tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32422168925642744442024-03-13T21:58:51.848-07:00Matt vs Myeloma Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.comBlogger1416125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-88671677045647464152023-09-24T14:56:00.003-07:002023-09-24T14:56:37.522-07:00Berenson Oncology Success Rate<p> Some reading about my myeloma specialist's success rate. A press release and an article from Targeted Oncology. </p>
<iframe allow="autoplay" height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/13eg-ObslX6dS0V8vmeSv1DAEG0wRdhok/preview" width="640"></iframe>
<iframe allow="autoplay" height="480" src="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nhOmaIGFudG2FEW7qshBJg5bph9DdlLM/preview" width="640"></iframe>
Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-20303261322822760432023-08-03T10:51:00.001-07:002023-08-03T10:51:54.156-07:00LLS Light the Night Fundraiser<p> In my opinion, the Leukemia and Lymphoma is far and away the very best organization for blood cancer patients. Some of the many things they do is fund research, provide patient financial and educational support, and connect newly diagnosed patients with patient "veterans" via the First Connection Program. The Light to Night event is one of the organization's biggest fundraisers. A friend has created a fund raising team for this year's Anaheim event. The team honors two former volunteers, Phil Ow and Tom Swick, who have both passed on. I knew them both and both were tireless volunteers, always positive and always ready and willing to help fellow patients. They are missed. </p><p>Here is a link with more information about Tom and Phil, the event, and the LLS. Please donate to a worthwhile organization. Any and all amounts are appreciated.</p><h3 style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #082a63; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px; position: relative; top: 5px;"><a href="https://pages.lls.org/ltn/ocie/OrangeCo23/philandtomsteamofpatientsandpals" target="_blank">Phil and Tom's Team of Patients and Pals's Fundraising Page</a></h3>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-532145665439284332023-07-13T16:30:00.002-07:002023-07-13T16:30:42.382-07:00WHO says aspartame might cause cancer — but that most adult consumers don’t need to worry<p> I say worry and stay away from diet soda and equal and anything else that uses aspartame. I have a couple of theories of why I got myeloma and the one that I put the most weight on is my addictive-like consumption of aspartame. Pre-myeloma I lived on diet coke and loaded my coffee with 6 of 7 packets of equal. </p><p>I'm glad to see the World Health Organization say aspartame might cause cancer. The FDA won't make this kind of statement because of the unfortunate intersection of public policy and corporate money. <a href="https://www.statnews.com/2023/07/13/who-says-aspartame-might-cause-cancer-but-that-most-adult-consumers-dont-need-to-worry/" target="_blank">Please read this article</a> and let's all be more thoughtful about our decisions and actions.</p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>WHO says aspartame might cause cancer — but that most adult consumers don’t need to worry</b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">by Nicholas Florko</span></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Aspartame, the popular artificial sweetener in diet sodas and chewing gums, may possibly cause cancer — but the risk appears to be very low for occasional consumers of these products, according to two reports released Thursday evening by the World Health Organization.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(23)00341-8/fulltext" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; color: #008299;" target="_blank">report</a>, penned by the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), found “limited evidence” that aspartame may cause liver cancer. The second, from the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA), reconfirmed the WHO’s previous recommendations that the sweetener is generally safe up until very large doses.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The seemingly contradictory findings stem from the two groups’ differing remits. The IARC, which found that aspartame was possibly linked to cancer, studies whether a substance has the potential to cause harm. The second group, JECFA, aims to estimate the actual risk that cancer or other potential harms will actually occur.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WHO officials emphasized during a press conference Wednesday that most casual consumers of beverages like Diet Coke and Diet Pepsi do not need to be concerned about their cancer risk from aspartame.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Somebody who drinks a soda every once in a while … shouldn’t have a concern [about cancer],” said Francesco Branca, director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at the World Health Organization. “We’re not advising companies to withdraw products nor are we advising consumers to stop consuming altogether, we’re just advising for a bit of moderation.”</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">However, WHO officials cautioned that the report’s findings could raise concerns for children who will more easily reach the daily recommended limit of aspartame, which is based on body weight.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“You’re right in saying that children may be at a higher risk,” said Branca. A 44-pound child would need to drink roughly four cans of Diet Coke per day to reach the maximum limit, according to the WHO’s recommendations.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Branca also recommended that heavy consumers of aspartame cut down on their consumption — though it’s unclear how many people in the U.S. currently come close to the recommended maximum daily dose, which is 40 milligrams of aspartame per 1 kilogram of body weight. For a 200-pound person, that would mean they would need to drink more than 18 Diet Coke cans per day to hit the daily limit.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“There’s only a very obvious recommendation to give … bring down the consumption,” Branca said, regarding frequent consumers of the sweetener.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The reports likely will not prompt immediate action from public health officials or beverage companies because of the low risk to typical consumers, but they’re likely to cause a massive public relations headache nonetheless.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In a letter dated Aug. 12, 2022, a top official at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urged the WHO not to conduct the two reviews simultaneously, given the groups’ different methodologies and likely differing conclusions.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“We are extremely concerned that conflicting determinations presented by IARC and JECFA would seriously undermine the confidence of the scientific process for both bodies and could further inflame the current climate of public skepticism about the validity of science and the scientific process,” the official wrote.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">IARC’s determination of a possible cancer risk came primarily from its analysis of three large observational studies examining the correlation between liver cancer and consumption of artificially sweetened beverages, like diet colas. However, these large studies do not show causation, and both WHO groups noted they have significant flaws.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“The Working Group concluded that chance, bias, or confounding could not be ruled out with reasonable confidence in this set of studies. Thus, the evidence for cancer in humans was deemed ‘limited’ for [liver cancer],” the IARC group wrote in a summary paper published Thursday evening in the Lancet. The full evaluation from IARC is expected to be published “in the coming months,” according to Mary Schubauer-Berigan, the acting head of the IARC monographs programme at WHO.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">WHO officials said Wednesday that they hope the reports will prompt more research into the potential risks of the sweetener.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“This is really more a call to the research community to try to better clarify and understand the carcinogenic hazard that may or may not be posed by aspartame consumption,” said Schubauer-Berigan.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #1c1c1c; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 24px; margin-top: 2px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The new analyses follow a <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/15-05-2023-who-advises-not-to-use-non-sugar-sweeteners-for-weight-control-in-newly-released-guideline" rel="noopener" style="background-color: transparent; color: #008299;" target="_blank">May report</a> from the WHO, which found that there’s little evidence to suggest artificial sweeteners, including aspartame, help reduce body fat and that they may increase risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular problems.</span></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-22516972267791029882023-05-16T17:53:00.005-07:002023-05-17T14:00:38.709-07:00The Mini Mystery<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MvgN5gCuLac" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><p> You may recall the case of my lost Kindle, which I wrote about in 2019. I left a Kindle on a plane and tried to track it down at the Atlanta Airport during a 45 minute layover. The end result was I never found it, but Leslie had a new one waiting for me when I got home. Now it's the case of the Mini ceramic salt and pepper shakers that somehow ended up at a Jacksonville, Florida mail distribution center.