More Politics

I am interested, amused and sometimes annoyed when reading blogs by cancer patients lately. Most mention, or are consumed by politics. That is understandable! Cancer patients and survivors rely on expensive therapies and tests to help stay alive. I am in the same boat. My expensive (Over $6000 for 21 capsules!) but effective monthly chemotherapy drug Revlimid is a perfect example. Oncologists aren't sure which is best: For me to stay on the drug monthly or to stop taking Revlimid at some point to wait, rest and watch. If my insurance wouldn't cover or stopped covering the cost, I would be watching and waiting! I wouldn't have a choice. I had to fight with Blue Cross/Blue Shield for two months before they would even authorize to pay for the drug. The same drug that saved my live and made the cancer go away, at least for now. Government spends too much money. But it isn't how much it spend that gets everyone all wound up. It is how the money is spent. Our priorities. Well, I know where my priorities are! Better, more reliable and more affordable health care!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Rethink The Statistics!

Members of my Multiple Myeloma support group are well aware that I get hung up on the survival statisticsfor my cancer. I have an almost morbid fascination with these stats. I'm not quite sure why. I guess that they give me a frame of reference. Part of it is that I am such a competitive guy. If my oncologist says that the average patient with my cancer lives 43 months, then I will strive to live longer. But funny thing about these stats. Since I was first diagnosed in April, 2007, the life expectancy of a Myeloma patient of my stage and age has gone from 43 months to over 7 years! That is almost double! New drugs and drug combinations are working! They keep moving the goal line back! How great is that! In his book, Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do, Greg Anderson writes "There is no type of cancer that does not have some rate of survival. This is a significant fact, and it is cause for reasonable hope. The question now becomes, 'What can I do to maximize my chances of getting on the right side of these statistics?' So true! Be realistic, but hopeful. Beat the statistics! Help change the numbers. LIVE!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

The Five Stages Of Living With Mortality

In the book, Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, Malin Dollinger, M.D, and Bernard Dubrow, M.S., describe the five stages of living with mortality. According to Dollinger and Dubrow, "When faced with the threat of death or dying, many patients and their families turn for understanding and guidance to the highly regarded work of Dr Elisabeth Kubler-Ross." Dr Ross is famous for defining five stages of mourning; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. But the authors stress that this model may not apply to newly diagnosed cancer patients because they have been told that they have a "potentially" fatal illness that may or may not be imminent. Dollinger and Dubrow feel that disbelief, discovery, redirection, resolution and emerging victorious more accurately apply in this case.
I like number five: Emerging Victorious!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

How Will Uncertain Economy Impact Our Nation's Health Care System

The election is one week away. The negative ads are disheartening. But an even greater concern for me is how our deteriorating economy will effect the ability of those that are elected to begin to retool our broken health care system. When the campaign began (Do they ever end?) I was hopeful that we might make some progress toward guaranteeing cancer patients and others with pre-existing conditions the right to purchase and maintain affordable health insurance. But now, it seems that voters are more concerned about keeping their jobs than reforming health care. Our government can bail out the Nation's banks. It can distribute billions of dollars in economic stimulus checks. But can America guarantee affordable health care for all of its citizens? Here is a suggestion: By helping our citizens gain access to affordable health care, the savings for each American family will be so great that the stimulus to our economy will be immeasurable! Not to mention the confidence that we will all gain knowing that our number one financial concern will be handled! Living here in small town Wisconsin, I was able to vote early today. I was lucky. There were no long lines. I finished in ten minutes. I feel for those voters in urban areas that are waiting in long lines to vote early in order to avoid even longer lines on election day. We complain when our citizens don't vote. Then, when they try to vote, the lines are long or voting machines don't work correctly or their vote is challenged because they are young, Hispanic or black. We can't fix the world economy. But I know that we can fix our voting system. Fix that, and the next step will be to begin to fix our country's health care mess. I know that we can do that too! I know that we can!
Feel good, keep smiling and don't forget to vote! Pat

Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips Fun Book For Men Too!

