There are days when I wonder and wonder....almost frozen in thought and time. I ponder, look, and research. The hurt never really goes away although it takes a different form with time. I will go to my grave living with the frustrations this rare disease inflicted on an otherwise healthy body. It was like this.....
What Causes Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease?
Some researchers believe an unusual "slow virus" or another organism causes CJD. However, they have never been able to isolate a virus or other organism in people with the disease. Furthermore, the agent that causes CJD has several characteristics that are unusual for known organisms such as viruses and bacteria. It is difficult to kill, it does not appear to contain any genetic information in the form of nucleic acids (DNA or RNA), and it usually has a long incubation period before symptoms appear. In some cases, the incubation period may be as long as 50 years. The leading scientific theory at this time maintains that CJD and the other TSEs are caused by a type of protein called a prion.
Prion proteins occur in both a normal form, which is a harmless protein found in the body’s cells, and in an infectious form, which causes disease. The harmless and infectious forms of the prion protein have the same sequence of amino acids (the "building blocks" of proteins) but the infectious form of the protein takes a different folded shape than the normal protein. Sporadic CJD may develop because some of a person’s normal prions spontaneously change into the infectious form of the protein and then alter the prions in other cells in a chain reaction.
Once they appear, abnormal prion proteins aggregate, or clump together. Investigators think these protein aggregates may lead to the neuron loss and other brain damage seen in CJD. However, they do not know exactly how this damage occurs.
About 5 to 10 percent of all CJD cases are inherited. These cases arise from a mutation, or change, in the gene that controls formation of the normal prion protein. While prions themselves do not contain genetic information and do not require genes to reproduce themselves, infectious prions can arise if a mutation occurs in the gene for the body’s normal prion protein. If the prion protein gene is altered in a person’s sperm or egg cells, the mutation can be transmitted to the person’s offspring. All mutations in the prion protein gene are inherited as dominant traits. Therefore, family history is helpful in considering the diagnosis. Several different mutations in the prion gene have been identified. The particular mutation found in each family affects how frequently the disease appears and what symptoms are most noticeable. However, not all people with mutations in the prion protein gene develop CJD.
More later....
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Legislating Health
Admittedly, I am earth's oldest blogging person and as such I will write today about my amazement at what is legislated these days. How did we ever live before we had congressmen and leaders to tell us how to run our lives?? Even what we should and should not eat and drink!! Of late, it seems that the officials in New York have decided that citizens drink too many sugary drinks up north and they (the officials) must legislate to keep folks from killing themselves on good ole sugar!! Inasmuch as John Q Public has not enough self control to manage his appetite and thirst, the governor and the mayor must take over and not allow folks to have great big sweet drinks when thirsty. I am so, so glad they have not tried yet to manage a southerners thirst for sweet tea! Talk about a southern uprising, whoo wee, the Civil War could hold no light to the uprising that would come out of this place!! A North Carolina Tea Party in full measure! (I know this writing does not follow rules of writing but who cares!)
Back to our health, everyday there is something new that we are not doing or doing that contributes to our poor state of health and the need of ObamaCare. We eat too much processed food; we eat too much meat; we eat too many hot dogs; we don't drink enough milk; we do not sleep enough hours; we eat too many of the wrong kind of carbohydrates; we consume the incorrect kind of fats; we are all too fat; we take too much Tylenol; we aren't good about eating a balanced breakfast; we eat fast food; and today I learned we are putting Splenda in the waste water when we tinkle!! Splenda is sucarose or sucralose or some such!! And it is bad for you!
Would somebody hand me a baloney sandwich, please!
Back to our health, everyday there is something new that we are not doing or doing that contributes to our poor state of health and the need of ObamaCare. We eat too much processed food; we eat too much meat; we eat too many hot dogs; we don't drink enough milk; we do not sleep enough hours; we eat too many of the wrong kind of carbohydrates; we consume the incorrect kind of fats; we are all too fat; we take too much Tylenol; we aren't good about eating a balanced breakfast; we eat fast food; and today I learned we are putting Splenda in the waste water when we tinkle!! Splenda is sucarose or sucralose or some such!! And it is bad for you!
Would somebody hand me a baloney sandwich, please!
