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New Book about Thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia)
Sharmin:
I am still waiting for my copy. I hope to receive it soon. I am glad that it is easy to read, I think that this was the intention of the author - to write a book that everyone can read and learn from.
Sharmin
Canadian_Family:
Some highlights of chapter 1, Introduction
Chapter 1
Introduction
The author explained the hemoglobin molecule is made of beta and alpha globin together with heme. The two (Beta and Alpha) globins acts as two fingers and heme as thumb to hold the oxygen just like a pitcher holds the ball in a baseball game or a bowler in cricket game. The hemoglobin molecule catch and hold oxygen from lungs and pitches the oxygen to tissues in the body just like the pitcher or bowler does in their respective games. The difference is that each hemoglobin molecule pitches the oxygen with precise accuracy billions of times in a day for months. The amino acid that creates the alpha and beta globins are formed in chromosomes 11 of our DNA or our genetic makeup which lies in the marrow of bones. In thalassemia, due to absence of healthy beta gene (one finger is missing to hold the oxygen) resulting in the inability of hemoglobin to hold the oxygen properly. The normal production of alpha globin tangles the hemoglobin molecule as the balancing beta globin is absent to balance the oxygen resulting in the destruction of hemoglobin molecule in early stage. We know the story what happens next……increased hemolysis, expansion of bones due to extreme activity of bone marrow etc etc etc.
Red blood cells, like all other cells, are made in the bone marrow cavities inside our bones. The earliest red blood cells somehow know that their main job is to make large amounts of hemoglobin. The scientist don’t know how they know, but they know. The earliest red blood cells made in our bone marrow have nuclei that carry our chromosomes and DNA. After dividing a few times, these nucleated red blood cells in the bone marrow, brusting with hemoglobin, become smaller, lose their nuclei, and leave the marrow to enter our circulating blood.
Starting chapter 2
Manal:
Thank you so much Canadian family for the information, very simple and informative
manal
Zaini:
Yes it seems quite simple and easy to understand,i wonder if i can get my hands on it :biggrin i'd love to read it.
Zaini.
Canadian_Family:
Chapter 2 Love and Loss
Very depressing, I warned my wife not to read it, yet she did and could not sleep well. The chapter is about thalassemia patients and their families in 1970's and 80's and their hardship......
No other comments on chapter 2.....
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