I love modern medical technology! There are people in my family who wouldn't be with us today without the miracles of modern medicine and the people who bring these breakthroughs to pass.  

Did you know that demands of World War II brought about a new age of medical science? Well, it's true!! And we still benefit from many of these innovations today!!

Here are some medical science advancements from the 1940's. 

• The first kidney dialysis machine.
• World War II research efforts brought about the miracle drugs penicillin and the sulfonamides.
• Rh factor in blood was discovered by a team of researchers at the Rockefeller Institute.
• In 1941 Red Cross  begin the National Blood Donor Service to collect blood for the U.S. military and by 1949 the U.S. blood system is comprised of 1,500 hospital blood banks, 46 community blood centers, and 31 American Red Cross regional blood centers.
• The first vaccine for influenza.
• The first defibrillator was invented.
• Acetaminophen was discovered.  
• Plastic contact lenses were discovered.
• In 1949 nitrogen mustard became the first drug to receive FDA approval as a treatment of cancer.

It's highly likely one of these innovators from the 1940's had an influence on a life you know and love.  A window into the lives of these people and millions of others will be open when the 1940 US Census is finally available to the public. Please consider joining the 1940 U.S. Census Community Project as we work together to index names from this exciting census. Click here for more information.  

As part of the1940census.com ambassador program this blog post enters me into a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.

GOOD NEWS

This week we took a short trip up North to see some of Evan's specialists!! Tuesday morning we saw Dr. Wong the kidney doctor. Despite a lovely little kidney stone, Evan's kidney's are staying healthy. The stone is not currently causing any problems so Evan just has to drink lots and lots of water. I guess that means I get to nag!! What fun for me!! Since our next appointment wasn't until Wednesday at 1 pm. We decided that...well, I decided that I wanted to hold a grandbaby!! Mike didn't complain!! So we drove the two hours to Sacramento and spent the night up there to get a baby fix!!

Awe, it was so worth it!! Little Tommy is adorable. He is a very easy going, happy little guy!!

It was fun to see April and Matteo too!!




We went out to dinner at FATS, and had really yummy Chinese food!!


Look how Tommy loves his Mommy!!! I think he looks like Ethan M in this picture, what do you all think?? Something in his expression reminded me of Ethan. Well, they are cousins, so could be?

Wednesday morning we got up early and left to go back down to Stanford, this time to see Dr. Robinson the pulmonologist. Evan has been on his BiPap machine (used to treat sleep apnea) for a year now. Dr. R thought Evan looked great too!! That's what we like!! Doctor visits where there are no new medications or diagnoses or treatments!!! Don't you just love status quo!! I do!!

52 Blessing Project - Week Thirty-Two

DOCTORS

This week I'm especially grateful for doctors. It amazes me how much they have to know, and how much education they have obtained. I would like to share with you one very special doctor that I especially appreciate.


Dr. Bravo will always have a special place in my heart. When Evan came home as a newborn after spending 17 days in the hospital, enduring two surgeries, he was a very medically fragile baby. He had been diagnosed with a rare and life threatening kidney disease. Our pediatrician at the time, just didn't seem to have a handle on things. I also didn't like the attitude she had taken with me when I had told her the baby I was carrying would be born with spina bifida and hydrocephalas. She asked if I understand how serious his condition was, and reading between the lines I felt she wanted me terminate the pregnancy.


Anyway, the day I took Evan in and she refused to allow me to stay with him while she took blood, was the day I decided to find another doctor for Evan. I asked a friend who worked as an OB nurse t o recommend a pediatrician. She told me about this young doctor who had saved some babies lives. We made an appointment and I brought in my tiny little four week old newborn baby to see Dr. Bravo. The first thing he told me was, "I want you to know that I admire you for having this baby!". Wow! A doctor who understood that Evan's life was precious to his family!! Dr. Bravo was open and honest and valued my opinion and thoughts as a mother. On that first visit he even told me the name of Evan's kidney disease, which other doctors just dismissed as "possible premature kidneys". When Evan needed a blood draw, which was so difficult lab techs could not do it, Dr. Bravo let me hold Evan while he did took the blood. For a while this was a weekly occurance.



Dr. Bravo has been there through almost twenty one years of medical challenges and miracles. He openly acknowledges the Lord's hand in Evan's life. I have his home phone number and was one of the first parents who had his e-mail address. I try very hard to not abuse that privilege and his privacy. We were honored to have Dr. Bravo speak at Evan's Eagle Court of Honor. Dr. Bravo is a shining example a doctor who cherishes all life!!