National Brain Tumor Foundation

Following up on yesterdays post, check out the link to the National Brain Tumor Foundation on the right side of the page. A wonderful site!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Brain Cancer Statistics

Senator Edward Kennedy's recent brain cancer diagnosis has led to a spike in questions/interest about brain tumors and cancer. Here are some statistics about brain cancer from eMedTV and the American Cancer Society:

Brain cancer statistics gathered by the American Cancer Society estimate that from 1998-2002, the median age at diagnosis for brain cancer was 55 years of age, and from 1998-2002, the median age at death for brain cancer was 64 years of age. Additional brain cancer statistics indicate that 12,760 men and women would die of brain cancer in 2005. Based on rates from 2000-2002, 0.58 percent of men and women
(1 in 174 men and women) born today will be diagnosed with brain cancer at some point during their lifetime. These statistics are called the lifetime risk of developing cancer. Sometimes, it is more useful to look at the probability of developing brain cancer between two age groups. For example, 0.25 percent of men will develop brain cancer between their 50th and 70th birthdays compared to 0.16 percent for women. On January 1, 2002, in the United States, there were approximately 105,960 people (56,865 men and 49,095 women) alive who had a history of brain cancer. This includes any person alive on January 1, 2002, who had been diagnosed with brain cancer at any point prior to January 1, 2002, people with active disease, and those who had been cured of their disease.

Whether you have brain cancer or any other unfortunate disorder, try to feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

100 Questions & Answers About Myeloma

I may have mentioned in the past how helpful the book, 100 Questions & Answers About Myeloma (Second Edition) has been for me. Short, concise and detailed, but written in a way that a lay person can understand. The list price for the book is $18.95, but thanks to Selgene, the drug company that makes Revlimid, we have this book available in our Help With Cancer Bookstore (see the upper right side of the page) for only $10. 100% of the profits from our virtual bookstore will be donated to organizations that help fight cancer. My first book, Living with Multiple Myeloma, is at the publisher and should be available in a few weeks. (That is what they told me two weeks ago!) That book should also be helpful for myeloma patients, their friends and families as well.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Be Careful When Using Antioxidant Supplements During 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

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. In this country alone over 500,000 women are diagnosed with some type of cancer of the cervix each and every year. Click on the Mayo Clinic cervical cancer link on the right side of this page or go to http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/cervix for more information.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pattie

Faster Disability Claims Process Approved

A new initiative by the Social Security Administration (SSA), called Compassionate Allowances, announced this fall, will help seriously ill people get their disability benefits sooner. The new program covers 50 conditions, including 25 cancers, that are so serious that they obviously meet the standards required for the Social Security Administration to make a finding that the person is disabled.

The initiative will provide much-needed financial help -- much more quickly -- to many people with cancer who cannot work because of their illness, said Daniel E. Smith, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN), the non-profit, nonpartisan sister organization of the American Cancer Society. ACS and ACS CAN worked with Social Security to develop the program.

For more information go to cancereducation.com and look under the article Bright Spots of 2008.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pattie

I Understand!

I heard from a long lost friend who recently re-located to Florida Today. Pattie and I have known Jane since she worked with us in our retail stores a number of years ago. I was touched when she offered to stay with me during my scheduled stem transplant in 2007, even though we hadn't seen each other for years. Today I learned that Jane had suffered a heart attack several weeks ago. She is OK now but the underlying cause of her condition remains and cannot be cured, leaving her at risk for future attacks. I know how difficult it is to adapt to an uncertain world following such a serious medical development. Be it cancer, a weakened heart or other serious disease, the emotional adjustment for a patient and their family can be more difficult than the physical recovery. Jane is a very special mother, grandmother and friend. She has always been selfless, volunteering through her church to help others in need. Our prayers are with Jane and her family tonight. We are relieved to know that she is safely recovering and back home with her husband, Sky.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Nutritional Notes

