D. C. Highlights

The boys and I had a great time in D. C. earlier this month. We were there for just under a week and I tried to pack in as much as the boys could handle. Being there over the 4th of July weekend made for some large crowds and some long lines so a few of our destinations had to be scratched.

We did get our fill though; The National Portrait Gallery, The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, The Marine Corps Museum at Quantico, Mt. Vernon, a Tour of the Pentagon, of course the Sunset Parade at the Marine Corps Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum near Dulles Airport and the Bull Run (Manassas) Battlefield.

Here's a few snapshots.

Still not an excuse to spend the day playing Wii

Aerobic capacity lower in boys with hemophilia

From Reuters.

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Boys with hemophilia have a lower aerobic capacity than their healthy peers, according to study findings published the Journal of Pediatrics. However, the overall muscle strength of these children is comparable to that seen in the normal population.

None of the participants experienced joint or muscle bleeds or other adverse events because of participation in the study and all of them were able to perform at maximal or near-maximal levels on exercise tests.

Compared with their healthy counterparts though, the peak oxygen capacity, heart rate, and work capacity were significantly lower among the boys with hemophilia.

However, total muscle strength was normal in the patients compared with the healthy controls, and almost no joint impairment or decrease in functional ability was found.

Thanks to prophylaxis our boys can do most of the activities other boys do and it's good to see there were no joint or muscle bleeds.

The study shows that boys with hemophilia have lower aerobic capacity but doesn't explain why. Is there still a predisposition to a more sedentary lifestyle? Do they 'get away' with being less active because of hemophilia? Or is a lower aerobic capacity a by-product of hemophilia?

Off to Kamp Krusty

Well, maybe not Kamp Krusty, but Camp Ailihpomeh (hemophilia backwards). Jack is at hemophilia camp this week, he left Sunday morning. Here's hoping for some positive peer pressure and successful self-infusion.

Camp is again at the great Camp John Mark near Meridian, Texas. I'm sure it's hot as all get out but the boys will, as always, have a fantastic time. Pics from camp are updated daily at the Lone Star Chapter Website, here. Below is the first one of Jack (third from right) and his cabin-mates.