tagged w/ cardiomyopathy
-
Roukaia, a two-year old girl from Alexandria, Egypt, received her death sentence the day she was born. Due to a combination of heart abnormalities, Roukaias body is unable to pump enough blood throughout her body. As a result, her skin grows a deeper shade of blue with the passing of each day.
Eventually, her vital organs will fail, but not before she experiences a half-life of stunted growth and inactivity.
This is the fate of hundreds of thousands. Each year in Egypt alone, 20,000 children are diagnosed with a congenital heart disease. Today doctors across the globe are beginning to attempt pediatric heart surgery, but this learning curve is gradual and operations are often unsuccessful. Last year in Egypt, more than half of all pediatric heart patients died on the operating table.
In an attempt to lower this high mortality rate, doctors in Egypt are reaching out to anyone who will show them how to work as team.
"Baby Blue" is a race against time; for Roukaias recovery and for two heart teams from opposite sides of the world, who must learn how to work together in order to save thousands of cyanotic children, who are waiting in a line that is ultimately longer than their lifetimes.
www.babybluethemovie.comRoukaia, a two-year old girl from Alexandria, Egypt, received her death sentence the... more
-
-
Nick Carter claims drugs almost killed him.
The Backstreet Boys star admits he only stopped taking illegal substances when he was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a potentially fatal heart condition.
He said: 'I realised I didn’t want to die. I didn't want to be that person people read about and think, 'That's sad that he couldn't stop it and killed himself.’ '
The 29-year-old singer says it took him 10 years to accept he had an alcohol and drug problem. Even being charged with driving under the influence (DUI), getting caught up in a bar brawl and his ballooning weight – which crept up to 224lbs – were not enough to make him stop.
He eventually sought help after experiencing chest pains and fatigue last spring.
Nick underwent tests with a Florida doctor, but embarked on a huge cocaine binge the evening before the results were due.
He said: 'I went out and just went nuts. I drank so much and I did a bunch of blow. I felt like I was trying to kill myself – because I didn't want to get the results.'
Nick eventually listened to the doctors and has quit drugs and lost 57lbs.
He now claims he is in the best shape he has ever been, adding life is 'awesome'.Nick Carter claims drugs almost killed him.
The Backstreet Boys star admits he... more
-
