interesting exhibitions going on
2007-12-13 11:46:00
Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush with Leisure, 1895-1925 at the New York Historical SocietyWater: H20 = Life at the American Museum of Natural History
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in the news
2007-12-13 11:41:00
Mitchell Report: Baseball Slow to React to Players' Steroids UseVoyager 2 Finds Solar System is UnevenMars Rover Races to SurviveEnergy Source of Northern Lights FoundFossils of Ancient Tank-Like Mammal Found in Andes
caregivers' guide for bone marrow/stem cell transplant
2007-12-12 20:42:00
The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link (nbmt Link) has a new resource, Caregivers' Guide for Bone Marrow/Stem Cell Transplant: Practical Perspectives, which you can learn more about here.Click here to download the PDF version of this new guide.
Read more: marrow
, transplant
day +113
2007-12-12 17:04:00
This morning, as planned, I had a full-body PET scan. I should get the results at Monday's appointment.In yesterday's post, I forgot to include photographs of the Team In Training jersey that my friend, Tammer 'The Hammer', sent me about one week ago. As many of you know, he completed the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training back in early October. He ran both in memory and in honor of many blood cancer survivors and I was fortunate to be one of them. You can find my name under "In Honor" on the back of the jersey.FrontBackThanks Tammer.Oh, and here's a very cute and funny video that John shared on the Hodgkin's Lymphoma - WebMagic Forum.
day +112
2007-12-11 19:26:00
Yep, that's me on Sunday, Day +110. My hair is continuing to grow back quite well. It's the typical baby-like hair that grows back following chemo treatment.For about two weeks now, there have been darkened, dry spots on both of my shoulders. I'm not sure if they're rashes or just a symptom of dry skin but I'll notify the medical staff when I see them again on Monday. I've noticed another one of these dry areas below my right pectoral. Otherwise, my skin looks pretty good. After showering, I apply the Eucerin lotion all over my body which I have continued to do since the transplant.I hadn't been on the stationary bike for about a week before this past Saturday. I was busy taking care of so many different things, but that's not really the full reason. The real reason is that I was a bit down wearing my pajamas inside the apartment for most of the day.On a very sad note, I learned recently about the passing of Sha-lou Soledad Biray, a friend back at Vassar who graduated t
cancer news
2007-12-11 19:10:00
Umbilical Cord Blood Can Help Metabolic DisordersGentler Chemo Helps Patients Survive Lymphoma
life lessons from cancer
2007-12-11 19:01:00
On December 18th, HeathTalk is hosting a live Internet broadcast titled, Life Lessons from Cancer, which is described by its website as a time for cancer survivors to "explore their life lessons from cancer. From young and old and from different walks of life, they'll share their stories of the gains and losses of survivorship and give advice to others facing similar challenges. You'll leave this hour more appreciative and aware of the benefits of your experience and inspired by their words."Click the program's title above to learn more and register.
day +123
2007-12-22 12:40:00
Last night I updated my 50 State Quarters Collector's Map for the first time in many months. I managed to find the quarters for Alabama, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Washington, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nevada, and Nebraska. The only state, whose quarters were issued in 2007, that I couldn't find amidst the pile of quarters on my table is Utah. So, Utah remains unfilled at the moment. The remaining states - Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, New Mexico, and Oklahoma - will be released next year by the U.S. Mint.In the latest issue of CURE, there's a very interesting article about the difficulty that doctors face sometimes in diagnosing blood cancers, especially the rarer types. I think it's well-worth reading.Mistaken Identity: Preventing Misdiagnoses of Blood Cancers is All in the DetailsThanks to Cliff for sharing this article on his blog.
cancer news
2007-12-21 14:22:00
Mortality Remains Elevated Years after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation Many thanks to Cliff for bringing this very recent report to my attention.Report Sees 7.6 Million Global 2007 Cancer Deaths
the newest member to the hall of prizefighters
2007-12-21 14:20:00
Arif's Lymphoma Diary
in the news
2007-12-21 14:19:00
More Americans Googling ThemselvesU.S. Urged to Keep Space Shuttle Flying Past 2010Whales May Be Related to Deer-Like BeastFinal Salute: Oldest U.S. WWI Vet Dies at 109
dancing with n.e.d.
2007-12-20 17:38:00
Yep, I'm doing the dance . . . sort of.Many thanks to Stratman!
fixing the bugs
2008-03-10 22:08:00
I just confirmed that there's definitely a problem with my template's coding that results in a weird appearance when using Internet Explorer 6.0. However, 7.0 and Firefox are OK.I hope to keep the style of the current template, which I like a lot but I won't be sure if that's possible until the repair work is done.I apologize to those who use 6.0. I'm working on getting rid of these bugs.
please comment. . . .
2008-03-10 18:05:00
For those who use Internet Explorer 6.0 or 7.0, does my blog look screwy? I think my blog's sidebar may appear below the actual main column in 6.0.Any feedback is very helpful. Thanks.
some doors are still closed, but many more are opening
2008-03-10 16:11:00
This morning Clare accompanied me to my follow-up appointment with Dr. Castro-Malaspina. To my surprise, several doors were reopened by the end of the appointment.Blood test results showed robust counts: WBC = 4.8; HGB = 14.9; and platelets = 324. More importantly, the results of my recent bone marrow biopsy continue to show 100% donor engraftment and no evidence of lymphoma. With regards to the strength of my immunity, he told me it was almost close to normal which I find amazing. Honestly, I know what I heard he tell me, but I'm having a difficult time getting over the possibility that at just a little less than seven months post-transplant, this newly adopted immune system of mine is developing so quickly and well. But this wasn't the only shocker. Like I said above, a good number
lymphoma news
2008-03-10 14:20:00
Chemotherapy for Hodgkin's Lymphoma Linked to Premature Menopause
Read more: lymphoma
heart & lung watch
2008-03-09 17:30:00
In the spring 2008 issue of Heal, the sister magazine of CURE, I read what I found to be a helpful, informative article titled Heart & Lung Watch by Debra Wood, RN. It examines the long-term cardiac and pulmonary risks that some cancer survivors may face in the future. Since breast cancer and lymphoma survivors are some of those who are at risk for developing some of the cardiac and pulmonary problems described, some focus is given to them in this article.The two other articles in this issue that I found interesting are Prevention in America and Shouldering Medical Debt (which is the only article that can be read in full online).
Read more: watch
in the news
2008-03-09 17:18:00
Most of the these articles are from the NYT's "Week in Review" section, which is my favorite part aside from Tuesday's "Science." A Scorecard on Conventional Wisdom So poignant!Obama and the Bigots Superb!The Monster MashConfronting the Kitchen Sink On the money!Playing by Clinton Rules Yes, exactly!A Defining MomentThe State of Iraq: An UpdateLook Out Below. The Arms Race in Space May Be OnGauging Age of Universe Becomes More PreciseShuttle Is Set for an 'Exciting Mission'
day +200
2008-03-08 18:42:00
Yep, today makes 200 days since my transplant back in late August. Though hopeful about the future, a part of me has grown increasingly concerned recently. (I'm sure the increasingly tense dreadnought race between Obama and Clinton has contributed to this feeling in some small degree). But more seriously, for the past few days I've felt a painless pressure in both my abdomen and chest. You may recall that I had a similar feeling in both my chest and abdomen in the period leading up to my last PET-CT in December, but it turned out to be nothing. I hope that this is case again. Moreover, for the first time since the immediate days following my discharge from Sloan, I threw up on Thursday. I don't really know what caused it. That afternoon I ate fish for lunch, which I had also eaten w
latest cancer blogs found
2008-03-07 15:45:00
The following blogs are by young adults dealing with lymphoma or leukemia. InertiaCon Limón Y SalEric's Updates
jennifer needs your support
2008-03-05 15:48:00
Prizefighter and friend, Jennifer Willey, is having a very difficult time right now. As some of you know, after two SCTs for relapsed Hodgkin's Lymphoma she is suffering terribly from a very severe case of GVHD. I just read her latest post and am saddened greatly. I don't know what more to do right now but to send her my love, kindness and thoughts.Please visit her fantastic blog, Hodgkin's Lymphoma Awareness, and leave her words of support and encouragement during this difficult, scary time.
day +195
2008-03-03 10:35:00
Su was over Thursday and Friday during which time we watched American Gangster and Goodfellas. I guess you could call it a mobster themed sleepover. Nevertheless, I thought they were both terrific films.I missed American Gangster when it was in the theaters and I had never seen the classic film, Goodfellas, in its entirety.Yesterday was spent outside mostly. Though brisk and cold, the sunny sky was almost free of any clouds which made it a terrific day to go out to photograph. I had received the standard MOFTB still photography permit on Friday in the hope that I'd spend yesterday morning photographing the Willis Avenue Bridge's architectural details from the pedestrian walkway. However, I wasn't surprised really when I arrived at the Manhattan bound entrance to the south pedestrian w
longing for the road
2008-03-03 10:02:00
When I first saw the following commercial by Louis Vuitton, I was struck immediately by its gorgeous cinematography, lovely music, and just the overall romantic inspiration that it imbues and moreover, how positively it must resonate in the hearts of those who, like myself, find both great excitement and hope in the contemplation of their next adventure on the road.Interestingly, the Louis Vuitton commercial reminds me of much of the same magic, adventure, and wonder that is illustrated in The Motorcycle Diaries' trailer.Or perhaps Rosita Forbes said it best:"That is the charm of a map. It represents the other side of the horizon where everything is possible."How I long to hit the road again. . . .
new lymphoma blog
2008-03-02 21:38:00
Kelsi Cruse
Read more: lymphoma
in the news
2008-03-02 21:12:00
New York Accent: Still Talking the Tawk?Credit Crisis May Make College Loans More CostlyI'm Not Running for President, but . . . is a great, uplifting bipartisan spirited essay by Michael Bloomberg about his decision to not make a run for the White House. He tells it like it is.Throw Out the Old Electoral Map in 2008In Tuesday's Contests, a Party DividedObama Walks a Difficult Path as He Courts Jewish VotersThe Object of His RejectionPlease Call Earth. We Still Haven't Found You.
the power of words for cancer patients
2008-02-28 14:23:00
The Power of Words for Cancer Patients is a great NYT article that Laura shared with me. I also recommend reading the readers' comments which are power
ful, heart-felt and revealing.The following comment which was posted by "Alex" I found to be most moving.My father was diagnosed with terminal cancer 4 yrs ago. He lived 9 months before the illness claimed him. He was so private and didn’t talk about his emotions very much. But how I wish he had kept a journal during those days, especially when his treatments were working and he felt good. What a gift it would’ve been to have his thoughts and emotions live on in that way, even the painful ones. They were a part of him just as irreplaceable as any other. I still have my memories though, which are of course the most precious gift he gav
Read more: patients
web casts for young adult cancer survivors
2008-02-26 17:10:00
Below are two very informative, helpful web casts produced by Sloan-Kettering's Post-Treatment Resource Program for young
adult cancer survivors though cancer survivors of all ages will benefit from these as well. For many survivors, the information detailed in the web casts may be known already but they're worth watching, I think, as a helpful reminder of some of the important issues that some of us may have had to deal with already or may face in the future. The Cancer Is Over, Now What? For Young Adults (21-39)Fertility, Pregnancy, and Parenting After Cancer
celebrating a second chance of life
2008-02-26 17:04:00
"Celebrating a Second Chance at Life" is a Transplant Survivorship Symposium sponsored by BMT InfoNet and the National Marrow Donor Program will take place in Dallas, Texas from September 20-21st. This two-day seminar will feature leading experts on issues faced by adult and pediatric transplant survivors including: how to monitor and protect your health long-term; managing emotional and psychological challenges post-transplant; coping with fatigue; chronic graft-versus-host disease; learning and memory problems post-transplant; managing caregiver concerns; unique issues faced by young adult transplant survivors; growth and developmental challenges of pediatric survivors; insurance and employment concerns; sexuality and fertility post-transplant. The symposium will in
Read more: chance
leukemia & lymphoma society programs
2008-02-26 17:00:00
"Sexuality and Intimacy After Cancer," which will take place on March 11th, is a free telephone education program offered by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Learn more and/or register here."Life Mosaic" is another LLS creation. It's an online collection of personal stories of survivors of leukemia, lymphoma
, myeloma and other blood cancers. You may search for specific stories of interest within the Life Mosaic by disease, age, name and geography. Explore the Life Mosaic and/or share your own story here.
in the news
2008-02-26 15:58:00
Below are some of the news stories that I've been following during the past couple of days.The Audacity of Hopelessness by Frank Rich, I think, is a great read. Funny yet insightful.Obama's Red-State Prospects Unclear In Painful Past, Hushed Worry About ObamaObama's Kenyan RootsHillary Should Get Out Now is by Jonathan Alter, one of the most noted columnist in America and a cancer survivor.Fox News Anchor or Porn Star? Being home most of the time, I watch a lot of TV. Probably more than I should. If there's any defense I can make, I guess I can say that those hours are devoted to watching informative news analysis and the pundit talk shows which have become more and more fascinating as this unprecedented primary season progresses.Spending time flipping from network to network, I have be
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