One of the first movies about cancer that I watched following my diagnosis in 2007 was titled Crazy Sexy Cancer. This serious, yet lighthearted documentary explored the emotional and nutritional journey of actress Kris Carr, following her diagnosis with a rare, vascular cancer the year before. Kris followed up the success of her movie with a book called Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips. I really enjoyed her book! True, it is definitely "chick flick" style literature. Sort of like a sappy, philosophical romantic comedy. But so what? Her Chapter Three called "Cancer College" was imaginative and helpful. The book is laced with tips like "Incurable isn't a declaration, it's a dare!" and "Go ahead- Use the cancer card". That one is my favorite. I had never thought about that. Kris starts her Chapter Five with "Congratulations! You have been pre approved for a Platinum Club Cancer Card membership! Though it sucks that you have cancer (and we're very sorry about that), membership to this ever growing club does come with its perks!" She goes on to write that it is important to "Use it, don't abuse it!" as she gives you the do's and don'ts of using your get out of jail free cancer pass responsibly. Much of the book goes on to follow Kris' radical, yet interesting nutritional journey as she tries to slay her cancer dragon and regain some control over her life with good nutrition. Some of her ideas and philosophies are way out there. Cleansing, an all raw diet, Kris tries them all. Crazy Sexy Cancer Tips is a fun read that also makes you think. I highly recommend it! You can buy it and other cancer related books on our "Help With Cancer Bookstore" at a discounted price. Best of all, 100% of the profits from your purchase will be donated to organizations that fight cancer!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Another Cancer Patient Blog Option

Yesterday I discussed a wonderful blog site for cancer patients and survivors called CaringBridge. I have also worked with and investigated another option. eCancerAwareness.com offers a free cancer patient blog site as well. If you would like to try out their site, go to http://www.ecancerawareness.com/ and click on the tab at the top of the page labeled "Start a Cancer Blog". Can any of you recommend other sites that might work as well? The important thing for cancer patients is to let the friends and family that love you follow your progress and participate in one of these patient blogs.
You will be glad that you did! Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Caring Bridge Is Easy Way For Cancer Patients To Blog

I have found that a blog/Web site called CaringBridge is the easiest cancer patient blog to use. Several friends set mine up immediately after I was first diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma last year. Too stunned and sick to use it at first, I found that the response from friends, family and co-workers was overwhelming. So I began to journal on my site regularly. This helped my state of mind at the time. But it also left me with a permanent record of my life after cancer that I cherish today. There is no cost to set up a site. The company does solicit the author later for a donation every six months or so. I think that I contributed $30 last year. To see how CaringBridge works, or to access details about my winning battle (so far!) with Myeloma, click on the CaringBridge link on the right side of this page. Feel good and keep smiling- Pat

Myeloma Awareness Week

You may or may not know that I have Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in my bone marrow. In an attempt to be inclusive, I try not to devote too much space on our Help With Cancer. Org site covering Myeloma related news. But I wanted to take this opportunity to promote Myeloma Awareness Week. To learn more about this slow moving, yet incurable cancer, click on the International Myeloma Foundation, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation or Mayo Clinic links on the lower left side of our Web site. I am also excited to announce that my newly completed book, Living with Multiple Myeloma, has gone to editing and should be published and available by December 1st.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Good, Basic Nutritional Web Site

I stumbled upon an obscure nutritional Web site the other day. Cancer Prevention & Treatment: How Nutrition Can Help The Diet Channel offers an abriviated, yet comprehensive look at diet and cancer. Check it out! Feel good and keep smiling-
Pattie

Cancer Survivors At Increased Risk For New Cancer

According to the book Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, "Once an individual has developed a malignant tumor, the possibility that another, second cancer can occur is increased." The lifestyle and environmental factors that may have contributed to the first cancer may also help cause a second. Smoking or asbestos exposure are examples of this. A primary cause of secondary cancers in cancer patients can be the very treatment that is designed to cure their original cancer. Radiation and chemotherapy agents can trigger secondary cancers, especially leukemias. The moral of the story is that cancer survivors should not relax once their primary cancer is under control. Sorry, but I am only the messenger!
Feel good and keep smiling!
Pat & Pattie