I had an appointment with Dr. David Blackie DPT,NMD today. Dr. Blackie specializes in natural medicine. I have now met with three nutritional experts. A naturopathic nutritionist and licensed RN Leanne Ottomeyer, a naturopathic MD Helen Healy and now Dr. Blackie. Leanne is probably the most conservative and main stream in her advice. I credit her for getting me started on a Medeteranian, low carb diet that has helped minimize my water retention symptoms caused by my medications. Helen is a wonderful mix of common sense and holistic medicine. Dave is probably the most extreme of the three. Not crazy extreme, just into things like PH balance, Omura Bi digital O Ring Tests and non traditional therapies for cancer and other chronic diseases. I enjoyed our time together and learned a lot! He strongly agreed with many of the supplements recommended by Helen, and suggested two more that make sense for me. E-mail if you would like more specific information about my diet and supplement regimen.
Feel good and keep smiling! Thanks to the help of personable, dedicated professionals like these, I know I am! Pat

Health Care Affordability Issues

Last week I wrote about the problems with finding quality health care in Florida. To review, the cold really bothers my damaged bones. Pattie and I have been looking into buying a home in Florida, possibly to relocate since it will be difficult to afford two homes for us in this economy. Homes are very affordable throughout Florida right now. But what good does that do if our health care won't transfer, or if we need to purchase inferior policies? CBS Evening News featured a story about a leukemia patients struggle to pay for her treatment. She purchased one of these more affordable, annuity style policies. You know, the type that pays you "x" dollars a day for your hospital stay. In her case, it paid up to $36,000 for cancer treatment. Sponsored by groups like AARP and AAA, such plans cost between $40 and $200 per month, a lot less than most major medical plans, especially for older citizens or those with pre-existing conditions. Since her tests were considered non emergency, the hospital required that she deposit $46,000 (Everything she had!) in order to proceed. Once her leukemia was diagnosed, they would not allow her treatment to begin until she fronted an additional $100,000! Somehow she begged, borrowed (and maybe even stole) enough to start treatment. But she now owes an additional $120,000, which she can never repay and the hospital uses as justification for their pay-up-front policy. Can you imagine the stress this patient is experiencing? I can! "It doesn't seem fair to loose everything while you are dealing with something that is going to kill you anyway!" She lamented to conclude the report. So sad and unfair!
Feel good and try to keep smiling! Pat

Your Input is Needed!

I have started writing my second book, Living Longer (and Better!) with Cancer. The book will be broken down into three sections. One part focusing on nutrition. One part focusing on spirituality. The third part will cover a variety of other important things that we can all do to improve our quality of life after a cancer diagnosis. If you have any suggestions or topics that would be of interest to you, your input would be greatly appreciated! My first book, Living with Multiple Myeloma, will be published and available in three weeks.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Exercise OK for Cold Sufferers

Here is an interesting article I read in Mercola.Com. I often worry about exercising while I have a cold or if I'm dragging during my chemotherapy. I usually feel better once I get started. Sounds like I'm not alone:

You have what seems to be a really bad cold. You are coughing and sneezing, and it is hard to breathe. Should you work out?
And if you do, should you push yourself as hard as ever or take it easy? Will exercise have no effect, or make you feel better or worse?
Two little-known studies that were published a decade ago in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise showed results so much in favor of exercise that the researchers themselves were surprised.
The investigators found no difference in symptoms between those who exercised and those who rested. And there was no difference in the time it took to recover from the colds. But when the exercisers assessed their symptoms, people said they felt O.K. and, in some cases, they actually felt better.
Now, Dr. Leonard Kaminsky, an exercise physiologist at Ball State University, and others at Ball State encourage people to exercise when they have colds, at least if they have the type producing symptoms like runny noses and sneezing.
He is more cautious about other types of colds that produce fevers or symptoms below the neck such as chest congestion. Exercising with a head cold is not an issue for athletes, Dr. Kaminsky said, because most of them want to train no matter what. “If anything they tend to push too much,” he said.

