Hope.

Hope.

I’m sitting here (thankfully by myself!) balling my eyes out, because we have hope! Hope for our little Asher, and the 70,000 children and adults Cystic Fibrosis affects worldwide. Hope for a cure!

Here are a few statements from a recently published article in the New York Times…

“’I do think we will see a cure,” said Dr. Richard Boucher, director of the Cystic Fibrosis/Pulmonary Research and Treatment Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. “These therapies that hydrate the cystic fibrosis airway surface may be able to stop the progression of the disease in adults. And, very excitingly, in babies you may even be able to prevent it.” Dr. Boucher says the likelihood that this will happen in the next 5 to 10 years is “extremely high.”

Over the last decade, scientists have been testing an experimental compound called VX-770, which may be able to fix the defective protein that causes the surface of the lungs to become so dehydrated in cystic fibrosis. It works by essentially tricking the cells that line the airway into secreting salt, which causes water to flow back into the airway. By restoring the proper balance of salt and water, the lungs become hydrated, the mucus thins out and harmful bacteria are more easily washed away.'”

Jeremy and I have been hearing about VX-770 since Asher was born, and it’s still moving forward through the testing. Our little man has benefited greatly from new inhaled medications like Pulmozyme (makes the mucus thinner and easier to expel), and Tobramycin (an antibiotic that delivers medication straight into the lungs that fights off infections like Pseudomonas – which Asher has). BUT, this VX-770…this is the real deal…this could quite possibly be our cure.

The article says, “many scientists also warn that even the most promising of drugs can fail in late-stage testing.”

Will you join us in praying for a cure for Asher? For a cure, real soon. We’re praying for VX-770, but we’re not picky. If God wants to reveal a cure through another drug, that’s fine by us.

by admin

13 Comments

May 17, 2009

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krista

May.17.2009 at 11:25 am

wow, wow, wow. i have no words. but LOTS and LOTS of prayers. love you guys!

Noelle

May.17.2009 at 12:54 pm

WOW…”extremely high”….WOW. Joining you with tears as I read this…and lots of prayers!!!! Love all 3 of you!!

Meagan South

May.17.2009 at 1:09 pm

Amazing…you’re always in our hearts, on our minds and in our constant prayers.

Melissa

May.17.2009 at 1:31 pm

Praise God! This is amazing news! I pray that this drug will be the one to bring on a cure for CF and healing to precious Asher…we’re always praying for awesome Asher and for his awesome parents. : )

Lorraine

May.17.2009 at 6:16 pm

Dear Rachel – This news is beyond words! Your post makes me cry too. I pray it would be so, that Asher will benefit from some amazing miracle drug that will break him free of this troublesome disease. Every blessing You pour out Lord, still we say blessed be Your Name!

Karen

May.17.2009 at 8:49 pm

Praise the Lord! I am so so glad to read this. I will keep praying for Asher, for your family, and for these doctors and scientists who are working on this cure.