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Support Available

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has started a program called The LLS First Connection Program. A one-on-one telephone support program, First Connection
provides support for cancer patients, survivors and their families who are not able to attend a support group or who do not have other support resources available. Since many blood and bone marrow cancers are not very common, this can be especially helpful for rural or elderly patients without local access to help. If you would like to speak with a First Connection volunteer, or become a volunteer yourself, call The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at (800) 955-4572 or log on to their Web site at http://www.lls.org/. Feel good and keep smiling-
Pat & Pattie

Politics And Cancer

I ran into a friend today at the grocery store and we started to talk about politics. The conversation became a bit heated as such conversations often do two weeks before a presidential election. As we both agreed to disagree and went on our way, I couldn't help thinking about my cancer and her disability. My friend drove away, seated in one of those battery powered shopping scooters. For a few minutes, I didn't have an incurable form of cancer and she wasn't suffering from degenerative disc disease. We were both just Americans, trying to solve our country's problems and get through the day like everybody else. I am going to resist the temptation to share my political views and discuss which candidate or party would be more likely to invest in cancer research or broader health care coverage options. Cancer doesn't care if you are Republican or Democrat. Or if you are Jewish or Catholic. It is a nondenominational killer. But it didn't get me today! Feel good and keep smiling! I am! Pat

New Lifetime Network Movie About Breast Cancer Research

Lifetime Network premiered a new movie about Breast Cancer research called Living Proof Saturday evening. Starring Harry Connick Jr and Amanda Bynes, Living Proof is the story of Dr Dennis Slamon's fight for FDA approval of his experimental, genetically engineered drug Herceptin. Pat and I enjoyed the film. True, it was a bit simplistic, and Pat thought overly dramatic. A Los Angeles Times review this weekend was not as kind. That writer thought that it was a bad movie. Still, it can't be easy to produce a film about the struggle to raise funds and keep cancer research hopes alive. Interesting to us as cancer survivors. I'm not sure how others would feel or if the film would hold their interest. Considering the difficult economic reality that the country is facing, Pat and I can't help wondering if cancer research won't be negatively effected by our bad economy. The struggle to obtain funding for Dr Slamon's research portrayed in the film may be especially relevant today. I'm sure that Lifetime will re-play the film a number of times over the next few months, so watch it if you get a chance. Feel good and keep smiling- Pattie

Microwaving Foods

My most used kitchen accessory is a $10 microwave vegetable steamer. A simple, 3 part device that steams broccoli, spinach or carrots in 3 minutes or less. I have heard and read that a microwave destroys much of the nutritional value of vegetables. According to Dr Lynne Eldridge in her book, Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time, "there are studies that indicate that microwaving may destroy a significant amount of some vitamins and phytochemicals in food and therefore may frustrate their protective effects against cancer." Bummer. I guess that I should take the good doctor's advice and opt for steaming rather than microwaving my veggies. Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Does Sugar Feed Cancer?

You may have heard or read that "sugar feeds cancer". There does seem to be some evidence that this may be true. It has something to do with the way that many tumors live and grow. The theory goes something like this: As they develop, tumors form their own self contained metabolism that rely on simple sugars to grow. Reduce the amount of sugar that is available in the bloodstream and you hinder the tumor's ability to expand. Maintain high levels of simple sugars in the bloodstream and the cancer flourishes. The strong message here is that any cancer patient should replace simple sugars with complex carbohydrates and lean protein in their diet. Several things to note. First of all, isn't that what all of us should do, whether we have cancer or not? I will spare you the details about the dangers of elevated insulin levels and the serious rise of diabetes in the America today. Second, all cancers are not as nutritionally sensitive as others. For example, my type of cancer, Multiple Myeloma, does not seem to react to changes in nutrition. The same can be said for other bone marrow and some blood cancers. In some type of cancers, there is no tumor to feed. Even so, good nutrition is important to help keep our bodies strong to help fight our cancer and to help us withstand radiation and chemotherapy. I confess that I have a horrible sweet tooth! I would rather have a piece of cake or pie than a good cut of meat or second serving of salmon. But let's face it. Sweets are empty calories. It wouldn't hurt any of us to eat more blueberries, walnuts, flax seed and whole fruit and less processed bread, potatoes and candy. You get the idea! Feel good and keep smiling- Pat

