What a great show!
I wanted to post this for other fans of the B’s. It was difficult to do more than get close-ups because of the people standing in front of us. It would have been nice if people would have remained seated and quiet for the show!
The B-52’s
I’ve liked the B-52’s since I first heard them back in 1979. For some reason, it took me this long to go see them perform. I think everyone should see them! Buy their new CD, Funplex, and all the other ones, too!
I sneaked this quick video. It’s Cyndi Lauper introducing the B-52’s. Don’t tell anyone about this.
Duran Duran at the Cary Amphitheatre
I was at the Cary Amphitheatre for the first time last week to see Duran Duran. It was a great show, and I loved the venue. I plan on going back in the future.
Duran Duran was fabulous! You know how some bands don’t sound like themselves at a live performance? I think some musicians have so much in the way of studio enhancements that they can’t match it when they play in front of a live audience. Duran Duran isn’t like that. They sounded great. They’ve been playing some of their stuff for nearly 30 years, so they’ve had a lot of practice.
They played a good mix of old and new songs. Is there anyone else who thinks Last Chance On the Stairway and Ordinary World are their best songs ever?
We all had a wonderful time, and I’m looking forward to doing it again soon. Thanks, everyone (MZ, TV, RS)! KF, it would have been so much fun if you could have made it. Maybe next time?
Here’s a blurry picture of the stage.
Google Home Search
I have an idea for Google! How about Google Home Search? When I’m looking for something in the house, it would be great if I could type in my query and Google would find it for me. If the item can’t be found, Google could suggest an alternative.
Question: Where’s the TV remote?
Google: The item you searched for could not be found. Perhaps you should go for a bike ride instead.
This is why
Last weekend was our local “Relay for Life” event, which I attended. My nephew, who is almost seven years old, went along with me. He walked with me for the survivors’ lap, which starts the relay. As the survivors pass by, the team members and other spectators usually give a big round of applause. My nephew said he was embarrassed by this and asked why everyone was clapping. I asked him if he knows what cancer is, and he said he did. I explained that everyone he saw walking was a cancer survivor and that people were applauding because we had all been successful in fighting our cancers. He asked, “can it kill you?” I said that it can, and his response was, “I don’t want it to kill you… because I love you.”
This is why we have chemo, take dex and all the other stuff we have do to stay here.
Mutliple Myeloma News Sources
There are a few sources for news about myeloma on the web. One thing I’ve done is signed up at www.bloglines.com, where I can search on topics that interest me. News can also be found here:
I often check Margaret’s Corner at HealthBlogs.org. Margaret scours journals for news that’s important to us.
Wordpress upgrade
I upgraded Wordpress to version 2.5 just a bit ago. It all went smoothly, and I haven’t noticed any problems yet.
Interesting legal fact
"TRUTH is a 100% defense to defamation or libel. Accusing someone of defamation or libel when they are telling the truth, however, IS actionable."
Moore County Chamber Announces Finalists: Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2008
Contact: Linda M. Parsons, Vice President
Phone: 910.692.2936
Email: lparsons@moorecountychamber.com
Moore County Chamber Announces Finalists: Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year
SOUTHERN PINES, NC – The Moore County Chamber of Commerce announced at a press conference on January 24, 2008 the six finalists for the Chamber’s Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year Awards. The winner of each of these awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on January 31, 2008 and is made possible in partnership with Progress Energy.
“The Chamber is proud to showcase the six finalists and their contributions to the enrichment of Moore County’s business Community,” stated Sherwood Blackwood, 2008 Chairman of the Board. According to Sherwood, “The Chamber was looking for a business that despite facing tremendous adversity would do it all over again, and whose fervor for running a business is rivaled only by their willingness to serve the community.”
The criteria for both awards included innovation, response to adversity and community involvement. For innovation the businesses needed to cite examples as to marketing ideas, overcoming significant challenges, employee relations, customer development, technology, distribution and competitive advantages. The category of adversity, the business needed to show how they addressed significant challenges, overcoming one or more of the following: Employee relations, growth, training, retention, management and technology. In the last category the business needed to indicate their involvement in the community, not including industry related organizations or affiliations. The steering committee that reviewed the applications received were Chamber executives and economic development executives from outside of Moore County.