</p><p>Some context. When I was diagnosed I decided I needed to get rid of stuff. Which I did, but kind of haphazardly, and I now miss some things that I got rid of. I stopped the purge for a while. A few years ago, I decided to readdress my downsizing and getting rid of stuff. I made the process more thoughtful. I'd give things that had meaning to me to specific people, friends and family, who I knew would share and understand the meaningfulness. Books, old license plates, sports memorabilia, whatever. </p><p>I have a friend, Ron, who loves Minis, the car. He's had a couple over the years. He got married, had two kids and his vehicle needs changed. Someday he'd like to have a Mini again. Well, I've been sitting on two ceramic salt and pepper shakers that are representations of Mini Coopers. They were my Step Dads. My Mom and Step Dad lived in England for a year, back in the 1980s. They had an O.G. Mini while there. So I'm guessing my Step Dad had an ongoing love of the car. When he died in 2005, I asked my Mom if I could have his Mini salt and pepper shakers. They're very nice and very cool. I've kept them displayed next to my small Minnesota Vikings big rig. </p><p>I've been looking at the shakers more than usual for the past few months. They're on a shelf adjacent to where I sit with my laptop for privacy while on my virtual calls with my therapist. I recently decided I'd send them to Ron. I know he'd like them. </p><p>Last week I boxed them up and took them to the post office. Ron only lives roughly 20 miles from me. I sent them via priority mail, meaning they'd get to him the next day. Well, I checked tracking the next day and it said delivery was delayed a day. I kept checking every day and the message never changed. They were at a distribution center in Los Angeles and delivery was delayed. Yesterday morning I checked the tracking. It'd been 5 days since I sent them. Tracking had changed. They were in Jacksonville, FL distribution center with no specified delivery date. Ummmm...what?!</p><p>Leslie called the local office and after some challenges was able to speak to a live person, who said they'd look into it. We went on with my day which was capped off by a visit to my back doctor to discuss surgery. Surgery will be in July and sounds not fun. As an fyi, in June I'm having two surgeries to remove a massive large kidney stone, known as a Staghorn Calculus. Myeloma and many years of treatment and steroids mean any surgery has to be approached with caution. I have weak bones and bleed easily.</p><p>We had just gotten home from the back doctor, I was ok with the news, when my phone rang. It was actually the woman from the post office. Apparently the box I used to ship the shakers had a small bar code on the bottom of the box that redirected it to Jacksonville. This despite the fact I had used a large sharpie to write the delivery address on the box and the postage having a bar code with the delivery address on it. The woman at the post office said we'd have to file a complaint plus somehow find someone who could remove the errant bar code. Sure. Simple. I filed the complaint. Well, after everything, it was the post office that managed to break me. That call was too much for me.</p><p>I felt so defeated and so personally hurt by the mishandling of the box. I had been very thoughtful in making the decision to send the shakers to a friend. It's now a day later and I still feel defeated and wondering why nothing goes right. As I was writing this post, I checked tracking and the box has now left Jacksonville. It's in transit and delivery is delayed again. But the tracking doesn't say where it is going. Is it on it's way back to Los Angeles? Did a person and not a machine realize the error? Who knows. I guess when I wake up, I'll see what tracking says. </p><p>My life has changed so dramatically over the past 12 years. I feel like little by little, things are out of my control and little by little I am losing independence. Who do I blame? Is it anyone's faults? Thinking about it gets me nowhere. I know that. </p><p>The funny thing is, I almost sent the package via Fedex. I was in a Fedex office with Leslie the other day. I was about to ship the box and decided that I'd use the Post Office instead to save a few bucks. What a mistake. And now I lie here with a sore back that I am sick of, stewing over that decision and the misdirected box.</p><p>UGH</p><p>Well..it's the next day and the package in LA and scheduled for delivery later today. Stay tuned.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVyVoXoUwfFtoyNwc8tN9FkpGkc3XcpvDdFYUNFIJsJeIk6Us9mkJ_wTsAg0Kch1HnQ0-PZSTPsgOQ8uVMviiI55qlTE14AKzM1-cJikfxClUHhH98oL33QoVRDeaVNYtoooBswJ5m8e478DSQH8XPTwY2Pq9LnQHReP9bRqDRY5FGs9oe-JuSGoy/s2532/USPS.com%C2%AE%20-%20USPS%20Tracking%C2%AE%20Results.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2532" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyVyVoXoUwfFtoyNwc8tN9FkpGkc3XcpvDdFYUNFIJsJeIk6Us9mkJ_wTsAg0Kch1HnQ0-PZSTPsgOQ8uVMviiI55qlTE14AKzM1-cJikfxClUHhH98oL33QoVRDeaVNYtoooBswJ5m8e478DSQH8XPTwY2Pq9LnQHReP9bRqDRY5FGs9oe-JuSGoy/w185-h400/USPS.com%C2%AE%20-%20USPS%20Tracking%C2%AE%20Results.png" width="185" /></a></div><br /><p>Delivered!!!! 6 days late and after a cross country trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ak7wu46ftN_tCm96DdS9fU94lahzCzlDLgE-X9IP7mI9lLI9iekiZDSMwAx9Nz2nd3cLCGFab0BALZX3phRdg21YipvopizmxsURKKjm0223s-2uNV9vMCohKxiJ0vqBsljZKVRLmGzMswAB0Uom60Q5OEVA_ualhzfKTyOeCoFw9RZ94rJC2qJl/s4032/delivered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ak7wu46ftN_tCm96DdS9fU94lahzCzlDLgE-X9IP7mI9lLI9iekiZDSMwAx9Nz2nd3cLCGFab0BALZX3phRdg21YipvopizmxsURKKjm0223s-2uNV9vMCohKxiJ0vqBsljZKVRLmGzMswAB0Uom60Q5OEVA_ualhzfKTyOeCoFw9RZ94rJC2qJl/s320/delivered.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-15274149951971133042023-05-02T10:02:00.001-07:002023-05-02T10:02:23.754-07:0012 f*%$#&g Years!!!!<p> Today is May 2. It is 12 years since I received my Myeloma diagnosis. Crazy, right? In the past, I've done something special to celebrate/acknowledge the occasion. I can honestly say I never thought I'd live with myeloma this long. What am I doing today? Well, I just had a bowl of oatmeal and soon we're driving into LA to see a urologist. I have something called a Staghorn Calculus in my right kidney. It's basically a stone over 2 cm with a hook in it. Too large to pass. It showed up on a CT Scan that was done of my lower back. And with my already damaged kidneys, it needs to come out. My nephrologist thinks it needs to be surgically removed and he sent us to this urologist. What is interesting to note, is we've been babying my kidneys for 12 years now and have avoided dialysis. I've told myself that if I had to do dialysis, well, that's where I draw the line...if you get my drift. So I want that thing out! I've put myself back on a kidney friendly diet, to give them some relief. For the past few years, basically since starting Darzalex in 2016, my kidneys have been humming along and I've eaten anything I wanted to. And although Darzalex is still keeping my myeloma in check, my creatinine has inched up ever so slightly. My non-educated medical opinion is the staghorn is the cause. Who knows. But can't hurt to be safe. </p><p>Meanwhile I've got a horrendous back. There is no disk between the L5 and S1. We've tried everything to minimize pain, but it's looking like surgery is the only remaining option. I've got two different back doctor follow up appointments coming up, to identify the path forward. Remember a couple of years ago when I was walking about 45 miles a week? Now, walking to my car causes pain. Life comes at you fast.</p><p>And what else? That's about it. It's a very uneventful 12 year cancerversary. But key is that I'm still alive and kicking and still waiting on the Vikings Super Bowl victory. This year?</p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-84598090644826813382023-03-15T11:39:00.001-07:002023-03-15T11:39:25.266-07:00Some Updates<p> It's no secret I'm a Minnesota Vikings fan. My fandom started in the late 60s. From 1969 to 1975, the Vikings were in 4 Super Bowls. Zero victories, nonetheless, those were great teams. Their head coach for those years and into the early 80s was Bud Grant. A childhood friend, Chris, texted me the other day to say that Bud Grant had died. As I told Chris, those teams and those years certainly played a role in forming who I am to this day. A little known fact is that one of my favorite presidents is U.S. Grant. Why you ask? Because as a kid, I connected one Grant (Bud) with the other Grant (US), and a top president was chosen. Also note that my all-time favorite senator and near president is the late Hubert Humphrey. He was a US senator from Minnesota and came close to winning the presidency in 1968. As a kid, my Vikings fandom translated to me loving anything from Minnesota. Hence Humphrey. One last side note, another favorite president is Harry Truman. The reason for that is a song called Harry Truman by the band Chicago, which was one of my favorite bands growing up (and to this day). </p><p>Rest in Peace Coach Grant</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshUGqfcU65M4R99dTa9VB0tGYhfJQcClQqrVuXZNNXBj9JMgKazii1oTimrRIlziPXXCwaXSIi7pAmWTBUvS8_oWTyxfU80CqHVvR0IkUnJKB8MIA3qGZatyIeZNPkpz4nQ2wkT_bhlQK1wL5OWdQBCl6ED-sF2mMQQ76M7LQAFgsPH2jCpONcFQb/s1182/bud%20grant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1182" data-original-width="1170" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshUGqfcU65M4R99dTa9VB0tGYhfJQcClQqrVuXZNNXBj9JMgKazii1oTimrRIlziPXXCwaXSIi7pAmWTBUvS8_oWTyxfU80CqHVvR0IkUnJKB8MIA3qGZatyIeZNPkpz4nQ2wkT_bhlQK1wL5OWdQBCl6ED-sF2mMQQ76M7LQAFgsPH2jCpONcFQb/w317-h320/bud%20grant.jpg" width="317" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another recent passing is Dick Fosbury. He revolutionized the high jump by creating the Fosbury Flop in 1967/68. Before Fosbury, high jumpers used a scissor method of crossing the bar. People thought he was nuts, but his success led to the flop now being the only method used by high jumpers. I love track and field and wished I had been either a high jumper or 800 meter runner. Note here that I have a screenplay called Buy the Vikings. I'm now working on When the Chips are Down. And when that screenplay is done, my plan is to write The Flop, about Dick Fosbury and the Fosbury Flop.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rest in Peace Dick Fosbury.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgOL6SK8S-oCTFrYIWYYrzGd7Y6AWPn-DvdEGFcqKgxw_InsO7gPDTjDg91EE_B01MtAwKynBppo-ukFRjY5q46m4v5JRrH5LAvDDMgqw51ttb7gaGDc8L_LVsiJv723OZp-iYlo_Vw4h5cHzpA4tRXjTZyv_MnGCEDSZzByA_XUOP907HB_V4yuh/s927/dick%20fosbury.