Stem cells

:: Warning! Menstrual Talk ::

In a million years I would have never suspected this. Stem cells can be harvested from a woman every month during her menstrual cycle. I came across this website somehow this morning and I didn't sift through everything, but imagine the impact. If we can cure various ailments with stem cells and we can collect stem cells monthly from ourselves, for ourselves or blood relatives, what could we cure? Could I grow new lymph nodes? Could I help my child, my sister, my parent fight some ailment in the future?

Honestly, I try to keep the period talk very limited and certainly to girlfriends (lucky them). I know it's icky and uncomfortable: but wait, why is it icky? The whole reason we go through that is to bear children. We knew our bodies were clearing out and rebuilding for the next potential pregnancy. It does make sense that there would be stem cells or some life giving element. And it sounds pretty flawless ethically. Could having our periods change into something viewed as more worthwhile not just a big inconvenient fun spoiler? Imagine. Is it another way that women could give life.

I think that within stem cell research there are going to be such huge discoveries. Imagine if stem cells could help fight cancer cells? Is that so far off? And rebuild heart tissue, heal brain injuries, to my non-medically educated eyes and imagination, it seems limitless.

Like cord-blood banks, it's not cheap. C'elle is offering a special discounted price of $499. I remember with my babies looking into cord blood and it was in the $1500 range then. Plus, you pay annually to maintain your banked blood. There are limited public banks - my hospital did not participate in any public cord blood bank collection program. It's a little disappointing. Especially at a hospital like Northside where it's like McDonald's (One Billion served). Imagine all that cord blood that is potentially life saving.

It's something to look into - if your spare time.