The story of how one mother battles a deadly lung disease may help hundreds of thousands of other women who are undiagnosed with the disease. (NAPSA)—Jackie Carroll’s neighbors know her as a typical mother with an unrelenting zest for life, whether playing at the park with her kids or helping them with homework. What surprises them most is how she maintains a carefree attitude while living with LAM, a deadly lung disease with no treatmentor cure. LAM, or Lymphangioleiomyomatosis, breaks down healthytissue in the lungs, making breathing a daily battle. In early stages, most women go about their daily activities with minimaldiscomfort. However, as the disease progresses, women with LAM mayhave limited mobility, require oxygen and, as a last resort, a lung transplant. Nowhere To Go “When I was diagnosed, there was nowhere to go for information,” Carroll said. “At the time, the list of patients consisted of only 17 women. Oneat the bottom had been scratched off; she had just died.” LAM strikes women during their childbearing years, and Carroll was devastated to learn from her doctor that pregnancy with LAM is often difficult and sometimes causes the disease to progress more quickly. After careful thought and discussion, Carroll and her husband decided to adopt four children. BRS Jackie Carroll is one of only 1,500 women whohavebeen identified with LAM. Doctors estimate that hundreds of thousands of women are going undiagnosed. “TI didn’t want my LAM diagnosis to dictate my life and my husband was very supportive,” said Carroll. “Most of all, I was not aboutto let it change my future— becoming a mom andtaking care of my family.” About LAM Only 1,500 women have been identified with LAM. However, doctors estimate hundreds of thousands of women are going undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because of the commonality of the symptoms—shortness of breath, chest pain, chronic cough or lung collapses—which can besimilar to those of asthma or bronchitis. The LAM Foundation provides resources and support to women with LAM, and leads research efforts to advance understanding and treatment. Learn more byvisiting www.thelamfoundation.org.