Sunday, March 3, 2013
My Dad, My Heritage
Everyone has a father, but my Dad is special..to me! I was not his first born but am the first of his children that lived. I am actually the third. But that is not what made my Dad special. My Dad was bred to be a southern gentleman and he was every bit the part. Born of parents who were born in Bedford County, Virginia he was the oldest of four boys. He was a southerner in manners and culture. My Daddy had been brought up with all of the best character traits in tact and he lived by them. Daddy was not much of a "talker" but more of a listener. However, when he did speak, we, as his children, did listen. It was important. He said it ONCE!!
I think my Mom and I drove him crazy sometimes because we talked so much when we got together....and had fun. Soon my father would find his way to his favorite room to watch his favorite ball games. Sports were big in our house and we were schooled in the major ones for sure. His greatest love was baseball! Oh, and he had his favorite snacks he enjoyed while watching...probably some chocolate candy or nuts of some type, and a soft drink. My Mom used to tease him about his sense of humor saying that his lineage came from England, hers having come from Ireland!!
Speaking of lineage, I have spent some time since retiring tracing my parents' genealogy. As I have worked on my Dad's line I have raised as many questions as I have answered about our family.
One amazing fact about which I would love to know more is what happened to my Grandfather Lemon's siblings. My grandfather was one of eight children born to George H. Lemon and Nancy Catherine Peters Lemon. Of these eight children my Granddad was one of only four who survived to be adults (21); this is how it looked: Nellie (1879-1912 --23 years), Granddaddy (1881-1934 -- 53 years); Della - (1883-1898 - 15 years); Sallie ( 1885-1899 -- 14 years); Stephen ( 1887-1920 - 33 years); Henry ( 1890 - 1908 -- 18 years); Blanch (1894- 1960 -- 74 years); Mary ( 1897- 1898 - 1 year). I am certain that to other people that doesn't seem so unusual but to me it raises lots of questions. I have been looking for a family history that might explain these happenings. At this point I have no living family links (obviously) who might be able to explain this to me.
Happy Birthday, Daddy...somewhere beyond the veil. I miss you so much!
I think my Mom and I drove him crazy sometimes because we talked so much when we got together....and had fun. Soon my father would find his way to his favorite room to watch his favorite ball games. Sports were big in our house and we were schooled in the major ones for sure. His greatest love was baseball! Oh, and he had his favorite snacks he enjoyed while watching...probably some chocolate candy or nuts of some type, and a soft drink. My Mom used to tease him about his sense of humor saying that his lineage came from England, hers having come from Ireland!!
Speaking of lineage, I have spent some time since retiring tracing my parents' genealogy. As I have worked on my Dad's line I have raised as many questions as I have answered about our family.
One amazing fact about which I would love to know more is what happened to my Grandfather Lemon's siblings. My grandfather was one of eight children born to George H. Lemon and Nancy Catherine Peters Lemon. Of these eight children my Granddad was one of only four who survived to be adults (21); this is how it looked: Nellie (1879-1912 --23 years), Granddaddy (1881-1934 -- 53 years); Della - (1883-1898 - 15 years); Sallie ( 1885-1899 -- 14 years); Stephen ( 1887-1920 - 33 years); Henry ( 1890 - 1908 -- 18 years); Blanch (1894- 1960 -- 74 years); Mary ( 1897- 1898 - 1 year). I am certain that to other people that doesn't seem so unusual but to me it raises lots of questions. I have been looking for a family history that might explain these happenings. At this point I have no living family links (obviously) who might be able to explain this to me.
Happy Birthday, Daddy...somewhere beyond the veil. I miss you so much!
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Blades or Not!!
What a confusing and convoluted story!! I am referring to the incident in the news this week which resulted in the death of a beautiful young blonde model who was also a law school graduate. The alleged shooter/killer is a handicapped Olympian who competed in the regular Olympics recently running on blades. The courts in that land far away operate differently from those with which we are familiar. In the hearing sessions held this week this young man has often cried openly in court as the press so frequently pointed out. One was left to wonder if he cried because of sorrow he felt knowing he had been caught in a devious plan or because it was truly an accident and he had killed the woman he loved. Meantime, this young lady has been mourned by her family with appropriate services held and her body cremated.