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="760" data-original-width="927" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgOL6SK8S-oCTFrYIWYYrzGd7Y6AWPn-DvdEGFcqKgxw_InsO7gPDTjDg91EE_B01MtAwKynBppo-ukFRjY5q46m4v5JRrH5LAvDDMgqw51ttb7gaGDc8L_LVsiJv723OZp-iYlo_Vw4h5cHzpA4tRXjTZyv_MnGCEDSZzByA_XUOP907HB_V4yuh/s320/dick%20fosbury.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In myeloma news, my numbers remain stable. The only change is one that I am pondering. I've had Dr Phan since I was diagnosed. He's been great; attentive and caring. My system currently is Berenson comes up with my protocol and even when things are stable, I see him every two or three months. For me, he's in valuable. But I've relied on Phan when I need to discuss myeloma or my overall health. He's basically functioned as my primary care doctor. I do my treatment at his clinic and I have a relationship with his staff. But...his practice has grown. Getting personal care and attention is no more. His turnover of nurses is a bit frustrating as a patient. I'll cut to the chase and say that I'm thinking of switching to a different doctor or facility for my local care and myeloma treatment. It pains me to say it, but it is something I am seriously thinking. I'm keeping Berenson and my other team of doctors. I've thought about doing my monthly treatment at Berenson's. But it's about 30 miles away and with traffic can take up to two hours to get home from there. The thought of sitting in traffic for 2 hours after treatment sounds terrible. I've got a couple of nearby places that we'll probably go see (interview) in the near future. We'll see. Note that I also have to go to Phan's for my monthly blood draw from my port and whether another facility will do that, would be part of the interview process. Oh and also, will another facility/doctor be ok implementing a treatment regimen that a different doctor (Berenson) comes up with? Lots to ponder.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And lastly, my back basically sucks. I'm not even walking given I don't want the additional pain that arises after 15 or 20 minutes. What to do about my back is also something I'm pondering. I gotta get in to see my back doctor, who happens to be married to my dermatologist and they make up the loveliest power couple I know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And that is all I got. Stay healthy and safe. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-85668049645800841222023-03-01T11:27:00.002-08:002023-03-01T11:27:31.425-08:00A Cure Magazine Article: Early Aging and Cancer<p> Exactly 100% how I feel!</p><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e3f3a; font-family: "Roboto Slab", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 14px;"><h1 class="page-title" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #151f5d; font-size: 1.9rem; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0.5rem; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="https://www.curetoday.com/view/early-aging-and-cancer?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=03012023_CMG_CURE%20Contributor_Unsponsored&eKey=bWF0dHBnb2xkbWFuQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==" target="_blank">Early Aging and Cancer</a></h1></div><div class="mb-3 doc-group-container" style="align-items: flex-end; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e3f3a; display: flex; font-family: "Roboto Slab", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 14px; justify-content: space-between; margin-bottom: 1rem !important;"><div class="left-wrap" style="box-sizing: border-box; width: 810px;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box;">Published on: <time class="meta-date" datetime="2023-02-28T18:00:43.509" style="box-sizing: border-box;">February 28, 2023</time></div><div class="mb-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem !important;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a class="author-details-link-0" href="https://www.curetoday.com/contributors/martha-carlson" rel="author" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #565656; text-decoration-line: none;">Martha Carlson</a></span></span></div><div class="mb-3" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-bottom: 1rem !important;"><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Research backs up my personal experience regarding aging and cancer.</em></div></div></div><div class="ad-box" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e3f3a; font-family: "Roboto Slab", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 14px; text-align: center;"></div><div class="block-content mt-3" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #3e3f3a; font-family: "Roboto Slab", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px auto;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box;"><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">One of the hallmarks of my life with ongoing cancer treatment, following confirmation of metastatic breast cancer in January 2015, is the exponential list of health issues and their associated doctors.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">I’ve got my primary care physician, my breast oncologist, my blood-thinner oncologist, my neurologist, my cardiologist, my urogynocologist and other specialists who I haven’t yet assigned permanently to my stable of experts.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Eight years ago, all I had was a primary care physician (PCP) who specialized in caring for my kids.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">A few weeks ago, at my annual check-up, my PCP quickly entered referrals for additional specialist care. As she entered the reasons for each referral, telling me which specific doctors to ask for, I said, “I never thought I’d have so many problems or so many doctors.”</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">She stopped her typing and turned to me, saying “That is how it is once you have cancer” and looked at me sympathetically. She knows me well enough to know how much I dislike going to appointments, how much I would rather resolve or, better yet, prevent problems using techniques under my control.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Time.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Diet.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Rest.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Exercise.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Less stress.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Even now, my instinct is to turn to those five healthy-living standbys. Can I give myself more time to feel better? Have I been eating junk or am I dehydrated? Can I take it easy so I can heal? Have I been walking enough? Can I shed some of the stress in my life?</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">And yet I, like so many cancer patients I know, have a cascade of health issues that require more and more care, making the future look like an endless string of appointments, tests, worsening health, even when cancer is stable or in remission.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">Cancer itself is an aging-related disease, but research has also found that treatments themselves can cause premature aging, which means other age-related diseases or complications can occur earlier. Knowing how and when premature aging occurs might mean we can use or develop better tools to reduce it. Just like icing heads, hands and feet can result in less hair loss and neuropathy, knowing if aging is happening faster could help guide decision-making and identify risk early.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">My gut tells me that my body isn’t aging properly. I can see faster aging on the outside, with my skin and muscle tone. I question the toll of cancer treatment even as I feel gratitude for staying alive.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">I’ve been intrigued by “Washington Post” and “Bloomberg Business Week” articles about anti-aging research highlighting what wealthy people are doing to try stay young.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">I’d like to think that this research will be more urgently applied to people likely to die far too soon, who live with serious consequences of life-extending treatments or who have been harmed by environmental disasters. It is why I think being upfront about the long-term effects that many cancer patients experience from treatments is critical. Knowing what and why our bodies behave the way they do can lead to better care.</p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #121212; font-size: 1.1rem; line-height: 1.7; margin-bottom: 1rem; margin-top: 0px; word-break: break-word;">After all, a good life requires more than just not dying.</p></div></div></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-36281143427116744322023-01-28T11:28:00.004-08:002023-01-29T06:21:29.214-08:00Saturday<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PLiMy4NaSKc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
