What is Wilson disease?
Wilson disease is a genetic disorder that prevents the body from getting rid of extra copper. A small amount of copper obtained from food is needed to stay healthy, but too much copper is poisonous. In Wilson disease, copper builds up in the liver, brain, eyes, and other organs. Over time, high copper levels can cause life-threatening organ damage.
Who gets Wilson disease?
People who get Wilson disease inherit two abnormal copies of the ATP7B gene, one from each parent. Wilson disease carriers, who have only one copy of the abnormal gene, do not have symptoms. Most people with Wilson disease have no known family history of the disease. A person’s chances of having Wilson disease increase if one or both parents have it.
About one in 40,000 people get Wilson disease. It equally affects men and women. Symptoms usually appear between ages 5 to 35, but new cases have been reported in people aged 2 to 72 years.
My sister in law died on January 4, 2008 at the age of 31 after a brave fight with Wilsons Disease. Her gift of laughter and love of fun will be sadly missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
One of my most fond memories of her is when my hubby and I were dating. Patty (who was about 10 years old at the time) came running to the door giggling and proudly announced that she and her mom had been using the binoculars to spy on us. I can still see her mischievous grin. My daughter's favorites times were craft times, one that she remember most was making Christmas ornaments including my gingerbread man. No matter how simple the craft seemed, they were always the most fun to make with Aunt Patty.
Like a lot of us, I don't think Patty fully realized how much she meant to so many people. God love her. At her memorial service one of the songs that we had played was Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance(The Right Way)". If you have not heard the lyrics to this song, or have never really paid attention, please check them out.
6 comments:
Thank you for describing this disease Shelley.. The loss of such a lively soul is always the hardest.. I'm glad you have memories to hold to of Patty... She was so young!!!
Does the copper only enter the body by eating or can it be absorbed through the skin?
Hello Gwen, thanks for your question. The copper is taken in through foods, some of which would surprise you, to name a couple - nothing canned was allowed (especially peas) and chocolate.
It still hurts to know that we will never truly know what whent wrong. Believe me, I've thought of that many times and things aren't easy now that she's gone.
Hello Black Roses and welcome. Yes, she is dearly missed isn't she...but, she wouldn't want us to stay sad. But that doesn't stop our hearts from hurting does it?
Yeah, it could have been the easiest thing to make ever but it still was alot of fun to do. It seemed so simple then, but now I realise it's probably one of the things that I'll always remeber. If there's 2 things Patty was able to teach me it's that, Kids are the most fun to be around and so funny. And that you've got to be strong always, no matter what.
Good leasons for live there Black Roses. Keep them dear to your heart.
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