9/9/12

Speaking of diseases that run in our family....

As some of you folks know, Marfan's is prevalent on my mom's side of the family.

Contrary to popular thought, you don't have to be extremely tall to be effected with Marfan's. Most Marf's are regular height.

Some indicators of Marfan's can include lax joints,(when you stand straight it look like your knees are bowing out) and an arm span that is longer than you are tall. Also, Marf's can get a lot of inflammation around the rib cage and can, but don't always, show signs of scoliosis.

But the dangerous part of Marfan's is what it does on the inside. It causes all of your connective tissues to be weakened. You are susceptible to an aneurysm or aortic dissection at any time, without any warning. That usually results in death, although thankfully Uncle Ben survived his! My mom, Bettye Sue did not. She was 39 when she died. Her cousin Mike Maddox died suddenly, but the cause is unknown. He did have the white forelock that is sometimes associated with Marfan's.

So get checked.

ALSO: See this post for our new family disorder.

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