<p> Yesterday was DarzalexFaspro. I'll say it again, it's a life changer. I was finding it nearly impossible to sit for 5 plus hours for the normal Darzalex infusion. Now I'm in and out in less than hour. Oh, Berenson had me drop Pomalyst. I had my first appointment with him in months this past week. My face has been recovering from a 5 day chemo peel. I get way too many squamous cell carcinomas. Skin cancer. Dr B saw my face and said we're dropping Pomalyst immediately. He said it causes skin cancer and he didn't want mine to progress to melanoma and eventually kill me. Sold. Bye bye Pomalyst. Fine with me, I was only taking 1 mg per day for 21 days. I will say that my body is so sensitive to all medicines nowadays, it doesn't take much to throw me off kilter. With Faspro I get a 3mg infusion of Dex. Not much. But it messes with my energy and emotional state massively. Fuck that stuff. Yes, today I have roid rage. Tomorrow I'll be tired and hate everything about myself. Fun, right. </p><p>The good news is, my myeloma is stable. Kidneys are functioning. In May, it'll be 12 years since I was diagnosed. Really fucking miraculous. 12 years of flying by the seat of my pants and making good choices with my medical stuff The other stuff...meh. </p><p>The bad news is the Vikings crapped out in round 1 of the playoffs. I was so in love with this team and had high hopes. But they exceeded all expectations and the future looks bright.</p><p>What else? That's it, I guess. Here's a couple of things to share:</p><p><a href="https://www.curetoday.com/view/finding-our-purpose-after-cancer?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=01282023_CMG_IOV-22-CMD0498_Iovance_Lifileucel_SITC%20Updates-Melanoma%20Conference%20Page&eKey=bWF0dHBnb2xkbWFuQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==" target="_blank">Cure Magazine: Finding Our Purpose After Cancer </a></p><p>My Face: </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo-muDiBW87b9x9WVDeyC_0XzjR4ah2ShEWIzaWn1vunVFBmM3LtQk4hp7GoQTYI13nVpEmx8xoIoWGIAa5JhbGIYfeeMYeEh8S7uMnj0VzxT_CeW0i98f2XZagrGvgH_kwy09iYAURftALlTkmsY2s9ukOCKRIBRmGy0W-aRiCe8GIedXRPS963J/s768/IMG_3221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="576" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGo-muDiBW87b9x9WVDeyC_0XzjR4ah2ShEWIzaWn1vunVFBmM3LtQk4hp7GoQTYI13nVpEmx8xoIoWGIAa5JhbGIYfeeMYeEh8S7uMnj0VzxT_CeW0i98f2XZagrGvgH_kwy09iYAURftALlTkmsY2s9ukOCKRIBRmGy0W-aRiCe8GIedXRPS963J/w150-h200/IMG_3221.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfywAZqgk23VqNbAJVzY3W2G8pATSKC5hE3Cpzg3VwnLVyUL5XPzeakR_OigF4ZFmIWFm2LzTY7Zl0vl0GOOWDeH6HSDyMViGRXEjIiad4yEbBIP-k5SeNnKPY0CCUQ3_0HdfkwrGq-8Mtv_kU2zhsO-Vg4YHvWmPQIJeXrug4eIFk2pblAyFVErg/s854/IMG_3213.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="854" data-original-width="640" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfywAZqgk23VqNbAJVzY3W2G8pATSKC5hE3Cpzg3VwnLVyUL5XPzeakR_OigF4ZFmIWFm2LzTY7Zl0vl0GOOWDeH6HSDyMViGRXEjIiad4yEbBIP-k5SeNnKPY0CCUQ3_0HdfkwrGq-8Mtv_kU2zhsO-Vg4YHvWmPQIJeXrug4eIFk2pblAyFVErg/w150-h200/IMG_3213.jpg" width="150" /></a><br /></p><p>A song I've been hearing a lot, still love it:</p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FG1NrQYXjLU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-80766173028885319062023-01-25T05:04:00.004-08:002023-01-25T05:04:50.048-08:00For your listening pleasure<p> Dr John: Right Place, Wrong Time</p><p><br /></p>
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G5zPqgQ67yo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-30576039239069345962023-01-23T09:50:00.001-08:002023-03-06T16:35:05.860-08:00Darzalex FasPro OpportunityI'm sharing an email and link I received:<div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Hello Matt - </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">My name is Jeff Wiesen and I’m a
casting associate with Nonfiction Unlimited, a production company that
specializes in documentary-style projects, mostly with non actors. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">We are casting DARZALEX <i>FASPRO</i>®
patients and their care partners for some exciting patient testimonial
projects.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">We are looking for diverse
patients who have taken DARZALEX <i>FASPRO</i>® for at least a year, and/or
their care partners. This is an opportunity to share their stories with others
who are eager to learn more about their experience on treatment. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">If selected, stories will be
videotaped and shared with patients, care partners, and providers to help raise
awareness, inspire confidence, and connect the broader community. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">In order to submit for
consideration, please fill out the form at the following link: </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="color: blue; font-family: "Georgia",serif;"><a href="https://darzalexfaspropatienttestimonialvideocasting.castingcrane.com/" target="_blank">https://darzalexfaspropatienttestimonialvideocasting.castingcrane.com/</a>
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Thank you and please share with
your greater networks! </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Sincerely,</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">Jeff Wiesen</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif;">© Janssen Biotech, Inc. 2022. |
Proprietary & Confidential. Do not distribute. 12/22 cp-345006v1</span><o:p></o:p></p><br /></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-29390433127968224812023-01-14T09:24:00.003-08:002023-01-14T09:24:43.407-08:00Two Pertinent Articles from Cure Magazine<p> Worth reading:</p><p><a href="https://www.curetoday.com/view/how-to-regain-control-after-a-cancer-diagnosis" target="_blank">Regaining Control</a></p><p><a href="https://www.curetoday.com/view/are-you-wasting-your-cancer?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=01072023_CMG_DAI-22-CMD0481_Daiichi_BCAM%20Article%20Text%20Mention_CURE%20Extra&eKey=bWF0dHBnb2xkbWFuQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==" target="_blank">Wasting Cancer?</a></p><p>And by the way, Cure is a wonderful publication and you can subscribe for free. Follow this link: <a href="https://www.curetoday.com/view/subscribe?tfa_2=navbar&ekey=bWF0dHBnb2xkbWFuQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==" target="_blank">Cure Magazine</a></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-38309700639995005022022-12-31T07:15:00.001-08:002022-12-31T07:15:32.561-08:00Happy New Year and oh by the way, Vikings are 12-3<p> Hello friends. It's me, Matt. It's been a minute since I've posted. But I did want to say Happy New Year and good riddance to 2022. 2022 has been a challenging year for my family. But we survived and powered through it. For me personally, health-wise, I'm good. Myeloma remains stable. 6 years on Darzalex and Pomalyst. We've lowered my dex quite a bit and that's helped a lot with my mental state and my skin seems a bit better. Of course, I've gotten good at protecting my arms. Bruising and bleeding on everything got to be no fun. My back has been a pain in the butt, I've definitely had to modify how I exercise. Long walks are out and that's probably a permanent change. Coming up in January, I'm seeing a pain specialist to hopefully get a shot in my lower back to at least give me some relief. But! It's way better than it had been. I baby it and it hangs in there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnIt8ucxTL8yyzD2rmxeRwwSkU1bevpmpX6p0Q6ZMQlAF8pPpoCdUmWHevOWYqIVFzsthtkxjxZPM5xrecFSAPuwB3XiYHJvvhPO-pX2KpiDUhPh-blOHs1qDpF3ndS5mHJqSelAZk95QeGB4uzP4FWmv1Wgn21kVrdXohukx_IoaPfG-hsm53EEJ/s2465/hawk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2465" data-original-width="1881" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnIt8ucxTL8yyzD2rmxeRwwSkU1bevpmpX6p0Q6ZMQlAF8pPpoCdUmWHevOWYqIVFzsthtkxjxZPM5xrecFSAPuwB3XiYHJvvhPO-pX2KpiDUhPh-blOHs1qDpF3ndS5mHJqSelAZk95QeGB4uzP4FWmv1Wgn21kVrdXohukx_IoaPfG-hsm53EEJ/s320/hawk1.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">recent visit from a Red Shouldered Hawk in our back yard</div><p>Yesterday was my monthly Darzalex infusion. I've switched to <a href="https://www.darzalex.com/faspro" target="_blank">FasPro</a> and it's been a game changer. 1 hour in the infusion chair versus the previous time of 5 or 6 hours. I just couldn't sit there for that long any more. </p><p>My immune system remains balky. I got another dose of Evusheld in October to give me some protection against covid. We'll get to Berenson in January and test my antibodies. We still remain safe and careful. But, getting into the myeloma weeds here, my IGG this month was way too low this month. This means my overall immune system is low and I need to be careful with any virus or infection. I wanted to get an IVIG infusion yesterday with my Darzalex but Phan has a theory that IVIG (an infusion of immunoglobins) might counteract the Darazalex. In talking to him he went into the half life of IVIG and so on and so on. But I've gotten IVIG in the past and I'm going to tell him I want it. My disease is stable and now is a good time to get. As he said, it's my choice and he wouldn't fight it, if I wanted it. </p><p>I finally found a therapist who is doing the trick for me. It took a while, but it's helping me with frustration, anger, depression and control. Overall though, I'm happy and honestly shocked that I'm still alive and doing as well as I am. It seems impossible, but obs, it's not impossible. In May of 2023, it'll be 12 years since the diagnosis. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmkqvZuJ7BdkFdse51IPRu_K4zHsBI7ZP6HcDhnr_HdKl1HJ3Shp0COvelyEs6sEcxf_dNtICZA1pYjQY8Hfn4yIfqTtNxvtPwBhTTfGNOHlcDx1QJZwi8VnR5r0xzvIzICdnTCGYryA_0mO_LT3KsVNW06SLEhx3rDlJ9RjcM1dVF8_I9uAVQ-JK/s4032/leslie%20fridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmkqvZuJ7BdkFdse51IPRu_K4zHsBI7ZP6HcDhnr_HdKl1HJ3Shp0COvelyEs6sEcxf_dNtICZA1pYjQY8Hfn4yIfqTtNxvtPwBhTTfGNOHlcDx1QJZwi8VnR5r0xzvIzICdnTCGYryA_0mO_LT3KsVNW06SLEhx3rDlJ9RjcM1dVF8_I9uAVQ-JK/s320/leslie%20fridge.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">thank goodness Leslie can fix most anything</div><p>And now let's talk about the Vikings. At the start of the season, I assumed it was a rebuilding year. But they keep <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBE3kTb4p6Q" target="_blank">winning in miraculous fashion</a>. Almost every game is remarkable. 2 games remain in the regular season and then we get to the playoffs. Is it Destiny? Is it fate? I'm trying to temper my excitement. We've been through this before, many times. But this has to be one of my favorite Vikings teams ever. Justin Jefferson is an amazing receiver. I've come around 180 degrees on Kirk Cousins. Leading into this year, I wasn't happy with him as the Vikings quarterback. But now he seems like the perfect leader for this team. The entire culture and mindset of the team has changed thanks to their new head coach, who's 37 years, a young age for a head coach. But it was needed for this team. Skol Vikings!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulzYoxEyrhW8kzIQL7JV1YO24oDY_Ba2DDBNogF_C9dTrLmPZGvkSkbKKxVd-f7H6fYlYuupHiBtJXG-sKIv7SEowstm6VxfkoqttpQhED_HPdmNDAitX_SBjBDSFKkhvp7AhxQULOMuj3dXHyKl12F9q2lVMtVxJ85tLQwdn6KcNZ8jZd9eZDGvT/s4032/young%20vikings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulzYoxEyrhW8kzIQL7JV1YO24oDY_Ba2DDBNogF_C9dTrLmPZGvkSkbKKxVd-f7H6fYlYuupHiBtJXG-sKIv7SEowstm6VxfkoqttpQhED_HPdmNDAitX_SBjBDSFKkhvp7AhxQULOMuj3dXHyKl12F9q2lVMtVxJ85tLQwdn6KcNZ8jZd9eZDGvT/s320/young%20vikings.