As mothers, all we want is for our kids to be happy and healthy, right? And I think it’s safe to say that we’d do pretty much anything in the world to ensure their well being and safety, even if it means putting ourselves in harm’s way.

A woman in the U.K. named Sarah Brook was put to the ultimate test when she had to choose between possibly saving her own life or saving the life of her unborn baby. When she was six months pregnant with her daughter, she got the devastating news that she was battling bowel cancer. She’d been suffering from back aches and morning sickness, which are two symptoms that can typically be attributed to pregnancy — and she was no doubt shocked when she learned that she actually had a life threatening disease.

Sarah was faced with a gut wrenching dilemma when she had to choose whether to start chemotherapy and risk the life of her baby, or to delay treatment altogether in the hopes that her child might live.

Ultimately, she decided that the life of her baby was more important than her own, so she put off chemo and wound up delivering her baby girl, Polly Jean, premature at 27 weeks. 

The baby is now 4 weeks old, and her condition is improving — and odds are good that she will go on to lead a full and happy life. but sadly, 32-year-old Sarah is nearing the end of her fight. the cancer has spread to her lungs, pancreas, neck, and intestines. And this is a battle she knows she isn’t going to win. Doesn’t that make you want to break down and cry? This is seriously one of the most heartbreaking and unfair things I’ve ever heard of a mother having to go through.

Holding her tiny baby in her arms and knowing that she won’t live to see her grow up is beyond devastating. but at the same time, I can’t help but feel inspired by her selflessness and her incredible love and devotion for her child. I mean, the thought must have crossed her mind more than once that delaying her treatment may cost her the ultimate price, but she still chose to put the health of her child above her own survival. if that doesn’t speak volumes about the level of unconditional love in her heart, then I don’t know what does.

Knowing her time with her baby girl is running out, I’m sure she’s savoring every single second she has to cuddle her, smell her tiny, perfect little head, and tell her how much she loves her. This little girl may not remember her mother growing up, but hearing the story of the incredible sacrifice she made will remind her of just how much she loved and cherished her — even before she was born.

I only hope that Sarah can find some peace in the fact that she saved her baby’s life, and that her legacy will live on in her daughter forever.

What would you do if you were faced with a decision like Sarah’s?

Image via Family O’Abé/Flickr

Today it’s estimated that 1 in every 110 children is diagnosed with some form of autism. That’s more than cancer, juvenile diabetes, and pediatric AIDS combined. That’s too many, and no doubt a huge source of concern for parents who wonder if their child will be affected by this strange and mysterious disorder that can have devastating effects for life.

Everyone has an idea of what autism looks like, and many of us study our children for any telltale signs of it. The problem is that many of the symptoms alone are perfectly normal in children, but it’s a collection of them together that can indicate autism. For example, my son loved ceiling fans, which worried me to no end because I’d read that a fascination with ceiling fans could indicate autism. In our case, he just so happened to like fans, but otherwise developed typically.

While it can be difficult to balance watchfulness and worry when it comes to our children’s health, it’s important to know what to look for because early intervention can be so vital in the treatment of autism. No two children with autism are exactly the same, but here’s a list from the Mayo Clinic of 18 common traits of children with autism that encompass social skills, behavior, and language.

1. Fails to respond to his or her name

2. Has poor eye contact

3. Appears not to hear you at times

4. Resists cuddling and holding

5. Appears unaware of others’ feelings

6. Seems to prefer playing alone — retreats into his or her “own world”

7. Starts talking later than age 2, and has other developmental delays by 30 months

8. Loses previously acquired ability to say words or sentences

9. Doesn’t make eye contact when making requests

10. Speaks with an abnormal tone or rhythm — may use a singsong voice or robot-like speech

11. Can’t start a conversation or keep one going

12. May repeat words or phrases verbatim, but doesn’t understand how to use them

13. Performs repetitive movements, such as rocking, spinning, or hand-flapping

14. Develops specific routines or rituals

15. becomes disturbed at the slightest change in routines or rituals

17. May be fascinated by parts of an object, such as the spinning wheels of a toy car

18. May be unusually sensitive to light, sound, and touch and yet oblivious to pain

It’s a good list to be familiar with, not to obsess over but to help you identify any red flags. The site provides other helpful information about the disorder as well. If you have any concerns, however, the best thing to do is contact your doctor. Sitting home and obsessing over things like ceiling fans isn’t going to do anyone any good.

Do you worry about symptoms of autism in your child?

Image via Beverly & Pack/Flickr

Hormone replacement therapy for men is still a relatively new treatment. However, more and more conventional doctors now acknowledge that many men go through a stage in life which is similar, in many ways, to the female menopause. Not only does it occur at a similar age to the female menopause, but many of the symptoms are surprisingly similar too.

The female menopause is defined as the time when a woman’s periods stop. this is preceded by a period of time called the perimenopause and this is when the main symptoms occur. there is no such defining point for men, as testosterone production can carry on into old age although there is no doubt that it can decrease significantly in some men from the age of forty onwards.

Symptoms Of the Male Menopause

* Weakness * Fatigue * Lack of interest in life * Erection difficulties * Lowered sex drive * Irritability * Depression

Diagnosis Of the Male Menopause

A doctor will usually ask about the symptoms being experienced and perform a physical examination to check that there is no other underlying cause. Once everything else is ruled out, the doctor may arrange for a blood test to be done which will check on the level of testosterone and the general levels of other hormones within the body.

Hormone Replacement Therapy For Men

If testosterone therapy is decided to be the most appropriate treatment, this can be given by injection or by a patch. there are some side effects related to the use of testosterone and these include weight gain and water retention, swollen ankles, headaches and reduced fertility. it is unsuitable for men with a history of heart disease or high blood pressure and should never be given to anyone who has suffered from prostrate cancer or who has a family history of the disease.

Often doctors may decide to treat the symptoms of the male menopause individually should hormone replacement therapy not be the best option. For example, antidepressants may be prescribed.

The Alternative To Hormone Replacement Therapy For Men

There is another option which is gaining widespread popularity and has been shown to be more effective for both men and women in treating hormone deficiencies.

As with the female menopause, the male menopause is caused exclusively by an imbalance in hormonal levels and there is an exceptional level of interest in a new method of rebalancing hormones naturally rather than using replacement therapy which does have potential side effects.

There have been exciting results when used instead of hormone replacement therapy for men, with many claiming that their unpleasant symptoms are completely eradicated within a very short time. Best of all, this method of treatment is completely risk free and works to enhance overall good health without any potential side effects or risks.

If you would like to see full details of exactly how this treatment could work for you, check out the link below.

Rebalance Hormones Naturally

The full package consists of 6 audios of a minimum of 45 minutes each plus a study guide and a comprehensive book which you can get as an immediate bonus download.

If you are considering testosterone replacement, it makes complete sense to give this healthy alternative hormone replacement therapy for men a try first. if it doesn’t work for you, you get your money back-no questions asked.

Check it out here

Author: Carole HopkinsArticle Source: EzineArticles.comHow Electric Pressure Cookers WorkSimilar Articles:

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• Alternatives for Hormone Replacement Therapy
• Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and the Menopausal Hormone
• How Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy Is used To Treat Menopause

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