HOMEPAGE: SIMI VALLEY / MOORPARK : PARENTS OF TWINS SUFFER TRAGEDY OF RARE DISORDER.I was excited, five years ago on April 1, to find that I was pregnant. My husband thought it was an April Fools' joke. Little did we know that the ``joke'' would not be funny at all. I was carrying twins. But our joy soon dimmed. Our boys were severely discordant, a fact that would change our lives forever. After 30-1/2 weeks' gestation, I had my first ultrasound. In the previous two months, I had gained 18 pounds, so there was cause for concern even though I felt fine. After 11 days of ultrasounds, tests and worry, Kyle and Ryan were born by Caesarean section caesarean section: see cesarean section. . Kyle weighed a measly measly said of beef, pork and mutton because infected meat has a speckled appearance thought to resemble measles (1) in humans. See also cysticercus. 2 pounds, 4-1/2 ounces. Ryan was 1 pound, 6-1/2 ounces. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome Fetal transfusion syndrome, fetofetal transfusion syndrome, stuck twin syndrome Obstetrics Intrauterine growth retardation in 1 twin due to an artery-to-artery vascular shunting, which may occur in a diamnionic-dichorionic placenta is rare. The identical twins identical twins pl.n. Twins derived from the same fertilized ovum that at an early stage of development becomes separated into independently growing cell aggregations, giving rise to two individuals of the same sex, identical genetic makeup, and share a blood supply and basic nutrients, but a connection in the placenta placenta (pləsĕn`tə) or afterbirth, organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy. It is a unique characteristic of the higher (or placental) mammals. In humans it is a thick mass, about 7 in. is a one-way shunt To divert, switch or bypass. . One twin develops at the expense of the other. One baby gets too much blood - he could die from heart failure. The other could die from severe anemia. The babies are normal. The placenta is abnormal. Kyle was the recipient, and Ryan was the donor. The chance of survival for both my boys was not good. We worried that Ryan would not make it through his first day. Kyle was weaned wean tr.v. weaned, wean·ing, weans 1. To accustom (the young of a mammal) to take nourishment other than by suckling. 2. from the ventilator after 11 days. Soon, he was breathing on his own, and after seven weeks, we brought him home weighing 4 pounds, 9 ounces. Ryan, on the other hand, stayed on the ventilator for 6-1/2 weeks. He had several episodes in which his heart rate decelerated. He showed signs of chronic lung disease lung disease Pulmonary disease Pulmonology Any condition causing or indicating impaired lung function Types of LD Obstructive lung disease–↓ in air flow caused by a narrowing or blockage of airways–eg, asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis; and he could not suck or swallow. After 5 months of ups and downs ups and downs pl.n. Alternating periods of good and bad fortune or spirits. ups and downs Noun, pl alternating periods of good and bad luck or high and low spirits , we brought him home. We thought everything would get better, and in many ways it did. Ryan got bigger and began to outgrow outgrow verb To change the relationship with a condition or structure by dint of ↑ age or size; while children outgrow clothing, and certain behaviors, they rarely outgrow diseases–eg, asthma some of his disabilities. But, a month later, he went into respiratory distress Respiratory distress A condition in which patients with lung disease are not able to get enough oxygen. Mentioned in: Lung Cancer, Non-Small Cell . This time, he would not be weaned off the oxygen. We took him and his oxygen home. In August, Ryan seized while coming out of the bathtub. We began CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Definition Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a procedure to support and maintain breathing and circulation for a person who has stopped breathing (respiratory arrest) and/or whose heart has stopped (cardiac and called 911. This time, Ryan was saved. Days later, he appeared the healthiest he had ever been, and we were thrilled. But, Labor Day Labor Day, holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada on the first Monday in September to honor the laborer. It was inaugurated by the Knights of Labor in 1882 and made a national holiday by the U.S. Congress in 1894. weekend began with another seizure. Ryan came home from the hospital in time to celebrate his first birthday. He continued to grow. Though his lungs were still far too weak, he made tremendous strides. We shared happy days and terrible ones. Finally, Ryan caught a virus that challenges even the heartiest of individuals. On July 28, 1993, we lost our precious Ryan. His lungs, weak from twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, were too tired and frail to win the battle. The Simi Valley Simi Valley (sē`mē, sĭm`ē), city (1990 pop. 100,217), Ventura co., SW Calif. in an oil, fruit, and farm region; laid out 1887, inc. 1969. Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club accepted me with open arms. Even after Ryan's death, they recognized Kyle as a twinless twin, and I was still a mother of twins. Every year, in memory of Ryan, the club holds a garage sale and opportunity drawing to raise funds for the Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation. When: Saturday, May 4, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Where: 2230 Cochran St., Simi Valley Tickets for the noon drawing will cost $1. Twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome affects 15 percent of all identical-twin pregnancies. Four thousand of those 6,000 babies will die. SOURCE: Brenda Priske Simi Valley Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, coordinator for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome Foundation Service Students say YES to future April Fitzgerald and Dan Gushue, 18-year-old seniors at Royal High School, wanted to make a difference and get involved in their community. In September they got their opportunity when they were appointed by Mayor Greg Stratton to serve on the Simi Valley Youth Council. Their job would be to help the Youth Employment Service to promote the 10th annual Job and Career Fair to be held Saturday at Mountain Gate Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The youths enthusiastically volunteered to spend some of their spring break asking nearly 100 businesses to display posters for the event. More than 65 employers, agencies and schools will offer employment opportunities and career advice at this year's Job and Career Fair, co-sponsored by Youth Employment Service and Countrywide Home Loans. Some of the opportunities are career-track positions, some are internships and others are fun, temporary employment. Young adults between the ages of 16 and 22 will have an opportunity to apply for entry-level jobs with large and small Simi Valley employers and with major corporations. Representatives from retail and food-service businesses, recreation, child care and health care industries, and government, including the military, will participate. In addition, representatives from colleges and trade schools will offer occupational information about future careers. There is no charge to attend or for job fair services. For further information, call (805) 522-HIRE. Center recruiting good Samaritans to help assist city's homeless, needy At the west end of Simi Valley stand two buildings, known as the Samaritan Center. Since September 1994, homeless and near-homeless people have come through these doors looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. food, showers and clothing, mail and phone services, social service programs, medical care, legal assistance, and job training and referrals. We have served more than 500 individuals in 19 months of service, and in 1995 provided 7,975 breakfasts, 4,784 showers, 3,486 clothing exchanges and served 1,632 visitors during the winter shelter program. A good Samaritan, who can come in all sizes, shapes and colors, could be a local company donating clothing, a 10-year-old collecting food, a church group providing volunteers, or a retired man who does daily laundry. It could be a social worker who comes in every week on her own time or a volunteer who likes to give haircuts. The Good Samaritan Campaign was launched last year with the threefold purpose of developing monthly financial pledges from corporations, churches, organizations or individuals; securing donations of goods; and recruiting volunteers. The campaign goal is 500 good Samaritans and $100,000 from Simi Valley and the surrounding areas. Everyone involved is a good Samaritan. You could be a good Samaritan, too. Call 579-9166, fax 520-2577, or come to the Samaritan Center at 280 Royal Ave., Simi Valley. Education event raises $45,000 With a record attendance of almost 500 people, Grace Brethren Schools' sixth annual Auction for Education raised about $45,000. Included was the auction of a 1996 Ford Ranger The Ford Ranger name is used on two distinct and unrelated pickup truck lines by the Ford Motor Company
XLT Excelerator (handcycle) XLT Microsoft Excel Template XLT Extra Large Tall (clothing size) XLT XML Representation of Lexicons and Terminologies XLT Xerox Lexical Technology Supercab truck, donated by Galpin Ford. Vacations, art, sports tickets and memorabilia, theater tickets, household items and computers also went to the highest bidders. SOURCE: Bruce Zeigler Grace Brethren Schools CAPTION(S): 3 Photos Photo: (1) Identical twins Kyle, left, and Ryan Priske w ere diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome. (2) Royal High School seniors Dan Gushue and April Fitzgerald serve on the Simi Valley Youth Council. (3) Lara Burkhardt, 15, hugs her grandfather Win after he surprises her with the highest bid for a Ford truck during Grace Brethren Schools' auction. Jeremy Greene/Special to the Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion