can imagine how hard this is for her and the rest of the family. Does anyone have any ideas as to why this troubles him so much? it has only surfaced within the last 2 years or so.

most autistics have a social isolation problem, and tend to be isolated from the world. unfotunately, autistics do not know much difference between bullies and "good" people, so he might have accidentally mistaken his sister as a bully.

Autism or adolescence?
Only based on this fact, seems adolescence rather than autism.
Quite natural, take it easy.

13 March 2011 last updated at 20:09 ET Share this page Laurie Whelan: Helping further cancer research

When Laurie Whelan's brother "bullied" him into going for a prostate cancer check, the retired scientist was unconvinced.

Despite both his brothers having been diagnosed with the cancer, he had no obvious symptoms and did not believe it could happen to him.

Even his GP was sceptical, telling him the condition did not run in families.

But, as Laurie was to learn for himself, we now know that's not the case.

What is more, Laurie, and his three sons are helping to track down the genetic flaws that give some men a higher chance of developing the disease.

They are taking part in a new study to investigate whether we have enough knowledge of the genetics of prostate cancer to screen men with a strong family history.

Laurie's son Tim, aged 49 and from London, says: "there aren't that many people with such a strong family history

"It's one of those diseases that because it's a bit embarrassing, no-one knows about it. when my dad asked me to join the study I was happy to help."

Prostate cancer – the most common cancer in men – has cast a shadow over two generations of the Whelan family.

Both of Laurie's brothers were diagnosed with the condition in their fifties. they later died from unrelated conditions.

It was Laurie's younger brother, who was diagnosed in 1997, who persuaded Laurie to see his GP.

"My brother told me it was likely to be genetic and to get tested. he bullied me – so I finally got the test and I did have it."

The cancer was already fairly advanced, and surgery was not an option. so he was given hormone therapy in a bid to shrink the tumour, followed by radiotherapy.

Laurie is now 82, and in good health.

When he was invited to take part in the study, he had no hesitation.

"I'm very pleased to take part in it," says Laurie, who lives in London. "it is a good thing to help further the cause.

"also I am being monitored more closely than I otherwise would."

Like other participants in the study, he has had his DNA tested for the 31 known genetic variants linked to a higher risk of prostate cancer.

Having one of these genes gives only a tiny added risk, but when combined they can add up to higher risks.

Professor Ros Eeles from the Institute of Cancer Research is leading the study, known as PROFILE.

She says: "this study will show us whether we have enough knowledge about prostate cancer genetics to help find men at higher risk of the disease, and whether we should therefore start screening these men.

"Screening men at higher risk could potentially lead to earlier diagnoses, which would improve their chances of a cure."

Men taking part in the study give a blood sample, from which DNA is extracted.

Scientists then screen for genes known to raise the risk of prostate cancer.

Men with a higher risk are offered a biopsy to check for cancer. they also have a blood test to look at levels of prostate specific antigen – PSA.

The aim is to see whether genetic profiling can help give a better picture of men at high risk of prostate cancer, when combined with the current screening method of a PSA test and sometimes a biopsy.

The PROFILE study is open in London, and will eventually be extended to Oxford and Cambridge. Men aged between 40 and 69 with a family history of prostate cancer are invited to apply. More information is available on the Everyman Male Cancer Campaign website.

Bolton-le-Sands pensioner and her dog hit the road

3:26pm Tuesday 1st February 2011

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A PENSIONER and her dog are to hit the highway for a 97-mile walk to raise cash for research into a cancer which killed her mum and brother.

Retired school teacher Kate Hardcastle has set her sights on making £20,000 for Pancreatic Cancer UK since the double deaths from pancreatic cancer in her family.

Kate, 67, from Bolton-le-Sands, who is also at risk of developing the disease, has already raised more than £12,000 for the cause and hopes that the money will enable scientists to develop a testing kit for the cancer, which kills 97 per cent of people who develop it.

Kate, who is no stranger to long road trips having completed a 700-mile bus trip across the country in 2009 for the cause – will set off on February 20 with four-year-old border collie Goldie.

on the 11-day walk from Carnforth to Whitehaven Kate will leave a purple balloon, with the name of a victim of pancreatic cancer, at each mile interval she walks.

she said: “I wanted to do something to help and so I contacted Pancreatic Cancer UK and then I started fund-raising and last year I did a fundraising activity nearly everyday which included all sorts such as carboots and book sales. I am doing everything I can.”

she said Goldie ‘loves’ taking part and likes the strokes, tickles and attention she gets along the way.

Kate’s mother Marguerite died aged 90 in 1996 and her brother Terry aged 70 in 2008 and Kate told the Gazette: “When my brother was diagnosed it hit me like a rock. Mum had already died of Pancreatic cancer and so I felt guilty as looking back he had the same symptoms – including indigestion , being sick and back ache.

“ I would have thought I would have noticed the symptoms and was devasted I did not,” said Kate, who was a walk-on extra on Emmerdale.

she said that because the symptoms were like everyday complaints that GPs often failed to notice the cancer in it’s early days.

Kate is currently having her own home, which she is leaving to the charity when she dies, revamped to turn it into the Marguerite Terry House – a holiday home for pancreatic cancer victims.

Michelle Hughes, manager of Barclay’s Bank in Carnforth, who along with colleagues from the bank will join Kate on the walk, said that she had been touched by Kate’s determination.

“I was not aware that there was a high death rate and I don’t think people are as aware of it as other cancers.

“What Kate is doing is amazing. she is a one-man band has has done really well and we wanted to give her support from a big name in the community,” she added.

anyone wanting to sponsor Kate can log onto justgiving.com/katehardcastle2 or call her on 01524-823080.

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My Brother told me today that my mum might have lung cancer but ive not said anything.. and he sed she was telling him and my dad because she is coughing up blood etc.. and he sed if she has it she might not have long to live.. my mum is everything to me… soo is there a cure or anything? im really worried :'( x

Hi, I'm really sorry to hear that take a look at this link it has loads of info macmillan.org.uk/Cancerinform… I hope she's ok x

Got lung cancer 5 years ago, i had a lung resection ,which is just cutting out the infected part( 1/2 of one lung), i was in and out of hospital in 4 1/2 days, i was 45 at the time so not that young and then i had chemotherapy for 3 months and have been clear ever since. i started going out jogging and excercising and now my lungs are in better condition than when i was 30, i did smoke for 30 odd years but not since the surgery, so there is hope for your mum, make sure she does what the docs say, chemo is brutal but works,or it did for me so good luck and god bless