So, keep walking, feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Coping with Fear of Cancer Recurrence

Author and multiple myeloma survivor, John Ricco, writes eloquently about dealing with the fear of cancer recurrence in an article of Myeloma Today, published this fall. Here is a brief excerpt:

It is not unreasonable for cancer survivors, who are already very sensitive to changes in our bodies, to notice every slight lump, faint change in skin color, and minute ache. And for those of us who monitor our test results and other pertinent markers, any change in the wrong direction may cause distress. In effect, we find ourselves reliving our original ordeal all over again. Fears are a natural part of life as cancer survivors, but we must learn coping techniques so that we do not undermine our own health and quality of life.
In coping with both the fear of recurrence and any actual recurrence, it is important to use the lessons learned during our initial experience with cancer. All the skills and support networks used the first time should be brought to bear, and all the tools used to create and to sustain a positive attitude should be employed. When we face adversity, we must acknowledge it. But we must also move forward beyond the bad news because we all have so much to live for. And, in the case of cancer relapse, it is important to remember that we did get through it the first time.

John has experience with this type of relapse. Initially diagnosed with myeloma in 2000, he enjoyed a long honeymoon, in remission and relatively drug free, for almost eight years until suffering a relapse last year. John is doing fine again using a combination of new chemotherapy drugs and continues to write. You can reach him at www.johnriccobooks.com.
Feel good and keep smiling!

More Help For Stem Cell Transplant Patients

It took me eight days to produce nine million cells during my stem cell harvest. That is after five days of multiple injections to get my cells ready to go. Several drugs like Plerixafor have been approved recently. Good news for patients that already have enough to worry about!

FDA Approves Plerixafor for Stem Cell Mobilisation in Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma Patients
NEW YORK -- December 17,2008 -- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved plerixafor injection (Mozobil) for use in combination with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) to mobilise haematopoietic stem cells to the bloodstream for collection and subsequent autologous transplantation in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) and multiple myeloma (MM). The product has also been granted orphan drug designation.

"[Plerixafor] is an important advancement in the treatment of patients with certain types of cancer who require a stem cell transplant," said John F. DiPersio, MD, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri. "This product should become an integral part of the treatment regimen for transplantation because of the benefits it offers to patients, physicians and transplant centers."

The approval is based on pivotal studies in which 59% of patients with NHL who received plerixafor and G-CSF collected the target number of at least 5 million stems cells/kg of body weight in 4 or fewer apheresis sessions compared with 20% of patients who received a placebo.

The median number of days to reach the target cell count was 3 days for the plerixafor and G-CSF group and not evaluable in the placebo group. Of the patients with MM who received plerixafor and G-CSF, 72% collected the target number of at least 6 million stem cells/kg of body weight in 2 or fewer apheresis sessions compared with 34% of placebo patients.

The median number of days to reach the target cell count was 1 day for the plerixafor and G-CSF group and 4 days for the placebo group. Updated 12-month follow-up findings showed that graft durability rates for patients in the plerixafor/G-CSF and placebo/G-CSF arms were comparable.

The most common adverse reactions (>= 10%) reported were diarrhoea, nausea, fatigue, injection site reactions, headache, arthralgia, dizziness, and vomiting.

SOURCE: Genzyme

Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Epigenetics Future of Cancer Research?

In Cure Magazine's 2008 winter issue, Laura Beil's cover story about Epigenetics makes for fascinating reading. Overshadowed by recent publicity surrounding the Human Genome Project, the study of Epigenetics is emerging as the key to understanding the importance of the Human Genome Project's mapping of people's genes. Ms Beil writes: "The epigeonome--the way the genome is marked and packaged inside a cell's nucleus--tells a cell which of the many sets of instructions on that blueprint to follow, which ones to ignore, and which ones to follow over and over again. If the genome is the blueprint, the epigenome is the contractor directing how the walls and windows are made, and whether the plumbing is correctly installed." Read more about inherited mutations at www.curetoday.com.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

KRAS Gene Colorectal Cancer Predictor

Into in-depth, technical reading about cancer? Cure magazine is running two excellent articles about genetic advances in the world of cancer research this month. These are intelligent, detailed reports, professionally written in a way that only Cure Magazine can do. PhD Heather L. Van Epps investigates the importance of a gene called KRAS as a predictor of colorectal cancer. Apparently, recent studies show that patients whose tumors express a mutated version of a protein called KRAS will not respond well to an otherwise effective chemotherapy regimen using Erbitux or Vectibix. Want to know more? Go to www.curetoday.com. Remember, access to this excellent Website, as well as a subscription to the print version of their magazine, is free to all cancer patients and survivors that register. More about this month's related cover story tomorrow.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Don't Waste a Minute!

On a flight to North Carolina last night I sat next to an outgoing, delightful woman named Beth. A flight attendant, mother of three and grandmother, Beth spent about twenty minutes talking about her life and the changes she would soon be making. The flight attendant thing wasn't working out, so she would soon be returning home to Rochester, Minnesota to begin working at Mayo Clinic. But that isn't what Beth really wants to do. She would prefer to live with her boyfriend in Fort Meyers, Florida. But they have only been dating six month and he isn't ready to commit but he didn't want her to take the job.... Sorry! When you are trapped in the middle seat of an airplane with no where to go but up, you get lost in the details. To make a very long story (flight) short, Beth is already counting the days until she can move to Florida. She hasn't even left for Minnesota yet! Her plan is to work a year, get one of her kids settled and then get out of town and back to Florida. Yesterday afternoon I attended my monthly multiple myeloma support group meeting. New medications, impending stem cell transplants, a visitor with leukemia that isn't responding to treatment. As I listened to Beth, I couldn't help thinking about my friends in our group. About my cancer and how fortunate I am to be sitting here, in my cramped middle seat, on a flight that was over an hour late, listening to Beth and how she hoped her life could be. In a year. A precious year that she would never get back. A year that some of my friends would give anything to have. After Beth finished her story and a few more miles flew by, I shared my feelings with her. My advice: Don't waste a minute!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Appreciation of Friends and Family

Large family or small. Someone you met last week or someone you have known since grade school. We all need support, especially when diagnosed with cancer. Don't be afraid to let people help. Don't be afraid to help others. Be supportive. Listen. They will feel better and you will too!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

More About Molecular Breast Imaging

Mayo Clinic's new hybrid breast cancer detection equipment, molecular breast imaging (MBI) is intriguing! Up until now, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI's) has been the screening test of choice after an initial mammogram. But MRI's are expensive and open to interpretation, needing a specially trained radiologist to read the results. MBI should be less expensive and less complicated to read. MBI uses special cameras to hone in on cancer cells. The cameras can "see" a radioactive tracer administered by injection. Breast cancer cells absorb more of the tracer than normal cells, resulting in a picture where cancerous areas stand out as bright white in a sea of gray. According to Inside Mayo Clinic, early research indicates MBI is accurate, comparable with a MRI. Although common use of this new technology is still years away, it is great to hear about continuing technological advances, even in our weakened economy.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Advances in Breast Imaging Becoming Widely Available

This week I received two promotional newsletters from medical clinics here along the Wisconsin/Minnesota border concerning technology designed to help diagnose breast cancer. The first of these was from our local Osceola Medical Center. A small, rural hospital in a city of less than 3000 people, OMC was proud to announce they have added a new digital mammography machine to their breast cancer diagnostic arsenal, the first in the area. Formerly only available in major metropolitan areas, it is great to know that advanced screening technology like this is becoming affordable enough to be used by smaller clinics and hospitals. The second newsletter was from Mayo Clinic, with an article touting molecular breast imaging. MBI uses special cameras to hone in on cancer sells that have been made visible through injected radioactive "tracers." How exciting! Since most experts agree that early diagnosis is vitally important to the successful treatment of breast cancer, these new diagnostic tools can only be good news. I wonder how widely this technology is available in rural Florida? (Cheap shot! I am still upset about the lack of health care options available in Florida that I ranted about in yesterday's post)
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Personal and Surprising Example of our Growing Health Care Crisis

