START Now... TO GET RID OF THOSE VARICOSE & SPIDER VEINS e rein Mini MEM 17422 W 10 Mile Rd. • Southfield, MI 48075 (810) 55 7-133 7 Dr. Jerald Gach Provides Personal Treatment: • Safe Effective Non-Surgical Alternative • No Lost lime From Your Daily Routine • Most Insurances Accepted • CALL NOW FOR A FREE CONSULTATION Make That New Year's Resolution Come True! LOSE WEIGH! NATURALLY THE LJLCAMEUL osiMPLY THE BEST FOR LESS" SAVE 15% OR MORE EVERY DAY 20432 FARMINGTON ROAD (JUST SOUTH OF 8 MILE RD.) LIVONIA, MI 48152 14195 EUREKA ROAD (JUST W. OF TRENTON RD.) SOUTHGATE, MI 48195 3195 UNION LAKE ROAD (JUST S. OF COMMERCE) COMMERCE, MI 48382 1910 WOODWARD AVE (N. OF SQUARE LAKE IN KINGSWOOD PLAZA) BLOOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302 (810) 471-2762 (313) 284-9095 (810) 360-7611 (810) 334-9500 Save An ADDITIONAL 10% OFF Entire Purchase At THE VITAMIN OUTLET With Coupon limited One Coupon Per Person Expires 1-31-96 CYSTIC FIBROSIS page H21 while he lies in different positions. in college. These days, in his car The pounding helps dislodge the — to and from work at Chrysler mucous deposits, which already — he inhales an aerosol which have been loosened up by med- loosens the mucus in his lungs. Added to more therapy at home, ications. After a fit of struggling and-cry- Mr. Levine estimates spending ing, Ari usually settles down and about two hours a day on a well- accepts the treatment. Mrs. Roth ness routine. "It takes a big chunk of your life cuddles and comforts him. There's no choice. If Ari is not calm and away — or so you might think. somewhat relaxed, the therapy The doctor, basically, left the choice up to me. It's a tradeoff. will have no effect. The family members sing to What quality of life do you want, him and try to distract Ari with versus how much therapy? I could funny faces and toys. In a small do therapy 24 hours a day, but I don't want to. I'd rather live a lit- way, it eases the pain. "There were months when we tle." couldn't stop crying. But after a Living A Little Longer In 1966, the median life span while, we realized that this is just a way oflife," Mrs. Roth says. "It's was 11. It leaped to 19 in the '80s. like taking a vitamin pill. It's just Now, CF patients live an average something we have to do every of 30 years. Richard Simon, associate pro- day." The Roths' goal right now is to fessor of internal medicine at the keep Ari's lungs infection-free, University of Michigan Medical thus preempting the formation of School, serves as director of the scar tissue. The more scar tissue, Adult Cystic Fibrosis Center in the harder it is to breathe. And Ann Arbor. He attributes the in- the harder it is to breathe, the creased rate of survival to better more the heart must work, risk- treatments. "We're well down the path of ing cardiac arrest. "This is going to be lifelong," understanding what's going on," says his father. "As Ari becomes he says. "The disappointment is - an independent adult, he'll have that our understanding hasn't im- to learn to do his own treatment." mediately translated into a cure." In 1989, researchers at the uni- The Roths especially worry about adolescence when Ari — versities of Michigan and Toron- like most children — might rebel to isolated the gene for CF. against protocols designed for his Afterward, screening tests became welfare. However, his parents available. CYSTIC FIBROSIS page H24 can't dwell on future mights and maybes. To- day's uncertainties require far too much attention. They've replaced car- peting in their house, lest Ari inhale dust mites, which could kill him. Members of the family * The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's must wear masks if they chapter in Michigan will hold a March feel like they're coming "Tennis Auction Ball," a May 'Walk-a- down with a cold. Clean- Thon" and summer golf tournaments. ing is a constant activity Mother major fund-raiser, hosted by — everything from vacu- Lori and Steven Roth and Claire Cham- uming the rugs, washing bers, will most likely be held at the stuffed animals three Wabeek Country Club on Sept. 7, 1996. times a week and replac- The benefits are open to the public. Pro- ing the tubes on Ari's med- ceeds will go toward research. The ical equipment. Foundation is looking for committee Friends and relatives workers and sponsors. For additional have been supportive, and information and for a calendar of more Ari's brothers lend a hand. events, call (810) 524-CURE (2873). In fact, Benjamin Roth's eighth-grade graduating Children's Hospital, Pulmonology class at Hillel Day School Department (313) 745 5541. raised $500 from their hot- dog lunch and bagel sales University of Michigan Hospital for the CF research center 1 800 962 3555. at the University of Michi- Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, gan. Metro Detroit (810) 524 CURE Mark Levine, of South- (2873). field, became more proac- tive in administering his Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Na- own therapy when he tional Office 1-800-FIGHTOF (344- joined a CF support group 4823). Facts And Numbers - - - - -