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Showing posts from January, 2008

New Alzheimer's Study

I received information on this study from a dear family friend who is working on providing my mom the opportunity to be part of this new study. Below is the exciting news article from Fox News Australia: A patient with Alzheimer's disease had their condition improve hugely just minutes after receiving a special injection of a prescription drug approved to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions, according to a new study.The drug, co-marketed in the U.S. by Amgen and Wyeth under the name Enbrel, dramatically reversed symptoms of an Alzheimer's disease sufferer minutes after it was injected into the patient's spine, researchers in the U.S. discovered. The drug, sold in Australia as Etanercept, has also been used off-label for treating Alzheimer's.A report on the new study appeared in the Journal of Neuroinflammation this week. Click here for the full study < http://www.jneuroinflammation.com/content/5/1/3 > Journal editor Professor Sue Griffin

New Job

Dear Friends and Family, I am ecstatic, pretty much bouncing off the walls, with great news! I have a new job as a full-time nanny for a family in Dallas. They have two sweet children named Luke (2 1/2) and Emerson "Emme" (9 mo.). As many of you know, my past year with Walgreens in Dallas has not been the greatest situation. However, through it, I have learned a lot about myself. I can honestly say it has made me a better person and made my marriage stronger, too. If that was all God wanted to use the experience for, then it was worth it! Each of you has been so diligent to offer encouragement to me, and I thank you for your love and support! I look forward to sharing this next chapter with you as I pursue my passion for children. Much Love, Mare

Thoughts About My Mom

What would you do if you felt like you didn't have any friends? After being diagnosed with Alzheimers, my once social mom lost her ability to carry on conversations. I have never realized how much conversation affects our relationships until I witnessed my mom's inability to participate in this activity we take for granted. So why after five years of my mom's diagnosed illness am I just now allowing myself to vent my frustrations? Well, there is a possibility of my mom regaining her memory with the help of a team of doctors who created a new study using an anti-inflammatory injection used to treat arthritis. If my mom's results are similar to other patients who have participated, she could regain all of her independence, including the ability to carry on a conversation with memory of what was discussed. While my siblings and I are excited about this possibility, it also makes us worried that her alertness will come with a consequence. What if she realizes that she has n

Trip to Little Rock

With Reid traveling and my nasty work schedule I decided it was time to take a trip home to Little Rock. With Thanksgiving marking my last visit and May 29 being the next, this seemed like a good in-between option. This is only the third time I have traveled back to Little Rock without Reid and I am so excited for the next two days to hang out with my family! Because my first night home has been so eventful, I decided to make a "top five" list of reasons to visit more often: 5. Was reintroduced to my old room (now Mimi's room) by my dad showing off the satellite cable. My response was the all too familiar, "Oh thanks, now that I'm gone." 4. My parents fourth child, Toby, barking at me and then hiding under the bed upon my arrival. 3. My dad forgetting how to get home from the Little Rock airport. Yes, he has lived in Little Rock his whole life and the route home has never changed. 2. Dad parking in a clearly marked handicapped spot at the airport and having

First Anniversary!

Reid and I are shocked that we are no longer newlyweds! We decided that no matter how old we are, we always want people to look at us and think/say, "My, that couple is so in love." It is amazing how much love can grow even after dating for seven years. For our anniversary weekend, Reid planned a night at the W Hotel in downtown Dallas. Reid had just completed his first week of work on a new project in Mexico City and it was a much needed weekend of relaxation! We ate our wedding cake, and thanks to Janice Almefty, Aunt Christina, and Reid's Mom, Debra, the cake tasted just a fresh as the day we were married! We look forward to sharing many more years with you!