Nancy 

nauger@gencmh.org 

I live in Flint, Michigan.

I work as a Mental Health Worker.

My favorite color is Purple

I have 1 dog, 1 cat, and 1 bird.

My favorite movie is Forest Gump

My favorite music is Christian.

I enjoy flower gardening.

My favorite quote is "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!"

4/7/2005 In September 2004 my sister Ellen told me she was being tested for Alpha One and that if she had it because of the genetic link, and my diagnosis of emphysema, that myself and all of her other siblings should also be tested. Our older brother has been on oxygen for the past 5 years and he is only 50 years old so when my sister was positively diagnosed with the deficiency my suspicion was that my brother and I would be also. And so we were. We have both been receiving infusions of Aralast since February of 2005 but my sister who was diagnosed first, and living in Canada, has been having some difficulty convincing her doctor that the infusions are appropriate or beneficial for her. I have been praying very hard that he has a change of heart and that he has it fast. We have two other sisters who tested negative but I recently had them along with our parents send back confidential tests to the Alpha Center for phenotyping and genotyping. As of this date we are still curiously waiting for the results. All of this has happened so fast and it has been quite the rollercoaster ride but as my sister Ellen says, "At least we have a good support system in place."

3/8/2006 It has been a little over a year since beginning augmentation therapy and everything seems to be going well. I am feeling better than I was without the protein replacement and am not experiencing quite as much shortness of breath as before. We found out shortly after submission of my original blog that my two other sisters are both MZ and of course all of my children. Really good news is my sister Ellen was able to begin treatments not too long after that also. GOD is so good and He does answer prayer. So, don't forget that you are always closest to Heaven when you are on your knees. GOD bless.
 

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