Pattie and I have been toying with the idea of re-locating to Florida in the near future. My cancer significantly weakened my bones before it was correctly diagnosed and brought under control. Cold weather really makes my bones ache! I also worry about slipping on the ice and breaking something, or worse, damaging my spinal chord where it is unprotected as a result of the damage. Anyway, on a recent visit "down south," I ran into countless residents that can't believe that we live "way up here" in cold, desolate Minnesota and Wisconsin. I am discovering why many of us are willing to put up with the cold. Better schools? Fewer strip malls and trailer parks? Zoning? Those of you who visit Florida will know what I mean. (Sorry, cheap shot!) Let's focus on health care and health insurance. Since Pattie is also a cancer survivor, she belongs to a pool of uninsured people here in Wisconsin. Called HIRSP, the premium cost is high ($300+ per month) but the coverage is excellent. Neighboring Minnesota features a similar plan. But not Florida! Their program has been closed to new applicants since 1991. 1991! Maybe that is one of the reasons that over 21% of Floridians are uninsured. No health insurance whatsoever! The combination of no high risk coverage and low paying jobs with few, if any, benefits has led to disastrous consequences. Combine that with the fact that Florida ranks 47th out of 50 states in quality and availability of health care and, well, we probably won't be moving to Florida! But at least Pattie has coverage if we stay put. What about all of those uninsured Floridians? Or uninsured Americans anywhere in our supposedly great country? Disgraceful!
Try to feel good and keep smiling! Pat

More About "Celebrity" Cancer

Keeping with the "celebrities with cancer" theme, I watched an interview with Kathy Bates on the Today Show this morning. I didn't realize that she was an ovarian cancer survivor. Apparently she has been in remission now for over six years. Interesting how different patients, famous or not, handle their experiences with cancer. She chose to handle it quietly and privately. I could tell that she wasn't comfortable discussing the topic. Watching her reminded me that there is no right or wrong way to deal with such a crushing experience. I was touched by her sincerity and she seemed very vulnerable and human throughout the interview. Rare to get anything of depth or value on the morning news shows these days! Remember when CNN or the Today Show was news centered and driven? Now everything is glitz and promo's for books and movies.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

More About Pancreatic Cancer

Here are some answers to questions from yesterday's interview and post. 50% of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed too late to expect a positive outcome. (Living five years or longer) Smoking is a huge risk factor for this type of cancer. (Yes, Patrick Swayze was a smoker and apparently, still smokes occasionally) A variety of chemotherapy agents are used in combination to fight the cancer. After trying Gemzar, oncologists are most likely to try Tarceva, Xeloda and/or Paraplatin,Platinoll,Eloxatin using multi drug regimens. Surgery can help, especially in early stages. Radiation is also sometimes used. The more I read about pancreatic cancer, the more fortunate I feel to be struggling with multiple myeloma!
Our thoughts and prayers go out to all pancreatic cancer patients and their families. Keep fighting the good fight!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Patrick Swayze's Battle Against Pancreatic Cancer

Pattie and I just finished watching an ABC special with Barbara Walters interviewing actor Patrick Swayze and his wife. As you have probably heard, cancer of the pancreas is lethal stuff. Several times during the interview, Swayze, Barbara Walters and several oncologists all mentioned that once the cancer reaches State IV, longevity is measured in months, not years. I have a morbid curiosity about survival rates for my cancer; actually, for all cancers. Not surprisingly, this one hour interview was heavy on emotions and the actor's past accomplishments and light on factual info about his cancer. So I thought I would do a little research. According to my favorite cancer resource, Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapy, Stage IV pancreatic cancer has a five year survival rate of 1-2%. Experts seem to agree that the biggest obstacle to longer term survival is early diagnosis. This is made difficult because of where the pancreas is located and complicated by the fact that this cancer rarely exhibits serious symptoms until it is too late. But apparently, early diagnosis isn't all that it's cracked up to be. The book quotes a five year survival rate for Stages I, II and III of only 25%. Patrick Swayze has lived 10 months since his initial diagnosis. He looked gaunt but seemed strong and committed. I feel for his wife, Lisa. This must be extremely difficult for her. You can learn more about pancreatic cancer by clicking on the link on the right side of our sight.
Life can be hard. But tonight, Patrick is alive. I am alive. You must be alive if you are reading this post, so feel good and keep smiling! Pat

