Search Results for: blog medical research our familys affair

Our Experience with Research Studies

Some time ago, Krystin wrote a blog about research studies and asked others to share their own experiences. I’ve had children in two studies, at two different departments of a major university. The first study involved me and my 11-month-old birth son. The study was on breastfeeding while taking a certain type of medication. It involved one visit. My blood was drawn and the level of medication in my blood measured, and the level of medication in my pumped milk was measured. Then I nursed my baby, who was weighed before and after feeding on scales precise enough to determine … Continue reading →

Giving of Ourselves (Ouch!) for Research

Last Wednesday, my four sons and I drove to the University of Utah Pediatric Diabetic Clinic to participate in a medical study called “The Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium.” Since two of my sons are diabetic and two are not, we are in a unique position to help researchers find clues about possible causes of juvenile diabetes. Each of our blood samples would be compared and screened for genetic markers which would indicate a risk of contracting this mysterious disease. Of course, that meant “giving of ourselves,” like our time, effort, and of course, our DNA. “It’s going to hurt…” … Continue reading →

A Little Hope Over Lunch…

Yesterday I had the opportunity to have lunch with the Executive Director of the Utah Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Another children’s book writer and I are pitching the idea of creating some illustrated books which could perhaps go into the “Bags of Hope” which are given to newly-diagnosed kids. All of our work would be donations to the cause. I’m excited about the project and the director seemed very receptive and encouraging. As we spoke over lunch, we talked about my two sons with juvenile diabetes. The director told me she could “count on one hand” the … Continue reading →