Tonight we cooked a dinner that WCK was particularly unhappy with. (You'll recall the picky eating.) She ran and got her window markers, and she wrote "NO NO NO NO NO NO" all over the windows.
Jay and I had to do that parenting thing where you pretend like you're upset with your child, when really you're thinking that they're incredibly hilarious.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
CSC news roundup 2010-01-31
- Hypoxia inducible factors in CSC [FriendFeed entry] [Connotea bookmark]
- Pluripotency factors Lin28 and Oct4 identify a sub-population of stem cell-like cells in ovarian cancer [FriendFeed entry] http://is.gd/73pVk
- Evidence for self-renewing lung cancer stem cells and their implications [FriendFeed entry] [Connotea bookmark]
- The elaboration of a critical framework for understanding cancer: the CSC hypothesis [FriendFeed entry][Connotea bookmark]
- IMUC’s ICT-107 vaccine product candidate targets CSC [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/5BnV5q
- Putative CSC markers show strong prognostic significance in colorectal cancer [FriendFeed entry][Connotea bookmark] http://bit.ly/7uUuOZ
- Cell of Origin Identified for Common Type of Breast Cancer [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/4B0GOl http://bit.ly/5n9Icz
- Cancer Biomarker Chase Accelerates [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/57iVWN
- CSC suppress immune response against brain tumor [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/6HgW1g
- About a new report: Targeting CSC: Therapeutic Strategies and Pipeline Developments [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/8mfqET
- More evidence that tumours, like healthy organs, grow from SC. The Economist, 14 Jan 2010 [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/4AeekG
- AC133 Epitope, but not the CD133 Protein, Is Lost upon CSC differentiation [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/6r2aGh
- Nanosystems capture and destroy circulating tumor cells (CTC) [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/7ebzXI
- Evidence that CSC escape and down-regulate host antitumor immunity [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/5vWN8n http://bit.ly/5wgRBV
- Stem cells linked to an aggressive cancer of childhood [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/73ldYl http://bit.ly/6YaniV
- Role for the SCF-c-kit signaling axis in self-renewal and proliferation of human lung CSC [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/6PxEyW
- High-throughput screening of tumor-initiating cells in zebrafish [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/6G06No
- The Telomerase Antagonist, Imetelstat, Efficiently Targets Glioblastoma Tumor-Initiating Cells [FriendFeed entry] http://icio.us/t0td2z
- OncoMed, Fluidigm to Analyze Tumor Cell Populations [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/7GnYvm
- Therapy which fails to target CSC can actually promote malignant features in the recurring tumor! [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/6h7jOp
- CXCR1 blockade selectively targets human breast CSC in vitro and in xenografts [FriendFeed entry] http://bit.ly/69ynfK
Medicines from Nature
I know many who use natural therapies such as Chinese herbs and supplements for cancer treatment in preference to chemotherapy, as they prefer "natural" methods to chemotherapy. Some use these therapies instead of traditional western medicine (alternative therapies); some use them in conjunction with western medicine (complimentary therapies).
While I support the decisions of those who choose alternative and complimentary therapies 100%, I personally went the route of western medicine; surgery and chemotherapy. I personally wanted to use therapies that had been tested in clinical trials to show benefit. The interesting thing to me sometimes, though, is that half of the chemotherapies in use today were derived from natural sources. They in essence are herbal therapies that have been refined, purified and tested in clinical trials.
As a nurse, I know many life-saving western medicines currently prescribed are originally from natural sources; aspirin, morphine, coumadin, quinidine and lanoxin, along with many of our antibiotics, are "natural" medications. I was treated with a chemotherapy drug derived from the Chinese Happy Tree, Irinotecan, a component of FOLFORI. Several other chemotherapies, including Vincristine, Taxol, and Vinblastine were developed from plant sources. Memorial Sloan Kettering has done clinical trials testing Chinese herbs for potential use in cancer treatment. The spice curcumin is being tested in clinical trials at MD Anderson. Western medicine is pursuing plant-based “herbal” therapies. The National Cancer Institute has a Drug Discovery Program that began collecting plants for use in cancer treatment in North America in 1955 and in 1987 expanded that search to the world’s rain forests.
Rain forests have long been called "nature’s pharmacy", containing plants that for centuries have been used for medicinal purposes. Currently 25% of all Western pharmecueticals are derived from plant sources. Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today's cancer-fighting drugs come from organisms found only in the rain forest. The National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants found to be active against cancer, and 70% of these are found in the rain forests. Yet only one percent of rain forest plants have been tested for medicinal use. A study of rain forest plants in 1990 in Samoa found that 86% of the plants used by healers in the rain forests there had biological activity in humans. I truly believe a cure for cancer may one day come from a natural source, very possibly from a rain forest plant.
Rain forests contain plants that over many centuries have developed chemicals to protect them from diseases and parasites, chemicals that have the potential to protect us also. But we may lose the chance to find more plant-based treatments for cancer, even a potential cure. Rain forests, which covered 16% of the earth 20 years ago, now only cover 6% of the earth. They may be gone forever in 50 years if they are not preserved.
I've become kind of passionate about preserving nature...in addition to personally enjoying time in wilderness settings, I also believe in the potential of nature to provide us with treatments and potential cures for many of our diseases, including cancer.
I have recently learned of and support the work of the PEW Charitable Trust in conjunction with Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and The World Wildlife Fund in forming an Alliance for Global Conservation. Their website has a page devoted to information about Medicines from Nature.
You can support their efforts by signing this letter to President Obama if you are a survivor who has been treated with a drug derived from a natural source or are a healthcare worker (I did as I am both). You can also follow this link to Tell Your Representatives Co-Sponsor the Global Conservation Act. It would just take a minute of your time and might make a huge difference for all of us.
While I support the decisions of those who choose alternative and complimentary therapies 100%, I personally went the route of western medicine; surgery and chemotherapy. I personally wanted to use therapies that had been tested in clinical trials to show benefit. The interesting thing to me sometimes, though, is that half of the chemotherapies in use today were derived from natural sources. They in essence are herbal therapies that have been refined, purified and tested in clinical trials.
As a nurse, I know many life-saving western medicines currently prescribed are originally from natural sources; aspirin, morphine, coumadin, quinidine and lanoxin, along with many of our antibiotics, are "natural" medications. I was treated with a chemotherapy drug derived from the Chinese Happy Tree, Irinotecan, a component of FOLFORI. Several other chemotherapies, including Vincristine, Taxol, and Vinblastine were developed from plant sources. Memorial Sloan Kettering has done clinical trials testing Chinese herbs for potential use in cancer treatment. The spice curcumin is being tested in clinical trials at MD Anderson. Western medicine is pursuing plant-based “herbal” therapies. The National Cancer Institute has a Drug Discovery Program that began collecting plants for use in cancer treatment in North America in 1955 and in 1987 expanded that search to the world’s rain forests.
Rain forests have long been called "nature’s pharmacy", containing plants that for centuries have been used for medicinal purposes. Currently 25% of all Western pharmecueticals are derived from plant sources. Twenty-five percent of the active ingredients in today's cancer-fighting drugs come from organisms found only in the rain forest. The National Cancer Institute has identified 3000 plants found to be active against cancer, and 70% of these are found in the rain forests. Yet only one percent of rain forest plants have been tested for medicinal use. A study of rain forest plants in 1990 in Samoa found that 86% of the plants used by healers in the rain forests there had biological activity in humans. I truly believe a cure for cancer may one day come from a natural source, very possibly from a rain forest plant.
Rain forests contain plants that over many centuries have developed chemicals to protect them from diseases and parasites, chemicals that have the potential to protect us also. But we may lose the chance to find more plant-based treatments for cancer, even a potential cure. Rain forests, which covered 16% of the earth 20 years ago, now only cover 6% of the earth. They may be gone forever in 50 years if they are not preserved.
I've become kind of passionate about preserving nature...in addition to personally enjoying time in wilderness settings, I also believe in the potential of nature to provide us with treatments and potential cures for many of our diseases, including cancer.
I have recently learned of and support the work of the PEW Charitable Trust in conjunction with Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, Wildlife Conservation Society and The World Wildlife Fund in forming an Alliance for Global Conservation. Their website has a page devoted to information about Medicines from Nature.
You can support their efforts by signing this letter to President Obama if you are a survivor who has been treated with a drug derived from a natural source or are a healthcare worker (I did as I am both). You can also follow this link to Tell Your Representatives Co-Sponsor the Global Conservation Act. It would just take a minute of your time and might make a huge difference for all of us.
Analyzing tumors as ecosystems
Cellular and genetic diversity in the progression of in situ human breast carcinomas to an invasive phenotype by So Yeon Park and 4 co-authors, including Kornelia Polyak, J Clin Invest 2010(Jan 25) [Epub ahead of print][FriendFeed entry][Connotea bookmark][Full text is publicly accessible (via Gratis OA)]. PubMed Abstract:
From the Conclusions section of the abstract:
Intratumor genetic heterogeneity is a key mechanism underlying tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. The prevailing model for explaining intratumor diversity, the clonal evolution model, has recently been challenged by proponents of the cancer stem cell hypothesis. To investigate this issue, we performed combined analyses of markers associated with cellular differentiation states and genotypic alterations in human breast carcinomas and evaluated diversity with ecological and evolutionary methods. Our analyses showed a high degree of genetic heterogeneity both within and between distinct tumor cell populations that were defined based on markers of cellular phenotypes including stem cell-like characteristics. In several tumors, stem cell-like and more-differentiated cancer cell populations were genetically distinct, leading us to question the validity of a simple differentiation hierarchy-based cancer stem cell model. The degree of diversity correlated with clinically relevant breast tumor subtypes and in some tumors was markedly different between the in situ and invasive cell populations. We also found that diversity measures were associated with clinical variables. Our findings highlight the importance of genetic diversity in intratumor heterogeneity and the value of analyzing tumors as distinct populations of cancer cells to more effectively plan treatments.The final sentence of the Discussion section of the full text:
In summary, in this study we have demonstrated the power of analyzing tumors as ecosystems and suggest that quantitative measures of intratumor diversity might be clinically useful biomarkers predicting prognosis and response to treatment.Another recent article from the same group: Heterogeneity for Stem Cell–Related Markers According to Tumor Subtype and Histologic Stage in Breast Cancer by So Yeon Park and 5 co-authors, including Kornelia Polyak, Clin Cancer Res 2010; 16(3): 876–87 [Epub 2010(Jan 26)][FriendFeed entry][Connotea bookmark][PubMed Citation].
From the Conclusions section of the abstract:
Our findings suggest that in breast cancer, the frequency of tumor cells positive for stem cell-like and more differentiated cell markers varies according to tumor subtype and histologic stage.
My Experience With Neuropathy
Chemotherapy can cause neuropathy which is nerve damage. It usually affects the hands and feet and may cause them to hurt, tingle, feel numb or weak and even cause an impaired sense of touch.
Some of the symptoms I’ve experienced include … burning, tingling, and prickling. I’ve had sharp shooting pain which kind of feels like an electrical shock ... and that's in both my hands and feet.
I think it’s affected my walking because neuropathy can weaken muscles. In my case, I had trouble with the arch of my foot and had to go to the Chiropractor for him to stretch and strengthen my arch, foot and calves. I picked up some arch supports at the local grocery store which seems to help. Before seeing my Chiro, I used to have really bad feet, they felt like sticks with no feet and I used to flop my foot to the ground instead of stepping with the front of my foot and walking properly. Apparently, neuropathy can affect the reflexes in your feet and therefore can change the way you walk and for me … it did.
So how does neuropathy affect my life … well mostly, I don't feel solid on my feet. I have trouble picking up small objects and feel I’m just a bit clumsier … dropping things and such. I don’t have the strength to open jars, even the flip top to the ketchup container is uncomfortable to open. When I crack an egg and try to pull the shells apart, the pressure on my fingers is definitely felt, I’m very sensitive to heat … so I have to grab a pot holder to take plates out of the microwave and I have to be ever so careful when cutting or chopping food.. When I take my shower, hot water makes my feet burn so I have to turn the temperature down. At night I’m constantly flipping my feet around to find a comfy spot for my feet. The weight of the bed sheets puts pressure on my toes and if I have my feet flat on the bed, the pressure causes a burning sensation. The other night I woke up to burning feet … to get immediate relief, I sure wanted to go outside and run around in the snow but didn't … just ended up uncovering them to cool and waiting for the sensation to pass.
My biggest concern with my feet continues to be dryness and because I can’t feel any sort of pain from cracks in my skin … I do a visual check every day.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Healthy Spirits: Beer of the Month Club February 2010
Now available for pick-up!!!
cheers,
dave hauslein
beer manager
415-255-0610
An Inspiring Cancer Video
Here is a 5:49 minute inspiring cancer video by Kris Carr of Crazy Sexy Cancer.
Eating My Way Through a Bucket List
I'll tell you this much: I'd much rather be talking about bucket lists on my food blog than on my cancer blog.
Read about what happens when restaurants kick the bucket at Open Mouth, Insert Fork.
Read about what happens when restaurants kick the bucket at Open Mouth, Insert Fork.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Gift From a Friend
My good friend Arlene crocheted this beautiful shawl for me. It`s so soft and cuddly ... I can`t even tell you.
A bit about Arlene... she has been like a big sister to me especially when it comes to my cancer journey. We met at the Cross Cancer Clinic back in 2000 when we were both going through chemo for breast cancer. It turned out our treatments were identical. She progressed through things just a bit ahead of me because my white blood cells wouldn’t recover in time for a 3-week rotation, so I had to wait four weeks between treatments. Because Arlene was ahead of me, she always gave me the scoop on what to expect next. I can’t tell you how helpful that was for me back then. And she has been great support through my reoccurrences too.
I’m glad to say Arlene is cancer free and doing real well.
Thanks Arlene for the wonderful shawl and for being my good friend.
Pre-op talk with anesthesiologist
After talking with the nurse for the pre-op conversation, I asked her about the likelihood of the anesthesiologist using my brand-new power port for the surgery. She gave me the number to the anesthesiologists' staff room, where I was connected to Dr. Jonathan Maron.
Dr. Maron was great. He listened carefully to my question, gave me a complete answer, and all on the fly. I have no idea what he was doing at the moment I called, but he had no way to expect a call from a patient he hadn't met.
He told me that they absolutely could use my port for anesthesia. But if they found during the procedure that I needed fluids more quickly than the port could provide, they would then start a line. Of course, I hope that won't be necessary. I am a hard stick on the best of days and when fully hydrated. Given that I can't drink or eat after 7 AM, my veins will no doubt have shriveled up. And given that there was trouble starting an IV line for the insertion of my power port in late December, who knows what kind of condition my veins will be in?
At least I learned that there are limits to the speed with which a port can bring in fluid.
Dr. M also answered my questions about how best to prep my lymphedemic arm for surgery. We agreed that I should bandage instead of wearing my sleeve and glove. I like this not only because I can leave my arm wrapped for longer periods of time (and can sleep all night this way if needed). It would completely freak me out to find, for instance, that they had to cut the very expensive sleeve for any reason. In a situation like that, who cares about the cheaper fleece and padding?
Dr. Maron was great. He listened carefully to my question, gave me a complete answer, and all on the fly. I have no idea what he was doing at the moment I called, but he had no way to expect a call from a patient he hadn't met.
He told me that they absolutely could use my port for anesthesia. But if they found during the procedure that I needed fluids more quickly than the port could provide, they would then start a line. Of course, I hope that won't be necessary. I am a hard stick on the best of days and when fully hydrated. Given that I can't drink or eat after 7 AM, my veins will no doubt have shriveled up. And given that there was trouble starting an IV line for the insertion of my power port in late December, who knows what kind of condition my veins will be in?
At least I learned that there are limits to the speed with which a port can bring in fluid.
Dr. M also answered my questions about how best to prep my lymphedemic arm for surgery. We agreed that I should bandage instead of wearing my sleeve and glove. I like this not only because I can leave my arm wrapped for longer periods of time (and can sleep all night this way if needed). It would completely freak me out to find, for instance, that they had to cut the very expensive sleeve for any reason. In a situation like that, who cares about the cheaper fleece and padding?
Pre-op phone call
I really don't remember going through all this pre-op stuff in advance of scheduled surgery the last time I had a procedure. yesterday I had booked 30 minutes to take a phone call from a nurse. She wanted to review my entire medical history as known at Swedish, which goes back to 1988, before I moved to Seattle. (I imported medical records from my time in Washington DC.)
The nurse also reviewed my current meds, did a screening for domestic violence ("Are you safe where you are now?"), asked if I take any recreational drugs, and generally kept me talking for almost an hour.
The funny part was that even with all the information this nurse had available, much of it was wrong. Wrong date for a procedure. Wrong procedure, right date. Same procedure entered three separate times but listed differently each time. I realize some of this was due to the merger between Swedish and Providence hospitals, but really! Why wasn't the confusion cleared up the last time I had surgery, in 2005?
The nurse also reviewed my current meds, did a screening for domestic violence ("Are you safe where you are now?"), asked if I take any recreational drugs, and generally kept me talking for almost an hour.
The funny part was that even with all the information this nurse had available, much of it was wrong. Wrong date for a procedure. Wrong procedure, right date. Same procedure entered three separate times but listed differently each time. I realize some of this was due to the merger between Swedish and Providence hospitals, but really! Why wasn't the confusion cleared up the last time I had surgery, in 2005?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Healthy Spirits: HITACHINO NEST GINGER SALE!!!
HITACHINO GINGER is now on sale!
was: $6.99
now: $4.99
Come and get it!
Cheers,
dave hauslein
beer manager
415-255-0610
The best of both worlds
We brought our goose indoors on Christmas Eve so that the goose-sized Santa outfit wouldn't get buried in snow during the big Christmas blizzard. I realized that I liked having the goose inside with us, so we've left it right inside the front door. Not only is he/she protected from potential goose thieves, there are more opportunities to dress him/her up every day. Just this morning, I walked past the goose, only to discover the goose had become Hannah Montana. Who did this? I'm not sure.
Wondering....
I took my first college exam yesterday, statistics. My goal is to get an A in the class...in part to prove to myself that maybe I haven't lost it? My overall GPA for my first four years of college was an A-. But I haven't been in school for 17 years...and a part of me wonders, can I still do it? And do I have chemobrain now? Will I still be "smart"? Especially if I pursue school at the graduate level, where classes will be more difficult than those I've taken in the past.
I wonder sometimes about "chemobrain". I haven't looked for studies to see if there is any evidence that it really exists, though I know while on chemo I was more scatter-brained and didn't seem to have as great a memory. But I don't know if it was the chemo or dealing with all of the emotions that go along with cancer diagnosis and treatment, dealing with my own potential demise. Our lives after diagnosis are in such an upheaval....I'm sure our minds are too. Dealing with cancer definitely distracts us, so I wonder if the distractions interfere with our normal intellect and thought processes while we are in treatment? Maybe it's not just the chemo?
And in the sense of moving towards the future after cancer in spite of a lingering sense of uncertainty, I learned of a tragedy today. A distant relative of mine lost her child today. The nine year old girl was playing board games with her brothers, and they asked her to go upstairs to get something in her room. She didn't come down right away, though they called and asked her to hurry up. When she still didn't come down, her siblings went upstairs to see what was taking her so long...and found her dead in her room. No one knows what happenened, they will do an autopsy tomorrow.
Again, none of us is promised tomorrow, life is uncertain with or without cancer. I would have assumed a healthy nine year old had an unlimited future before her, a certain one full of potential. But she didn't. I can't even fathom her mother's shock and grief, what it would be like to lose a child.
We need to move forward in spite of the uncertainty cancer brings to our life. Life is and will always be uncertain, but we can't let that uncertainty dictate our passions and goals.
I wonder sometimes about "chemobrain". I haven't looked for studies to see if there is any evidence that it really exists, though I know while on chemo I was more scatter-brained and didn't seem to have as great a memory. But I don't know if it was the chemo or dealing with all of the emotions that go along with cancer diagnosis and treatment, dealing with my own potential demise. Our lives after diagnosis are in such an upheaval....I'm sure our minds are too. Dealing with cancer definitely distracts us, so I wonder if the distractions interfere with our normal intellect and thought processes while we are in treatment? Maybe it's not just the chemo?
And in the sense of moving towards the future after cancer in spite of a lingering sense of uncertainty, I learned of a tragedy today. A distant relative of mine lost her child today. The nine year old girl was playing board games with her brothers, and they asked her to go upstairs to get something in her room. She didn't come down right away, though they called and asked her to hurry up. When she still didn't come down, her siblings went upstairs to see what was taking her so long...and found her dead in her room. No one knows what happenened, they will do an autopsy tomorrow.
Again, none of us is promised tomorrow, life is uncertain with or without cancer. I would have assumed a healthy nine year old had an unlimited future before her, a certain one full of potential. But she didn't. I can't even fathom her mother's shock and grief, what it would be like to lose a child.
We need to move forward in spite of the uncertainty cancer brings to our life. Life is and will always be uncertain, but we can't let that uncertainty dictate our passions and goals.
Sears Coffee Group
Yesterday I had coffee with the ladies and what a treat it was. J just got back for her Mexican vacation and she brought back souvenirs for us all. S brought gifts too and she didn’t even go anywhere. A came with 6 copies of the pictures taken at our Christmas get-together... with these little gifts, it was like Christmas all over again.
We talked about a bit about... who had recent tests done, any new medications we were on ... just generally how everyone was doing. What I noticed and even mentioned to the group ... is that no one was complaining. We all seemed to agree ... we just have to make the best of the cards we are dealt. And you know what... after coffee was over; I walked out of there with a bit more bounce in my step.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Pre-op appointment
I met with the GYN for a pre-op conversation today. There's been some hoohah. It was tough to get an appointment within Rik's travel plans but they were able to fit me in. I learned yesterday that they needed to draw blood for labs and had just had my port accessed for zometa on Monday. If they had told me when scheduling, it could all have been done in advance. Yesterday's mail contained the hospital's pre-op instruction sheet. Thankfully it arrived in advance of today's visit with the doc so I could review and ask the appropriate questions.
Dr. F has a good bedside manner and lots of experience, so I plan to trust her with my life. I like how she looked at my tummy and said, "Oh, you have a tiny belly button. It'll be a bit bigger after this." And "I didn't hear a heart murmur. Let me listen again." She listens well. When I told her I was prone to infection, she was able to change her usual practice regarding antibiotics and bump up the dose for me.
I think I am as ready as can be. I bought the special pre-surgical scrub, Hibiclens. I have to take a shower the night before and the morning of the procedure (so I will be very clean). Because the surgery is scheduled for 3 PM, I can get up early that morning and eat some breakfast. Otherwise it would be a long fast from midnight until late afternoon. I am allowed to take pain and anti-anxiety meds with a sip of water if I am uncomfortable or stressed that day. I will be cleared to drive as soon as I feel well enough to do so.
It's hard to prepare for surgery but I think I have done my part. And my doc told me she appreciates a patient who takes charge!
Dr. F has a good bedside manner and lots of experience, so I plan to trust her with my life. I like how she looked at my tummy and said, "Oh, you have a tiny belly button. It'll be a bit bigger after this." And "I didn't hear a heart murmur. Let me listen again." She listens well. When I told her I was prone to infection, she was able to change her usual practice regarding antibiotics and bump up the dose for me.
I think I am as ready as can be. I bought the special pre-surgical scrub, Hibiclens. I have to take a shower the night before and the morning of the procedure (so I will be very clean). Because the surgery is scheduled for 3 PM, I can get up early that morning and eat some breakfast. Otherwise it would be a long fast from midnight until late afternoon. I am allowed to take pain and anti-anxiety meds with a sip of water if I am uncomfortable or stressed that day. I will be cleared to drive as soon as I feel well enough to do so.
It's hard to prepare for surgery but I think I have done my part. And my doc told me she appreciates a patient who takes charge!
Molecular signatures of quiescent, mobilized and leukemia-initiating hematopoietic SC
Molecular Signatures of Quiescent, Mobilized and Leukemia-Initiating Hematopoietic Stem Cells by E Camilla Forsberg and 6 co-authors, including Irving L Weissman, PLoS One 2010(Jan 20);5(1):e8785. [Connotea bookmark][FriendFeed entry][Full text is publicly accessible (via Libre OA)]. PubMed Abstract:
Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are rare, multipotent cells capable of generating all specialized cells of the blood system. Appropriate regulation of HSC quiescence is thought to be crucial to maintain their lifelong function; however, the molecular pathways controlling stem cell quiescence remain poorly characterized. Likewise, the molecular events driving leukemogenesis remain elusive. In this study, we compare the gene expression profiles of steady-state bone marrow HSC to non-self-renewing multipotent progenitors; to HSC treated with mobilizing drugs that expand the HSC pool and induce egress from the marrow; and to leukemic HSC in a mouse model of chronic myelogenous leukemia. By intersecting the resulting lists of differentially regulated genes we identify a subset of molecules that are downregulated in all three circumstances, and thus may be particularly important for the maintenance and function of normal, quiescent HSC. These results identify potential key regulators of HSC and give insights into the clinically important processes of HSC mobilization for transplantation and leukemic development from cancer stem cells.
Xeloda Toes Update
The splits on my big toes are nearly healed. Compare this to what they looked like ten days ago ... split open and bleeding. I wrap them once a day each morning with gauze and a good dollop of cream then bandage.
Even with the twice daily moisturizing, the heals of my feet are still showing signs of drying and peeling skin. I’ve tried wrapping them with a variety of gauze, bandages and tape but it all seems to slip off during the day. At night it’s better because I put socks on and am off my feet. I may have to go back to the medical supply store to see what else they have to offer.
If you look at the picture of my beautiful feet ... you will notice some brown spots developing. I have some small ones on my hands too. The Onc didn’t seem too concerned.
My hands don’t seem to be affected by the seasonal dryness as my feet. I do notice some layers of skin peeling off so as a preventative measure I put tape on them ... especially my thumbs.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
guest post
This past Saturday, friends of ours threw a party for their daughter, who just had her first birthday (I had to miss it because I went to Syracuse, New York to pick up a dress but that's a story for another post). In lieu of more traditional birthday presents, they asked that friends and family bring something to put in a "time capsule" that their daughter would open on her 13th birthday.
I think this is a fabulous idea.
My oldest son, who is 11 years old, wrote the following letter to accompany our gift. With his permission, I share it (un-edited) now with you:
Dear F.,
If you are reading this, we presume you are 13 years of age. The other main option is that you peeked, and that you do not truly deserve to keep this gift. On the other hand, you probably feel you were stiffed present-wise, since all the gifts you received at the age of one were hidden from you until now, countless adults taking advantage of your infanthood because they're your "friends and family."
Well, it's finally paid off. If you are reading this letter, your gift is either in front of you or being handled by your parents, who are about middle-aged by now. Our present is a contribution to the "time capsule" your parents constructed 12 years ago, when you looked more like a little pink thing than a real person. We chose to put comic books in your capsule.
The first item in this package is a graphic novel entitled "Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life." It is intended to be read over and over again, or at least once if you don't like it. It is a favourite in my family, and I think you will enjoy it, too.
Second, you will find an issue of "PVP", which stands for "Player Versus Player." This is a reference to video games. In this comic, you will find countless references to the pop culture and technology of 2010. It's also pretty darn funny.
Finally, you will find a copy of the first issue of "Siege." I'm not sure what it's about, but what I do know is that it is a massive crossover event in comics. By the time you receive this, it might be worth something. Keep it in good condition.
Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Your friends, the K-Ws.
Doctors apt & Adrienne update
Adrienne made it through her bi-lateral procedure but had some bleeding and was put on the ECMO to allow her heart and lungs to regain their strength and adjust from the procedure (note: lung transplant is a dramatic procedure). She is progressing nicely though, I hope she continues to show such good signs as she is showing now.
My first doctors apt. of the year, I think I will break my record from last year....I think I will be over the out of pocket limit (money I have to spend) by mid February this year; verses the end of March last year.
My first doctors apt. of the year, I think I will break my record from last year....I think I will be over the out of pocket limit (money I have to spend) by mid February this year; verses the end of March last year.
Monday, January 25, 2010
CSC suppress immune response against brain tumor
Cancer stem cells suppress immune response against brain tumor, News Release, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, January 15, 2010.
About two publications, one in Clin Cancer Res 2010(Jan 15);16(2):461-73 and the other in Mol Cancer Ther 2010(Jan);9(1):67-78.
See also: Cancer stem cells suppress immune response against brain tumor, Science Blog, January 15, 2010, and, Mechanism that helps brain cancer evade immune system attack discovered, Science News, January 16, 2010.
About two publications, one in Clin Cancer Res 2010(Jan 15);16(2):461-73 and the other in Mol Cancer Ther 2010(Jan);9(1):67-78.
See also: Cancer stem cells suppress immune response against brain tumor, Science Blog, January 15, 2010, and, Mechanism that helps brain cancer evade immune system attack discovered, Science News, January 16, 2010.
Who hasn't felt this way?
On the way home from preschool today, WCK told me there was a little boy she'd wanted to play with at school, but he said he didn't want to play with her.
"When he said that, he made my heart feel droopy," she said.
"When he said that, he made my heart feel droopy," she said.
CT Scan Results Today
Just got back from the clinic and my CT scan results indicate things are stable. My liver has rotated a bit so the radiologist couldn’t take any measurements of my tumours but in his report, he said it didn’t look like there were any noticeable changes.
With regards to my lungs ... there appears to be a bit more fluid around them compared to the last scan. The Onc asked how my lungs were feeling. I said they are better than previous months. I still cough a bit and use the inhaler maybe one day in a cycle but overall I think it’s much better. She said we’ll just watch that then.
I mentioned the splits in my toes and she asked to see them ... fortunately, they are looking pretty good right now. She also asked to look at my hands and said they weren’t red so we can continue with the same dosage of Xeloda.
I mentioned to her that I had been occasionally seeing stars the last couple of weeks. She asked if they were dark spots and I said no ... they were stars with jagged edges like in a kaleidoscope. She did some visual tests and said if the problem persisted, we’d do a head scan after the next visit.
... so all in all a good report. I can breathe easy for three months ... until the next scan.
Breast Reconstruction Surgery Options After Mastectomy
Every woman has a right to breast reconstruction surgery after breast cancer. This has been a federal mandate for some time and insurance companies have to pay for breast reconstruction surgery by law. There is no age limitation for breast reconstruction and there are many different options available.
"Immediate" breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Advantages include: preserving most of the patient's breast skin, a shorter/less obvious mastectomy scar and waking up with the new breast already in place (and avoiding the experience of a flat chest). It also generally provides the best cosmetic results particularly when combined with nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy.
"Delayed" reconstruction generally takes place after the mastectomy has healed. Many times patients required to undergo radiation following their mastectomies are advised to delay reconstructive surgery in order to achieve the best results. It is common to wait several months after the last radiation therapy session before proceeding with reconstruction to allow the soft tissues to recover completely from the radiotherapy.
Tissue expander reconstruction is the most common method of breast reconstruction in the United States. Most plastic surgeons perform this as a two-stage procedure. The expander is used to stretch the skin envelope and create the size of breast the patient and plastic surgeon desire. The expander is replaced by a permanent breast implant (saline or silicone) at a separate procedure some time later. Some patients are candidates for one-step implant reconstruction (without expanders): a permanent breast implant is inserted immediately without going through the whole expansion process. In the one-step implant reconstruction the implant is completely covered by the pectoralis muscle and an acellular dermal graft (like Alloderm or FlexHD). These grafts are tissue implants that provide support and increase the amount of padding over the implant.
Implant reconstruction can be the best option for some patients. However, reconstruction with expanders and breast implants are associated with more complications than cosmetic breast augmentation. Complications following radiation therapy are also higher with implants compared to reconstructions using the patient’s own tissue.
The Latissimus procedure uses muscle (latissimus dorsi), fat and skin from the back (below the shoulder blade) that is brought around to the chest to create a new breast. Many patients also need an expander to obtain a satisfactory result. The expander is replaced by a permanent implant at a second procedure down the line. Patients typically a scar on their back that can be seen with some low-cut clothing. Women who are very active in sports may notice some strength loss with activities like golf, climbing, or tennis.
TRAM flap surgery is a common procedure that uses skin, fat and varying amounts of the sit-up muscle (rectus abdominus) from the lower abdomen. The tissue (or flap) is then relocated to the chest to create the new breast. This procedure also results in a tightening of the lower abdomen, or a "tummy tuck." Unfortunately, sacrifice of all or part of the abdominal muscle can result in bulging (or “pooching”) of the abdomen and even a hernia. Up until a few years ago, this was the gold standard in breast reconstruction.
DIEP flap breast reconstruction has replaced the TRAM flap as today's gold standard in breast reconstruction. The DIEP flap uses only skin and fat. This is disconnected from the lower abdomen and reconnected to the chest area using microsurgery to create a new breast. Since all the abdominal muscles are saved, patients do not have to sacrifice their abdominal strength. They also experience less pain and have a quicker recovery than TRAM patients. The risk of abdominal bulging and hernia is also very small. The SIEA flap is a variation of the DIEP flap. It is associated with an even easier recovery and a 0% hernia risk but requires specific anatomy which not all patients have. Like the TRAM, the DIEP and SIEA procedures also provide a simultaneous tummy tuck.
Women who do not have enough abdominal tissue for reconstruction may be eligible for the GAP (buttock) or TUG (upper inner thigh) flap procedures. The resulting scars are generally easily hidden by most underwear.
Like the DIEP flap, the GAP and TUG flap procedures are unfortunately not offered by most plastic surgeons as they require advanced training in microsurgery and reimbursement is very low. Only about 40 surgeons in the US perform these advanced procedures routinely.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction including advanced techniques like the DIEP flap procedure. Keep up to date with the latest news in breast cancer reconstruction at The Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog, on Facebook and on Twitter!
*****
"Immediate" breast reconstruction is performed at the same time as the mastectomy. Advantages include: preserving most of the patient's breast skin, a shorter/less obvious mastectomy scar and waking up with the new breast already in place (and avoiding the experience of a flat chest). It also generally provides the best cosmetic results particularly when combined with nipple-sparing or skin-sparing mastectomy.
"Delayed" reconstruction generally takes place after the mastectomy has healed. Many times patients required to undergo radiation following their mastectomies are advised to delay reconstructive surgery in order to achieve the best results. It is common to wait several months after the last radiation therapy session before proceeding with reconstruction to allow the soft tissues to recover completely from the radiotherapy.
Tissue expander reconstruction is the most common method of breast reconstruction in the United States. Most plastic surgeons perform this as a two-stage procedure. The expander is used to stretch the skin envelope and create the size of breast the patient and plastic surgeon desire. The expander is replaced by a permanent breast implant (saline or silicone) at a separate procedure some time later. Some patients are candidates for one-step implant reconstruction (without expanders): a permanent breast implant is inserted immediately without going through the whole expansion process. In the one-step implant reconstruction the implant is completely covered by the pectoralis muscle and an acellular dermal graft (like Alloderm or FlexHD). These grafts are tissue implants that provide support and increase the amount of padding over the implant.
Implant reconstruction can be the best option for some patients. However, reconstruction with expanders and breast implants are associated with more complications than cosmetic breast augmentation. Complications following radiation therapy are also higher with implants compared to reconstructions using the patient’s own tissue.
The Latissimus procedure uses muscle (latissimus dorsi), fat and skin from the back (below the shoulder blade) that is brought around to the chest to create a new breast. Many patients also need an expander to obtain a satisfactory result. The expander is replaced by a permanent implant at a second procedure down the line. Patients typically a scar on their back that can be seen with some low-cut clothing. Women who are very active in sports may notice some strength loss with activities like golf, climbing, or tennis.
TRAM flap surgery is a common procedure that uses skin, fat and varying amounts of the sit-up muscle (rectus abdominus) from the lower abdomen. The tissue (or flap) is then relocated to the chest to create the new breast. This procedure also results in a tightening of the lower abdomen, or a "tummy tuck." Unfortunately, sacrifice of all or part of the abdominal muscle can result in bulging (or “pooching”) of the abdomen and even a hernia. Up until a few years ago, this was the gold standard in breast reconstruction.
DIEP flap breast reconstruction has replaced the TRAM flap as today's gold standard in breast reconstruction. The DIEP flap uses only skin and fat. This is disconnected from the lower abdomen and reconnected to the chest area using microsurgery to create a new breast. Since all the abdominal muscles are saved, patients do not have to sacrifice their abdominal strength. They also experience less pain and have a quicker recovery than TRAM patients. The risk of abdominal bulging and hernia is also very small. The SIEA flap is a variation of the DIEP flap. It is associated with an even easier recovery and a 0% hernia risk but requires specific anatomy which not all patients have. Like the TRAM, the DIEP and SIEA procedures also provide a simultaneous tummy tuck.
Women who do not have enough abdominal tissue for reconstruction may be eligible for the GAP (buttock) or TUG (upper inner thigh) flap procedures. The resulting scars are generally easily hidden by most underwear.
Like the DIEP flap, the GAP and TUG flap procedures are unfortunately not offered by most plastic surgeons as they require advanced training in microsurgery and reimbursement is very low. Only about 40 surgeons in the US perform these advanced procedures routinely.
*****
Dr Chrysopoulo is a board certified plastic surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction including advanced techniques like the DIEP flap procedure. Keep up to date with the latest news in breast cancer reconstruction at The Breast Cancer Reconstruction Blog, on Facebook and on Twitter!
*****
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Story, overheard conversation #1
There once was an East European Jewish woman who had survived the concentration camps and immigrated to the US. She married, had three sons, lost her husband. The last 10 years of her life she suffers from skin cancer, and eventually hires live-in help, a (non-Jewish) immigrant from Eastern Europe. The woman with cancer grows close to this woman, who reminds her of her sister who died in the Holocaust. She tells her sons she wants to leave her house to this woman. When she dies, the sons are in agreement. They tell the caretaker: Our mother wanted you to take the house. It's yours.
She refuses. All she wants is to get her pay and move on to the next client.
###
What is the explanation?
That the caretaker could not imagine herself as anything beyond a caretaker, could not disrupt her life by inheriting a half-million-dollar house?
That she was afraid that the surviving family would fight her for the house, after all?
That she wanted to keep doing her honest work, and nothing more?
That she felt she didn't deserve it?
We don't know.
***
There is I.L. Peretz's (1852-1915) famous story of Bontsche Schvayg (Bontsche the Silent), a poor, miserable, oppressed Jew in the shtetl who never complains. He comes to Heaven and is offered anything he wants. What he chooses: a warm roll every morning, with butter.
This is a tragedy--he could have wished for world peace, for the end of suffering, the reader thinks--but he was so beaten down that all he could imagine was the hot roll. He is not a martyr to be admired--he's a beaten-down soul to be pitied.
The story has been widely translated. You can read different versions of the high points here.
****
The poor are always with us. Jewish beggar, Lower East Side, 1933, by Lightman... Painting above by Valadon
She refuses. All she wants is to get her pay and move on to the next client.
###
What is the explanation?
That the caretaker could not imagine herself as anything beyond a caretaker, could not disrupt her life by inheriting a half-million-dollar house?
That she was afraid that the surviving family would fight her for the house, after all?
That she wanted to keep doing her honest work, and nothing more?
That she felt she didn't deserve it?
We don't know.
***
There is I.L. Peretz's (1852-1915) famous story of Bontsche Schvayg (Bontsche the Silent), a poor, miserable, oppressed Jew in the shtetl who never complains. He comes to Heaven and is offered anything he wants. What he chooses: a warm roll every morning, with butter.
This is a tragedy--he could have wished for world peace, for the end of suffering, the reader thinks--but he was so beaten down that all he could imagine was the hot roll. He is not a martyr to be admired--he's a beaten-down soul to be pitied.
The story has been widely translated. You can read different versions of the high points here.
****
The poor are always with us. Jewish beggar, Lower East Side, 1933, by Lightman... Painting above by Valadon
Got Out of the House
Yesterday I went to Super Store to stock up on Udder cream. I’m really going through a lot it so I picked up a tub and a jumbo tube. I’m now moisturizing my feet twice a day and they are feeling and looking so much better. I also drove over to a medical supply store to pick up some Kinesio Tex Tape ... I apply this tape on my hand and forearm to help move the lymphedema fluid out of my in my hand. I think its working.
I then asked the clerk what they had for dressing to apply to fingers and toes. She showed me a roll of tubular gauze. You just cut off the amount you need for your size of finger or toe and roll it on.
My daily moisturizing ritual is to put a big dollop of cream on gauze squares, put it on my big toe and then pull the tubular gauze on. A little medical tape to hold it in place and I’m good to go. Pretty slick.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Let the Sun Shine In!
After a week of soup and stew weather, the clouds have parted and it's time for a celebration of citrus.Wander over to Open Mouth, Insert Fork to find out how I've been using the back yard citrus.
In Memorium
[photo by Terry Armour]
How can a 36-year-old die of colon cancer?
Chicago lost journalist Carlos Hernandez Gomez Jan. 17. Peter Sagal, host of "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," had this to say:
I am a nervous, self-doubting fellow, and sometimes reacted with less than equal enthusiasm to CHG’s kindnesses. It seemed odd to me that someone I didn’t know well would express such happiness and interest in my company. I thought that this was some kind of flaw in him. I realize, now, the flaw was mine, in my misplaced sense of propriety, my doubt. What can you say about someone who greets the world, and the people he knew — well or not — with such outlandish pleasure, except we should all need to strive to be more like him. Starting now, before we lose anyone else we need.
Read more and listen here.
Yesterdays Get Moving Session
Yesterday I went to the 'Get Moving’ session offered at the Cross Cancer Clinic. The three hour session included teleconferencing from the Tom Baker Clinic in Calgary. There were a variety of medical professionals speaking on the importance of physical activity as a part of cancer treatment ... and especially after treatment to return to a normal lifestyle. The message seemed to do something instead of nothing.
One of the more enjoyable parts was when Brian McGregor Founder of Cancervive who spoke about his survivor story. He was very entertaining ... and especially funny. Cancervive raises money to help support those living with cancer and surviving beyond cancer. They work closely with Calgary Wellspring, a support center for those living with cancer and their loved ones.
Wellspring is due to open a location in Edmonton and Brain said Cancervive is working with Edmonton to make that happen.
Friday, January 22, 2010
a perfect evening
The kind when conversation flows easily along with the wine, all accompanied byexcellent food. Where all the kids get along and the adults are left to talk about books, movies and travel. The kind of evening when three and half hours goes by like five minutes and the time to go comes in what feels like the blink of an eye.
And you have your boots on at the door by 9:06pm.
I remember when Friday nights out didn't get going until after 11:00 and a 1:00am curfew seemed completely unfair. When we danced until the music stopped and got up to the kinds of things that make me dread my own children's adolescence.
It's one of Mother Nature's little ironies that by the time we are mature enough to behave responsibly our definition of a late night (and of a perfect one) has been irrevocably changed.
Never need a reason, never need a rhyme
Tonight, WCK watched Mary Poppins for the first time. This was one of the first movies I ever saw in the movie theater, and it's still one of my favorite movies of all time. WCK absolutely loved it, especially the "Spoonful of Sugar" part where the toys put themselves away. She did run from the room during the chimney sweep dance, claiming it was "scary". For some reason, she can't bear to watch people get mud/dirt/fake soot on them. I refused to fast-forward because, dang it, the chimney sweep dance is the best part of the entire movie. Am I right?
After I put WCK to bed, I kept hearing loud crashes from upstairs. I discovered she was "playing Mary Poppins" by jumping off her bed with an umbrella. At least it made an impression.
Remember the part where Dick Van Dyke plays the cranky old guy who runs the bank? WCK said, "Wow, he's really old. I think he's 35."
After I put WCK to bed, I kept hearing loud crashes from upstairs. I discovered she was "playing Mary Poppins" by jumping off her bed with an umbrella. At least it made an impression.
Remember the part where Dick Van Dyke plays the cranky old guy who runs the bank? WCK said, "Wow, he's really old. I think he's 35."
Healthy Spirits:New Arrivals
The new stuff:
1. Schlenkerla Ur-Bock
2. Samichlaus now available in nboth 2007 and 2008 vintages!
3. Delerium Tremens glassware is back!
4. Widmer Hefe 6pack special-$7.99!!! Add a glass for $1 more!!!
5. Konig Pilsner only $6.99 a 6 pack!!!
check it out
dave hauslein
beer manager
415-255-0610
Surgery scheduled
I just got the call from the surgery scheduler with a date for the hysterectomy - luckily, well before Rik is supposed to lead that student tour to northern Ireland. I'll stay overnight in the hospital and have been told to expect a quick recovery since this will be a laparoscopic procedure.
I am relieved to have a date and glad to have this settled sooner rather than later!
I am relieved to have a date and glad to have this settled sooner rather than later!
It's Raining, It's Pouring, but Food Isn't Boring
Energy is returning, appetite is back and the kitchen's been getting a good workout. (I've even gained four pounds in the last two weeks.)
See what's cooking at Open Mouth, Insert Fork.
Full Day Ahead
I’ve got a couple of things planned for today so am posting early.
Last night I was at Costco and I’m excited to say that I picked up ... get ready for it ... Susan Boyles, I Dreamed A Dream.
Did I mention that I’m so excited when she sings? ... I get goose bumps!
Anyways, I think that will be all for now...
Sweatin' with the oldies
I take strength-training classes at a local fitness center on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when WCK is in preschool. The Monday class is a normal exercise class, taught by a young woman with zero-percent body fat who likes to yell at us to "hustle". I can never quite bring myself to the "hustle" level, but I also don't lie down on the floor and die, which is what I feel like doing, so that must count for something.
She also plays really loud music that makes no sense and goes "thumpa thumpa thumpa."
The class on Wednesdays and Fridays, however, is filled with people who are at least 30 years older than I am. Maybe 40. Even the instructor is getting up there. She's often saying things like, "Somebody turn on a fan; I'm having a hot flash!" She likes to tell us how working our biceps will help us with important activities around the house, such as lifting our grandchildren. We do exercises that are supposed to keep us from breaking a hip.
Please don't think I'm mocking this class. I came to the horrible discovery that this class is much more my speed. I don't feel like dying at the end; I feel highly successful that I made it through a workout. And some of these older ladies are much stronger than I am. I know the instructor could kick my butt, hot flashes and all. Plus, she plays greatest hits of the '80s, which I enjoy. I can feel the St. Elmo's fire burnin' in me.
She also plays really loud music that makes no sense and goes "thumpa thumpa thumpa."
The class on Wednesdays and Fridays, however, is filled with people who are at least 30 years older than I am. Maybe 40. Even the instructor is getting up there. She's often saying things like, "Somebody turn on a fan; I'm having a hot flash!" She likes to tell us how working our biceps will help us with important activities around the house, such as lifting our grandchildren. We do exercises that are supposed to keep us from breaking a hip.
Please don't think I'm mocking this class. I came to the horrible discovery that this class is much more my speed. I don't feel like dying at the end; I feel highly successful that I made it through a workout. And some of these older ladies are much stronger than I am. I know the instructor could kick my butt, hot flashes and all. Plus, she plays greatest hits of the '80s, which I enjoy. I can feel the St. Elmo's fire burnin' in me.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
January 2010: Cancer Bitch discovers foot straps
Again I am clueless even though I get as much instruction as everyone else. At rowing practice recently I realized, O, the straps are supposed to be tight around your foot, O, you’re supposed to adjust the foot-holder so that the bottom part is snug around your ankle, O you’re supposed to push against the strap when you push off from the balls of your feet and from the ankles.
I’d made my strap loose before, I’d not known how to determine the length of the footholder. All of this is obvious and seems like it should have been obvious. But it was like I had the pieces but didn’t put them together right. I would make the strap fairly loose, wondering why exactly we had to strap our feet in. My time was really good today, our young coach J said the other day, you're flying, you’ll have to get a new 20-minute average.
What is it about me that takes so long to understand the obvious? There was a column some years back in the SF Chronicle by a woman who was unfit for the world or a failure at living. She would write about how daunting it was to renew her driver’s license.
Then there is the narrator of Deborah Eisenberg's short story Days: I have always wondered, up until this moment, whenever I have heard them mentioned, what tube socks are. Now I realize...They're SOCK TUBES, and they are the only sort of socks that make any sense, because you just stick your foot into one any old way and leave it there, and the sock, not your foot, has to adjust. The feelings of confusion produced by the term "tube sock" are not, I realize, due to the nature of the tube sock itself but rather to the term's implication that all socks are not tube socks and the attendant question of why they are not.
In high school we could paint on the walls of the Newspaper Shack. There were two young Surrealists who were a year younger than I was/am, and they wrote on the wall things like: Man discovers hand, 1936. Their trademark call-and-response was: Who is the Real Snake? Yes. One was Mormon and looked like an IBM employee from the early years and talked about the upcoming missionary work. The other was lanky and stooped with long blond hair and later had a girlfriend with curly blond hair and they spent all lunchtime on the old old couch, oblivious to everyone else. Causing us to chant: She offered her honor, he honored her offer, so it was honor, offer. This all relates somehow to the de-familiarization of the familiar and more importantly, vice versa. And to late discoveries.
I’d made my strap loose before, I’d not known how to determine the length of the footholder. All of this is obvious and seems like it should have been obvious. But it was like I had the pieces but didn’t put them together right. I would make the strap fairly loose, wondering why exactly we had to strap our feet in. My time was really good today, our young coach J said the other day, you're flying, you’ll have to get a new 20-minute average.
What is it about me that takes so long to understand the obvious? There was a column some years back in the SF Chronicle by a woman who was unfit for the world or a failure at living. She would write about how daunting it was to renew her driver’s license.
Then there is the narrator of Deborah Eisenberg's short story Days: I have always wondered, up until this moment, whenever I have heard them mentioned, what tube socks are. Now I realize...They're SOCK TUBES, and they are the only sort of socks that make any sense, because you just stick your foot into one any old way and leave it there, and the sock, not your foot, has to adjust. The feelings of confusion produced by the term "tube sock" are not, I realize, due to the nature of the tube sock itself but rather to the term's implication that all socks are not tube socks and the attendant question of why they are not.
In high school we could paint on the walls of the Newspaper Shack. There were two young Surrealists who were a year younger than I was/am, and they wrote on the wall things like: Man discovers hand, 1936. Their trademark call-and-response was: Who is the Real Snake? Yes. One was Mormon and looked like an IBM employee from the early years and talked about the upcoming missionary work. The other was lanky and stooped with long blond hair and later had a girlfriend with curly blond hair and they spent all lunchtime on the old old couch, oblivious to everyone else. Causing us to chant: She offered her honor, he honored her offer, so it was honor, offer. This all relates somehow to the de-familiarization of the familiar and more importantly, vice versa. And to late discoveries.
A Student Again....Finally!
I went to my first class last night and really liked it, really liked my professor. I loved being in a classroom again. The professor is kind of fun. He did a little speech about the fact that he had a very strict attendence policy and that you had to have a really good excuse to miss his class. Hospitalizations, famiy deaths and automobile accidents on the way to class were NOT good reasons to miss his class. After the silence that followed, he said a good reason to miss his class was free tickets to a baseball game, a chance to sleep in, a good party...something GOOD. He said he hoped we wouldn't have to deal with bad things and would only miss his class because a GOOD opportunity came along. I like him!
After class I went to my Toastmaster's meeting...I had to give a speech. I was supposed to give an inspirational speech. I decided to do a speech about Dr. Jimmie Holland...she inspires me. She has brought attention to the emotional aspects of a cancer diagnosis. She wrote a book I loved when I was newly diagnosed with cancer..."The Human side of Cancer: Living with Hope,Coping with Uncertainty". She founded the science of psycho-oncology. She made many oncologists aware of the emotional struggles we all face after a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Holland made the cancer comunity aware of the fact that we were not just persons with a tumor who need medical care, but whole individuals who are traumatized emotionally, and not just physically, by the diagnosis. She is a hero of mine. The emotional consequences of cancer,in my view, far outweigh the physical effects of cancer and treatment. She's advocated for us all. She recognized that we are people, not just illneses, that there was so much more to us than our disease, that a cancer diagnosis affected our whole being, not just our health. She is 80 years old and still advocating for us. We are her life's purpose. She honors us, she honors our stuggle. I loved doing a speech about her.
Did I tell you I got to meet her? She is involved in the AACRs Scientist-ssurvivor Program I am a part of. So I got to meet and spend time with my hero at one of the AACR annual meetings. It was such a priviledge. Maybe I'll get to be like her and still make a difference when I'm 80.
CR Magazine did a great article about her I'll paste here: Caring for the Whole Person. Please try to find the time to read it!
After class I went to my Toastmaster's meeting...I had to give a speech. I was supposed to give an inspirational speech. I decided to do a speech about Dr. Jimmie Holland...she inspires me. She has brought attention to the emotional aspects of a cancer diagnosis. She wrote a book I loved when I was newly diagnosed with cancer..."The Human side of Cancer: Living with Hope,Coping with Uncertainty". She founded the science of psycho-oncology. She made many oncologists aware of the emotional struggles we all face after a cancer diagnosis.
Dr. Holland made the cancer comunity aware of the fact that we were not just persons with a tumor who need medical care, but whole individuals who are traumatized emotionally, and not just physically, by the diagnosis. She is a hero of mine. The emotional consequences of cancer,in my view, far outweigh the physical effects of cancer and treatment. She's advocated for us all. She recognized that we are people, not just illneses, that there was so much more to us than our disease, that a cancer diagnosis affected our whole being, not just our health. She is 80 years old and still advocating for us. We are her life's purpose. She honors us, she honors our stuggle. I loved doing a speech about her.
Did I tell you I got to meet her? She is involved in the AACRs Scientist-ssurvivor Program I am a part of. So I got to meet and spend time with my hero at one of the AACR annual meetings. It was such a priviledge. Maybe I'll get to be like her and still make a difference when I'm 80.
CR Magazine did a great article about her I'll paste here: Caring for the Whole Person. Please try to find the time to read it!
Adrienne got the call (2 new lungs)
Adrienne my lung cancer bud here in TX just got the call for her transplant at UT Southwestern. I will be up all night just like with my bud Bo when he got his transplant I was like an expecting father. Glad I don't have to go to work on Friday.
Listen to your body, not your doctor.
Scan Results: NED. Woo! 8 months cancer free!
This hospital trip was slightly better. I was able to hold it together until the Asian lady at the bakery refused to serve me. Isn't that always the way it goes? You keep a straight face throughout the day, and then the tiniest insignificant obstacle causes a full blown shit-fest.
I gritted my teeth through the port flush. I asked my Onc about disability options and was denied (damn kids trying to abuse the system). I voiced my concern over worsening chronic pain in my hip/back/everywhere and, because my scans are clear, was not-so-subtly accused of opiate dependency (damn kids trying to abuse the system!). Because scans tell ALL, right? If the scan says I'm not in pain, I guess I'm not in pain.
So, feeling defeated despite the joyous news of N.E.D, I sought respite via coffee and pastries at the Kaiser cafe area. I order my shit. I have no cash. I am three dollars away from being able to use my debit card. "No card, under limit!!!" militant Asian lady snaps at me. I am unwilling to buy 4 more muffins just to be able to use my card. Defeated again, I ask, "can I have a cup of water?" She slams a little paper cup on the counter. "Fifty cent!!"
I stare at her. Are. You. Fucking. Kidding me. You will not give a cancer patient a mother fucking dixie cup? And then I lost it. Like, completely lost my shit and sat bawling, hungry, and humiliated in the cafe until I could pick up my prescription.
Moral of the story: If you are poor, always carry cash. If you are a cunt, don't work at a hospital.
So, back to my Onc visit. Now that I have hair and look like a normal twenty-something, I am noticing a massive amount of skepticism and disbelief when it comes to medical issues. There seems to be a general misconception that young people can't be trusted. We just want drugs and attention. People, even medical professionals, fail to realize that Chemo completely rapes and pillages your body, causing long-term issues unrelated to cancer. Chemotherapy annihilates cancer (if you're lucky) just as it annihilates the rest of your healthy cells.
If I were to listen to my Doctor, I would be taking Ibuprofen and hot baths for debilitating pain. I would assume the pain is all in my head. Which was exactly what I was told before my Cancer diagnosis.
I am angry about all of this. Livid. And I'm not quite sure what to do about it, suffice to say: Listen to your body, not your doctor. Do research yourself. Find your own solution. Make your own educated diagnosis. Get second and third opinions until you finally find someone who will listen. Don't sit back and suffer.
oh and p.s.- I'm still working on getting my computer fixed. Despite the rant above, I am so so happy to be in remission. I'll take my pain over cancer any day...
This hospital trip was slightly better. I was able to hold it together until the Asian lady at the bakery refused to serve me. Isn't that always the way it goes? You keep a straight face throughout the day, and then the tiniest insignificant obstacle causes a full blown shit-fest.
I gritted my teeth through the port flush. I asked my Onc about disability options and was denied (damn kids trying to abuse the system). I voiced my concern over worsening chronic pain in my hip/back/everywhere and, because my scans are clear, was not-so-subtly accused of opiate dependency (damn kids trying to abuse the system!). Because scans tell ALL, right? If the scan says I'm not in pain, I guess I'm not in pain.
So, feeling defeated despite the joyous news of N.E.D, I sought respite via coffee and pastries at the Kaiser cafe area. I order my shit. I have no cash. I am three dollars away from being able to use my debit card. "No card, under limit!!!" militant Asian lady snaps at me. I am unwilling to buy 4 more muffins just to be able to use my card. Defeated again, I ask, "can I have a cup of water?" She slams a little paper cup on the counter. "Fifty cent!!"
I stare at her. Are. You. Fucking. Kidding me. You will not give a cancer patient a mother fucking dixie cup? And then I lost it. Like, completely lost my shit and sat bawling, hungry, and humiliated in the cafe until I could pick up my prescription.
Moral of the story: If you are poor, always carry cash. If you are a cunt, don't work at a hospital.
So, back to my Onc visit. Now that I have hair and look like a normal twenty-something, I am noticing a massive amount of skepticism and disbelief when it comes to medical issues. There seems to be a general misconception that young people can't be trusted. We just want drugs and attention. People, even medical professionals, fail to realize that Chemo completely rapes and pillages your body, causing long-term issues unrelated to cancer. Chemotherapy annihilates cancer (if you're lucky) just as it annihilates the rest of your healthy cells.
If I were to listen to my Doctor, I would be taking Ibuprofen and hot baths for debilitating pain. I would assume the pain is all in my head. Which was exactly what I was told before my Cancer diagnosis.
I am angry about all of this. Livid. And I'm not quite sure what to do about it, suffice to say: Listen to your body, not your doctor. Do research yourself. Find your own solution. Make your own educated diagnosis. Get second and third opinions until you finally find someone who will listen. Don't sit back and suffer.
oh and p.s.- I'm still working on getting my computer fixed. Despite the rant above, I am so so happy to be in remission. I'll take my pain over cancer any day...
Hadassah medical personnel on the front lines of Haitian relief efforts
This press release from Hadassah came to my email in box today. I am so proud to be a life member of Hadassah!
(January 20) Israel was among the first responders to the crisis in Haiti last week, sending IDF rescue troops and medical personnel from Hadassah and other hospitals within days of the devastating earthquake. Because of Israel’s long experience with bombs and terror attacks, the army and medical community are expert at handling emergency rescue and medical crises.
Hadassah is proud that doctors and an OR nurse from Hadassah Medical Organization are among the personnel that, in short order, set up a tent hospital that includes surgical and medical departments, two operating rooms, an intensive care unit, an emergency room and a maternity ward. Translators accompanied the Israeli contingent to aid doctors. The hospital is set on a soccer field in Port-au-Prince.
After setting up the hospital equipment, the doctors worked the first 36 hours straight, operating on more than 70 patients and treating countless others for infection, first aid, broken bones and more.
Doctor Shir Dar, an OBGYN from Hadassah Ein Kerem, delivered the first baby born at the Israeli field hospital--a joyful sign of life amid so much death and destruction. The grateful mother said she will name her son Israel.
Also working at the field hospital from Hadassah are orthopedic surgeon and anesthesiologist Dr. Taras Shirov; Dr. Revital Hivert of the Department of Prosthodontics; and OR nurse Reuven Gelfond from Mt. Scopus.
When the hospital ran out of bone screws needed to treat fractured limbs, the resourceful Nurse Gelfond located a nearby factory and guided them to create the screws from simple nails.
At Hadassah, healthcare is our heritage, and it is rewarding to know that every day we deliver the most advanced medical care in the Middle East. We have reached out often to relieve suffering around the world—from humanitarian rescue in Southeast Asia to the earthquake in Turkey, from AIDS care for children in Ethiopia and Kazakhstan to lifesaving pediatric heart surgery in China.
In Haiti we continue our work, building bridges to peace through medicine.
Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America, Inc.
50 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019
Non-Chemo "Chemo Brain"
My brain is a very fickle creature.
Today I went to City of Hope for my fourth of five "chemo brain" tests. I'm part of a clinical study that's tracking my cognitive functioning from pre-stem-cell transplant to three years post-transplant. And, not to brag, but in some areas, I'm as sharp as a tack. "Wow! Noone has ever gotten that far before," gushed the test administrator. Or, "You're the first person to complete that entire section." Just don't ask me for directions to the restroom.
And I have an uncanny ability to hear a list of up to nine scrambled digits and letters and repeat them back in numerical and alphabetical order. I even amaze myself. But don't dare ask me for my office phone number.
I guess we're all like this. We have our strengths and we have our weaknesses. And how much of the weaknesses can be pinned on chemo or aging or peri-menopause or post-menopause or just the way we're wired is anyone's guess.
That's why the City of Hope is looking for a non-chemo control group to enroll in the same cognitive study.
If you're between the ages of 18 and 75, the series of 90-minute tests could be an excellent way to test your memory, focus and mental agility. The administrators do not share the results of the tests, but it's easy to gauge how you're doing. And, if you're really concerned about your performance on a particular test, the neuropsychiatrist who is the principal investigator will talk with you. (As she did with me last year when I cried out, "I've gotten stupid." She assured me that I had not.)
As a little token of appreciation City of Hope will give you a $20 Target gift card for each of the five tests.
Email me at susancarrier AT sbcglobal.net if you'd like more information or if you'd like to participate.
After all, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Recommended Reading: Your Brain After Chemo: A Practical Guide to Lifting the Fog and Getting Back Your Focus by Dan Silverman, MD, PhD and Idelle Davidson
Today I went to City of Hope for my fourth of five "chemo brain" tests. I'm part of a clinical study that's tracking my cognitive functioning from pre-stem-cell transplant to three years post-transplant. And, not to brag, but in some areas, I'm as sharp as a tack. "Wow! Noone has ever gotten that far before," gushed the test administrator. Or, "You're the first person to complete that entire section." Just don't ask me for directions to the restroom.
And I have an uncanny ability to hear a list of up to nine scrambled digits and letters and repeat them back in numerical and alphabetical order. I even amaze myself. But don't dare ask me for my office phone number.
I guess we're all like this. We have our strengths and we have our weaknesses. And how much of the weaknesses can be pinned on chemo or aging or peri-menopause or post-menopause or just the way we're wired is anyone's guess.
That's why the City of Hope is looking for a non-chemo control group to enroll in the same cognitive study.
If you're between the ages of 18 and 75, the series of 90-minute tests could be an excellent way to test your memory, focus and mental agility. The administrators do not share the results of the tests, but it's easy to gauge how you're doing. And, if you're really concerned about your performance on a particular test, the neuropsychiatrist who is the principal investigator will talk with you. (As she did with me last year when I cried out, "I've gotten stupid." She assured me that I had not.)
As a little token of appreciation City of Hope will give you a $20 Target gift card for each of the five tests.
Email me at susancarrier AT sbcglobal.net if you'd like more information or if you'd like to participate.
After all, a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
Recommended Reading: Your Brain After Chemo: A Practical Guide to Lifting the Fog and Getting Back Your Focus by Dan Silverman, MD, PhD and Idelle Davidson
in other news
I was felled by a yucky stomach bug this week and really didn't feel much like blogging. It's the price I pay for a weakened immune system. My older son is home sick today, too. Not sure what his excuse is.
Also, my spouse is in Florida. As far as I know, he's not sick.
To compensate for my bitterness at having been struck down during a week of single parenting (I know, some of you have to deal with this kind of thing all the time), I thought I would show off a little.
Here is my latest clapotis. I made it for my mom.
She thinks she's not very photogenic but I think she's lovely.
I made this thing on tiny (2.75mm, if you care about these things) needles and a laceweight (read very fine) yarn. It nearly killed me.
I was working on it during chemo one day and one of the pharmacists, herself a knitter, shook her head and exclaimed, "You must really love your mother!"
I do.
And while I wouldn't necessarily recommend doing this as a laceweight (not just because it takes forever but because fixing errors is a painstaking process) but I am very pleased with the end results. The yarn is an alpaca and silk blend from Knit Picks and the scarf is soft, airy and has a lovely drape.I think I am addicted to the clapotis. Although I'll do it in a thicker yarn and on bigger needles (the original was done in my much thicker yarn). Doing this on sock yarn will feel like a breeze.
And did you note the state of my walls?
I have been stripping wallpaper. It's part of a project that a friend is helping with (I know that should be "with which a friend is helping" but that felt awkward. Just want you sticklers to know that I am aware that I'm taking liberties). She offered to "paint a room" in my house in exchange for a bunch of kids' stuff we'd outgrown.
I definitely got the better end of that deal. We got a bunch of stuff out of our house and she has already devoted two afternoons to scraping the wallpaper in my hallway - on two floors and up the stairs.
I have to admit that I have never undertaken this kind of project before and I'm actually enjoying it. On our second afternoon we used "Concentrated Wallpaper Remover" from the hardware store and the hard-to-scrape stuff just melted off. Very cool. I hope it's not too terribly toxic. There didn't seem to be any fumes. It kind of smelled like dish soap.
There's another hour of stripping to do and then I gather everything has to be washed, then primed then painted. And then it will all look so good that the rest of the house will seem really dingy in contrast.
Finally, I feel like I can't conclude this post without mentioning the horrific situation in Haiti. Please give what you can, to a reputable organization.
When the Yarn Harlot sent out the "knit signal" last week, I was prompted to direct my money to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). They are already set up to help and do excellent work aroun the world.
Click here to donate in Canada, the United States or everywhere else in the world (find your country in the menu on the left). The Harlot mentioned in her post that it is most helpful if you direct your donation to "Emergency Relief" or "Greatest Needs" instead of to a specific project.
Local Information Session
When I was at the clinic last Tuesday, I picked up a pamphlet that told of an information session hosted by the clinic called GET MOVING! ... it’s geared for cancer patients, survivors, family members, medical professionals, fitness professionals and anyone who wants to learn more about the role of physical activity.
You can:
• hear the latest evidence
• get the latest advice on starting and staying active
• find out about the community resources available to you
Free of charge. No registration is required.
Hosted by the Culos-Reed Health and Wellness Lab and the University of Calgary.
This all goes tomorrow, Friday, January 22 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Cross Cancer Institute, Zane Feldman Auditorium.
Stable: It's not just for horses anymore
M-spike = 2.7
This is exactly what it was in early December. Also, my beta-2 microglobulin is hanging in there at a nice, low 1.2. Hurrah!
This is exactly what it was in early December. Also, my beta-2 microglobulin is hanging in there at a nice, low 1.2. Hurrah!
May her memory be a blessing
Baruch dayan emet, blessed is the true Judge.
We heard today that Rik's grandmother passed away early this morning. Marcelle Gignac Ingelrelst Smith was 97, a French Canadian from Montreal, and the last of 23 siblings.
Marcelle always had the most fabulous smile. Rik took this photo when she met her great-grandson Marcus for the first time.
I asked my mother-in-law to tell me more about the feisty, independent woman Rik called "Nanny."
Marcelle was born into a large French-Canadian family. From the ages of 5 - 14, she lived in a boarding home run by Catholic nuns and only made one visit to the family home when her mother died. She had a golden voice but her father would not permit her to perform. Consequently, she developed a strong spirit of independence and married at 22 to a man who would let her be herself.
Her beautiful voice led her to take singing lessons. She later performed in a radio soap opera. Marcelle picked up the string bass and performed in three symphonies in Montreal. She was one of the first women musicians to play Carnegie Hall with the Montreal Women's Symphony in 1947.
Nanny had a wonderful marriage to Richard Ingelrelst. They were active curlers, tennis players and bowlers. Their daughter, Carmen Josee, later named her own first born (Rik) after her father. Marcelle was widowed at the age of 49. She later moved to Florida where she worked for the Jordan Marsh department store as an epicure and sommeliere. In Florida she met and was married to Ray Smith for 20 years until his death in 1992.
Nanny started yoga in her 30s and continued her practice for 60 years. She took up china painting at age 73. She truly lived her life in the arts.
When I met Nanny she was 82 and Rik told me she was frail. She travelled alone by airplane from Florida to Seattle for our wedding, and got off the plane wearing a chic suit in pink (her favorite color) and high heels. Feisty would be a better word to describe Nanny!
Zichrona l'vracha, may her memory be a blessing.
We heard today that Rik's grandmother passed away early this morning. Marcelle Gignac Ingelrelst Smith was 97, a French Canadian from Montreal, and the last of 23 siblings.
Marcelle always had the most fabulous smile. Rik took this photo when she met her great-grandson Marcus for the first time.
I asked my mother-in-law to tell me more about the feisty, independent woman Rik called "Nanny."
Marcelle was born into a large French-Canadian family. From the ages of 5 - 14, she lived in a boarding home run by Catholic nuns and only made one visit to the family home when her mother died. She had a golden voice but her father would not permit her to perform. Consequently, she developed a strong spirit of independence and married at 22 to a man who would let her be herself.
Her beautiful voice led her to take singing lessons. She later performed in a radio soap opera. Marcelle picked up the string bass and performed in three symphonies in Montreal. She was one of the first women musicians to play Carnegie Hall with the Montreal Women's Symphony in 1947.
Nanny had a wonderful marriage to Richard Ingelrelst. They were active curlers, tennis players and bowlers. Their daughter, Carmen Josee, later named her own first born (Rik) after her father. Marcelle was widowed at the age of 49. She later moved to Florida where she worked for the Jordan Marsh department store as an epicure and sommeliere. In Florida she met and was married to Ray Smith for 20 years until his death in 1992.
Nanny started yoga in her 30s and continued her practice for 60 years. She took up china painting at age 73. She truly lived her life in the arts.
When I met Nanny she was 82 and Rik told me she was frail. She travelled alone by airplane from Florida to Seattle for our wedding, and got off the plane wearing a chic suit in pink (her favorite color) and high heels. Feisty would be a better word to describe Nanny!
Zichrona l'vracha, may her memory be a blessing.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Healthy Spirits: Angel's Share '09 and More!
NEW STUFF!
1. Lost Abbey Angel's Share 2009
2. Lost Abbey Ten Commandments
3. Lost Abbey Avant Garde
4. Lost Abbey Inferno
5. Port Brewing Midnight Sessions
cheers,
dave hauslein
beer manager
415-255-0610
Healthy Spirits: Valley Brewing Old Inventory, Decadent Evil, Pomegranite Saison!
New and exciting releases from Valey Brewing Company, one of the area's leading producers of high quality craft beers.
1. Decadent Evil (Belgian Style Golden Ale)
2. Decadence (Pomegranite Saison)
3. Old Inventory (Big Barleywine brewed to celebrate the Great American Beer
Festival 2009)
cheers!
dave hauslein
beer manager
415-255-0610
Odonata Rorie's Ale (READ CAREFULLY)
We got one case. Limit one bottle per customer. Come and get it!
cheers,
dave hauslein
beer manager
415-255-0610
Xeloda Toe
Since the skin on my big toes suddenly cracked and bled, I’ve taken serious action ... I now moisturize my feet two times a day and wear socks 24/7. I pay special attention to my big toes by applying a bunch of lotion on to a piece of gauze and tape it on to my toes. I think the extra moisture and the protection that the gauge provides helps with healing.
It appears to be working because the cracks look like they are getting smaller... which is a great. I’ve also started wrapping up my thumbs as well because I noticed that a layer or two of skin peeled off in December. I’m hoping that by mega moisturizing them, I can prevent any cracking and repair some of the damage already done.
All my life I’ve had dry skin and my feet take a beating through winter. Usually I’ve had trouble with skin cracks appearing around my heals, so I haven’t paid much attention. But with being on Xeloda, I now know that frequent application of a moisturizer a must.
School Days!
I'm so excited, I start school today. I am taking pre-requisites required for admission to the advanced practice oncology nursing progam. I went last night to buy a notebook and pens...I've done that for my kids for years when they've started school. It was fun, and also strange, to do it for myself this time. I was lucky to get into the stats class, it was closed when I tried to register, but they over-rode that and got me in! I've already talked to the professor about some days I will have to miss class, and he's going to work with me to give me tests/assignments early when I can't be there.
I've been studying for the GRE exam (the equivelent of SATs or ACTs for a high school student entering college, but this a test for admission to grad school)for about a week now. I bought books and software to help me prep for that test.
I talked to the graduate program director at the college I want to attend today, she said in light of my high GPA from my previous degrees, they are wiaving the requirement for me to take that test. How cool is that! I don't have to relearn advanced mathematics! I'd been trying to remember how to do quadratic equations...
The school has said they may find a clinical rotation in Indiana for me also, so I wouldn't have to commute to Illinois for that (4 hour round trip). They also may let me take the masters classes in reverse order, so that I could take all of the oncology classes first and be able to sit for the oncology certification exam before graduation. They have been so kind and supportive (and I haven't even turned in my application yet!).
I also went yesterday to be fingerprinted and to have a background check so that I can apply for a nursing licence in Illinois. Mapquest is not always correct, I've learned. I spent a lot of time on the wrong roads. And it was strange being finger-printed....I felt that is supposed to happen when you've done something wrong? Now my fingerprints will be in the FBI database. I watch CSI a lot...I guess I better not participate in criminal activity from here on in, or they will know because of my fingerprint profile!
I'm excited now, though, about moving forward and dreaming. About planning for a future.
And I've noticed that doors seem to magically open sometimes....maybe when we are doing what we are meant to be doing? I truly believe there is a master plan.
I've been studying for the GRE exam (the equivelent of SATs or ACTs for a high school student entering college, but this a test for admission to grad school)for about a week now. I bought books and software to help me prep for that test.
I talked to the graduate program director at the college I want to attend today, she said in light of my high GPA from my previous degrees, they are wiaving the requirement for me to take that test. How cool is that! I don't have to relearn advanced mathematics! I'd been trying to remember how to do quadratic equations...
The school has said they may find a clinical rotation in Indiana for me also, so I wouldn't have to commute to Illinois for that (4 hour round trip). They also may let me take the masters classes in reverse order, so that I could take all of the oncology classes first and be able to sit for the oncology certification exam before graduation. They have been so kind and supportive (and I haven't even turned in my application yet!).
I also went yesterday to be fingerprinted and to have a background check so that I can apply for a nursing licence in Illinois. Mapquest is not always correct, I've learned. I spent a lot of time on the wrong roads. And it was strange being finger-printed....I felt that is supposed to happen when you've done something wrong? Now my fingerprints will be in the FBI database. I watch CSI a lot...I guess I better not participate in criminal activity from here on in, or they will know because of my fingerprint profile!
I'm excited now, though, about moving forward and dreaming. About planning for a future.
And I've noticed that doors seem to magically open sometimes....maybe when we are doing what we are meant to be doing? I truly believe there is a master plan.
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