CyberKnife Radiation Technology

We watched an interesting news report on our local Minneapolis/St Paul CBS affiliate tonight about CyberKnife radiation therapy. CyberKnife technology involves no cuts or incisions whatsoever. It destroys diseased tissue by precisely focusing multiple beams of high-energy radiation on the tumor site. It is specifically designed for treating the most complex and difficult tumors – cancers of the lung, spine, pancreas or brain. CyberKnife patient benefits:

No incisions
No blood
No pain
No anesthesia
No stereotactic frame
No recovery time

The sub-millimeter accuracy of the CyberKnife system is unmatched. Combining advanced robotic technology and an innovative image guidance system, the CyberKnife can treat tumors in or near sensitive structures such as the spine, brain and lungs.
It is the only radiosurgery system in the world with real-time tumor tracking. The CyberKnife moves and adapts to patient movement, including breathing. Because the CyberKnife doesn't require an external frame, it can be used outside the cranial area. Only 40 facilities offer this new-age technology thus far. Google CyberKnife for more info or to locate the treatment center closest to you.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Dose-Dense Chemo Gaining Popularity

According to a study called Randomized Trial of Dose-Dense Vs Conventionally Scheduled and Sequential Vs Concurrent Combination Chemotherapy as Postoperative Adjuvant Treatment of Node-Positive Primary Breast Cancer, some patients with breast cancer or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma may improve their outcomes by using dose-dense chemotherapy. Compressing the doses of chemo by shortening the "rest period" between cycles can help destroy more cancer cells. The downside to shortening the rest period is the patients white and red blood cells have less time to recover as well. You might want to ask your oncologist how he or she feels about this. My medical oncologist, Dr. Anderson with Regions Hospital in St Paul, Minnesota, subscribes to this approach whenever possible. Unfortunately, my white counts have been slow to recover recently, forcing me to wait longer between cycles than recommended. Still, so far so good! My chemo is working, even with longer rest periods and at lower doses.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat

Radiation Increases Risk of Thyroid Cancer

According to the book, Everyone's Guide to Cancer Therapyk, 40% of all thyroid cancer patients have a history of exposure to external radiation. The younger the age when the exposure occurred, the more likely someone is to develop this type of cancer. I find this interesting because, unlike so many cancers where the cause is unknown, thyroid cancer often does have a common causal link. Visit the Thyroid Cancer Survivors' Association Website at www.thyca.org for links to dozens of informative sites about thyroid cancer.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Drug-Free Remedies for Chronic Pain

AARP The Magazine features an eye opening article about chronic pain control in their January/February 2009 issue. Visit www.aarpmagazine.org to read the article online.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat & Pattie

Selenium and Vitamin E Don't Help Prevent Prostate Cancer

Bad news. According to a study sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, there is no evidence of any cancer preventive benefit from either Selenium or Vitamin E. According to Elise Cook, MD, a study researcher and a cancer prevention specialist at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, this is disappointing news for many cancer experts. Early studies touted improved survival rates up to 30% among men that took at least 200 mcg of selenium daily. Other studies hinted that using lots of Vitamin E not only helped prevent prostate cancer, but also aided heart health. Now this and other studies have concluded that neither is true. As a matter of fact, this major trial involving 35,000 men that started in 2001 was cut short because the results were so disappointing. Sorry guys, I'm only the messenger!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pattie

Thank God for Oncology Nurses!

As we begin the New Year, I can't help but be thankful for all of the help that I have received over the past two years from a variety of oncology nurses! These certified health care professionals are the core of any cancer fighting team. Dody Lunde and Cathleen McGinnity from Osceola Medical Center in Osceola, Wisconsin have helped and supported me ever since I returned from my evaluations and stem cell harvest at Mayo clinic in 2007. May I suggest that we all take the time to thank our nursing staff for their care and support the next time we need their help.
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat