To Begin...

My dh & I have been married for 6 wonderful years (together for 7 years) and we're still as happy as the day we wed. I know that sounds corny but after the past year, it's truly a blessing to be able to say that.

A little over a year ago my dh was diagnosed with genetic emphysema - caused by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. The allergist that ordered the simple blood test didn't settle for the simply explanation that my dh smoked and now had emphysema at such a young age. His hunch was right and he was the one that broke the news to my husband. However, he didn't know a lot about it so his explanation of what it was was a bit off, to say the least.

We researched this condition and by the time we went to the lung specialist, we were fairly well-versed in A1AD so had many questions for him. Again, the lung specialist had a couple of Alpha-1 patients but wasn't that well informed. But he did know enough to recommend that dh start on a treatment that might or might not help keep his lungs in working order a bit longer. He called it a "feel good" drug as he said there were no solid research studies showing that it worked; however, it was all that was available to treat Alpha-1 so the FDA approved it (sympathy drug??).

This was how it all began for us last year. More on the interesting journey we've been on and continue to participate in.