Floral bouquets for everyone! 💐

I celebrate Rare Disease day for my niece! She has PKU (Phenylketonuria). It is a genetic disorder where her body can not process the amino acid phenylalanine (PHE). She is a STRICT diet of NO protein. She has to drink a special formula to get the nutrients she needs along with eating fruit and veggies. She has to get special lo-pro foods (pasta, baking mixes, etc). PKU affects about 1 out of 20,000 people.

PKU is diagnosed at birth and all babies in the US are tested for it in their newborn screens. There are different "levels" of PKU. My sister is what is called hyper-phe, but she doesn't need to be on the diet. I don't have any form. My sisters oldest son does not have hyper-phe or PKU, but is a carrier of the gene. For a baby to have PKU both parents must carry the mutant gene.

This has been your public service announcement for the day! LOL

I've heard of that. I see the warning on a lot of foods.


Can I celebrate the Chocolate Souffle?

Thanks!  I should have put she will be 27 at the end of March!! LOL  My sister's generation was the first that they started to test for it.  My sister was in a big study at University of Michigan growing up and man where they excited when she got pregnat!!  LOL  

My niece lives a normal life, has a steady boyfriend (who is an ass, but that's another story) and a beautiful little girl who will be 2 at the end of March!