Cancer Blogs Important Part Of Patient Recovery

In an August 20th article, the Boston Globe reported that cancer blogs have become an important part of recovery for many patients. The article specifically stated that "After analyzing 50 blogs, the researchers found that detailing the rigors of the illness online seemed to help patients cope." The article went on to say that "While research on cancer patient blogging may be scant, studies on the healing effects of writing are abundant." The bottom line: Facing and documenting one's feelings in a journal or blog can help a cancer patient keep their head above water during treatment. Continuing to write after treatment can also be helpful while a patient adjusts to their "new normal"... Living life as a cancer survivor. Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Lotsa Helping Hands

Lotsa Helping Hands is a simple way to help family and friends help you. The program is an easy to use calendar specifically designed to help caregivers, friends and family members coordinate their efforts to help the cancer patient. A good friend from our cancer support group, Stacy Roher, uses this program to help organize her life and swears by it! Go to http://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/ to learn more. Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Can Regular Sleep Help Prevent Cancer?

Yesterday I wrote about the importance of sleep in cancer recovery. In her book Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time, Dr Lynne Eldridge sites a number of studies that conclude that not only is the amount of sleep important to cancer prevention and recovery, but Circadian rhythms and sleeping at night are as well.
E-mail us if you would like more details. But rest assured (pun intended!) that it is important for all of us to get at least seven hours of sleep. It is also important that, whenever possible, that sleep be at night, at regular daily intervals. This doesn't mean that you can't or shouldn't nap or rest during the day. Just sleep at least seven hours each and every night. Pleasant dreams! Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Sleep

Get plenty of sleep. Most books about cancer stress the importance of sleep to a patient's recovery and future well being. Hard to disagree with that! Kris Carr's mantra in Crazy, Sexy Cancer Tips is "Snooze! Snooze! Snooze!" In Cancer, 50 Essential Things to Do, Greg Anderson dedicates an entire chapter to the value of sleep. Doctor Lynne Eldridge, author of Avoiding Cancer One Day At A Time, writes extensively about how regular sleep may reduce cancer risk. More about this tomorrow. All I can say is that for me, getting extra sleep is easier said than done! My time seems more precious and finite then ever since my Multiple Myeloma diagnosis last year. The realization that there is no cure for this type of cancer has left me trying to maximize the use of every minute of every day. There is so much to do and so little time! I want to live! I want to love! I want to write! Still, the experts and my own common sense tells me that I need more sleep. Maybe I should make that one of my New Year's resolutions! Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Don't Overdo Antioxidants While Using Chemotherapy

Most medical researchers agree that antioxidants provide a number of positive health benefits. Antioxidants are substances that block oxidation and help protect cells from free radical damage. Free radicals can damage DNA in otherwise healthy cells. Some scientists think that this damage can allow cancer to start and grow. Blueberries, red grapes, carrots, red peppers and a number of other fruits and vegetables contain naturally high levels of antioxidants. But what scientists don't know or agree on is what types and dose of antioxidants help your body most. We are all just guessing. And in the true American tradition, if a little of something is good for us, then a lot must be even better! Although there is little evidence that mega doses of antioxidants are harmful to healthy persons, taking large, concentrated doses of antioxidants may not be a good idea for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. A number of oncology researchers believe that the protection provided to cells by such therapy against cancer may enable existing cancer cells to resist chemotherapy as well. These oncology docs aren't suggesting that chemotherapy patients stop eating blueberries or oranges. Just stay away from highly concentrated antioxidant supplements immediately before, during or after chemotherapy.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Fall Colors!

