October, 2001

Julie Feldman MPH RD, Clinical Dietitian

Pfizer announced a new antifungal drug to add to the armory of antifungal treatments in the United States.  The new drug called Vfend or voriconazole, was presented before the FDA board of experts on October 4, 2001.  This new drug is designed to treat infections caused by yeasts and molds like candida and aspergillus.  The FDA usually accepts the advise of its specialized advisory panels.  Stay tuned for more information. 

Gene Testing

Gene testing is going mainstream.  Beginning in October of this year, tens of thousands of white Americans will be offered testing to see if they carry the CF gene.  Under the new guidelines, obstetricians and gynecologists are supposed to offer the gene test to every caucasian who is considering having a baby.    This is the first time that a gene test has been applied to a general population instead of a small group of high-risk individuals.  The new plan also includes educational information for families planning to have a baby.

Get Online 

YOUNGLUNG is a online support service for people living with chronic lung diseases and conditions.  They have a YOUNGLUNG Beseen Chat Service  which is set up and ready for use.  The direct address is http://mercury.beseen.com/chat/rooms/a/23887  When you log on you will be asked to register a Handle and password.  Support is the key to success!

Did You Wash Your Hands?

In a study of healthcare workers, the rate of handwashing increased an average of 50% when patients asked "Did you wash your hands?"  However it was also reported that many patients were reluctant to ask their healthcare provider.  To avoid asking the important question, you can buy a 2" pin which reads "Have You Washed Your Hands and stethescope?"  For more information on the pin email Ron at Ron@Cystic-L.org

CF Awareness Week

CF Awareness Week is the week of October 10th as was designated by the Senate in October of 1999.  Don't forget to educate your family, friends and co-workers of their ability to get tested for CF, and to raise awareness in their own communities.

I am sure that I have emphasized enough how important Nutrition is to your lung function, but if you haven't believed me yet, here is the proof.  visit www.pulmonologylinx.com/thearts.cfm?artid=223595&specid=14 to see the article on how body wasting is an independent risk factor and predictor of mortality in CF patients.  To help you stay healthyfully nourished, here is  the perfect Halloween recipe.

Wormy Apples

• 6 large Golden Delicious Apples
• 1/2 cup Raisins
• 1/2 cup Walnuts - chopped
• 1/2 cup Firmly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup Water
• 1/4 cup Butter/margarine - 1/2 stick
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 6 Wiggly candy worms -, "Gummy Worms"

Core apples from blossom ends, leaving stem ends intact. Mix raisins and walnuts and stuff into cavities of cored apples. Set apples, stems up in a 7 x 12 inch pan.
In a 1 to 2 quart pan, mix brown sugar, water, butter, cinnamon & nutmeg; stir over high heat until mixture boils. Pour hot syrup around apples.
Bake, uncovered, in 350~ oven, basting occasionally with syrup, until apples are tender when pierced and skin begins to crack, 30 to 35 minutes.
Remove apples from oven; cool in pan at least 10 minutes or let cool to room temperature. Set each apple in a small bowl and spoon syrup around fruit.
In the top of each apple, cut a hole large enough for one of the candy worms and tuck one end into each apple, leaving most of the worm dangling.
Offer cream to pour over apples.