MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Laughing Plasma Cells' source. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:49:26 +0100 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/11/yet-another-response.html Well after a 50% reduction in the first cycle of Rev/dex I am happy to report another significant response in the second cycle. My myeloma marker of choice (lambda free light chain expression) dropped another 30%. Now if the GRN163L had any effect on the myeloma stem cells then I may be looking at a nice long term remission. :-)I guess you'll have to be patient on that front.I started making sound with a mandolin a while ago. The tuning and fingering is the same as a violin which I used to be able to make music with. It is definately not like a violin and I don't make music - yet. I am having a great time though. It stretches my neurons. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960763 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:54:00 +0100 1960763 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/11/28-day-partial-remission.html I saw the oncologist yesterday and had a skeletal survey (bunch of x-rays) and an Aredia infusion (osteoporosis type bone strengthening drug) in the evening. My myeloma activity markers (protein expression) dropped by 50% in the first 28 days on Revlimid and Dex. My blood counts are still hovering around 'normal' and consequently my fatigue is pretty mellow. Now I'm working on getting the arm back in shape - it is quite gaunt and painful if I do just the right flex. The pain disappears instantly though, but I instinctively use my arm less which helps with the general left arm malnourished look. I'll find out what happened in the second 28 day cycle of Revlimid and Dex early next week.At the beginning of October Geoff's Light the Night team raised $550 for the Western NY Leukemia and Lympho... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939150 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:54:00 +0100 1939150 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/10/light-night-walk.html This Friday is the "Light the Night Walk" in Delaware Park. My boy's team, lead by Jessica Del Mauro, will walk two miles to honor those effected by Leukemia, Lymphoma and Myeloma. Jessie was just recently diagnosed with Lymphoma herself. She has graciously pledged all money raised by her team in my honor. I am humbled and grateful of all the team members efforts. Such outpourings of support are a wonderful thing to see and feel! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's (LLS) Light The Night Walk is an annual event to raise funds for cures. It’s the nation’s night to pay tribute and bring hope to thousands of patients and their families. Funds raised through Light The Night Walk support the work of hundreds of the world’s best and brightest researchers in their search ... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1844756 Wed, 01 Oct 2008 12:05:00 +0100 1844756 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/09/humorous-message-boards.html I get such a kick out of folks on the Geron Yahoo Message Board speculating about their stock’s prospects from a humor oriented blog. If you go to the message board and search for LPC there is more humor to be found there than in this drool. I got the biggest kick out of speculations like: “LPC has left the trial and is on the verge of death… LPC is DYING and you can see it on his blog…” In all fairness it is certainly true that I will die some day. I wonder how many of these folks I’ll outlive though. I also don’t think there is any question that my disease progressed while I was on the trial. Bone marrow MRIs done pre & post trial indicated a change in “involvement of the central bone marrow with multiple myeloma” from “30-40%” to “more than 50%” respectivel... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794431 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:05:00 +0100 1794431 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/09/im-back.html The door is closed on the humerus radiation.The next day I moved on to Carson Mineral Hot Springs Spa for several days of glorious pampering with lots of mineral baths and body raps and a few tailored massages to help with the tension of being "one armed."It was 107 F (42 C) so we went to a snow fed swimming hole, Dog Creek Falls. I can't imagine going near that water if it wasn't so darn hot out.On the way to the Oregon coast we stopped at Multnomah Falls.The Oregon Coast was glorious as always. We spent 5 days right on the Pacific in a huge house with Lu's immediate family (Ma and all her sisters and their families). It was a wonderful family reunion. We got to escape to walk the tide pools, watch the whales, and do a bit of bird watching.Right in the middle of it all Lu and I renewed ou... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1775578 Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:55:00 +0100 1775578 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/08/just-boring-facts.html I have received numerous inquiries about my experience with GRN163L. Unfortunately my MM did progress toward the end of the 20 weeks I was on the trial. I withdrew from the trial and was looking forward to a drug free escape for the rest of the summer. It is obvious that a significant part of the disease progress occurred in my left humerus. I now have a nice titanium spike in my arm. To eliminate some the healing competition I immediately started radiation treatment to kill off the MM tumor near the break. Just the left humerus and rotator cuff area are getting zapped.Next is a Rev/low dose dex regimen scheduled to start in early September. The durability of which may be affected by the GRN163L therapy. Remember GRN is not an anti-tumor agent. It is an anti-MM stem cell agent. It is assum... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1704741 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 01:08:00 +0100 1704741 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/08/spidey-conversion-progress.html As many of you may already know Spiderman has radioactive blood AND there is a real dearth of superheros these days. In an effort to do my part for the world and mankind I am well on my way through the 12 treatment Spidey conversion process. I have purchased several sleeveless muscle shirts in part because they fit over my fracture brace and more importantly I gotta be ready when I actually obtain some muscles. I've never had muscles and continue to look like a dork in a muscle shirt, but you just wait! The treatment takes about 5-10 minutes most of which is setup and positioning. Check out that cool grid and laser alignment. I have been reassured that I don't eat, breath or perform any other related vital functions with my left humerus so there should be no side effects (other than those ... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1696232 Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:58:00 +0100 1696232 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/07/funny-bone.html I'm no longer a hospital virgin. Starting with 14 hrs in an inner city ER to learning that Versed (Midazolam) turns me into a non-stop talking machine (aka slut). Lu walked in the recovery suite and asked my nurse "Who's he talking to?" She replied, "Nobody as far as I can tell, he hasn't shut up since he got in here." I got 5 units of blood, 1 in preparation, 2 during surgery to replace the 2 that ended up on the floor and another 2 because I left the OR with a hemoglobin of 7.1. Apparently I shattered the expected 2 tablespoon norm. As a consequence I do not have any screws at the elbow end of the titanium spike in my humerus. There just wasn't time and a bit of concern related to hematoma(s). There is a metaphysical-feeling set of consequences which led to the 2 units of blood that wer... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1657200 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:41:00 +0100 1657200 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/07/egg-shells-are-fragile.html I had jumped ship on the GRN trial one week ago and had already gotten my mind around a major MM drug free summer holiday. My blood counts were starting to plummet and the 20 weekly infusions had started to make me freakier than I already am. I got a unit of Lu's blood, thank you very much, and then noticed I needed more shoes and my hair looked a bit gray.With a hemoglobin approaching 10 I packed up a tote full of low key projects for camp all psyched for a relaxing weekend. A bit after 6 AM I go down to the dock with my camera to snap some sun rise photos. Unfortunately with one hand on each side if my kayak I learned my left humerus was just not strong enough to support lowering my fat ass into the seat... Of course I thought the dock broke - it sounded like it. The dock is fine. The re... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646013 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 11:39:00 +0100 1646013 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/06/durability-of-dandelions.html It turns out the idea of cancer being fed from a stem cell like source is over 100 years old. Several years ago, like many of you, I heard the cancer stem cell phenomenon described using a dandelion analogy. Anyone who doesn't use herbicides knows you can mow down dandelions every week and they just pop right back up. If the soil is bad or the root stock is weak it might take a while, but eventually it regrows. There has been enough research done over the past several years to confirm with reasonable certainty that myeloma behaves in a similar fashion. There is a root stock (cancer stem cell) that eventually regrows a new weed (myeloma tumor). There are only a few agents that target the root stock. There are many that attack the weed above ground. Sort of like the difference between the nu... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1497481 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:51:00 +0100 1497481 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/05/green-side-of-grn.html Just how green can a drug be? Well I suppose there is the broader environmental aspects which unfortunately I have no clue about. That question does make me wonder just how much carbon is generated in bringing me GRN163L. I bet it isn't negligible.On a more personal note I can speak to the slight green tinge my GI system has developed. Unfortunately when you get a sour stomach there is a link made between the environment and the feeling with one of the strongest connections being that of smell. However unfortunate that link might be, it probably has kept us (humans) alive by steering us away from things that smell of stuff that made us sick in the past. I still steer clear anything that smells like gin 30 some years after it made me deathly ill :-). Now I have this revulsion associated wit... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1414957 Thu, 01 May 2008 22:05:00 +0100 1414957 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/04/purslane-surprise.html We got a great surprise in our mailbox yesterday. A packet of purslane (and other) seeds from Nichols Garden Nursery (our absolute favorite nursery, run by the most wonderful couple, Rose Marie and Keane). Here it is, the peak of busy. Frantic preparations counting down to their annual Plant Day (May 17th) and Rose Marie finds the time to read my blog, send me a catalog, a note and several packets of seeds. The world is a better place because of dear folks like these.I thought I would slip in some news about Mr. Stable, yours truly. My serum markers went up (but not to baseline levels!) and my urine protein expression went down 45% from the first cycle (now 25% below baseline). So how should I spin these numbers? How about if I fantasize about a pita stuffed with broccoli sprouts and pursl... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1358561 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:16:00 +0100 1358561 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/04/he-who-laughs-first.html So if I tell you I'm going to tell you a funny joke your immune response will be beneficial - right?According to a presentation today the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society in San Diego, California a good dose of comedy might be just what the doctor ordered. Back in 2006, Berk and his colleagues found that merely anticipating laughter boosted the production of mood-elevating hormones called β-endorphins and the immunity-enhancing human growth hormone by 27% and 87%, respectively....Berk and his team report today at the 121st Annual Meeting of the American Physiological Society in San Diego, California, that levels of all three stress chemicals decreased before, during and after the men viewed their videos. Thirty minutes after the videos were watched, cortisol was ... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1356155 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:06:00 +0100 1356155 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/03/first-cycle-response.html Well I got my response indicators for my first GRN163L cycle (3 weeks) this afternoon. The serum indicators (which I believe are more reliable) all showed positive results. My urine free light chain protein expression was up slightly. I must have pissed just a bit too much :-). For the more technically enthusiastic there was an 18% drop in my serum lambda FLC expression to 1448 mg/dL. My kappa FLC expression was actually quantifiable although still pathetically low at 0.72 mg/dL. My IgA and IgM antibodies went up slightly :-) and my IgG went down slightly :-(. I have an insignificant serum M-spike. I'll learn about the rest of the indicators after the second cycle in a couple weeks. I'm gonna run to Andalasia with that news and sleep a bit better for a while.On another note... I was please... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1325121 Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:34:00 +0100 1325121 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/03/predictably-irrational.html In this study we showed that when people get more expensive painkillers (placebos in our case) they expect a lot and get a lot of pain relief, but when the price of these pills is discounted, the expectations are lowered and so is their efficacy. As it turns out, with painkillers, we sometimes get what we pay for.For a story in the NYT see this link (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1314148 Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:42:00 +0100 1314148 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/03/mm-complementary-matrix.html Although I haven't had much to share I have been actively lurking. Watching my friends that I have never met walk (or in some cases run, i.e. Don!) the MM triathlon. A bit of swimming and peddling thrown in for good measure. We have an extremely dedicated community full of compassion and intelligence. Getting ones mind around just a fraction of the information available is staggering. The myeloma matrix available from the IMF which tabulates current clinical and pre-clinical drugs needs to be extended to the supportive therapy realm of supplements, diet, exercise, mindfulness and the likes. One quickly notices that anything in clinical or pre-clinical phase that is available without a prescription is jumped on by the community. For example green tea extract, curcumin, Ganoderma (Reishi or ... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1303296 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 16:56:00 +0100 1303296 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/03/prayer-and-dream.html This morning as I stirred Lu from a late morning slumber with gentle nuzzles and a few pokes and prods I asked "Is there anything I can do to make you happy?" She replied "Ya, tell me your cured and give me back those dreams." "Sure no problem. The GRN163L took care of the myeloma. I just have to go back for a few more weeks to prove it. You'll notice how great I feel and pleased I am. Shall we do some dreaming?"That led to many laughs and lots of scheming and fantasizing about dreams and how to realize them. The gory details of the first week involve mostly emotional trauma. Going back to Roswell every day except Thursday was more ominous than I expected. Lots of pokes, pissing and a bone marrow aspirate. On infusion day they took about 360 cc (1.5 cups) of blood over about 4 1/2 hours. N... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1270572 Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:48:00 +0100 1270572 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/02/weird-gadgets.html Lu stumbled across a jab at the worst gadgets to clutter your life with:Camping Ice Cream MakerDo you use an ice cream maker at home? Then why would you need one in the woods? If you're going to make ice cream while camping, you're going to have to lug a 5 lb. bag of ice, cream and sugar into the forest. Where will you get those things? The same store that sells Ben and Jerry's. $24.95 from REI.com.I actually like REI, more so 30 years ago when it was a real co-op instead of another yuppie gear store. The absurdity of lugging the raw materials into the woods gave us a good laugh. We did a lot of pathetic ill prepared aborted camping in our youth.What I need is the Tank Chair to get into the woods.Tank Chair Finally, a wheelchair fit for the Popular Mechanics reader. Those wishing to turn t... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1252644 Sat, 23 Feb 2008 23:37:00 +0100 1252644 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/02/relationships-experiences-and-time.html Just what is it that make one feel fulfilled? I noticed that as I have aged that has changed, but there are a few steadfast somewhat philosophical descriptors that keep popping up. Friends are almost always involved. We tend to be experiencing life with an enhanced richness, even if circumstances are rather mundane. Solitary creativity pops up, but rarely in total isolation. Sharing that pathetic scratchy twinkle twinkle little star added immensely to the experience of learning to play the violin (all over again after 30 years). There has been a morphing through acquisition, accomplishment, and spirituality into relationships and experiences.Given time, which implies a certain level of financial security to not have to "work" so much just to eat and sleep that you can't have relationships ... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1238186 Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:18:00 +0100 1238186 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/02/mm-dx.html Lu told a story last May at a Gilda's luncheon about that dreaded pea soup fog you find yourself in when hit with a diagnosis like multiple myeloma. My analogy involved getting into the head of happy go lucky squirrel going about his care free life. All is simple, easy and pretty simple. Find the nuts, eat the nuts, save some nuts, eat some nuts, and find another squirrel to make little squirrels with. Bliss. Then one day there is this bizarre out of this world contraption coming at you faster, bigger, louder and scarrier than anything has ever been before.Welcome to your MM diagnosis day. That contraption shows up from time to time. Like during the Superbowl. :-) Now I feel more empathy for the folks around me who still get all freaked out (not that I don't have bad days!) (Source: Laughi... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1207430 Tue, 05 Feb 2008 22:27:00 +0100 1207430 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/01/feeling-rich-and-old.html If you happen to be feeling wealthy and old I have something for you to try. The company, Geron Corp., that developed the Telomerase inhibitor GRN163L, (the trial I'm going on), licensed its small molecule Telomerase Activators for non-therapeutic products in the fields of dietary food supplements, nutraceuticals and topically applied cosmetics and cosmeceuticals to Telomerase Activation Sciences, Inc. (TA Sciences). For a measly $2500 you can go to NYC, see a doctor and get a pretty sophisticated lab work up to see if you would like to go on the $22,500/year TA-65 Patton Protocol. That doesn't include the other doctors visits or lab work... "Now aging humans can re-set their cellular clock by activating telomerase, the enzyme responsible for long, healthy telomeres and youthful functionin... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1181801 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 22:58:00 +0100 1181801 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/01/on-vacation.html I haven't actually traveled anywhere, but my mind has certainly taken a hike on another trail. Classes started 2 weeks ago along with a pile of other obligations, some exciting, some trying, some mundane. I made a conscious choice to "avoid" myeloma in part because I know once the GRN163L trial starts there will be a potential Roswell Park overload brewing. The clinical trial finally got posted on clinicaltrials.gov ID: NCT00594126 The second arm has not "officially" started yet.In the mean time, Happy Birthday Lu! She is now officially 2 years older than me. Hee Hee Hee. The not so little chillens through Lu an amazing fondue feast that lasted 3 1/2 hours. I loved it. Happy Birthday to my dear friend Barb who will always be younger than me. Humm.I started a health and longevity Tai Chi pr... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1179948 Sat, 26 Jan 2008 22:01:00 +0100 1179948 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/01/are-you-listening-to-music.html My wife just reminded me what my therapist keeps asking me. "Are you listening to music?" I forgot to include it in the LPC123 pre-clinical trial. She sent me a snip it referring to a Cleveland Clinic back pain study. That got wondering about quantitative immune response studies of which I found way to many to reference. In short, music (that you pick is slightly better) can produce significant changes in all kinds of quantifiable immune responses: POMS-scale, CD4+:CD8+ ratio, cortisol, and cortisol:DHEA ratio. "The intervention of music demonstrates communication between the mind and body." [ref] Gee go figure.I used to play the viola 30 years ago. I bet I could generate some significant immune suppression if I play at the Gilda's wellness group talent show at the end of the month. Then a... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1146388 Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:59:00 +0100 1146388 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/01/doc-update.html I actually recorded a 30 minute discussion with a dear friend who also happens to be my oncologist Tuesday. That statement alone is very special to me. Of course what we talked about was rather important as well. Despite the expanding hole in my head there is no meaningfully significant indicators of progression. So a bone marrow MRI as well as numerous pre-GRN163L clinical trial pokes, prods and pictures are coming soon. I had an email discussion yesterday about a primary myeloma indicator (myeloma cell protein expression) and how tons of factors which are mostly unknown can effect it. In short it is tough seeing a 1.5 inch hole on an x-ray, balancing that with no other indicators of progression and then going back to living a great life. Heck I played tennis this morning and actually thi... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1142441 Thu, 10 Jan 2008 19:25:00 +0100 1142441 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2008/01/glorious-mundane.html For the most part my life is made up of the rather normal mundane aspects of being. Eating, sleeping, cleaning, etc. Truly exceptional experiences are pretty rare, hence the adjective exceptional. When some part of my normality is taken away I find myself readjusting, remaking normal, with a renewed appreciation for what was unnoticed, taken for granted. A side effect of Velcade slowly crept into my sleep over the last month. Restless leg syndrome or in my case more technically termed "Nocturnal Leg Cramps" focused in the calves but present in the thighs and feet to varying degrees. After a few sleepless weeks with countless attempts at relief ranging from prescriptions, supplements, massage, spas and heat packs to exercise to just plan old staying up all night and sleeping during the day ... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1131942 Sun, 06 Jan 2008 02:47:00 +0100 1131942 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/trial-r.html As some of you might recall I got booted off the mapatumumab/Velcade trial a few weeks ago. An online preprint article published in JCI, TRAIL-R deficiency in mice promotes susceptibility to chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis seems to suggest that if one is deficient in TRIAL-R (a cell death-signally receptor) then an anti-TRIAL-R drug would not help matters. I of course am reading between the lines here, but the drug manufacturer is developing a test to screen for patients which over express TRIAL-R so as to target the biologic to those patients most likely to benefit from mapatumumab.As we have learned genetic abnormalities in combination with any number of other stresses is the most likely path to cancer. The plethora of known and yet undiscovered genetic abnormalities which predisp... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1120770 Fri, 28 Dec 2007 22:49:00 +0100 1120770 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/its-small-world.html Have you ever noticed that despite a 1 in 6,000 chance of meeting another person with MM they seem to come out of the woodwork so to speak? My Mom emailed me yesterday about a 21 year survivor of MM she met. Yup you read correctly twenty one! Then there is the six degrees of separation phenomena published in Psychology Today and popularized by the 1990 play of the same name. Subsequently the internet has allowed the theory to verified to a rather high degree of precision. Wrap that up with Einstein's theory of relativity and poof you have not only a small world, but one in which no part is an island unto itself. It is an ever shrinking oh so small flat world.It is the Season when I more often recall and reflect on just how thankful I am to have a world of friends, many I may never meet, wh... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1113944 Sun, 23 Dec 2007 21:43:00 +0100 1113944 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/wogo.html "Wo go" is not what you say to a spastic horse. Its a traditional Chinese medicine herb. As you can imagine when you are told "We can't cure what ails you but we have a pretty good idea you'll live longer if you try this rather nasty stuff we whipped up in the lab." you begin to look around for other brewers of less nasty concoctions with a bit of efficacy.Dr. Min Li-Weber of the Division of Immunogenetics headed by Prof. Dr. Peter Krammer has been concentrating on pure substances from herbs that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. Investigating their ability to trigger apoptosis (cell death), the scientist has recently come across an interesting candidate: the substance wogonin, a plant flavone from Baikal skullcap. Wogonin causes apoptosis in leukemia cells in the culture dish, whi... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1107018 Thu, 20 Dec 2007 02:44:00 +0100 1107018 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/decorating.html If you happen to live in (or drive through) suburbia USA this time of year you will know to what extreme decorating can be taken. Every town seems to have its notorious houses or in some cases streets. Just think if you would like to dedicate several months a year and a significant portion of your income you too could become a tourist attraction: Ah the beauty of opulent over expression, OCD, and a love of electricity.Instead I have a tiny 3 foot tree top (what I left behind will live...) from the back 40 decorated with colored rice lights. I find sanctuary in the simplicity. Then again there won't be any kids (or grandchildren) that need spoiling this year. :-) (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1104356 Wed, 19 Dec 2007 02:03:00 +0100 1104356 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/let-it-snow.html Oh the weather outside is frightful,But the fire is so delightful,And since we've no place to go,Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!I just love the view out my bedroom window, especially on days like this. The old treadle sewing machine is slowing being buried in fluffy white stuff. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097672 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 21:05:00 +0100 1097672 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/gingerbread-houses.html I definitely had enough sugar today to blow away any anemia issues. You can't help licking your fingers, popping a M & M, and at least trying the egg nog. A bit of sing-along Christmas music, the children and their friends all came together leaving me with a big smile here at the end of the day. Lu gathered up the coolest construction candy ever this year. Most of it is totally disgusting, but it is awesome construction material. Tony mastered the frosting and brought the most wonderful coloring. We even had black frosting for the snowman's buttons. There is something that warms the soul when you spend a day laughing and being creative with people you love. It's got to be good for whatever ails me. :-) (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1097468 Sun, 16 Dec 2007 01:06:00 +0100 1097468 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/sunny-environment.html It just so happens that we (Buffalo) are getting our first real snow of the season. Backwash from the nasty weather that blasted the middle of the country a few days ago. I am sitting here looking at the puffy white stuff when I get this picture from my Mom on the Sunny Florida Gulf coast. I can wear shorts here by the wood stove, but that's it.It is the fresh clean look that got me thinking about where or when I might have strayed into some ugly environmental toxin. Dr. Durie, chairman of the IMF, gave a presentation on the genetic finding from the myeloma DNA Bank on a Cure.The study found that genetic pathways associated with the ability to neutralize environmental toxins are defective in patients with classic myeloma. "Identifying these genetic pathways was unexpected," said Brian G.M.... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1094188 Fri, 14 Dec 2007 03:26:00 +0100 1094188 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/mindfulness.html I'm being mindful this evening. Take a deep breath and know I for one appreciate the time you spend reading my blog.Peace be with you. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1091362 Thu, 13 Dec 2007 02:19:00 +0100 1091362 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/new-gp.html I regularyly visit a fancy new state of the art cancer institute, Roswell Park. Next door is Buffalo General Hospital. A facility in every state from ancient to the Jetsons. The last time I was there was as a MRI research subject to test, calibrate and fine tune their brand new suite of MRI machines. They gave me a really cool CD of my head for my efforts. Unfortunately the clinic I visited was last updated in the 70's. Unfortunate in that it prejudiced my mood and expectations. Sorta gave me the creeps. I used lots of Purell. It then took about half of the hour plus that the doc spent with me to realize he was respectful, really listening, thinking and giving me good advise.In short, recent RBS (restless body syndrome) is not because of sugar control issues and probably not because of dru... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1088727 Wed, 12 Dec 2007 01:23:00 +0100 1088727 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/core-beliefs.html If you are like many folks dealt a cancer hand, a bit of self doubt and reflection are inevitable. Then of course there is the endless search for a cause. The daunting quest for remission. A veritable roller coaster of sorts. So if you'd like to live on a shaky foundation try taking a look at your core beliefs - you know the ones coming from your bones. Where you stand or how you perceive the world. Myeloma is a core belief type of disorder. There aren't very many folks so blessed with a reason to ever even look at their core beliefs. It's the blessing part I have trouble with at times. I'm off to sleep on that one. :-) (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1084234 Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:15:00 +0100 1084234 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/faulty-protein-disposal.html I just loved the sound of this news article, "Mechanism Found For Faulty Protein Disposal" As you know I have a bit a faulty protein being spewed out by my laughing plasma cells. To add to the cool factor the research focused in on the retrotranslocons in the membrane of the cell's endoplasmic reticulum. It has Transformer like ring to it. My boy loved Transformers about 2 decades ago. They found the protein shredder for faulty proteins. There is a class of MM drugs, proteasome inhibitors, that gum up the shredder, clogging up the cell and killing it. The cell drowns in faulty protein. It gets even cooler though. There is a menagerie of chaperones watching for trouble makers that then become conspirators with the bullies if a protein screws up. Sounds like a junior high school dance on som... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1082098 Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:03:00 +0100 1082098 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/stem-cells.html There just happens to be a meeting in Atlanta, ASH - American Society of Hematology, where a large number of MM researchers and clinicians are spending the weekend. If you have a boat load of time you can read meeting abstracts until your brain melts. http://www.hematology.org/ One of the hottest topics, that just happens to extend beyond haematopoietic stem cells, is the finding of either rare tissue stem cells or progenitor cells in other forms of cancer. The belief is that treating the cancer cells, instead of the drug resistant stem cells that may be the source of the cancer cells, could be why initial responsiveness followed by drug-resistant recurrences is commonly seen. My quest has always sought the illusive therapy that focuses on the stem cells. These therapies are now just leavi... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1081781 Sun, 09 Dec 2007 02:14:00 +0100 1081781 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/5-memory-rule.html I have a great team of caring and attentive cancer care providers. The most important of which is my primary Cancer Care Coordinator (CCC), Lu (who also happens to be my wife). If you read my last post you might be able to infer that Tuesday was pretty disappointing. I put a lot of time, energy and hope into my treatment. It didn't work - at all. It might even have made things worse. That sucks. All that being said, the good Dr. looks at me and says "You won't remember 5% of what has happened here, but stop and listen to this. It is the only thing that is important. Your doing great. Your healthy. You don't have to think about any of this until next year. It's my job to be ready for you when you come back. Now go home and have a great Holiday Season." He went on and mumbled something about... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1076272 Fri, 07 Dec 2007 01:20:00 +0100 1076272 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/booted.html Yup that's right, no more nasty drugs until next year! No trip to the infusion clinic today! My plasma cells laughed at Velcade and had a party with mapatumumab (HGS1012). I was booted from the study due to "progressive disease". The indicator of distinction was the growth of the hole in my head from 2.2 to 3.5 cm in the 12 weeks I was on the study. I guess it's time to stop using it as an excuse for this mental drool you're reading. Guess what I got to bring home with me today... the GRN163L clinical trial protocol. This is a single agent Phase I does escolation study with a weekly 2 hour infusion (and clinical trial related blood work, etc. etc. etc.) Although there is a relatively short history with GRN163L my impression after spending a considerable amount of time with the research nur... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1070244 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 21:12:00 +0100 1070244 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/medical-imaging.html I happen to be making up a final exam today and was working on a question regarding image resolution, dynamic range and spatial frequency. As is often the case with me, I get easily distracted when doing something that is marginally captivating. (Sort of like the laundry and dishes)I happen to be getting the standard skeletal surveys which are a poor indicator of disease response. For starters bone lesions don't get smaller if you have a great response. There is some evidence that bone regrowth will occur, but it is a very slow process if it does. I have had a couple bone marrow MRI's done over the course of the past 2 years. They have the added benefit of no ionizing radiation and the potential for accessing bone marrow involvement albeit with low precision. So were do I end up... looking... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1067768 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:45:00 +0100 1067768 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/peripheral-nerve-issues.html There has been a Significant Discovery In Neurobiology By Vascular Biologists which might have implications for the multitude of cancer patients dealing with peripheral nerve issues. Although like so many discoveries of this nature we won't see therapeutic application of it for some time, but having a new key to the puzzle does give hope.Lead by Professor Sussan Nourshargh the research reports on the previously unknown expression and function of a particular cell adhesion molecule, junctional adhesion molecule-C (JAM-C), in peripheral nerves. JAM-C, largely associated to date with inflammatory disorders, was found to play a critical role in maintaining the integrity and function of peripheral nerves by forming an integral part of the insulating sheath that surrounds these nerves - the myel... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064870 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 23:17:00 +0100 1064870 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/migrating-hematopoietic-stem-cells.html If you ever wondered where or how your blood cells came to be or just what they were capable of doing you are not alone. There is no other stem cell that is more thoroughly studied (and understood?) than the blood stem cell. Unfortunately like most scientific inquisitions as you learn more about a phenomena the number of unknowns increases (exponentially by the way). Ockham's Razor is my less than successful attempt to keep a handle on my ever inquisitive mind. New research from the lab of Harvard Medical School professor of pathology Ulrich von Andrian, published in the November 30 edition of Cell, now suggests that these blood producing stem cells' biological role is far more versatile and dynamic than hanging out in the bone marrow and replenishing our blood and immune system cells when... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1064587 Sun, 02 Dec 2007 02:55:00 +0100 1064587 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/12/power-of-electricity.html Electricity sure is handy. Especially if you want to use a computer. Lu and I had a wonderful candle light dinner, scissor soup. Not wanting to wield a knife in poor light Lu cut up veggies over a big pot of broth with the kitchen scissors. It was glorious. We watched a stupid movie on my laptop all snuggled up in bed and fell asleep really early. It was a bit too clouding to see the NGC 1512 spiral galaxy, but dream we did. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1063550 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:56:00 +0100 1063550 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/immune-function-and-meditation.html I went a quick search for clinical studies of mindfulness-based stress reduction with quantitative measures of immune function. It is probably not surprising that you have less stress your immune system will be more effective. A group of people enrolled in a MBSR program responded to a flu vaccine with higher antibody expression than the control group (the poor soles that got wait listed for enrollment in the next MBSR program). [ref] There is also evidence that plasma lactate levels are reduced as well as a significant myeloma prognostic indicator the acetylcholinesterase gene (ACE). [ref]Some food for thought before meditating... (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1061054 Fri, 30 Nov 2007 02:23:00 +0100 1061054 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/orchids.html I saw an Orchid today at a friends house that has been in unblemished bloom for several months. I did a quick look and soon realized that there is an amazing number of Orchids in our world. So thanks Barb for the uniqueness of both the setting, but most importantly the stretching and yoga that helped immensely with the muscle aches and tension that seems to come along with Velcade. I'm going to go back next week for sure.Now for some mindfulness-based stress reduction! (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1057336 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:16:00 +0100 1057336 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/surveying.html I bet I wasn't in my seat a minute before being summoned to have my skeleton surveyed. How cool is that. Twenty five x-rays all in slightly awkward poses. Deep breath, hold. Exhale, hold. Pray. Toes in. Palms up. yada yada yada. I promptly went to work and simply glowed for the rest of the day. That "Oh gee, you look sort of fluorescent. What's up with that." "I'm fine just don't hang out in my office very long."Oh yea and there is a hole in my head. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1055670 Wed, 28 Nov 2007 01:12:00 +0100 1055670 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/trial-response.html I get to go in for my second battery of clinical trial response tests in the morning. It is actually trivial, a bunch of blood and few dozen x-rays. Having a friend, Betsy, along for the ride will make it all the more enjoyable. Unfortunately I'll have to wait a week to learn anything. I got home really late today and Lu and I are going to watch movie. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1051259 Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:53:00 +0100 1051259 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/mind-body-practices-stress.html I try to keep this blog lite and humerus. It certainly helps my level of stress. Here is a rant that is lite on the humor... There is a ton of scientific data demonstrating that the chemical messengers coming from our brain cells carry messages to the immune cells. The reverse is also true. Our immune cells release messenger molecules which the nervous system uses to provide feedback information to the brain or other organ systems. Dr. David Simon likes to use the phrase, "Our immune cells are eavesdropping on our internal conversation." If this is indeed the case what can one do to enhance this internal dialog to strengthen our immune system. Diet: Remember the phrase "You are what you eat." I believe there are many more levels to that than nutritional. How was what you are eating created... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1049015 Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:49:00 +0100 1049015 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/peekaboo-where-are-you.html Marlee was upset that she couldn't Skype her distant cousins in Italy, Peekaboo, Priscilla, Puzzola & P???. When Margaret gets Skype up and running, Marlee wants to be the first to make contact. The chillins got to talk with Gramma in Oregon and that made her very jealous, so she put on her prissy Mar-LEE Anne attitude and sulked in front of the Skype camera until the heat of the wood stove thawed her resolve. (Source: Laughing Plasma Cells) Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1048503 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:28:00 +0100 1048503 http://laughingplasmacells.blogspot.com/2007/11/keeping-open-mind.html My oncologist (and I) are of the belief that the likelyhood a single agent being the magic bullet for what ails me it slim to none. That being said I concur with several other blogger's throw every (including the kitchen sink) at it. I.e. Don's Program. As you will quickly see the stamina and disipline Don has can be awe inspiring. So to not let that induce any stress I realized as I was again overeating the day after Thanksgiving while sitting in front of nice crackling fire after a quick event free dose of hand candy that fungus from my firewood just might be helping. Chaetocin, a small-molecule natural product produced by wood fungi, has shown promising anti-myeloma effects. There are currently several chemicals that are structurally similar to this in clinical or pre-clinical trial for... Laughing Plasma Cells blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1047590 Sat, 24 Nov 2007 00:32:00 +0100 1047590