Another infusion yesterday. The nurse is coming each week to do those. They are getting easier and easier. I still don't like them, but I do like Sally.

So the siblings have been getting tested. I'm not sure who wants their personal information on here so I'll just be general.
2 have ZZ
2 have MZ
1 has MM 

And some of their kids have been tested. We have quite a mix there. One cousin is SZ. So much Mediterranean blood in our family tree. A few cousins have MZ.

With all these tests done we can determine that Grandpa and Grandma Grapes each had MZ. Neither had trouble with their lungs or livers that I know of. It's all that clean living. :)

Sometimes when I think of this it overwhelms me. Just one year ago I didn't even know that alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency existed. Now it is a huge factor in the way Bob and I live our lives. And yes, it sucks sometimes. And it could end up being a factor in other family members' lives. People that I love most in the world.

I am happy that I was healthy while the kids were little and I could chase them around and wrestle with them and carry Amy everywhere. I miss those days. I love my kids.

I'm pretty sad today. I will have to answer questions next time. I wanted to write down and share my feelings of overwhelmation (new word) for our family. We could be the poster family of "Rare Genetic Disease Alpha-1". Fits us in more ways than one. :)

I love you all. Take care.

Aunt DeeDee