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Decades and counting. is this the year?</div><p>New years will be low ley for Leslie and me. I'll be worn out over the holiday weekend, given my Friday treatment. But that's cool. </p><p>And don't forget to support the <a href="https://www.lls.org/" target="_blank">Leukemia and Lymphoma Society</a>. They provide multiple levels of support for all blood cancer patients. </p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-50032194873970728592022-11-19T11:38:00.000-08:002022-11-19T11:38:03.947-08:00Lost Redux<p>First myeloma news. No news. And no news is good news. </p><p>The latest binge: Lost. I watched when it was first on and now I'm rewatching and it's even better the second time around and more meaningful. Our search for meaning. Previous binges: Las Vegas, Gunsmoke and Breaking Bad. The scene below is when Mr Eko says: "Don't mistake coincidence for fate."</p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TWYkTvHedqQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>On another note and just as important, the Vikings are 8-1 and had a miraculous victory last week.</div><div><br /></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-4543386425050364142022-10-27T06:39:00.001-07:002022-10-27T06:39:27.507-07:00A New Treatment Option for Myeloma Patients<p> <span style="background-color: white; color: #404040; font-family: FreightTextPro, times, serif; font-size: 30px; font-weight: 700;"><a href="https://www.jnj.com/u-s-fda-approves-tecvayli-teclistamab-cqyv-the-first-bispecific-t-cell-engager-antibody-for-the-treatment-of-patients-with-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple-myeloma" target="_blank">U.S. FDA Approves TECVAYLI™ (teclistamab-cqyv), the First Bispecific T-cell Engager Antibody for the Treatment of Patients with Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma</a></span></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-90459157451930277332022-10-26T08:36:00.005-07:002022-10-27T06:43:33.619-07:00Medicare Advantage? Medicare Disadvantage would be a better name.<p> It's insurance enrollment time. I came across the below article in the Charlotte Observer. My recommendation is to think about what your needs are and talk to your doctors to see what they do and don't accept. Give this a read. </p><p><a href="https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article267774792.html" target="_blank">Medicare Advantage? Medicare Disadvantage would be a better name.</a></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-65556597487464439382022-10-25T12:13:00.002-07:002022-10-25T12:13:23.091-07:00Vikings this season: 5-1!!!<p> This blog is first and forecast about my myeloma journey. A very close second, it's about my love of the Minnesota Vikings. I'm born and raised in Southern California, but my fandom has been around forever. My step mom recently sent me some old photos. Once a Vikings fan, always a Vikings fan. Oh and by the way, my myeloma is stable. All good. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegrPuqY5UO948okCfDAP8xwS2ol-a8-ZbircOSWJwmhB2X8LrdtFWyN2g3QK0GE5mJJz_yvLMHiD7FKxNJWqwPxFIAomd3MsAtdDSchUhQ-bcC5B5SdVahODOYrf73npeF3779G5MHhUXF1g9RgraBdkHORdXYCgbpvxeXF32tLnXewnK0dFwReVw/s2348/IMG_2863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2348" data-original-width="1863" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhegrPuqY5UO948okCfDAP8xwS2ol-a8-ZbircOSWJwmhB2X8LrdtFWyN2g3QK0GE5mJJz_yvLMHiD7FKxNJWqwPxFIAomd3MsAtdDSchUhQ-bcC5B5SdVahODOYrf73npeF3779G5MHhUXF1g9RgraBdkHORdXYCgbpvxeXF32tLnXewnK0dFwReVw/s320/IMG_2863.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP8OoPKKHdGkmU4MTd8M922Jiz-3E4FHuiJH23o7w_q-g4kmiJw_QJo7LgH7QtYSHmR-kqk5k5Rurmpxa3OAex98T9zOTOTPeZKVg6W6z8n7Ck59IdwEv-2wq6tIXSuLF-rTu2eLX0dJWuDnEXq47ychZdUEbE8i5Ca-duNdHNHSt4kbflg3JjTlU/s2005/IMG_2864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2005" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKP8OoPKKHdGkmU4MTd8M922Jiz-3E4FHuiJH23o7w_q-g4kmiJw_QJo7LgH7QtYSHmR-kqk5k5Rurmpxa3OAex98T9zOTOTPeZKVg6W6z8n7Ck59IdwEv-2wq6tIXSuLF-rTu2eLX0dJWuDnEXq47ychZdUEbE8i5Ca-duNdHNHSt4kbflg3JjTlU/s320/IMG_2864.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MVDPJsB3J3SZwaODkU2ULv5pfGV3cD_4oCMaGw6Hvg_V1r5XOqX0z9y30eFaQfFcfLxNB2qxswkJg1C2nNY6jNGDDdTengwhUDTiGBxGJl1NQ48sYmishcqrEmr-Z7G_iyzuiJad_4AVz1tYo203-QNgMzq_Ibhttj0wYcVx3z2P1Y8X180aIVje/s2373/IMG_2865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2373" data-original-width="1741" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MVDPJsB3J3SZwaODkU2ULv5pfGV3cD_4oCMaGw6Hvg_V1r5XOqX0z9y30eFaQfFcfLxNB2qxswkJg1C2nNY6jNGDDdTengwhUDTiGBxGJl1NQ48sYmishcqrEmr-Z7G_iyzuiJad_4AVz1tYo203-QNgMzq_Ibhttj0wYcVx3z2P1Y8X180aIVje/s320/IMG_2865.jpg" width="235" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-28179490084356915702022-09-16T15:36:00.002-07:002022-09-17T04:47:44.367-07:00Breaking...BadAfter I was diagnosed in 2011 with multiple myeloma, I was in and out of the hospital with fevers and/or severe anemia. I fucking HATED the hospital. I will say that, fortunately, the oncology floor at Long Beach Memorial provided private rooms for their cancer patients. I'm sure it had to do with our lowered immune systems. But it made it slightly tolerable. They had crappy tv's in the rooms on which I would watch ESPN nonstop, checking to see if the NFL lockout had ended. I remember very specifically being disappointed that I might not live to see the Vikings win a Super Bowl. By the way, I'm still alive and still waiting for that Super Bowl win.<div><br /></div><div>Also when diagnosed, I started binge watching Breaking Bad. My favorite show ever. Better Call Saul, Lost and the Mary Tyler Moore show are on the top ten list. Now that Saul is over and with some subtle prompting from my brother, I am rewatching Breaking Bad. I'm on season one and, wow, I am reminded of how great it is and how it really resonates with me. For me, it was the perfect show at the time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Without spoiling anything for those who haven't watched it but are planning to, here's a brief synopsis. Walter White is a high school chemistry teacher. He is diagnosed with lung cancer and turns to making meth as a way to make money for his treatment and his family. His reactions to his cancer, regrets about his life and how his loved ones reacted to his cancer are all there in season one.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I was bingeing the show, there is a scene in one episode where Mr. White is telling his class about Thalidomide. It was used to help pregnant women control nausea in the 50s and 60s, but was shown to cause severe birth detects and was stopped being used. However, some years later, it became a successful chemotherapy drug for certain cancers, including myeloma. I'm pretty sure I watched this episode at the exact time we were trying Thalidomide to try and reign in my myeloma, which at the time was out of control. It was a scary drug that you couldn't touch with your bare hands, even though you were swallowing it. It didn't work for me. The first drug that had any traction for me was Bendamustine (aka Treanda).</div><div><br /></div><div>Most impactful for me was Walt discussing how he wanted to make choices for himself and live his life his own way. This is what I am working on. Well, I've been working on it most of my adult life. I'm not going to start making meth, But of late, it feels like a ticking clock is telling me to hurry up. Pre-cancer, I had visions of being a Nevada real estate mini-magnate, with my home in Green Valley or Summerlin. I felt like perhaps I was on my way. I've written before about my love of Las Vegas. I had a couple of unsuccessful job interviews there back in the day. (And as a reminder, 3 important things to me are the Minnesota Vikings, Las Vegas and animals) Myeloma and life interfered with my progress of being a mini-mogul. </div><div><br /></div><div>I finally found a cancer focused therapist. She's ok I guess. But a little too much of the toxic positivity. Things aren't always so simple as just doing it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Leslie and I have a bit of a lizard habitat in our back yard. We've been seeing a number of babies roaming around. They're pretty darn cute. The other day I was sitting out back and out of the corner of my eye I saw something move. I turned and saw a very small and very thin baby lizard. It was moving it's head around but stood very still. I tried to give it some water and some bugs and it didn't budge, so I left it alone. We checked on it about an hour later and it was dead. Still in the same spot. I'm pretty sure our lizards are Western Fence Lizards and I remember reading that up to 50% of hatchlings don't survive. I shouldn't have been surprised that it didn't make it. But seeing the dead baby lizard really was heartbreaking. Really. I felt so bad for the little creature. And, don't judge, I did give it a simple burial, next to a ceramic lizard that Leslie bought at a farmers market a couple of years ago. Ugh, cancer has made me so emo. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe1aSnG6ugqvnARtrULltcHEefqEc465YXgFeR75MXI1KDEsVfSZ5hPZVwT9lq9Mic5WmDk3-eZC-1zMmKYP8K3nqKZeHjjE3-u61acOtjJHHBEVTvD5gw3fLT4T_pAubiGIlz3mykEsdKlVRNYuY0W1yB43-InUMsmHcQ5lyNQF_1ETE_tjfrGGm/s2137/lizard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2137" data-original-width="1817" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSe1aSnG6ugqvnARtrULltcHEefqEc465YXgFeR75MXI1KDEsVfSZ5hPZVwT9lq9Mic5WmDk3-eZC-1zMmKYP8K3nqKZeHjjE3-u61acOtjJHHBEVTvD5gw3fLT4T_pAubiGIlz3mykEsdKlVRNYuY0W1yB43-InUMsmHcQ5lyNQF_1ETE_tjfrGGm/s320/lizard.jpg" width="272" /></a></div><br /><div>One more note on animals...There is a place called <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ron-king-former-executive-creates-donkey-sanctuary-california/" target="_blank">Oscar's Place</a> . They rescue donkeys that were destined for the slaughter house. The guy who started this non-profit has an inspiring back story. It's worth checking out. If I had the energy and health I'd like to volunteer for them. They're located in Northern California, off the beaten track and a good distance away from the medical infrastructure I need. </div><div><br /></div><div>And finally, in case you're wondering, my nephew made my annual Vikings winning the Super Bowl bet. 40-1. I think this is the year. Scratch that. I know this is the year. Week one, they destroyed the hated Packers. And let's not forget how in 2009, all onetime packer Brett Favre had to do was fall down and the Vikings would have been in the Super Bowl. Argh!! Speaking of criminals, has any one been keeping up with the news on how the same Favre personally profited by participating in a scam to take welfare money? </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEg19VaGq2WIKy4KGyxdgP6RItkopsyjPsuIXWvCi-Vfe526NHQM5nwcK6BCYOqy5aLvK3IhAxkwn-kURZtkIIw0KR7c4MooWlaWjVP0Y69dZ2YwwAbBbPaAuxgCqj1fZWIACDIH_KYcQgejgLkhBE8tak3B2efyqTjU3BWZoyXVPvRmCGR1Up3Me/s960/2022%20slip.JPEG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmEg19VaGq2WIKy4KGyxdgP6RItkopsyjPsuIXWvCi-Vfe526NHQM5nwcK6BCYOqy5aLvK3IhAxkwn-kURZtkIIw0KR7c4MooWlaWjVP0Y69dZ2YwwAbBbPaAuxgCqj1fZWIACDIH_KYcQgejgLkhBE8tak3B2efyqTjU3BWZoyXVPvRmCGR1Up3Me/w240-h320/2022%20slip.JPEG" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div>And that's my update. Myeloma-wise I'm good. Knock on wood, Darzalex and Pom are still doing the trick. Coming up on 6 years on this regimen. Yahoooo!