Fall is hands down my favorite time of the year. It is sunny here in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin this afternoon. Crimson, rust, gold, bright yellow, evergreen all blend to create an incredible palate of color! The changing colors of the leaves is set off by the shadowy, dark grey stone and rock that line the St Croix River. The cold, clear water matches the sky's bright blue. I hope that you can take the time to thank God and appreciate the simple things that life has to offer. Big time problems and worries surround us all these days. But so do the promise of a better future and these beautiful colors of fall! For now, I am not going to worry about my cancer. Or the stock market, or budgets, or meds. Today, at this moment, it is wonderful to be alive!
Feel good and keep smiling- Pat & Pattie

Watching the Numbers

Everyone seems to be watching the numbers these days. The Dow Jones. S&P 500. Consumer confidence. Housing starts and foreclosures. People are watching their retirement IRA's and 401k's shrink before their eyes. They are nervous, upset, angry. That is how cancer survivors and patients feel everyday, every month, every year. They are always watching the numbers. The PSA (Prostate cancer). M-spike (Multiple Myeloma). There are blood tests and markers to monitor many different types of cancer. Or maybe it is the MRI or PET scan results every six months. Or some other test. I watch my white blood cell and neutrophil counts each month. If they are too low, I will need to wait to resume my monthly chemotherapy until the numbers come up.

Watching the numbers. Now the general investing public knows how a cancer patient feels everyday for the rest of his or her life! Feel good and keep smiling!
Pat & Pattie

Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do

The book, Cancer: 50 Essential Things to Do, written by cancer survivor Greg Anderson, is the best, most direct book about living with cancer that we have ever read. Simple, direct. An easy read that features fifty short three or four page chapters that help a cancer patient organize his or her thoughts and feelings. Topics run the gambit from "Rethinking the Statistics" to "Discovering your Beliefs" and "Value Personal and Spiritual Growth". The book features a number of practical tips to help cancer patients heal body, mind and soul. It is strong and positive from beginning to end. We highly recommend it! Feel good and keep smiling!
Pat & Pattie

Feed the Kitties!

With the the economy and stock market crashing down around us, it is important to take time to appreciate the little things that make life worth living. My wife recently hung a large, framed poster of a kitten above our refrigerator in the kitchen. Under the photo, Ellis Felker writes: I once asked a four year old what the secret to life was. "Feed the kitties" she said. "Feed the Kitties." Healthy or sick, young or old, rich or not so rich, we all have so much to be thankful for. Be kind to our friends and families. Even if we are hurting, upset or in pain. Don't forget to feed the kitties! Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Hopeful Statistics About Treating Cancer

According to the updated 2008 Fifth Edition of Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, "overall death rates from cancers declined for the first time in the US, despite the increasing size and age of our population." That trend started in 2005 had continues today. A truly uplifting fact! But what I found more interesting was the fact that "90% of all drug cures occur in just over 10% of the cancer types". In other words, advances in a few of the more drug susceptible cancers have heavily skewed these statistics. So if you are one of the "lucky" patients that have been recently diagnosed with certain types of Lymphoma, Leukemia or Myeloma, you have extra reason to be hopeful and optimistic! Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy is the best overall general cancer guide that I have ever read. It is available at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, or right here from the Help with Cancer. Org web site at a 15% discount. Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Free Subscription Offer to Cure Magazine

Late last year my father, who is a Prostate cancer survivor, sent me his copy of "Cure" magazine. "Cure" is a quarterly publication for cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. "Cure" is well written and informative. But what I like about it most is the quality and texture of the cover and pages. There is just something special and comforting about the weight and feel of a real magazine in your hands as you read. (But don't stop reading my blog!) Best of all, "Cure" is available at no cost. You can register on line at http://www.curetoday.com/ or by calling 800-210-CURE. Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie