MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'cancer chemotherapy'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:06:47 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5131008&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2011%2F08%2F14%2Fcancer-warrior-wanted-guest-post%2F The State Fair will be closed today here in Indianapolis.  You have probably heard that 5 people were killed and 45 hospitalized last night when a freak wind collapsed a temporary stage just before the group Sugarland was to perform. Cancer is the same kind of disaster as that wind, coming out of nowhere, striking indescriminantly at innocent victims.  Long time blogger and cervical cancer survivor offers these reactions at the journey | Life as I know it! I am so angry at cancer right now! I hate it, it is pissing me off, and I just want it to go away! NOW! Yesterday, I received an email from the friend that I spoke of a couple of days ago – the one that I ran into at the lab on Thursday. In her email, she was letting me know that her Thursday morning appointment with the oncologist ... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5131008 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 19:32:16 +0100 5131008 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118936&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39212&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbahtocancer.com%2F2011%2F08%2Fchemotherapy-fantastic%2F I went to have my hair cut on Saturday. It was a new hairdresser. I took a picture of what I wanted along with me, because no matter how well I think I explain what I want, hairdressers always seem to hear, “Just do whatever you fancy, so long as you leave a funny bit that [...] (Source: Bah! to cancer) Bah! to cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118936 Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:30:42 +0100 5118936 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934158&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fvideogames-as-behavioral-intervention-for-patients-with-chronic-diseases%2F2011.06.16 In recent posts on Web-based and mobile behavioral intervention programs, we reviewed evidence suggesting that social support, in one form or another, can improve participants’ adherence and engagement with the program. That didn’t always mean however, that participants achieved better outcomes as a result. In one study for example, an online community increased engagement with and utilization of a Web-based activity program, but it did not increase participants’ actual activity levels. Another study, slightly older than the ones reviewed above, did show that a Web-based program improved outcomes. In this case, the intervention was an online videogame known as Re-Mission. Since I haven’t touched previously on outcome studies for automated lifestyle intervention tools or videogames ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934158 Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:00:43 +0100 4934158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684688&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2011%2F04%2F07%2Fcancer-ups-and-downs-guest-post%2F One of the amazing things about cancer blogging is the connectedness that we sometimes develop towards our fellow travelers, that unique sense of community.  It can be so strong that we are hesitant to give it up.  Years after the news of our remission we still identify with other survivors for we will forever be “survivors”.  Maybe it is partly because of the way cancer grabs hold of us, searing into our primal identity the brand of the Beast. Lori Lee, whop writes as “Miss Mel” at her blogsite Miss Melanoma: The Official Site for the Fun Side of Cancer , looks back at the acute phase of her own illness, offering hope to those still mired in the struggle. Ups and downs I remember when my weeks were filled with a different doctor’s appointment every day, ... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684688 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:04:02 +0100 4684688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5118934&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39027&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancerlifeandme.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fblood-isnt-always-thicker%2F About four years ago, I went to a doctor appointment that, until now, only my wife knew about. It was a visit to a urologist. The subject of the meeting was to evaluate my fertility. My wife and I were recently married, and so naturally the idea of children came about eventually. I dreamed of having my own kids someday. But, I also tried avoiding any conversations about procreating. This is because I highly suspected I might be infertile due to the chemo/radiation treatments I had received, yet I didn’t want it to be official. I wanted to keep hope alive through denial and avoidance. But the question kept bugging me: Can I have kids? And then I thought about what it was doing to my wife, the uncertainty. We needed to either accept bad news and move on, or realize good news and begin ... Cancer, life, and me blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5118934 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:00:56 +0100 5118934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653516&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39027&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cancerlifeandme.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fblood-isnt-always-thicker%2F About four years ago, I went to a doctor appointment that, until now, only my wife knew about. It was a visit to a urologist. The subject of the meeting was to evaluate my fertility. My wife and I were recently married, and so naturally the idea of children came about eventually. I dreamed of having my Continue reading Blood isn’t always thicker… (Source: Cancer, life, and me) Cancer, life, and me blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653516 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:00:56 +0100 4653516 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4653506&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fwhat-if-nothing-changes.html Today is a treatment day.For the first time ever, I will have Herceptin on its own (if you don't count the Demerol and Gravol I get to keep the shakes and fevers at bay).Some people have almost no side effects with Herceptin. Some feel like they have the flu. Will the fact that my body has such a strong response to Herceptin mean that I feel more of its side effects?The break from chemotherapy is meant to help me heal and rebuild - physically and emotionally.The break from chemo is also a risk.Here's hoping it all works out for the best.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4653506 Tue, 29 Mar 2011 13:00:00 +0100 4653506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4570714&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F03%2Fmixed-but-good-i-think.html And I'm not talking about the weather, which while it has been mixed, has been pretty consistently bad for the last twenty four hours. We had a big dump of snow (the photo above was taken from my front door), followed by freezing rain, which will be followed by ordinary rain.Good thing I just bought rain boots.My GP called me last week to let me know the results of my endoscopy (I won't get in to see the gastroenterologist until March 21st). All my results were negative - no celiac, no bacterial infection, no cancer. It's all good.Then I talked to my oncologist on Friday. We discussed my scope results and my digestive symptoms (diarrhea, heartburn, abdominal pain). He expressed surprised that I was still feeling lousy on Friday after a Tuesday treatment. I told him that my recovery time ha... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4570714 Thu, 10 Mar 2011 18:07:00 +0100 4570714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4464660&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fwhen-google-is-not-your-friend.html So I've been having some (ahem) gastrointestinal issues for a while. Last spring, I was diagnosed with GERD. Things got better after I made some amendments to my diet and started taking meds (so much better that I got lazy about the diet and just took the meds). But now the issues are back in spades, along with abdominal discomfort and a feeling I can only discribe as "weasels chewing on my innards."A couple of weeks ago, I went to see my GP who doubled my dose of the meds, ordered some blood tests and other (ahem) samples and put in a referral to a gastroenterologist. She told me that it would likely be a six month wait. I had chemo on Tuesday, February 1st, which means I should have been feeling more or less like myself on the week end. I did not. By Saturday, I was still achy, weak, nau... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4464660 Fri, 11 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4464660 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4429227&cid=t_364721_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F6enU1acrRKw%2F File this under ‘going from bad to worse.’ Just a few weeks after the FDA decided to rescind the breast cancer indication for Avastin, the med sold by Roche’s Genentech unit is now linked to an increased risk of causing a fatal reaction when combined with chemotherapy, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (here is the abstract). The side effects occurred in 2.5 percent of patients given Avastin and other meds, compared to 1.7 percent for patients treated with just chemo. The study examined 16 clinical trials of Avastin for breast, lung and other cancers involving 10,217 patients. The most common side effects leading to death were hemorrhage, gastrointestinal tract perforation and infections in patients with weakened immune systems. And t... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4429227 Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:34:26 +0100 4429227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4424393&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2011%2F02%2Fday-at-chemo-unit.html Today is a chemo day, so I won't be around to post anything new. This piece originally appeared as a guest post on the blog of the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. It's pretty Ottawa-specific but I suspect that many of the routines are similar, wherever you're being treated.Further to yesterday's post, I thought I would write about what you can expect when visiting the cancer centre for a chemotherapy or other systemic treatment. When I was starting out, I found the chemo orientation and the tour to be very helpful but there was a lot of information to digest. And I was feeling so overwhelmed that much of it was quickly forgotten. Checking in: Present your green hospital card at reception and your requisition form for blood work, if you have an ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4424393 Tue, 01 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0100 4424393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4372218&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39213&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbeingcancer.net%2F2011%2F01%2F19%2Fbabies-or-not-guest-posts%2F Today was spent updating the Honor Roll page.  I am gratified by the response of all our Guest Bloggers to the new Award Badge.  It is wonderful to be able to lend support to some of the great writing that goes on in personal cancer blogs.  It is also rewarding to see our logo spread across the cancer blogging community. Since news of Being Cancer Network is spreading, bloggers are contacting me asking to be included in our Cancer Blogs Lists.  Recently Amy wrote to let me know about her blog and battle with breast cancer.  She writes at Babies or Not. It Has Begun When the shock that I have breast cancer was still fresh, I had conversations on the phone with many women who had been in my shoes before me, some with diagnoses much worse than my own. “This is the worst part,&#8221... Being Cancer Network blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4372218 Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:46:30 +0100 4372218 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4300552&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fthe-war-against-cancer-a-new-perspective%2F2010.12.30 Myths and misconceptions about cancer abound. Oncologists are frequently criticized for torturing patients by burning, cutting and poisoning without making any real progress in the war against cancer. Siddhartha Mukherjee, an oncologist and cancer researcher, tries to set the record straight with his new book The Emperor of All Maladies: A Biography of Cancer.   It is a unique combination of insightful history, cutting edge science reporting, and vivid stories about the individuals involved: The scientists, the activists, the doctors, and the patients. It is also the story of science itself: How the scientific method works and how it developed, how we learned to randomize, do controlled trials, get informed consent, use statistics appropriately, and how science can go wrong. It is so bea... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4300552 Thu, 30 Dec 2010 14:00:43 +0100 4300552 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4134030&cid=t_364721_129_f&fid=36035&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.everydayhealth.com%2Fblog%2Flife-with-chronic-pain%2Funderstanding-death-while-we-live-with-chronic-pain%2F Today, dear friends, for some unknown reason, I feel compelled to share a story with you. Perhaps, it is because we are going through a loss in our family with the terminal cancer of the other grandma and I have final days on my mind and heart. Grab your tissues and let me tell you about a very special woman I took care of many years ago. As I opened the door to her hospital room, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Having reviewed her chart, I knew she was only 39 years old and she was dying of cancer. Breast cancer, diagnosed and discovered two years before, had metastasized to many other areas of her body; she had tumors behind her corneas in both eyes, partially affecting her eyesight. She was in the hospital when I first met her to have those tumors irradiated. She was also receiving chem... Life with Chronic Pain blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4134030 Thu, 04 Nov 2010 22:10:47 +0100 4134030 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3993839&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Ffeel%2Fpsychological-or-physical-stress-decrease-effectiveness-of-chemotherapy%2F We thought you’d be interested in reading this post from Catherine Donaldson-Evans at AOL Health. Cancer patients who subject themselves to psychological or physical stress, even in the form of intense exercise, a day or two before treatment might be canceling out its effects without even realizing it. New research shows that significant stress in the body, including that caused by a rigorous workout, may activate a protein that will help deadly cancer cells survive chemotherapy and radiation. Scientists at The Ohio State University say the findings suggest that cancer cells have found a way to use the stress-sensitive protein to stave off treatment. “One of the known inducers of this factor is exercise. I am not against exercise, but the timing is critical,” study lead ... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3993839 Wed, 22 Sep 2010 14:59:18 +0100 3993839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3987200&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fchronically-whiny.html I always think it's going to be different.I say to myself, "This round of treatment, I will exercise and write and continue with my daily routine and see if that makes me feel better."And thent, in the days that follow each dose of vinorelbine and Herceptin, I stay in bed too sick to do anything and lacking the self-discipline (motivation?) to try getting exercise, writing or going about my daily routine.I don't even bother to eat well (although the soup I made the night before chemo was delicious and easy to heat up, so I did eat lots of that) or even do the easy things that might help (I was on the phone with my writing buddy and she asked if I'd been drinking hot water with lemon and ginger. Easy to prepare and she swears by it, yet I had completely forgotten).I don't even drink enough ... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3987200 Mon, 20 Sep 2010 17:42:00 +0100 3987200 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3776569&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F07%2Fwatch-me-on-tee-vee.html Or catch it online.I'm being featured in a story on cancer blogging on CBC News Network (formerly Newsworld). Tune in this evening, between 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET You can also watch online at cbc.ca/connect (I'll post a direct link to the video once the show has aired).I promise to blog more about the whole experience (I was interviewed at home with my family and in the chemo room) but I wanted to give all a chance to check it out..If you watch the show, let me know what you think.If you are reading this post on a site other than Not Just About Cancer (besides Facebook or a feed reader), you are reading stolen content. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3776569 Wed, 21 Jul 2010 22:55:00 +0100 3776569 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3508189&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealwomenonhealth.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F04%2FKelleyPromo-04-28-10.mp3 Kelley Connors This post was written by Kelley Connors, President, Founder, Real Women on Health! We’re a culture that mixes sexy and boobs.  So, can a woman feel sexy without breasts? For breast cancer, and other, survivors, the question sounds just as practical as  provoking.  Breast cancer is the most common kind of cancer affecting women, except non-melanoma skin cancer. It’s commonness increases with age and with more targeted treatments available today, women are living longer with cancer. But the effects of treatment remain.  In some cases, women choose to have their breast removed as prevention… while others have no choice and must have surgery and chemotherapy. Regardless of the path a woman chooses,  cancer wreaks havoc on her “sensual self.” From the toxic eff... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3508189 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:07:03 +0100 3508189 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3429403&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F03%2F0-2-9-14.html Yesterday was a chemo day, so I don't have much in the way of original thought to offer up to you.It was more stressful and a longer day than most but made infinitely easier by the presence of my friend T. We had lots to talk about and she ably distracted me when I felt the stress levels rising (the guy beside me was, for much of the time, having a shouted conversation with the man across the "pod."). She even tucked me in very sweetly as I settled in for my post Demerol nap.Between bloodwork and chemo, T. and I went out to lunch at The Green Door. Over our veggies, we got to talking about food. I've been seeing a nutritionist, who has made some initial adjustments to my diet (minimal sugar, no dairy, more raw food, a high quality protein with every meal or snack). Since I told the nutrion... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3429403 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:54:00 +0100 3429403 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3039996&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FcStDxmXtqm0%2Fcancer-control Soon into my cancer care, I somewhat unintentionally started developing small, mundane rituals around my house. After my first surgery, I had a daily pattern.  When I could muster up the energy, I would sit in a warm bath and listen to Patsy Cline.  The bathroom was a world away from the rest of my studio apartment where my mom and I were living side by side.  Getting into the tub felt like a vacation, and a major accomplishment.  My world had become so small, so boring, so comparatively unproductive that taking my Patsy Cline bath everyday felt like a tangible accomplishment. I typically despise routine, schedules, and predictability.  But so many things that I could formerly count on, like having a social life, working, paying bills, were thrown out the window when I became a young ... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3039996 Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:07:23 +0100 3039996 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2793390&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F09%2Fbone-loss-public-service-announcement.html I have been reading Cancer Fitness by Anna L. Scharwtz. I'm only a few chapters in, but the book has already taught me some important things.I don't tend to devote a lot of thought to preventing bone loss but I did know that regular weight-bearing exercise helps prevent bone loss and to build strong bones. And while I walk and run (just finished the Running Room's beginner program again), I really don't do any strength training (or core work, for that matter, despite repeated promises to myself).The women in my family tend to have strong bones (and good bone density) but what I didn't realize was how many factors put me at risk:early menopause, as a result of chemotherapy.doxorubicin (Adriamycin, the infamous "red devil). I had 6 rounds (this is also the drug that temporarily damaged my he... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2793390 Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:21:00 +0100 2793390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2598163&cid=t_364721_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F07%2F14%2Fjournal-of-care-services-management-2009-volume-3-number-4%2F Contents Page Fade Fave: Home healthcare: Emerging evidence for NHS commissioners Fade Skinny: Evidence of the potential for home healthcare to form part of a coherent suite of appropriate, flexible and cost-effective services is emerging. As healthcare budgets come under increasing pressure and demands for care to be delivered in a manner more convenient to patients increase, so interest in this method of care delivery has grown. This paper briefly reviews the evidence base for home healthcare. (Print copy held at the Fade Library) Posted in Current Awareness Tagged: Athens Password, Cancer, Chemotherapy, Commissioning, Cost Effectiveness, Current Awareness, E-Journals, Home Healthcare, Oncology Services, Outreach, Patient Satisfaction (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2598163 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 09:11:10 +0100 2598163 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2512859&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F06%2Fdown-and-up-and-some-parentheses.html Well, hello there.It's been quite the week.On June, 10th, I woke up with a sore throat. I didn't take my temperature until early afternoon, by which time it became clear that I was running a fever. I called the nurse who works with my oncologist (I'm supposed to do this, since I have a suppressed immune system, thanks to chemotherapy) and was directed to go to the emergency room at the hospital connected to the cancer centre.I really, really balked at going but within three hours I was home with a prescription for penicillin (I think chemo recipients get fast-tracked through emergency these days). I was moved pretty quickly to my own treatment room (the most traumatic moments came when I was asked if I minded if a less-experienced nurse accessed my portacath. Within minutes, there were fiv... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2512859 Tue, 16 Jun 2009 19:20:00 +0100 2512859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2593220&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2009-06-15-cancer-treatment%2Fsmall-cell-carcinoma-of-the-lungs%2F What do you do when your oncologist gives you a small cell lung cancer prognosis of 6 months with chemotherapy and half as long without chemotherapy?   Gary wants to know. Please share your experience like we share ours.   Small cell lung cancer prognosis and secondary liver cancer   As far as I have experienced: as soon as doctors and oncologists hear "secondary liver cancer", they reason that:   "with a normal effort" there is no cancer treatment.   We stress "with normal effort". With a huge extra effort and doing everything right, our few secondary cancer survivors are living proof that you can survive secondary liver cancer much longer than the prognosis done in your hospital.   If you want to go the "do everything rig... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2593220 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:09:21 +0100 2593220 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2260489&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F03%2Fwhat-if.html "We have all the tools to eliminate mortality from Her2 positive breast cancers in the next 10 years."-Dr. Eric Winer, Director, Breast Oncology Centre, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (February 28, 2009, 9th Annual Conference For Young Women Affected By Breast Cancer).Her2 is a protein. And it fuels cancer cells. Her2+ breast cancers are always very aggressive and, had I been diagnosed before Herceptin was widely available, I am sure that I would not be alive today. Now, a whole host of new drugs are being developed to attack this breast cancer that affects primarily younger women.Dr. Winer's words are among the most hopeful that I have heard in a long time.And then today, I heard a story on the CBC about a man who is being forced to choose between taking an oral chemotherapy drug for his br... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2260489 Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:58:00 +0100 2260489 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2190656&cid=t_364721_112_f&fid=34971&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdoctorandpatient.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fhelp-me-i-want-to-be-father.html I recently received a heartbreaking email from a young man. My medical history is as follows. I have been treated for testicular cancer in 2003 and one of my testicles is removed with a surgery. Before and after the surgery I have undergone 4 cycles each of chemotherapy. Every 6 months I get the blood tests done and everything seems to be normal for me. Last year April I have undergone testicular biopsy and it resulted in azoospermia. Last month I got the FSH blood tests done and it came out as 23.51.I have consulted many doctors and as my FSH is high one of the doctor has referred us to sperm donor program. Is this my only option ? Is there any way I can have a baby with my own sperm ?Unfortunately, this man now has complete testicular failure; and his sperm production has been wiped out ... The Patient's Doctor blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2190656 Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:10:00 +0100 2190656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167740&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fand-i-got-shot-and-everything.html I have the flu. Or some kind of bug.I took my temperature last night and realized that I was running a fever. When this happens, I am supposed to go to the hospital but it seemed counter-intuitive to take my worn down self to an emergency room full of sick people.I called the cancer centre this morning and they told me to come on in to their stretcher bay area (I was still feverish, sore all over, queasy and light-headed). I got my blood counts checked and all is well on that front. They also gave me some intravenous fluids, which perked me up a bit (the trip into the cancer centre had knocked the stuffing out of me).Then they sent me home with instructions to get lots of rest and stay hydrated.It's not even insult to injury, it's injury to injury. At least I know that my body has the whit... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167740 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:28:00 +0100 2167740 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2163666&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Fwalloped-wallowing-and-whining.html Chemo has knocked me on my ass.I had treatment on Tuesday (Herceptin and vinorelbine). Yesterday, I felt a little green and a little sore but not too bad, really. Today, I am in rough shape.My body hurts.I feel really queasy.My head feels like it's stuck in a vise.I am so, so tired (and yes, I am staying in bed).I have a couple of posts in draft form but I can't be coherent enough to make them blog-worthy today.So - know any good jokes?I'll be feeling better by Saturday. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2163666 Thu, 05 Feb 2009 21:03:00 +0100 2163666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2160469&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F02%2Ftaking-care-of-my-body-in-2009-part-2.html This year I promised myself to "treat my body as well as I have been treating my mind."That's my ultimate goal but I am trying to be S.M.A.R.T. about it (setting small goals along the way that are specific, measurable, attainable and realistic and timely).In January I set out to:1-Walk VIGOROUSLY for an average of one hour, five times per week (300 minutes a week).I did pretty well at this. I fell about 90 minutes short of my goal for the month but given the truly lousy weather we had last month, I am still giving myself a pat on the back.It certainly felt good to pick up the pace again. I hadn't really noticed how my walks had turned into strolls (and a lot of time standing around in the dog park). When I had to stop running (just after the Run for the Cure in October) because of tendonit... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2160469 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:30:00 +0100 2160469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2144653&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Fsalty.html Whenever I have bloodwork done before chemo, the nurse will flush out my port with saline. I always get a salty taste in my mouth and in the back of my throat.Lately, I have been getting that taste when I am out walking my dogs in the city. I have a lot of winters under my belt but this is the first time I have noticed this. I don't know whether there is more salt on the streets this year or if more of it is being churned up by the extra traffic (there certainly more, along with more pollution from exhaust since the bus trike started five weeks ago). It freaks me out a little.A couple of week ends ago, I woke up to find out that the power was out in half the house. The living room had no power, the dining room was fine. Our bedroom had no power. The other upstairs rooms were OK. The furnac... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2144653 Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:49:00 +0100 2144653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808793&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer%2F%7E3%2FXRxL3g6C9lU%2F   Or trail and error… Vicky shares her father’s colon cancer chemotherapy and the scary chemotherapy side effects. Vicky’s father was diagnosed with stage iv colon cancer that has spread into his lungs and liver.   Her father started his chemotherapy for colon cancer with Avastin cancer drug. This colon cancer chemotherapy worked well that it broke down [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808793 Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:53:59 +0100 3808793 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3808794&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Fmetastatic-liver-cancer%2F%7E3%2FxE4krmX21e8%2F Jim’s son’s test results are getting better and better. Learn which alternative treatments for cancer and chemotherapy he is using to cure his secondary liver cancer.   Compare his cancer treatments with the findings of Mayo Clinic : which 11 alternative treatments for cancer are worth trying? Mayo Clinic is an internationally renowned non-profit medical practice where [...] (Source: Metastatic liver cancer) Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3808794 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:13:04 +0100 3808794 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2104591&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2009-01-14-cancer-treatment%2Fnew-survivor-pattis-secondary-liver-cancer-treatment-eliminating-chemotherapy-side-effects%2F Our 5th secondary liver cancer survivor Patty shares her latest cancer treatment option eliminating stress and eliminating chemotherapy side effects. Please comment if your experience is similar as hers.   Patti has secondary liver cancer with unknown primary. In other words: traditional health care has little to no clue how to treat a cancer they cannot even identify.   From our other metastatic liver cancer survivors we learned that in order to be successful, we need all of the following cancer treatment options:   chemotherapy treatment  add to that any alternative cancer treatments or natural cancer cures that boost your immune system  have a positive mind-set  eliminate stress  lead a healthy lifestyle (that especially means exercise for those who ... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2104591 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:47:25 +0100 2104591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2101007&cid=t_364721_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FoUb1MJW-Qqk%2F A gene responsible for spreading breast cancer and making tumors resistant to chemotherapy has been identified by scientists from Princeton University. The “metastasis gene” called Metadherin, or MTDH is turned on in 40% of breast cancer tumors. It is also found in 20% of prostate cancer patients studied. The gene helps spread cancer by making the tumor cells stick to blood vessels that bring them to distant areas of the body. MTDH also makes the tumors more resistant to chemotherapy drugs. Discovering this gene helps scientist “hit two birds in one stone”, says senior author Dr. Yibin Kang to Newsday. “If you come up with a therapy that inhibits the gene, it could make the tumor more susceptible to chemotherapy and at the same time reduce the chance for a t... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2101007 Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:29:32 +0100 2101007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2074392&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35294&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.psa-rising.com%2Fblog%2F2008%2F12%2Ferrors-in-cancer-med-common%2F Seven percent of adults and 19 percent of children taking chemotherapy drugs in outpatient clinics or at home were given the wrong dose or experienced other mistakes involving their medications, according to a new study led by Kathleen E. Walsh, MD, assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, and published in [...] (Source: psa-rising.com/blog) psa-rising.com/blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2074392 Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:50:51 +0100 2074392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2052881&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-12-19-cancer-treatment%2Fsymptoms-of-advanced-colon-cancer%2F Conclusion: I don’t talk about "a quick fix" like colon cleanse, colon cleansing or a calcium diet supplement, I do talk about a change in lifestyle and recognizing the needs of our body.   Colon cancer treatment   We already mentioned 2 of our readers and their colon cancer treatments:   Colon cancer spread to liverJim’s son who just recently started his colon cancer chemotherapy and is in good spirits.  Lisa’s father’s colon cancer spread to his liverLisa’s father still not in remission after 130 counts of colon cancer chemo for stage iv colon cancer.   An third example how a secondary liver cancer - colon cancer treatment looks like illustrated by Melanie’s cancer story (commented at Colon cancer spread to liver) : &nbsp... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2052881 Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:10:25 +0100 2052881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1990935&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F11%2Fopposite-problem.html I know several women who discovered they had breast cancer much later than they ought to have, because they were refused access to screening, their doctors dismissed their concerns or their breasts were so dense that tumours were not easily detectable by ultrasound or mammogram.And then, today I read in the Globe and Mail that a new study coming out of Norway, revealed that some cancers will disappear on their own and that more sophisticated testing, such as the MRI, can lead to "overdiagnosis":The study, published yesterday in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine, suggested breast-cancer screening may be leading to overdiagnosis, with about 22 per cent of cases likely to resolve themselves without treatment.Once a breast cancer is found, however, it would currently be considered unet... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1990935 Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:07:00 +0100 1990935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1901669&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fbook-review-belly-of-whale.html I try to only review things on my blog that I would recommend to others. When I don't enjoy a book that I have been asked to review, I usually keep the review over at Library Thing or don't review it at all.I don't go out of my way to trash someone else's hard work.Most of the time, if I write about it, I like it.However, Belly of the Whale by Linda Merlino is an exception.This novel, a thriller, is about Hudson Catalina, a 38 year old mother to three kids with breast cancer, is badly written, heavy handed and manipulative from beginning to end.Hudson Catalina has given up. Having lost both breasts to cancer, she is emotionally and physically exhausted, no longer willing to endure the nausea and crushing weakness that chemotherapy causes. Until the wrecked-by-life young Buddy Baker arrives... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1901669 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:49:00 +0100 1901669 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1865553&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Flost.html Reading Lene's post on dreams yesterday got me thinking about a post I wrote on that subject last March.And then last night I had a panicky dream that I was lost in a hotel (hotels and houses seem to be key themes for me). First, I could not find my friends' room and then I could not return to my own. I could not remember my room number. Halls led to nowhere or to places that were completely illogical (like an ice rink). Calls on hotel phones went unanswered, were connected to people far away from the hotel, or produced directions that made no sense (or that I could not remember. These are key fears of mine as a chemo patient - forgetting things or not being able to understand them). At one point, I was trying to open a door and it turned into a folding wall. For a few moments, I was trapp... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1865553 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:35:00 +0100 1865553 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1848003&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-10-03-cancer-treatment%2Fcolon-cancer-spread-to-liver%2F Lisa’s father has had over 130 colon cancer chemotherapy and/or liver cancer treatments in 5 years and still is not in remission. Lisa passes her condolences to Patrick at One caregiver is never enough! Patrick’s father has metastatic liver cancer and feels her father’s body is deteriorating to fast for comfort.   Please add your support or share your metastatic liver cancer story with Lisa and Patrick and all of us.   Go directly to Lisa’s liver cancer story or go directly to how colon cancer spreads to the liver.   At first sight Lisa’s 5 years cancer story seems similar like father’s 6 months condensed metastatic liver cancer story. But it isn’t: Lisa’s father had 130 chemotherapy sessions, our father had none.   Lisa&#821... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1848003 Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:00:59 +0100 1848003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1768992&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fpregnancy-and-cancer-treatment-more.html This past weekend, the New York Times published an article by Pamela Paul called “With Child, With Cancer.” I had to set it aside for several days before I could bring myself to read it. When I finally did, I was very moved, equally surprised and left with many unanswered questions. I did not enjoy being pregnant. I was plagued with constant, low level nausea, heartburn and crushing fatigue for the duration of my pregnancies. I was also affected by what I later learned was ante-natal depression (this lifted almost immediately upon giving birth. My spouse swears that my first post-partum words were, “I’m so happy not to be pregnant anymore!” He exaggerates only slightly). I also found myself to be in a constant fog (not unlike the effects of chemotherapy) and that coherent thought... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1768992 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 14:18:00 +0100 1768992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1739299&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35300&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.metastaticlivercancer.org%2F2008-08-29-cancer-treatment%2Fcan-chemotherapy-cure-metastatic-liver-cancer%2F   In all the metastatic liver cancer stories we gathered, none of them is told by a cancer survivor.   Some do get chemotherapy, but this cancer treatment is only to:   reduce pain (in case it can temporarily reduce or slow down the growth of a cancer)  prolong life.   But we get puzzled when reading Kistan2’s comment on Avastin for metastatic liver cancer where she says :   they tried another infusion of Avastin but we all knew that this next infusion of Avastin wouldn’t do anything to help my husband   What worries me is where Kistan2 says : we all knew that this next infusion of Avastin wouldn’t do anything.   3 worried questions come in mind…   when you know Avastin is not going to help, then why is it still given?... Metastatic liver cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1739299 Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:54:28 +0100 1739299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1649363&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F343485110%2F It looks like Patrick Swayze is fighting a good fight with his pancreatic cancer — which is really great news to hear. All over the news are the following words this weekend by Patrick Swayze that is hopeful: “…a miracle, dude.” I don’t know why. I am juicing every day along with other treatments and all I can say is that it’s working fine and really well.” The actor, according to reports has been undergoing chemotherapy and the new CyberKnife (robotic radiosurgery system) for the pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with in March. It’s really inspiring to see him up and about and getting back to work.  Like I said in my previous post, not everyone that has access and can afford the best treatments are as lucky to be responding wel Tags: chemo... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1649363 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:01 +0100 1649363 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1646460&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F343485110%2F It looks like Patrick Swayze is fighting a good fight with his pancreatic cancer — which is really great news to hear. All over the news are the following words this weekend by Patrick Swayze that is hopeful: “…a miracle, dude.” I don’t know why. I am juicing every day along with other treatments and all I can say is that it’s working fine and really well.” The actor, according to reports has been undergoing chemotherapy and the new CyberKnife (robotic radiosurgery system) for the pancreatic cancer he was diagnosed with in March. It’s really inspiring to see him up and about and getting back to work.  Like I said in my previous post, not everyone that has access and can afford the best treatments are as lucky to be responding well to treatme... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1646460 Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:01 +0100 1646460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1631684&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=36051&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FCancerCommentary%2F%7E3%2F337199259%2F University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center researchers have identified tissue type transglutaminase (TG2) as potential therapeutic target in chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer. “….found overexpression of tissue type transglutaminase (TG2) in ovarian cancer is associated with increased tumor cell growth and adhesion, resistance to chemotherapy and lower overall survival rates. When researchers targeted and silenced TG2 in animal models, cancer progression was reversed, suggesting the protein may also provide a novel therapeutic approach for late-stage ovarian cancer.” Reported findings appear in the July 15th issue of Cancer Research. Read more from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. Tags: chemotherapy-resistant ovarian cancer, late-stage advanced ovarian cancer, ovari... Cancer Commentary blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1631684 Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:00:22 +0100 1631684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1596525&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fhow-to-decide-if-drug-is-worth-cost.html I have a new post up at MyBreastCancerNetwork.Com.Living With Metastasis: Avastin - How Do We Decide If A Drug Is Worth the Cost?Here is an excerpt (the paragraph in italics is a quote from an article in the New York Times, to which this is a response):...If a drug like Avastin can prolong life by, let’s say four months, is it worth the cost? I know what my kids would say. Also, what exactly does it mean when it is said that patients in a clinical trial ‘lived four months longer’? I always return to Stephen J. Gould and “The Median is not the Message” when I need to be reminded that statistics do not always provide the clearest picture. “Gailanne Reeh remembers what life was like within a few months of those initial scans, when her cancer began causing terrible symptoms. Her... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1596525 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:39:00 +0100 1596525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1551479&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Flooking-out-at-world.html My computer and my body are both still pretty sick. I have been thinking though about my tendency to become a hermit when I get to feeling low, missing work and my old life (or give in to the fear, as cancer is still very real presence and I know that I have not escaped it). Chemo weeks tend to be the worst but I will admit that I have been struggling a bit of late. I have this friend who refuses to stop calling me, though, even when I don't call back. A friend who calls and leaves me messages that say, "Just checking in!" A friend who refuses to let me turn completely inward. I am very grateful. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1551479 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:19:00 +0100 1551479 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1538054&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F06%2Fparadox.html I am afflicted with my usual pre-chemo malaise.And something else. I made it a goal this year to write as much as I could about cancer and living with mets and yet, today I am sick of being a cancer patient, sick of cancer and everything about it.Achieving balance has always been a challenge for me.My computer is sick today. The fan has died and it will only work for a few minutes at a time. Tomorrow it will go unto the shop (how realistic is it to think that I will get it back on the same day?). Hopefully, by Wednesday, my computer and I will both be up to writing again. (Source: Not just about cancer) Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1538054 Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:29:00 +0100 1538054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1356213&cid=t_364721_136_f&fid=35316&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnotjustaboutcancer.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F04%2Fresolutions-march-in-review.html I planning on calling this post, "ok. i blew it." But then I decided that would be a) not very constructive and b) not entirely accurate.If you are new to the blog, you can check my review of February here.When I was very young, I would make resolutions and then pretty much forget about them. For the last few years, I haven't bothered. This year, as I attempt to come to terms with the many ways in which my life has changed, I decided to mark the new year by setting out some goals in response to these changes.These resolutions are an outcome of my desire to take control over the things that I can when it comes to my health. They also reflect the way that my priorities have changed over the last couple of years.Inspired by BlogHer's Kristy Sammis every resolution must pass the S.M.A.R.T test... Not just about cancer blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1356213 Mon, 07 Apr 2008 19:26:00 +0100 1356213 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=838799&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F09%2F04%2Ftoday-i-am-grateful%2F Filed under: Cancer Survivors, Today, I Am GratefulThe following post is one of a series of posts appearing Monday through Friday on The Cancer Blog. This feature -- Today, I am grateful -- allows me to share with readers my appreciation for all the treasures in my life, both big and small. In my post-cancer world, I find It healing for my soul to be mindful of the good in my life. It is my pleasure to share my gratitude with you.When I think about how much my mom rescued me during my breast cancer treatment, I always land at the fact that she watched my little boys for 35 days in a row while I transported myself to and from radiation therapy. That wasn't all she did -- she also accompanied me to surgery, sat with me during chemotherapy treatments, parked herself by my bedside when I was h... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=838799 Tue, 04 Sep 2007 04:00:00 +0100 838799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=830935&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F30%2Ftoday-i-am-grateful%2F Filed under: Cancer Survivors, Today, I Am GratefulThe following post is one of a series of posts appearing Monday through Friday on The Cancer Blog. This feature -- Today, I am grateful -- allows me to share with readers my appreciation for all the treasures in my life, both big and small. In my post-cancer world, I find It healing for my soul to be mindful of the good in my life. It is my pleasure to share my gratitude with you. The night before my lumpectomy, way back in December 2005, I was consumed with fear, worry, and panic. Since I'd found it, the lump in my left breast had been sitting untouched for nearly two weeks. I imagined the mass spreading with each day and believed I could detect its growth each time I felt for it. A doctor told me if it was growing like I thought it was, ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=830935 Thu, 30 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 830935 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=811874&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F21%2Fwhite-house-press-secretary-tony-snow-announces-resignation%2F Filed under: Colon and Rectal Cancer, Politics, Daily newsWhite House press secretary Tony Snow says his resignation has nothing to do with cancer and everything to do with money. According to sources from the Bush administration, he will step down from his position. Snow, however, is not making an announcement at this time. Snow did tell conservative talk-show host Hugh Hewitt that financial reasons prevent him from serving the remainder of the Bush administration. "I'm not going to be able to go the distance, but that's primarily for financ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=811874 Tue, 21 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 811874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=809588&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F20%2Fcancer-a-blessing-for-white-houses-tony-snow%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, Colon and Rectal Cancer, Politics"Blessings arrive in unexpected packages -- in my case, cancer," writes White House Press Secretary Tony Snow in the July issue of Christianity Today.Snow, who discovered in March that his colon cancer had recurred and spread to his liver, said his life-threatening setback is also life-affirming. It has strengthened his faith and brought clarity to his life. "We don't know how the narrative of our lives will end, but we get to choose how to use the interval between now and the moment we meet our Creator," says the 51-year-old.Snow has been receiving aggressive chemotherapy. His hair is getting thinner and whiter. His energy is waning. Still he keeps on going. He wouldn't have it any other way. "We want lives of simple, predictabl... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=809588 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 809588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=795095&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F13%2Fopera-great-luciano-pavarotti-hospitalized%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, Pancreatic Cancer, Celebrity newsItalian opera superstar Luciano Pavarotti, hospitalized on Wednesday with a fever, is doing better and should be discharged within the next few days, according to his wife, Nicoletta Mantovani.The 71-year-old tenor underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer one year ago and has since endured at least five rounds of chemotherapy. Although not confirmed, some sources say Pavarotti has pneumonia.Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments (Source: The Cancer Blog) The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=795095 Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 795095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=786722&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F08%2F08%2Fshades-of-cancer%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, Cancer SurvivorsMy hair is changing -- again. It started out perfectly straight, blond, and shoulder length. Then it came tumbling out, thanks to the chemotherapy drugs adriamycin and cytoxan. Four months later, it was back -- curly, dark, and way too short for my liking. Over the past two years, I've grown to enjoy my hair. The longer it gets, the less curl it keeps. I like it this way. The color has grown on me too. When I look back at photos of my lighter locks, I think dark suits me better. Why do I get the feeling, though, that my hair won't be dark for long?I still think of my hair as dark, I guess because it was once so very blond and it is so very not blond at the moment -- in my opinion anyway. The other day, while eating lunch at a restaurant with my li... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=786722 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 04:00:00 +0100 786722 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=743320&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F19%2Ffear-of-skin-cancer-prompts-call-to-action%2F Filed under: Skin Cancer, Prevention, Cancer SurvivorsI keep thinking about my ongoing negative relationship with the sun, how it burns me time and time again, how I keep trying to fine-tune my approach to dealing with this deadly force. Today, I have arrived at two new thoughts.1. There was a time when I wanted a tan. I'd accept a burn even, in hopes it would turn to the slightest shade of brown on my pasty white skin. I would search high and low for the sun. I would drive in its direction, bask in its glory, give hours of my day to this crazy pursuit. Somehow, though, achieving a tan -- or burn -- wasn't easy. Sometimes, I'd see some color appear; sometimes my efforts seemed for nothing. It took work, effort, endless amounts of time and while my ventures in sunbathing did sometimes prove... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=743320 Thu, 19 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 743320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=729826&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F12%2Flive-learn-pass-it-on-cancer-style%2F Filed under: Throat Cancer, Diets, NutritionI recently received an e-mail from a friend, about a friend of hers who has just been diagnosed with throat cancer. After a little thought about the content of her message, I sat down and typed a response. I share our back-and-forth communication with you today because it may help you, a friend, a family member, someone. And it may motivate some of you to contribute your own wisdom on the topic. If it does, by all means -- please share by leaving a comment. Jacki, Hope all is well with you. Nick and I have a close friend that has recently been diagnosed with cancer. It's in his throat and neck area. He had his tonsils removed and showed they are the source of the cancer but he will still be undergoing chemo and radiation. The reason I am reachin... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=729826 Thu, 12 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 729826 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=727288&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F11%2Feggs-from-young-girls-with-cancer-successfully-matured%2F Filed under: Childhood Cancers, Chemotherapy, Research, Daily newsChemotherapy is harsh, which is good when it comes to killing cancer. What's not-so-good is that it can also cause hair loss, inflict nausea, and disable the proper functioning of all sorts of organs -- including the ovaries. Chemotherapy, therefore, can affect female fertility. In some cases, doctors have extracted immature eggs from adult women about to receive chemotherapy, matured them in a laboratory, and then implanted them when the women are ready to have children. Until now, no one had ever tried this with eggs from young girls -- girls who have not yet undergone puberty. But it's just recently happened. Doctors have removed eggs from young female cancer patients and for the first time, have brought the eggs to matur... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=727288 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 727288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=707364&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F07%2F01%2Fsunday-seven-seven-random-cancer-thoughts%2F Filed under: Sunday Seven, Cancer SurvivorsThe seven cancer thoughts I present to you today are purely random. They are not linked by theme or category. There is no rhyme or reason for my choosing them. And they do not belong with one another for any other reason than this: they all come directly from my very own head and are somehow related to the disease that lingers in my thoughts for most minutes of most days. Here they are: 1. Vanity is merely a six-letter word. It's certainly not as important after cancer as it is before. I admit vanity played a role in my life prior to my breast cancer diagnosis and still, it's with me to some degree. But more important than vanity now is waking each morning and realizing I'm alive. I don't want to lose weight to look ultra thin. I choose to reach a... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=707364 Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100 707364 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=694181&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F25%2Fpancreatic-cancer-blogger-shares-his-generous-spirit%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, Pancreatic Cancer, Blogs, SurgeryDiehl Martin of Guntersville, Alabama, has been battling pancreatic cancer since 2004 and shares his experience on his blog, DiehlMartin.com . Martin was diagnosed in 2004 and underwent a Whipple procedure that year, followed by radiation and chemotherapy treatments. At the end of 2006, he experienced a turnaround as his energy level returned, his pain was eliminated and his tumor marker level was back to normal. Recently, his cancer has rebounded and he shares his experience with increasingly aggressive chemotherapy.In addition to his daily experiences with pancreatic cancer, Martin offers medical information from a patient's perspective, including details regarding the side effects of painkillers, what a typical chemotherapy inf... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=694181 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 694181 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=660454&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F06%2Fwyoming-sentator-craig-thomas-dies-of-cancer%2F Filed under: Leukemia, Chemotherapy, Politics, Daily newsWyoming Senator Craig Thomas, a three-term Republican who had been receiving chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia, died on Monday evening at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. He was 74.Thomas, a five-year veteran of the Wyoming Legislature, was hospitalized for pneumonia just before the 2006 election and had to cancel his final campaign stops. Still, he monitored the election from his hospital bed and won with 70 percent of the vote. Two days after the election, Thomas announced he had just been diagnosed with cancer.After his first round of chemotherapy, Thomas returned to the Senate in December. He felt better than ever and returned to the hospital in May for his second round of treatment."Wyoming had no greater... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=660454 Wed, 06 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 660454 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=658837&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F06%2F05%2Fnfl-football-player-joe-andruzzi-treated-for-lymphoma%2F Filed under: Chemotherapy, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Daily news, SportsFormer Green Bay, New England, and Cleveland football player Joe Andruzzi has just completed the first of a 12-step series of chemotherapy treatments for Burkitt's lymphoma, a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Andruzzi, married and dad to four children, was released by the Browns on May 2 so he and his family could move to New Jersey. Then last week, Andruzzi began experiencing abdominal pain and other symptoms. He consulted with the Browns' medical staff, underwent a colonoscopy, learned an abnormality was found, and then headed to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where he was diagnosed with Burkitt's. The cure rate for Burkitt's -- a rapidly growing, rare form of cancer that strikes only 100 people in the United State... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=658837 Tue, 05 Jun 2007 04:00:00 +0100 658837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612003&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F16%2Fliving-beyond-breast-cancer-free-educational-teleconference%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy, All Cancers, Clinical Trials, Diets, Nutrition, Services, SurgeryJoin Living Beyond Breast Cancer (LBBC) for a free educational teleconference titled Medical and Quality-of-Life Updates from the 43rd Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology. The teleconference will be held on Monday, June 11, 2007 at 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (EDT). You can participate by using any telephone or by computer using Real Network Player or Windows Media Player. Register online at www.lbbc.com or call 610-645-4567. This teleconference brings to you groundbreaking research presented at the largest annual conference of cancer professionals in the United States. Some topics discussed will be: Advances in surgical, hormonal and chemotherapy treatments U... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612003 Wed, 16 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 612003 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=612015&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F15%2Fwe-meet-again-more-about-jacki-donaldson%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Cancer Survivors, Jacki DonaldsonIt's been one year since I began writing for The Cancer Blog. According to statistics generated by this site, I've written 27,381 words and 793 posts. If you've been reading for this entire time, you surely know a lot about me. Not only do my posts reflect current news and issues, but they feature all sorts of personal stuff too. When considered together, my work here reflects just about every piece of my cancer journey, my inner most thoughts, my morals and values, my take on the world. But for those of you who haven't been reading for long, for those who have forgotten how I fit into the cancer puzzle, for those who want a recap, here's a rundown on me: Jacki Donaldson.I was born and raised in Ohio but have also lived in Nevada... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=612015 Tue, 15 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 612015 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=601852&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F13%2Fsunday-seven-7-relaxation-techniques%2F Filed under: Alternative Therapies, Prevention, All Cancers, Stress Reduction, Exercise, Sunday SevenYou can receive many benefits when you practice relaxation techniques. Some of these include lowering your blood pressure, reducing muscle tension, enhancing the immune system, better balance, improved memory and increased energy. It can also potentially improve concentration and cause you to be more efficient in daily activities. Yoga -- is defined by Wikpedia -- its ultimate goal is the attainment of an eternal state of perfect consciousness. I find it to be a great relaxation technique to try. It really seemed to clear my mind by the breathing and concentrated movements. It brings yourself into a state of relaxation by blocking everything out and concentrating on what your body is ... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=601852 Sun, 13 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 601852 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=601851&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F13%2Fsaved-by-a-mothers-love%2F Filed under: Cancer SurvivorsMy six-year-old Joey told his grandmother -- my mom -- the other day, "Nana, you are generous." It was thoughtful and touching and it brought a smile to her face. Later that night, Joey said the same to me. "Mom, you are generous," he proclaimed. And now I'm not sure if he really meant his sweet sentiments or if he was just practicing one of his new kindergarten vocabulary words. Regardless, it got me thinking about how generous his Nana really is.My mom not only generously gave me life. She also saved my life -- not in the medical, scientific manner surgeons and oncologists saved my life but by the sheer force of love, support, comfort, and undying devotion that seems to involuntarily pour from the hearts of moms with sick children.My mom rushed over to my hou... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=601851 Sun, 13 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 601851 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=589131&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F05%2F04%2Flocally-advanced-breast-cancer-chemo-before-surgery%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Drug, Chemotherapy, Clinical Trials, Research, SurgeryChemotherapy given before surgery to remove cancer is called neoadjuvant treatment. An oncologist might recommend this based of the size of the tumor -- it being very large. The idea is to shrink the tumor and then have surgery to remove the cancer. Having chemotherapy administered while the tumor is still there can show what drugs are working and what drugs have no effect on the tumor. Chemotherapy when started immediately, not after surgery with healing time needed, gives the patient systematic treatment right away. This could be beneficial and is why physicians might recommend this form of treatment. The truth is they don't know if it is better or not. Of course, every case of breast cancer is different. W... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=589131 Fri, 04 May 2007 04:00:00 +0100 589131 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=541235&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F13%2Fworking-through-cancer-treatments%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy, Celebrity cancer diagnosis, All Cancers, Opinion, Cancer SurvivorsIn the news there has been a lot of questioning whether or not it is wise for someone diagnosed with cancer, and needs therapy or treatments to control their cancer, should still work or carry on with their life the way it was before cancer entered into their lives. Its a good question -- but all cancer survivors or patients must make this decision themselves and should not be judged either way. Treatments can be physically mild or debilitating and everywhere in between. I know women who are walking in Elizabeth Edward's shoes and have metastatic breast cancer. These women that I know might not be blazing the campaign trail but they are still keepin-on- keepin-on with life like it w... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=541235 Fri, 13 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 541235 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=539096&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F12%2Fthought-for-the-day-cancer-goes-on-so-does-life%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Opinion, Cancer Survivors, Thought for the DayCancer goes on. So does life. Just ask Mary Ann O'Rourke, author of a beautiful essay about her two sons, a baseball game, a redecorating project, and a little thing called breast cancer. The essay, titled My cancer, and me, go on, will warm your heart.Think about this:About boys:On a misty June morning I tell the boys."Guys, I have some bad news," I say, as we walk down Valley Road.They stop, wait for me to catch up."I have breast cancer," I say.Jack flashes me a steely look. He's the mathematician, the calculating one who likes order. Things aren't adding up."It's OK, though." I say. "I have good doctors taking care of me. I'll have to get sick to get better, but I'll be fine after that."With lowered heads, the boy... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=539096 Thu, 12 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 539096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=528057&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F04%2F07%2Fchemo-plus-tamoxifen-a-go-ovary-suppression-a-no%2F Filed under: Breast Cancer, Chemotherapy, Research, Daily newsResults of two studies, sponsored by the Adjuvant Breast Cancer (ABC) Trials Collaborative Group, conclude that adding chemotherapy to the estrogen-blocking drug tamoxifen improves survival for those with early-stage breast cancer. The same studies reveal preventing the secretion of estrogen from the ovaries does not offer much benefit for most women.Researchers studied 1991 patients, ages 28 to 81. All had received five years worth of treatment with tamoxifen therapy with or without standard chemotherapy. Some premenopausal women were also treated with ovarian removal (ablation) or suppression, a technique used to stop the glands from secreting hormones.While early results, appearing in the Journal of the National Cancer Instit... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=528057 Sat, 07 Apr 2007 04:00:00 +0100 528057 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=513811&cid=t_364721_87_f&fid=34865&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecancerblog.com%2F2007%2F03%2F31%2Fbasketball-jazz-and-now-cancer-for-wayman-tisdale%2F Filed under: Daily news, Celebrity news, SportsAward-winning jazz musician and former basketball star Wayman Tisdale revealed this week on his website that he has been diagnosed with cancer, that he will begin a six-month course of chemotherapy this week, and that his prognosis for recovery is excellent.The 6-foot-9 former Oklahoma Sooners basketball great -- who played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns and helped score gold on the 1984 U.S. Olympic team -- reports that he broke his leg in a fall at his Los Angeles home last month.After his fall, Tisdale's doctors determined a cyst in his right knee caused the injury. The cyst, identified as cancer, was then removed. Following chemotherapy, Tisdale, 42, will undergo knee-replacement surgery.T... The Cancer Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=513811 Sat, 31 Mar 2007 04:00:00 +0100 513811