The hearing for this lad's indictment sounded like quite the fiasco as the defense battled to ensure his release to await trial for this heinous act. At times this part of the story seemed to overshadow the murder itself. In the end, he won release with bail to await trial. So much for that.
Much was circulated in the news about this young man's true nature in spite of his physical limitations. His temper, anger, and outbursts, etc. The looming questions in my mind were: Why would he be shooting in the bedroom and bathroom knowing that this young lady was with him and she was moving around in the area....further, that she was not present in the bed?? Obviously, there was no intruder. Later it was reported he lived in a gated area and home. Shooting into the bathroom multiple times needs to be explained.
According to reports, this young lady was pursuing a modeling career and obviously she had prepared herself with an education ample to provide a lifelong career. Why, then, was she involved with this person who by all reports wasn't the most desirable character and was prone to angry outbursts??? Of course, not many details were disclosed to the public which might clear up much confusion in this story and happening. Lots of unanswered and confusing questions!
What do I think based on what has been released??? I think he killed her intentionally in a hot, hot argument and now he is remorseful! That is my take at this point!!!!! What is yours??
The hearing for this lad's indictment sounded like quite the fiasco as the defense battled to ensure his release to await trial for this heinous act. At times this part of the story seemed to overshadow the murder itself. In the end, he won release with bail to await trial. So much for that.
Much was circulated in the news about this young man's true nature in spite of his physical limitations. His temper, anger, and outbursts, etc. The looming questions in my mind were: Why would he be shooting in the bedroom and bathroom knowing that this young lady was with him and she was moving around in the area....further, that she was not present in the bed?? Obviously, there was no intruder. Later it was reported he lived in a gated area and home. Shooting into the bathroom multiple times needs to be explained.
According to reports, this young lady was pursuing a modeling career and obviously she had prepared herself with an education ample to provide a lifelong career. Why, then, was she involved with this person who by all reports wasn't the most desirable character and was prone to angry outbursts??? Of course, not many details were disclosed to the public which might clear up much confusion in this story and happening. Lots of unanswered and confusing questions!
What do I think based on what has been released??? I think he killed her intentionally in a hot, hot argument and now he is remorseful! That is my take at this point!!!!! What is yours??
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Indiscretions in High Places
One must wonder if press folks have a difficult time finding sensational topics to write about in the dark winter months, thus they plunder into the lives of folks and come up with juicy dark secrets. The last few weeks seem to be resplendent with stories of "secret children" sired by various congressmen making the laws for our country. Seems they (our lawmakers) can't even obey the basic laws of family life. One week they seemed to revisit Senator Strom's indiscretions when he was a rather young man and the daughter that resulted. Only after his death did this lady confirm what had been suspected and written about for years. If one recalls the history there...Senator Strom and his first wife had no children. After she passed away he married a "Miss South Carolina" with whom there existed a considerable age difference. They then had a family of several children. According to the reports the illegitimate daughter was probably born prior to his being married the first time. Senator Strom has been gone for some years now but....!!
Recently during the State of the Union speech a senator was exposed after being observed tweeting a young lady during the president's address. No one has a secret these days. Soon the press was right on it and the story told. He was exchanging texts with his young daughter born to a lady with whom he had an affair some years earlier. She is now grown. Soon the whole world knows as he freely admits he was tweeting his own daughter. The extra marital part could have been left off but...it makes such a juicy story and the world just needs to know.
Today another older senator is admitting that he has an adult son in his thirties born as the result of an affair with a fellow Congressman's daughter. What?? Yep, that was it. The "result" is now a successful young man in his thirties. The guilty senator claims to have told his elderly wife only recently....one can assume when he knew the story was going to hit the press. The guilty senator has now retired from Congress but....it makes for a really juicy story.
These are but a few of the stories of senatorial indiscretions circulating these days. How prevalent are these happenings??
Perhaps the public doesn't care -- who knows??? And it is true that most often when these characters are elected we generally have no measure of their true character. However, these are indications of an immoral society. When people lack moral character society suffers. When our leaders lack moral character we should care. We elect these people. Their character should be above reproach. They make the laws of the land in which we live -- the laws we are expected to obey. Should these guys obey the same laws??