</div><div><br /></div><div>Vote yes on 27!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-30513469605763219282022-09-13T16:52:00.002-07:002022-09-13T16:52:56.362-07:00LLS Light the Night<p> The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is an invaluable organization for blood cancer patients. This year I have joined a Light the Night team which is honoring Tom Swick, an LLS volunteer and myeloma patient who passed in 2020. Tom was someone I could turn to for advice, support and friendship. The event will be held on November 17, 2022. If you'd like to donate, please follow the below link:</p><p><a href="https://pages.lls.org/ltn/ocie/OrangeCo22/MGoldman" target="_blank">Matt's Light the Night Fundraising Page</a></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-23937924987023963902022-07-29T22:21:00.003-07:002022-07-30T09:56:41.226-07:00I Guess That's Why They Call It The Bruise<p> My left arm is a joke. Not the kind of joke that makes me laugh. But a joke in that every time I look at it, I shake my head in disgust. It still works as an arm does. But I'll describe it's current condition in a moment.</p><p> It became nearly unusable for medical stuff like blood draws and blood pressure, a ways back. When I diagnosed and we were struggling to find a treatment that worked and my creatinin was over 8, we'd check in with my nephrologist almost as often as my cancer doctors. Doc Zoller (no longer my kidney dr) refused to take out an external catheter in my neck unless I got a fistula in my wrist. She wanted it there in case I needed dialysis. My numbers indicated my kidneys were failing. But I had none of the symptoms of kidney failure. I wanted the catheter out and didn't know it at the time, but the doctor was basically resorting to Medical Blackmail. I was still working and had to tuck the catheter under my shirt collar. to avoid looks and questions. For months I could only take baths, a shower would potentially get into it, leading to a possible infection. At the time, I didn't know that I could advocate for myself and push back against doctor's advise. She wasn't giving advice though. In fact she even scheduled me for a 4 AM dialysis without consulting me. Leslie and I talked and ruled out dialysis. For me it was more a mental thing. I knew I couldn't handle an additional medical procedure at the time. Anyhow, the fistula went in. Never been used. And now 11 years later, if for some reason I had to do dialysis, it doesn't even work. I'd have to get a new one. And I can't even do party tricks anymore by shocking people with the powerful pulse. All I have is a scar and a small raised area in my wrist. Furthermore, I do have a fuzzy line in the sand, where I have told myself I'll never do dialysis, even if my kidneys do fail. It's a bridge too far for me.</p><p>That's not why my left arm is a joke though. It's a joke because it looks like shit. First problem is that I'm sporting a huge bruise on it. Leslie and I had a yard sale and garage cleaning extravaganza last weekend. It was a success and we got rid of a lot of stuff. Because of all the steroids (Dexamethasone) I've taken since 2011 and a daily baby aspirin, my skin is super thin. I bleed and bruise on a regular basis. A slight bump or scratch will leave an ugly mark and bleeding. After the garage cleanup, I noticed a bruise on my left arm. I have no idea how it got there and it seemed to be expanding in front of my eyes. I should have set up a time lapse camera to watch it grow. When I woke up Monday, it looked like this:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbRKfo6M_3yU5H7LIWfYLXIdZA-WmBZh4YpCVj_CWJrsQkQIiaVDcm6YzLWENIerCQVQSBVdhzjh7ZGUkspiU_WNJnPOZDc8RRvpQjr1gz_3boqsmfp3zyW7K0X6WVi4LWz10-qztx6kodpDcf15MhmUR2-e1iRkz_4Wf_YG03qIRPc2lRwy0TQ2D/s4032/bruise.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbRKfo6M_3yU5H7LIWfYLXIdZA-WmBZh4YpCVj_CWJrsQkQIiaVDcm6YzLWENIerCQVQSBVdhzjh7ZGUkspiU_WNJnPOZDc8RRvpQjr1gz_3boqsmfp3zyW7K0X6WVi4LWz10-qztx6kodpDcf15MhmUR2-e1iRkz_4Wf_YG03qIRPc2lRwy0TQ2D/w400-h300/bruise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's Friday now, and the bruise is slowly shrinking. But it's still there and I'm still wearing long sleeve t-shirts, again to avoid questions and looks. Meanwhile I noticed a new small growth on my left forearm. I've spent more than enough time at the dermatologist and have had my share of skin cancers removed (again, due to Dex). I have an appointment with my dermo doc in a week and I know it will need to be biopsied and I am almost certain it's a squamous cell carcinoma. My dermo dr is the best and she always feels horrible when she has to cut into me. A side note, her husband is now my back doctor and sent me to physical therapy. He's ruled out surgery given my bone density needs to be tested and I have Dex cause osteopenia. Surgery would like make things worse. (Notice a pattern with Dex? It's evil) The new growth looks like this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJktRoxHPI8N6Nmcn5eDIDlVmEd5WcHCZeI-H_PEH8qaZMtbvBrbSAbqg46COqTTgEIloTyM8--8jHzzLIeVUjBoCx_Ir8F_VqtoTGBiQ7JaxPB69GyTT7J5_KB9MFWgqtraoHrivSBpt4i0U_FdBSgt5zR3iKWZtujMfHogwl8AQj1TBBlVKmQ9c/s1178/new%20growth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="964" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJktRoxHPI8N6Nmcn5eDIDlVmEd5WcHCZeI-H_PEH8qaZMtbvBrbSAbqg46COqTTgEIloTyM8--8jHzzLIeVUjBoCx_Ir8F_VqtoTGBiQ7JaxPB69GyTT7J5_KB9MFWgqtraoHrivSBpt4i0U_FdBSgt5zR3iKWZtujMfHogwl8AQj1TBBlVKmQ9c/w328-h400/new%20growth.jpg" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The good news is NFL training camps opened. I'm predicting Vikings vs Bills in the Super Bowl. Mark it down. I'll likely do a super quick stop at a casino at the Nevada stateline to place my annual bet on the Vikings to win the Super Bowl. 40-1 longshots. Reminder, 26 years of making this bet. It's never paid off. And don't get me started on how frustrating it is that I can't make a visit to Vegas due to covid and my crap immune system. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After searching high and low, I finally found a therapist who meets my need. I've had 11 years of being mentally strong and kicking ass but I've recently hit an emotional wall. I was turned on to a place called: <a href="https://centerforcancercounseling.org/" target="_blank">Fran's Place/Center for Cancer Counseling.</a> It's awesome. Check em out if you're in California and need support. I've added a link on their name. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've started PT and my back is improving. No long walks though. That's sad and might be adding to my depression, anxiety and stress. I'm not a real pleasure to be around. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I'm back to losing weight. I am just under 190. I should be 170-175. I have 60-89 year old man muscles now. Meaning, they are flabby and shrinking. I gotta lean up. Minimizing carbs. Minimizing beer. Minimizing calories. I'm focused. Lean and mean coming up. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What else? Days fly by. Typically I have one or two medical appointments every week. I take a lot of naps. Typically I wake up more tired after my naps. My current nephrologist, Dr Froch at Cedars Sinai, ordered a home sleep study for me. We'll review the results in a few weeks. Doc Froch also ordered Evusheld for me, to get me some protection against covid, given four doses of the vaccine gave me no immunity. My immune system is a nonexistent. Like so many people, I'm sick of covid, but we're still masking up and being careful. Dr Froch is awesome. Here's a short video of how the home sleep test works:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/awa4z2fFn7A" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm almost ready for a pet. I don't know if it'll a dog though. I still grieve and feel guilty about Gracie. Leslie isn't pet ready yet and I get it. So maybe start small, like a bunny. Or start big and get a horse. We had a morning dove build a nest in a hanging pot outside our kitchen window recently, It was there for 4 days and I felt real ownership and pride. Sadly it flew away and left no eggs. I do worry that a crow got the eggs, when the parent doves were on a shift change. Crows are darn smart, you know. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And this is all I got. Cruise control myeloma-wise. I switched to FasPro. It's Darzalex given via a 3-5 minute sub q injection instead of a 4 hour infusion. I had my every 4 week injection today. We've also lowered my Dex, to try and minimize the crash. Also in my mix is 1 mg Pomalyst, every day for 21 days, followed by a 7 day break. I also get monthly Xgeva shots to try and strengthen my bones, without damaging my kidneys. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hope you all are well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hold on, hold on! We may be getting a new law that allows Medicare to negotiate drugs prices and caps a patient's out of pocket Medicare costs at $2,000. This would be huge if it happens. Contact your congressional rep and let them know how important it is. My monthly co-pay on Pomalyst exceeds $1,000. This is with a good Medicare Part D Prescription Plan. Absurd. And don't let anyone tell you that Pharma can't research or provide new drugs if this becomes law. That is horseshit. Below are two links: An article on the proposed bill and a way to find your representative. Peace, love, health and happiness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2022/07/28/drug-pricing-democrats-manchin/" target="_blank">Washington Port article</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative" target="_blank">Find your Rep</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Lastly (for real), a few years back I started getting rid of stuff, ala <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Gentle-Art-Swedish-Death-Cleaning-ebook/dp/B074ZKHG4K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=SFFZPJMTFLTU&keywords=gentle+art+of+swedish+death+cleaning+book&qid=1659158204&sprefix=gentle+art%2Caps%2C134&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. </a> I realized during our yard sale, that I might have prematurely gotten rid of some things that I should have kept. It's mainly Vikings memorabilia, so it's all probably replaceable. It made sense at the time when I was certain that living ten years with myeloma was an impossibility. But now I want things for my future man cave which is on my theoretical vision board. Also on the vision board is owning a purple car. As a kid I wanted a purple Plymouth Barracuda. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hOwK1A-wMBIQTd6kZV7MnGsz3WgRZviNOlyXjhxueXOuB-a2XeijHtIvjmgvgXGh_pKHmQ03C3VE1mvRezeJzEy4EkIIyQsKgmLMdoo5XY-1_T4ojRzAQFuK5RDc5NQSrLC13hnQtPCn2CDwgAID5CIN0pCyUqeQetXzvY39Qb0WZvW4sh6B7ZC0/s1160/purple%20barracuda.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1160" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4hOwK1A-wMBIQTd6kZV7MnGsz3WgRZviNOlyXjhxueXOuB-a2XeijHtIvjmgvgXGh_pKHmQ03C3VE1mvRezeJzEy4EkIIyQsKgmLMdoo5XY-1_T4ojRzAQFuK5RDc5NQSrLC13hnQtPCn2CDwgAID5CIN0pCyUqeQetXzvY39Qb0WZvW4sh6B7ZC0/w400-h276/purple%20barracuda.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-34548522021252630892022-06-29T10:41:00.000-07:002022-06-29T10:41:00.507-07:00Alive and KickingOver the years, I've followed a number of blogs by fellow myeloma patients who I can relate to or who have interesting or informational stories to share. Writing is a good way to vent, share, cry or laugh...in a relatively safe place. Also over the years, I've become friends with a number of patients. It's that common thread. But, the sad truth is that myeloma patients still die. It's still incurable. <div><br /></div><div>I'm still stable and cruising along. Umpteen gajillion years since my diagnosis and half as long on Darzalex and Pomalyst. </div><div><br /></div><div>So what happens is, if someone doesn't post or share for a while, we get worried. I have a good friend who I met at Dr Phan's. We'll comment to each other if we're wondering about someone. If we see that someone has finally posted after a while, we'll let each other know. Such a strange phenomena isn't it?</div><div><br /></div><div>All of the above is to let folks know I'm alive and kicking. My myeloma is in a good place. Why does this regimen work so long for me when it doesn't for others? Hell if I know. Luck of the draw? Some grand design? Nobody knows. We do know that myeloma is such a different disease for everyone. There is no one standard treatment that works for everyone. </div><div><br /></div><div>While my disease is stable. A gajillion years of treatment and steroids is playing roughshod on my body. My skin is that of a 100 year old person. Bleeding and bruising non stop. We're gonna do a bone density test soon, to see how I'm doing with osteoporosis. A bad back has pushed me to need to know my bone conditions. How we treat the back depends on my bones. Steroids have played havoc on my bones, in addition to my emotional state. I've begged to drop steroids completely. I haven't gotten the ok, but we have lowered them.</div><div><br /></div><div>Lastly, I'm finally changing to FasPro, an injected version of Darzalex. For years I didn't mind the 5-6 hours, once a month, in the infusion chair for my treatment. It actually was a bit of a relaxing, reprieve from the real world. I no longer can sit still for any long period of time. I get uncomfortable and super antsy. This I chalk up to chemobrain and the impact of so many years of treatment on my body's functions. Not scientific. But when you know, you know. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that's all I got. Looking ahead: I can guarantee I'll soon be making my annual Vikings to win the Super Bowl bet. Almost 30 years making this bet. Not a single time winning. And this is about my only guarantee. Stay well and healthy everyone. </div><div><br /></div><div>Last years<strike> winner </strike>loser:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtzyRTNW0INEfriyKNutzWccR-TcotpDekVEFAH4haysLOaHoS5Q9omDgDsR2nc_chkuZtvUoc2VIwsK4cQOFuy4K2lgDu45RMGt8n7vcXnpJOQAT5eV_685EVa49NQp5sw2acdQhkwuxW1CwQoZElg8jhaYvcByq9MCdl7lpzJcw8gt8TXSTED6U/s4032/65229952583__19451E33-8879-406F-B55D-22E48B5869D9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtzyRTNW0INEfriyKNutzWccR-TcotpDekVEFAH4haysLOaHoS5Q9omDgDsR2nc_chkuZtvUoc2VIwsK4cQOFuy4K2lgDu45RMGt8n7vcXnpJOQAT5eV_685EVa49NQp5sw2acdQhkwuxW1CwQoZElg8jhaYvcByq9MCdl7lpzJcw8gt8TXSTED6U/w300-h400/65229952583__19451E33-8879-406F-B55D-22E48B5869D9.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-5716369227372371702022-05-13T13:52:00.001-07:002022-05-13T14:22:23.623-07:00LLS Virtual Big Climb<p> Tomorrow, May 14, is the LLS virtual Big Climb. The LLS is an important organization for all blood cancer patients and their caregivers. I've done the Seattle Big Climb twice. Once pre even knowing what myeloma is. And the other time was a couple of years after my diagnosis. Tomorrow I'll do a long walk and incorporate some stairs in a nearby parking structure. I recently hit 11 years since my diagnosis, so the virtual climb is a bit of an acknowledgement about how far I have made it since I was diagnosed. </p><p>Thank you all for your donations. And a huge thank you to the anonymous donor who donated $500. Super generous and hugely appreciated. Also thanks to family, friends and loved ones who have supported me through these past 11 years.</p><p><a href="https://pages.lls.org/bigclimb/home/bigclimbnat22/MattGoldman" target="_blank">And for good measure, click anywhere on this sentence to go to my fundraising page. </a></p><p>And also for good measure, let's recap what my led to my diagnosis. In early 2011, I was riding my bike to work every day. Rain or shine or wind. It was ten miles each way and I loved it. Around February, I started to feel a little tired on my normal ride/commute. Catching my breath, on a final hill before I reached my my office, became more of a chore. As March rolled around, the struggle on my daily ride increased. At first I thought I was just getting older and heavier and that I needed to lose weight and get back into shape. By April, the tiredness followed me everywhere. I was getting night sweats every nights, soaking the sheets. I was also getting low grade fevers. I went to my primary care doctor and he saw something not right in my blood work and he started testing for everything, except cancer and myeloma. I was taking naps at lunch and I recall talking to someone at my desk and I dosed off right in the middle of a conversation. In late April, I was in Las Vegas for a friend's birthday. Within three hours of my arrival, I was burning up and was exhausted. I went to my hotel room, went to bed and was on fire and freaking out a bit. I slept 12 hours and woke up the next day feeling good. Nonetheless, I decided I'd fly back home that day. Before leaving, I met my best friend to let him know what was up. Walking through the casino, I had a strong feeling that I was dying. Scared the crap out of me. The feeling felt strong and was something I knew I couldn't ignore. It was the first of many semi-spiritual occurrences that are a regular part of my 11 years with myeloma. Back home, a doctor called me to say that I was so anemic that he was hospitalizing me immediately. My blood counts were dangerously low. I'd never stayed in a hospital before and it sucks. Anyhow, for 5 days, test after test was run and nobody knew what was wrong me. Eventually a kidney doctor noted that my kidneys were near failure. With that doctor I learned what bad bedside manner is. After five days, Dr Phan, a hematologist, was making the rounds and he knew immediately that I had myeloma. He did a bone marrow biopsy, discharged me and told me to come to his office the next day. On May 2, 2011, with Leslie and my mom, we went to Phan's office. Before we saw him, he had me go to a lab upstairs to run some blood tests. There I was slightly entertained by a heavily tattooed person who was on the phone telling someone he didn't like needles. Anyhow, after the blood draw it was back to Phan's and he gave me/us the news. Shock! I started treatment the very next day and I have been in treatment ever since. Pure craziness. And that's my story, whether I like it or not. </p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-45842702365947939422022-05-10T09:35:00.001-07:002022-05-10T09:35:28.643-07:00It's Out!!<p> The Port saga is over. It was surgically removed in Mid-March and I'm very glad the sage is over. My wife and I met with a vascular surgeon in February. He described the process and said that I'd be knocked out using fentanyl. When he said that, my brain went into overdrive. Fentanyl?! I questioned him about safety. He said, if I wanted, they could do a more serious surgery where I'm really knocked out. Umm...nope.I've had my fair share of procedures over the past 11 years. (I'm including foot surgery that was pre-diagnosis and is a whole other story on its own) I've never been too worried or concerned leading up to any of these procedures or surgeries. But leading up to port removal, I managed to freak myself out. I wondered if my luck had run out. Honestly, when diagnosed in 2011, I didn't expect to still be alive in 2022. So, there's a part of me that is waiting for that other shoe to drop. I've been really fortunate up to this point.</p><p>Because I had talked myself into being worried about the minor surgery, leading up to my port removal, I reached out to some folks to let them know I love them and appreciate them. I pondered making apology calls to people I may have wronged. Note, when I was diagnosed, I reached out to a couple of friends to apologize for minor infractions, including one friend to say I'm sorry for not admitting to losing a life preserver when on his boat, way back in 1988 and a childhood friend who's football book I never returned when we were 13. These apologies might have made me feel better but didn't really accomplish much. And so, prior to the port removal, I thought about again contacting certain people to apologize. But did I truly want to do this? And really, was I just being over dramatic? Before being diagnosed I hadn’t had any exposure to cancer. My pre-conceived perceptions of a cancer journey were shaped by tv and movies. And as we all know, in real life, cancer is nothing like a movie. I decided that I’d hold off on the apology tour for now and instead would use my own regrets and mistakes as life lessons. This seems sufficient.</p><p>The surgery was straightforward. I was wheeled into a very white and very bright room. The team was all there, waiting on the surgeon. The anesthesiologist actually seemed annoyed that the surgeon kept him waiting. My right arm was placed on a platform at a 90-degree angle from my body and strapped down. Strange. I was asked to turn my head so they could shave my chest. And that's the last thing I remember, until I woke up in the recovery room. I hung out there for a couple of hours and then I was released. I got in a wheelchair and was wheeled to the hospital lobby where Leslie was waiting for me.</p><p>And that's it. I now have just one port. It's on my left side and works great. A week later I had a small skin cancer removed from my forehead. The scars are accumulating. But I'm still here and most likely I'll have other opportunities to apologize to folks...or not.</p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-2930402610670648812022-05-01T14:20:00.003-07:002022-05-01T14:20:53.666-07:00Eleven!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w1dkLjl18SM2g__vU6xeQrpRi4OmVaLU4tzeyxm_y7HXYximyT9Z03_xmcU-3IKtknBfd4YZVEawgYp7bhAR0JjT_ZMWK8qTiB1P6Hl05nAMcSaP0FpffGfjzY4W3vu6v3tUDLs0rIzeQNH9jlKbClO1v4icqsMQA6TO4tRCwxDvKtvU945sKTqK/s1000/Joe+Kapp+Vikings+smiling.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6w1dkLjl18SM2g__vU6xeQrpRi4OmVaLU4tzeyxm_y7HXYximyT9Z03_xmcU-3IKtknBfd4YZVEawgYp7bhAR0JjT_ZMWK8qTiB1P6Hl05nAMcSaP0FpffGfjzY4W3vu6v3tUDLs0rIzeQNH9jlKbClO1v4icqsMQA6TO4tRCwxDvKtvU945sKTqK/w640-h426/Joe+Kapp+Vikings+smiling.png" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Joe Kapp, Number 11, led the Vikings to the Super Bowl after the 1969 season. Unfortunately, they lost the game, but Kapp was absolutely tough.</p><p>May 2, 2022 will be my 11 year cancerversary. It's been a whole year since my celebratory bike ride and fund raiser. Time flies. Tomorrow on May 2, we'll be having needed plumbing work. Life certainly does go on. Headaches and annoyances included. Nonetheless, we'll get some donuts or some kind of treat to acknowledge still being alive and kicking. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-11011720138330450172022-04-02T16:28:00.002-07:002022-04-02T16:28:42.544-07:002022 Fund Raiser For the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society<p><a href="https://events.lls.org/pages/home/bigclimbnat22/MattGoldman" target="_blank">Matt's Big Climb Fundraiser!!</a><br /></p><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">In
2012, I did the Big Climb in Seattle to raise money for the LLS. It was
only a year after my Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis and it was a
celebratory milestone for me. In 2006, I also did the Big Climb, knowing
nothing about Myeloma but knowing I wanted to raise funds for a cancer
organization. In May of this year, I'll reach 11 years since my
diagnosis. Myeloma is incurable, so I'm still doing treatment. For me
and countless other blood cancer patients, the LLS is an invaluable
partner in the cancer journey. They offer insurance and prescription
financial assistance. They provide support to newly diagnosed patients
via their First Connection program, which I volunteer for, knowing how
scary the words "you have cancer" are. They fund research, have
education programs and the list goes on. This is why I am raising funds
for the LLS. This year's event is virtual, nonetheless on May 14 I'll be
climbing over 1,500 steps in a parking structure, raising funds for the
LLS and celebrating my 11 year cancerversary.</div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle"> </div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">Please
join me in supporting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) by
making a donation to my fundraising campaign. Thanks to your support, my
efforts, will help fund the therapies and treatments and help save
lives today.</div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle"> </div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">LLS's
continued advancements over the years, are responsible for the blood
cancer survival rate doubling and tripling; in some cases, the survival
rate has even quadrupled.</div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">And
many LLS supported therapies not only help blood cancer patients but
are now used to treat patients with rare forms of stomach and skin
cancers. They're even being tested in clinical trials for patients with a
range of cancers including lung, brain, breast, pancreatic and prostate
cancers. LLS funded drugs are now being tested for patients with other
non-cancerous diseases like Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple
Sclerosis.We really are changing the face of blood cancer!</div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle"> </div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">All
donations are greatly appreciated and are tax deductible. They'll not
only support LLS research but patient services, advocacy, public and
professional education, and community services as well.</div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">Please visit my Web site often and bring friends who would also like to donate!</div><div class="cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql o9v6fnle">On behalf of blood cancer patients everywhere I thank you for your support!
For more information about LLS, please visit <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl gpro0wi8 py34i1dx" href="http://lls.org/?fbclid=IwAR3XjYO3mKDPNs9UptT-NJz2HUloDAdD_V2E-0XwE4WUpLZt-9PH9I6AmrQ" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank">lls.org</a> </div>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3242216892564274444.post-24892822319220300392022-02-28T14:06:00.001-08:002022-03-08T16:28:23.214-08:00What to do, What to do<p> When I was diagnosed, I was in shock, depressed, angry and in a way relieved. I'd been sick and getting progressively sicker for a few months, leading up the diagnosis. It was good to know what I had. But to be clear, the feeling of relief was way way and way lower than anger and depression. Blasting through 4 different treatments in the first year sucked and really strengthened the depression and anger. Anger at times was the overwhelming feeling. I started this blog because I didn't want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to be left alone and figured I'd catch up with folks on the other side. I assumed I had about two years of life left when diagnosed.<br /></p><p>Fast forward nearly 11 years to today, and I'm still here, healthier than I've been since before I was diagnosed. And the blog is still here. It's still a way to keep friends and family up to date. My mood varies though between wanting to be open about my health and wanting to silence all external contact. Of late, the silence sentiment runs high. </p><p>With Covid, I've only done telemedicine appointments with Dr Phan, which is fine when I'm doing well. And I am doing well, better than I could have hoped for. But the thing is I don't want to talk or write about how well I am doing. As I told Phan, it's boring. And I feel like as a giant asshat saying I'm bored, when good friends are having challenges. Survivor's Guilt is real. And maybe boring isn't the right descriptor. Monotonous might be more appropriate. Take medicine, see doctor, do infusion, repeat. Ad Infinitum. <br /></p><p>Despite the good health, I still am overloaded with appointments. I've got a surgical appointment to have my calcified port removed. Leading up to it, I have to get an ekg, chest x-ray and blood work. Argh. Also coming up, it's yet another MOHS procedure on my forehead to remove a Squamous Cell Carcinoma aka mild skin cancer. Meanwhile, Dr Phan hasn't been able to locate Evusheld, the synthetic antibody that might give me protection against the virus. I'm now on a wait list at Cedars Sinai to get it. No idea how long it'll take to get it. </p><p>My walking marathon continues. 159 miles in January. 130 in February. I'm training for something, but for what, I don't know. </p><p>Oh, have I mentioned before that despite having cancer, regular life doesn't suddenly stop, some of it is annoying and some of it is outstanding, in fact better than before myeloma. Bills, neighbors, house following apart, friends, relationships, laughs, love. I was fortunate enough to be able to retire and focus on health. It's great and beneficial to how I feel, but what the fuck have I accomplished since retiring? Not a whole lot. I'm a little sheepish about that. And I have to say that the farther away I get away from work, I'm not sure how I managed it.</p><p>Obviously I don't write nearly as much as I used to. I've thought about shutting the blog down before. I'm gonna keep it going for now. But for all the reasons discussed above, I'm changing the focus of my blog. It's not gonna be about my myeloma journey. Yes, I'll share crucial treatment information. But I'll instead share stories of and by other patients. And I might share some other stories about me...but not about my myeloma. Is it permanent? Who knows. But I just can't write about it anymore. It's already in my head nearly 24/7.<br /></p><p><br /></p>Matthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04766115414209224057noreply@blogger.com0