Grandparenting/parenting situations:

• Grandchildren living with grandparents and parents in a multigenerational household, as has been the case in our home, for 13 years.
• Grandparents caring for grandchildren temporarily when there has been a parent illness or parent(s) away on military or job assignment
• Grandparents babysitting while parents work.
• Grandparents having adopted or acquired guardianship of grandchildren because the parents have died or cannot care for the children.
• Some combination of these situations.

Sometimes the care of grandchildren can curtail one’s life and be regarded as an inconvenience.  However, my husband and I have found the rewards far outweigh everything else.  Our life has been far from boring with grandchildren and their activities revolving around us and often involving us.

Our household soon will decrease in number when our granddaughter goes to college in the fall.  Already this 18-year old has become very independent and able to make decisions.  (This is good because we know she’s ready for life away from home, as our daughter was at that age.)

We’ll still have a teenaged grandson in the house, but our home will take on a different definition.  We’ll learn the enjoyments of this, too.

What have been your experiences with your grandchildren? I’ll write more about ours in a future post.

Image: Newscom

Post from: Blisstree

When Grandparents Parent

In addition to being the first day of Spring, today is my granddaughter’s 18th birthday, a time for her to spring into adulthood.   She’s looking forward to graduation from high school and entering college, venturing into that world away from home.

She also is a quilter and creates unique quilt hangings and bed quilts, often for high school projects.

Flower named quilts are numerous.  You may want to look into some reminiscent of spring.

• Bud and Rose Wreath
• Cactus Flower
• Conventional Tulip
• Flowers in a Pot
• Foliage Wreath
• Hearts and Flowers
• North Carolina Lily
• North Carolina Rose
• Prairie Flower
• Rose of Sharon
• Rose Petal
• Sunflower
• Triple Sunflower
• Wild Rose Wreath

Do you have a favorite floral pattern, one that has particular memories, has been associated with your family, or simply attracts you because of its beauty and uniqueness?

Post from: Blisstree

Quilts of Flowers Remind Us of Spring

Pompe disease is a rare neuromuscular genetic disorder that affects approximately 5,000 to 10,000 people world wide. It occurs in babies, children, and adults who inherit a defective gene from each parent. The disease manifestations can vary greatly from one person to the next.

I have to admit, until I was contacted to write about Pompe disease, I had only heard it mentioned once or twice in nursing school. It is one of those diseases that you will come across once through out your entire clinical career. This disease has devastating ramifications on both the patient, and the family that has to live with it on a daily basis.

Progressive muscle weakness is the most common symptom in both the infantile-onset and late-onset Pompe disease. The muscles used for breathing and generalized movement are the most affected. In infant-onset the heart is severely affected. When muscles that perfuse your body tissue of oxygen are compromised, there are huge effects that occur in domino fashion. Most babies with Pompe disease die from cardiac or respiratory complications before their first birthday.

Why is this information important to you? You never know who might be searching for a diagnosis. Either a friend of a friend, or that neighbor down the street’s granddaughter. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to a gravely devastating disease like this.

It is important to understand the way that genes are transferred from one generation to the next. Our ancestors directly affect what we become and how our lives will ultimately pan out health wise. There is research going on everyday to further understand, treat and ultimately cure Pompe disease.

If you or someone you know is affected by Pompe disease, know you are not alone. There are resources and communities out there to help you with every facet of your life. Pompe community is a great place to start…

• United Pompe Foundation
• The website of the Pompe’s Group of the Association for Glycogen Storage Disease (UK)
• International Pompe Association – A federation of Pompe disease patient’s groups world-wide.
• Genzyme’s Pompe Information site
• FDA Approval News for Myozyme
• Canadian Association of Pompe

via Pompe Community
Wiki External Links
National Institute of Neurological Disorders And Stroke

Post from: Blisstree

Pompe Disease Has Huge If Not Fatal Effects On One’s Heart… There Are Resources Out There To Better Understand This Disease