The three finalists for the Entrepreneur Business of the Year Award have been in business less than five years and with less than 50 full time employees. These finalists include HomeChoice Network Inc., Bliss, A Salon Experience and Weichert Realtors, Larose & Company. The finalists for the Small Business of the Year Award have been in business more than five years and also have less than 50 full time employees. These finalists include Pinestar Farms Inc., ConnectNC Inc., and Moore Uniforms. The final award winner of each category will be presented at the Annual Banquet on January 31, 2008 at the Carolina Hotel.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the Moore county Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet visit www.moorecountychamber.com or call (910) 692-3926.
The mission of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce is to provide quality, value-added services and programs to members to unite Moore County area businesses in a committed effort to strengthen the economic environment and thus, improve the quality of life for all of Moore County. With nearly 800 members the Chamber is instrumental in Advancing Commerce and Community and exists to help strengthen the local economy and promote comprehensive community development.
Linda Parsons
Vice President
Moore County Chamber of Commerce
10677 Hwy 15-501
Southern Pines, NC 28387
910.692-3926 Fax 910.692-0619
Advancing Commerce and Community
And I thought famvir made me sick
On Friday I started taking famvir for an outbreak of shingles. I knew from previous times that famvir gave me a pretty bad headache, but I thought I’d do it anyway and maybe this time it wouldn’t happen. I withstood it for almost 4 full days, but then called the doctor to get something else. It was a wicked headache and I thought anything else had to be better. I got the rx for acyclovir Tuesday and took my first dose with dinner. Pretty soon I was experiencing nausea. Those of you who know me, know that this is a serious situation. I fought off the nausea for four hours and then finally had an episode of vomiting and diarrhea. It was over fast, and probably not worth the four hours I spent trying to avoid it. We do what we do though, and it’s hard to overcome a phobia you’ve had all your life. This could have very well been a coincidence, but I attributed it to the acyclovir (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are reported possible side effects). I called my doctor the next day, and a nurse asked me if I could tolerate the famvir headache for just 3 more days. So, I’m back on famvir now. Just a couple of days to go. Afterwards, I will probably take one a day to help prevent a recurrence of shingles.
The eye doctor told me that he saw no internal goings-on in my eye. Only the exterior was affected, including the eyelid (outside and inside). I have an antibiotic ointment to apply twice daily and a return appointment next week.
I should expect to have a complete recovery anywhere from a few weeks to 6 weeks.
I just learned that shingles’ name comes from the Latin cingulum, which means girdle or belt. There’s a lot of useful information about shingles at the FDA web site.
Eye doctor
I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon about my left eye. Here’s where I’ll be: Carolina Eye Associates
Here’s a new picture of what the rash looks like. Don’t click on the thumbnail if you don’t want to see it. I think it’s hideous. I try to stay in so that I don’t attract mobs of torch-wielding villagers out in front of the house.
I’m still taking the 500 mg of Famvir three times a day and am taking some oxycodone as needed. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish I had some dex.
Shingles, schmingles
I have a case of shingles AGAIN. This time it’s on the left side of my head and face, affecting my eye. I’m on 500 mg of Famvir, three times a day. As my doctor said, it will get worse before it gets better. These pictures don’t really quite do it justice.
What is shingles? There’s a really good explanation of shingles here on Wikipedia.
Ancient history
My dad sent one of my high school yearbooks to me. He found it while he was cleaning out some things. I have always hated having my picture taken. This is from 32 years ago, so why not put it on my blog? This was taken without my knowledge, and I never knew who did it. I was running with a teacher’s dog in this photo. I had one of my dad’s army shirts on. I loved that shirt and wore it until it was threadbare. Oh yeah — for the kids — this was back when the pictures in our yearbooks were all black & white and Gerald Ford was president.
Cold weather is upon us
It’s been colder here lately. This week, anyway. Last week we had temperatures in the 80s!
The county is putting in water for us, and they’ve made quite a mess of the street. The upside is that we’ll have better water pressure and fire hydrants! I think it was as much as 8 years ago that they started making plans to do this. I’m relieved that it’s finally happening. We won’t have to carry water up from the creek anymore. No, we don’t do that! We have wells. The pumps are powered by electricity, even.
Sad News
I got some sad news today. My e-mail friend and frequent commenter on this blog, Judith Meuli (Jude), passed away yesterday. Like me she had IgA MM, although hers was kappa light chain. We shared stories about living with MM and other things. She had let me know that her doctor had told her this would be her last year. I plan on making a donation to the IMF and the IMBCR in her memory. Jude was mom’s age.
Special Edition: Multiple Myeloma Series Upcoming Webcast
Special Edition: Multiple Myeloma Series
Upcoming Webcast:
This year’s American Society of Hematology meeting in Atlanta has brought many exciting new developments. Join us this Friday for our discussion with two experts, Dr. Brian Durie, Founder, a Myeloma Specialist and Chairman of the Board for the International Myeloma Foundation and Dr. James Berenson, Founder, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research. You’ll hear the latest groundbreaking news from the meeting and what these two renowned experts are excited about in Myeloma treatment and research.
“The Latest Myeloma News from the American Society of Hematology Meeting”
Friday, December 14, 2007, 2:00 pm Eastern (11:00 am Pacific)
Sponsored through an educational grant from Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
For a schedule of upcoming webcasts, to listen to recent myeloma program replays, and for further information, visit http://www.patientpower.info/specialeditionlymphoma.asp.
Featured Guests:
Brian G.M. Durie, M.D. is Chairman of the Board of the International Myeloma Foundation and a myeloma specialist at Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center in Los Angeles. He is also a member of the IMF Scientific Advisory Board. Dr. Durie is the recipient of the Leukemia Society of America Scholar award and the U.S. Hematologic Research Foundation Annual Award, among many others.
James Berenson, M.D. is the Founder, President and CEO of the non-profit Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research (www.imbcr.org) and Berenson Oncology (www.berensononcology.com) in Los Angeles, California. A leading physician-scientist, Dr. Berenson has specialized in cutting-edge research related to myeloma and metastatic bone disease both in the lab and with patients for 20+ years. He has been involved in many of the major breakthroughs that have brought new treatments for patients with these diseases resulting in both an improvement in the length and quality of their lives. His latest initiative, “The Cure Myeloma Project” enlists the work of a full-time research staff engaging in rigorous pre-clinical and clinical trials, using human myeloma cells.
Andrew Schorr: Host and eleven-year CLL survivor
HOW TO PARTICIPATE:
Listen live at http://www.patientpower.info/specialeditionmyeloma.asp
Call in live 877-711-5611 or Email questions to andrew@patientpower.info
ABOUT PATIENT POWER:
Patient Power is a weekly show hosted by Andrew Schorr, ten-year leukemia survivor, patient educator and patient advocate. The show features renowned medical experts on topics that include cancer, pain, diabetes, and heart specialists, as well as experts in clinical trials and top pharmacists. The show serves to bring patients together in a radio and Internet community to provide information about available treatment options. Patient Power takes questions from callers and Internet listeners on topics such as how to find the right doctor, how to advocate for effectively, when to get a second opinion from a specialist and how to evaluate one treatment option over another.
“Six Months” features MM Patient
I just ran across a program on the Biography Channel called "Six Months."
The program is about people living with deadly diseases, one being multiple myeloma. If you’re on the US west coast or central or mountain time, you can still catch tonight’s showing.
There are two more upcoming showings:
Thursday, December 6 3:00am
Saturday, December 15 1:00pm
From the Biography Channel web site:
Six Months: This emotional and heart-wrenching special features the stories of real people who are making the journey through the final months of their lives. After Eric and Janice both receive a terminal diagnosis, they quickly begin to see things from a unique perspective, and they challenge others to examine their own lives for the things that are truly important.
Janice has MM. Eric has a form of sarcoma.
I hope you can see this program. I haven’t found that it’s available on DVD, but if I do, I’ll post details.
This is Janice Chaffee’s web site: http://www.janicechaffee.com/. MM took her life in early 2007. You may remember seeing the notice if you subscribe to Google Alerts.
Be prepared to cry.
Take care, everyone.
Beth
Some lab values
I got the results of the tests done Monday at Duke. The full report was faxed to my office, and I haven’t seen it yet, but here’s what I have so far.
M-Spikes (I have two m-spikes)
Last month: 0.19 and 0.12 g/dL (Total is 0.31 g/dL)
This month: 0.16 and 0.22 g/dL (Total is 0.38 g/dL)
Immunoglobulin Profile
Last month: IgA 374 mg/dL Reference: 46-287
This month: IgA 465 mg/dL Reference: 46-287 (up 91)
Last month: IgG 709 mg/dL Reference: 588-1573
This month: IgG 603 mg/dL Reference: 588-1573 (down 106)
I have July and August here. Needless to say, I was fervently hoping for a drop in the IgA and an increase in the IgG. The one good thing is that the IgG is still in the normal range, where it has never been since I learned I had MM. It was usually below 300 mg/dL.
Can someone give me a good explanation about why I have two m-spikes? I’ve asked doctors about a zillion times, and I have either forgotten what they told me or didn’t understand it well enough to even remember.
Hair Update
I thought I’d give a visual progress report of my hair growth. Here’s a picture I took today. You can compare it to one I took on October 13, 2007.
Kind of weird, huh? And, not too attractive. My hair started to fall out in September, after I had high dose chemo (melphalan) on August 28th. Some spots still look bald, even though there’s a covering of very fine, nearly invisible hair.
I had a follow up appointment at Duke today. I won’t have any results until Wednesday afternoon. Not anything important, anyway. I didn’t even bother getting a copy of my CBCs. Dr. Long just told me they were completely normal. Throughout my entire MM experience, my CBC’s have hardly ever been anything but normal.
The IMF and cast of Everybody Loves Raymond honor Peter Boyle
This is from Access Hollywood. Way to go, IMF!
Hollywood Radar: November 12, 2007
All Access
The cast of “Everybody Loves Raymond” honored the late Peter Boyle at the International Myeloma Foundation Event to benefit the Peter Boyle Memorial Fund. And, Jerry Seinfeld’s “Bee Movie,” which open in second place last week, moved up to number on with $26 million.
To see a short video, click here.
To make a contribution to the International Myeloma Foundation, click here.
If you’re looking for real estate in Pinehurst, North Carolina, see Mary Bourgeois
Great weather
It was about 70 degrees here today, which was fabulous. We walked to a nearby restaurant for lunch and didn’t need our coats.
I tried out a new chair at work. I need something on which I can put up my feet. When they’re not up, I have an increase in that neuropathic pain. I’m going to pile some pillows up on the foot rest tomorrow to see if that helps. Otto suggested some T.E.D. socks, so I’m going to look for them next time I’m out someplace.
Visit The Sandhillsteam for all your Pinehurst Real Estate needs.
Long car ride
On Sunday I drove a friend to Rocky Mount, NC to visit some friends. It was 2 hours each way, with a few hours in between. By the time I got home, my feet felt as though they were in flames and someone was beating on the soles with a hammer. From the knees down felt numb. This happens to me when I have to sit for too long. This is a result of treatment with thalidomide and Velcade. Luckily, the pain and discomfort goes away by the next morning and I’m left with the numbness in just my feet.
What is it that makes the PN so much worse while sitting?
Dog Training Supplies
I just found out my new friend, Meg Dye, is a world renowned animal training expert. She also sells dog training supplies like dog training clickers and books like Ken Ramirez’s Animal Training: Successful Animal Management Through Positive Reinforcement .
I’ve been postponing trying to train my dog to be calm around other dogs and now I have an expert to consult with. 