Waiting to hear back from . . .

Dr. Mark Cregon. I've tracked him down at the University of Singapore. I want to know what kind of studies are going on currently with breastmilk regading PD. Hope he responds soon.

Cure For PD Could Be Found In BREASTMILK

Michelle and I were talking recently about trying to get our guys to be more healthy. We started talking about vitamins and how Omega-3 (DHA) does wonders for many PWP, as it reportedly slows the progression of the disease. That discussion led to us joking about sneaking Keith a fruit smoothie made of my breastmilk. Funny thing is, it's not a joke.

Michelle did some more research and sent me two wonderful articles. The first article is really important to someone like me, who doesn't believe in embryonic stem cell research. According to the article, Dr. Mark Cregon, founder of the Lactation Biology Laboratory at the University of Western Australia in Perth, and member of the Society for Research in Human Milk and Lactation, discovered that breastmilk contains stem cells.

Dr. Cregon . . . . believes that breastmilk will be harvested in an effort to find a cure for Parkinson's Disease, diabetes and a host of other illnesses. [Though further research is needed, he] found that some of the cells in breastmilk have the ability to become multiple cell types.

Wow!!!! So not only does my breastmilk provide immunities and nourishment for my kids, it also has potential to cure my husband of Parkinson's Disease!

Michelle also sent me an article from Science News, dated January 5, 2008, vol. 173. no. 1 p. 13 -

Molecule from breastmilk can improve mental function in dementia

Given intravenously, a molecule found in breast milk can improve mental function in people with dementia and in victims of stroke and traumatic brain injury.

According the article, researchers at the University of Palermo in Italy tested the molecule, GPC, in 2, 044 stroke victims. GPC improved the neurological functioning by 27%, as well as improved their memory, attention and orientation.

GPC works by INCREASING THE NUMBER OF RECEPTORS ON BRAIN CELLS FOR NERVE GROWTH FACTORS, and CAN READILY CROSS THE BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER.

Good stuff! All joking aside, I had decided I would sneak Keith some breastmilk in the form of a smoothie or milkshake, but then I got to thinking - Keith just isn't squeamish about breastmilk. So why hide it from him? I talked to him about it instead. I presented the facts, and based on our conversation and what we both know are the benefits of breastmilk, he's decided to give it a go. We haven't tried it yet - I'm currently trying to build up a good enough supply so Rielly-Anne can share with him, and still have some left over if I should get pregnant, but I'll keep ya posted. I'm very interested to see what happens.

Ride Against Parkinson's Disease

This Thursday Keith and I will be attending the Ride Against Parkinson's Disease at the Chickahominy YMCA near Richmond. Carsten Bosemann (you can find his site here) is riding across the country on his motorcycle to raise money and awarness for PD. He is heading to Washington D.C. after his stop at the YMCA. Motorcyclists are invited to join Carsten in his ride to D.C.

The Chickahominy YMCA in hosting an open house with all the donations going to the APDA and the MJ Fox Foundation. While there we will be able to participate in a PD exercise group, or try out the other cardio equipment, talk to others with YOPD and meet representatives from the Richmond Chapter APDA and YMCA. Keith and I are going to wear our "Shaky" and "I'm With Shaky" matching shirts and Rielly-Anne will have her "My Daddy Has Parkinson's" shirt. I can't wait! I'll post pics and how it all goes afterwards.

We're Back! And Other News

We are back from vacation and gradually, slowly and grudgingly easing our way back into the real world again. We had a great time at the beach. Keith took Hailey on a charter fishing boat for a half-day fishing trip. They didn't actually catch anything they could keep - a few little fish and Hailey caught a squid! But they had fun and that's what important. We also went to the water park, a go-cart speedway amusement park, got some ole' time photos done, and of course, we had fun on the beach. Rielly-Anne was sick for most of the trip, thanks to her "food allergy" thing, but she was still able to enjoy herself. So now we are all just as tired and worn out as we were before our vacation, only now it's because we had so much fun.

Hmm . . . .what else? . . . . . . Oh yeah!

Keith and I have decided that we are, in fact, going to have another baby. So we are officially trying again, though this time around we are taking the "it'll happen when it happens" approach, rather than the "charting, taking temps, actively and aggressively trying to get preggers" way we did it before. So it's a toss up as to when it will happen, especially since I am still nursing and pumping around the clock. Guess we'll see . . . . .

We'll Be Back, Promise!

Just wanted to let you all know that Keith and I will be back to blogging soon! Keith has been very busy with work and getting things down around the house for me. And now that school is out, I've got several more daycare kids, which really cuts into my afternoon free time that I normally spend blogging.

We are getting ready to go on vacation, but we will have a couple days of down time when we return, so I'm sure we will be blogging some then. I have soooo much to blog about! There will probably be about 15 new posts on here in a couple weeks. So please stick around - we'll be back soon!!!!