In a day replete with technology in every phase of life we have no secrets. The world knows or can know all they want to know about you. Privacy is a thing of the past. In some ways, it is such an invasion...much like people feel after being raped. Wake up politicians!!
Recently during the State of the Union speech a senator was exposed after being observed tweeting a young lady during the president's address. No one has a secret these days. Soon the press was right on it and the story told. He was exchanging texts with his young daughter born to a lady with whom he had an affair some years earlier. She is now grown. Soon the whole world knows as he freely admits he was tweeting his own daughter. The extra marital part could have been left off but...it makes such a juicy story and the world just needs to know.
Today another older senator is admitting that he has an adult son in his thirties born as the result of an affair with a fellow Congressman's daughter. What?? Yep, that was it. The "result" is now a successful young man in his thirties. The guilty senator claims to have told his elderly wife only recently....one can assume when he knew the story was going to hit the press. The guilty senator has now retired from Congress but....it makes for a really juicy story.
These are but a few of the stories of senatorial indiscretions circulating these days. How prevalent are these happenings??
Perhaps the public doesn't care -- who knows??? And it is true that most often when these characters are elected we generally have no measure of their true character. However, these are indications of an immoral society. When people lack moral character society suffers. When our leaders lack moral character we should care. We elect these people. Their character should be above reproach. They make the laws of the land in which we live -- the laws we are expected to obey. Should these guys obey the same laws??
In a day replete with technology in every phase of life we have no secrets. The world knows or can know all they want to know about you. Privacy is a thing of the past. In some ways, it is such an invasion...much like people feel after being raped. Wake up politicians!!
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Man/Husband and WHAT??
Well, it is Valentine's Day! Crazy things appear on TV and around on this day each year. Just saw Joan Rivers performing a ceremony for two gay guys some where or the other. The thought occurred to me when she finally got down to the rituals -- how can she pronounce one of these guys the wife (as in I now pronounce you husband and wife) when neither of them has the correct physical equipment to be the wife?? Does that seem strange to any one other than me?
So knowing me, I must check this out. Off to Mr. Webster's good book known as the Webster's Dictionary I go. What should I find other than this definition --- 1. woman 2. the female partner in a marriage
Now there were some other definitions like --- 1. woman who has a husband 2. a female who is united to a man in wedlock;
OK, Folks. Who is mixed up?? Me or the rest of the world?? It got even more complicated after I consulted Mr. Webster and his relatives, the Merrimans.
Now a wife is female which means she surely has the "you-know" correct equipment, and to be a wife she has a husband. That last point I have straight!! But, yeehaw, I am quite confused on the other part!!! Can you help???
So knowing me, I must check this out. Off to Mr. Webster's good book known as the Webster's Dictionary I go. What should I find other than this definition --- 1. woman 2. the female partner in a marriage
Now there were some other definitions like --- 1. woman who has a husband 2. a female who is united to a man in wedlock;
OK, Folks. Who is mixed up?? Me or the rest of the world?? It got even more complicated after I consulted Mr. Webster and his relatives, the Merrimans.
Now a wife is female which means she surely has the "you-know" correct equipment, and to be a wife she has a husband. That last point I have straight!! But, yeehaw, I am quite confused on the other part!!! Can you help???
Friday, February 8, 2013
Just Us Lemons
I love a good lemon cake. This looks like a good recipe. I copied it from WRAL in the Blog area.
Lemon Cake
1 package of lemon cake mix
1 package of instant lemon pudding
3/4 cup water
3/4 cup oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup lemon or orange juice (I used lemon)
2 cups powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease and flour a 9x13 pan.
Mix together lemon cake mix, pudding mix, water and oil. Beat for five minutes. Add eggs and beat for another five minutes. Bake for 40 minutes.
When done, prick the top of the cake with a toothpick or fork all over so the glaze really soaks in. I let my younger daughter do this, carefully wrapping the hot pan in a towel and supervising her.
Mix the fruit juice and powdered sugar. Pour over cake while it's still warm. You can eat this cake warm or at room temperature. Either way, it's delicious!
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