Huntington's disease - test results

Posted on 2013-02-21 by ipuffyheartcompeting

to my family and friends and family that are like friends... following my sisters footsteps, I finally caved and decided to test for Huntington's disease. I am HAPPY to announce that I my results came back NEGATIVE!! I am not at risk for, nor a carrier of HD and therefore CANNOT pass it down to my mini me's. ♥

HD awareness and fundraising is still and always be near and dear to my heart.

~~~

Huntington's Disease is a devastating, hereditary, degenerative brain disorder for which there is, at present, no effective treatment or cure. HD slowly diminishes the affected individual's ability to walk, think, talk and reason. Eventually, the person with HD becomes totally dependent upon others for his or her care. Huntington's Disease profoundly affects the lives of entire families -- emotionally, socially and economically.

HD affects males and females equally and crosses all ethnic and racial boundaries. Each child of a person with HD has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the fatal gene. Everyone who carries the gene will develop the disease. In 1993, the HD gene was isolated and a direct genetic test developed which can accurately determine whether a person carries the HD gene. The test cannot predict when symptoms will begin. However, in the absence of a cure, some individuals "at risk" elect not to take the test.

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9 comments:

the_dizzle wrote 3 months ago:

Congrats!!!

SerenaFisher wrote 3 months ago:

I've cared for a lady with Huntington's, she is only 40 years old and requires complete care. Though her mind is completely sound, her parents visit often though. It is one of the worst hereditary diseases I've ever dealt with, mostly because it takes the body and leaves the mind.

IamRoJ wrote 3 months ago:

This is great news! Must've been a stressful time but sooooo glad the news is good!

ipuffyheartcompeting wrote 3 months ago:

its amazing to hear stories of others who know someone personally with HD, because it is not so widely known. Watching my uncle lose his fight was devastating. He started out a fun loving, vibrant 250+ pound 6'4" man and Christmas 2001, when he passed, he was down to 125 pounds. Heartbreaking.

Sharonbed4d wrote 3 months ago:

That is great news for you! One of my dear friends lost her dad and brother to HD and within the past year she was diagnosed. It's so sad because she has lost her husband and kids and she's so young!!

ipuffyheartcompeting wrote 3 months ago:

I'm so very sorry to read that, Sharon. That is awful.

Glitter969 wrote 3 months ago:

My grandfather, mother and both her sisters passed away from HD in their 40's. After living at risk for 32 years I completed the test protocol at the end of 2008 and am not a carrier! And in 2011 my brother received the same good news. It has taken me four years to readjust my self-image from "defective" to strong and capable. Learning how to make peace and celebrate the physical part of me was a huge part of this. I am so so happy for you. I hope this news unlocks even more amazing things for you in your life.

ipuffyheartcompeting wrote 3 months ago:

because my mom hadn't tested and had yet to show any symptoms (now in her mid 50's), my sister and I were fairly confident we were not at risk, but knowing was better than not knowing. So, now we no longer have that shadow of doubt at all. She tested negative just a month or so before I did. Happy yours and your brothers news was also good!

sue2328 wrote 3 months ago:

So pleased for you - my daughters partner lost his mum who had HD a year ago. They have a lovely home and are getting married in December. Next obvious stage would be a family, but he does not want to be tested and she doesn't want to have children if they could be at risk. not a huge issue at the moment, she is only 22 and he 24, but i see potential heartbreak ahead.
It is great to hear others get good news.

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Huntington's disease - test results

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