REMEMBER WHEN YOU WERE A KID, AND YOUR PARENTS LINED YOU UP AGAINST A DOOR FRAME TO MEASURE YOUR HEIGHT AND MARKED THE DATE ON IT?

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I am reposting this from earlier this year, just to give you an idea of what RavenVamp has been going through.............................................................................................................................

Removing his right lung saved his life------but he still may need a transplant  ..Hopefully, his other lung will get stronger; and maybe, just maybe, he won't need a transplant....       The point I'm trying to make is this: we all fight some sort of battle with every breath we take, whether it be from this terrible disease, cancer,diabetes, etc......so, don't be too quick to judge somebody, until you really know them

 IN THE COMMENTS, I HAVE POSTED MORE OF WHAT PEOPLE WITH "ICS" GO THROUGH

Health Information – CHEO Immotile Cilia Syndrome (Kartagener's Syndrome, Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia) Tell Me More About Immotile Cilia Syndrome How Does Immotile Cilia Lead to Symptoms? The Effects of Ineffective Ciliary Motion The basic problem in Immotile Cilia Syndrome is that because the cilia fail to beat (or, less commonly, they fail to beat in an effective fashion), mucous fails to be cleared out of the respiratory passages. This mucous because stuck in the respiratory passages, and can block these passages. In addition, mucous is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Mucous that remains in place for extended periods of time eventually becomes infected with bacteria. The bacteria release chemicals which can damage tissues in the area, especially in the lungs. In addition, inflammatory cells, recruited to help eliminate these bacteria, can release chemicals such as enzymes, which cause further local tissue damage. Types of Abnormal Cilia Abnormalities of any of the parts of cilia can lead the cilia being unable to beat. Abnormalities of all the components of cilia have been seen in individuals with Immotile Cilia Syndrome, including absence of the inner or outer dynein arms (or both), absence of the central spokes, absence of the nexin links, and various abnormalities of the microtubules. Abnormalities involving the dynein arms are the commonest cause of Immotile Cilia Syndrome. As all of these abnormalities lead to failure of the cilia to move, all of these abnormalities lead to the same symptoms. In rare instances, cilia from individuals with Immotile Cilia Syndrome look normal using the electron microscope, but video-microscope images show that the cilia fail to beat (for unknown reasons), or do not beat in a coordinated, forwards-and-backwards way. The symptoms in these individuals are the same as in other people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome. Bacterial Infection in People with Immotile Cilia Syndrome Four types of bacteria are responsible for most of the persistent respiratory tract infections in people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome: Bacteria Infection in Immotile Cilia Syndrome Infection in Other People Hemophilus (Hemophilus influenzae, Hemophilus species) Hemophilus is the most common bacteria causing persistent respiratory infection in people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome. Hemophilus is a fairly common cause of pneumonia. It is a frequent cause of episodes of bronchitis in smokers. It is also a common cause of ear infections and sinusitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae (or "Pneumococcus") Pneumococcus is another common bacteria causing persistent respiratory infection in people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome. Pneumococcus is the most common cause of pneumonia. It is also a common cause of ear infections and sinusitis. Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus is a less-frequent cause of respiratory infection. Staphylococcus is an uncommon cause of pleurisy and pneumonia. It also causes ear infections and impetigo. Pseudomonas aeruginosa Pseudomonas tends to be a more common cause of respiratory infections in older individuals with Immotile Cilia syndrome. Pseudomonas is an uncommon cause of infection in otherwise-healthy people. It is a common cause of lung infection in people with Cystic Fibrosis, where it causes the sputum to be green-tinged. What's The Difference Between a Bacteria and a Virus? Bacteria are microscopic, one-celled animals which can ingest nutrients, grow, and multiply. Bacteria cause many mild infections, like ear infections and bladder infections, as well as serious infections such as pneumonia. However, because they are alive, they can be killed using conventional antibiotics. Viruses, on the other hand, consist of genetic material (or DNA) surrounded by a coating, or envelope, made of protein. Viruses cannot grow or multiply on their own. Viruses must inject themselves into a living cell, where the virus' DNA can instruct the cell to use the cell's machinery to construct more viruses. Eventually, the cell fills with viruses and bursts, releasing viruses which can infect other cells. Because viruses aren't truly "alive," they cannot be "killed" with conventional antibiotics. However, fortunately, most viral infections are minor, and the viruses can be eliminated by the body's immune system. Common viral infections include colds, influenza, and the stomach flu. A few viruses, such as herpes, can cause persisting infections. Note: Hemophilus influenza is a bacteria. Influenza virus is a virus which causes influenza. What are the symptoms of Immotile Cilia Syndrome? Problems in the Lungs Because the cilia don't move mucous in people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome, the only way people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome can clear mucous out of the lungs is by coughing. Because of this, people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome usually cough more than other people. When mucous becomes stuck in the bronchial passages, a number of problems can develop: As mucous in the bronchial passages become infected and thicker, individuals with Immotile Cilia Syndrome can start coughing up thick mucous, called phlegm or sputum. Because increased mucous is constantly present in the bronchial tubes of people with Immotile Cilia Syndrome, people with this condition always have some bacteria in the bronchial tubes. The permanent presence of bacteria in the bronchial tubes is called chronic bacterial infection. People with Immotile Cilia Syndrome usually have chronic infection with the same bacteria for extended periods of time. Bronchial tubes can become narrowed because of the mucous, causing difficulty breathing or wheezing . Signs of difficulty breathing include having the little spaces between the ribs (or at the upper part of the stomach, below the rib cage, or at the hollow at the front of the neck) being sucked in with each breath, or breathing very fast. Wheezing is a whistling sound which comes from the chest and which is usually heard while the person is breathing out. Viral infections, such as colds or "the flu" (influenza) increase production of mucous in the respiratory passages in everyone. Viral infections, and the increased amount of mucous, promote the growth of bact