How do I spell relief? I-N-D-O-L-E-N-T. Had an oncology appointment today and got the good news. Blood test results are fine although they showed very high ferratine levels. I've read that bloodletting is a treatment for high iron levels. Drain some blood, drain some iron. I've yet to hear anything official from my doctor, and in the meantime, I'll stay away from magnets.
In my search for internet gems, here's another to share with you. Kermit the Frog doing his version of the Talking Heads' Once in a Lifetime.
Among my interests are pop culture, science and having fun with media. I ran across a video that combines all three and had to share. Melodysheep, a YouTuber, took some Carl Sagan videos and mashed them up with Stephen Hawking video. Some auto-tune effects, looping and synthesizers were added for this impressive result. I must have listened to this 20 times so far. It's a fine tribute to both scientists. I really hope Hawking gets to see this. Be amazed and enjoy.
Many moons ago I had a radio show while at university. It was a great Thursday 8:00-10:00pm slot and I used this time to explore the best in alternative music. Well, at least what I considered to be the best. During this time I picked up a tape called Yip/Jump music by Daniel Johnston. Daniel was a unique and troubled soul, having bipolar disorder and believing Satan was after him. His music was very melodic, touching, urgent, sometimes disturbing and always deep. He became a musical star in his own right, and his songs have been covered by The Flaming Lips, Beck, Death Cab for Cutie and Tom Waits. I suppose you'll either love or hate his music, but if you do like it, you'll like it a lot.
A few years ago, a documentary film was made called The Devil and Daniel Johnston. I've seen it at least five times and continue to be amazed by his genius and shaken by his instability. In some respects, he reminds me of Pink Floyd's Syd Barrett.
As one of its coolest apps to date, Apple has released the Daniel Johnston's "Hi, How Are You" game. Appropriately, you play Jeremiah the Frog trying to escape Satan's curse, with some of Daniel's songs as background music.
Daniel is still around, living in Texas, still performing on occasion, and producing his own style of art. I recommend you take the time to check out his movie. Here's the trailer.
Sorry I have not posted in a while. I recently started working again after a great vacation, and it's been nuts, to say the least. So here's a bits and pieces post.
Another test day's already here. As usual, Bence-Jones and blood tests, following by waiting for a call from one of my doctors. To my knowledge, my MM is still indolent, but it's a bit unsettling to wonder for how long. I often forget I have stage I cancer... and it's nice.
A Canadian actor, Lisa May (37), was recently on television to promote her new movie and discuss her mutliple myeloma diagnosis. You can check out the video here.
A new Canadian lottery is starting soon, on the same day as my birthday, no less. So, wish me luck.
What a busy past few weeks this has been. I'm glad to share that I passed both Comptia A+ exams and am now a certified computer technician. It was designation suggested for work and has been a personal goal of mine for a while. I've also been enjoying what was left of my vacation by doing some nothing, which takes some doing. Oh yes, and researching new vehicles, mainly small crossovers and SUVs. I can't but help being a bit morbid and wonder if it's the last vehicle I'll ever buy. Trying to decide between a Subaru Forester, a Nissan Rogue or a Hyundai Santa Fe. Or maybe I'll just get a team of dogs and a good sled to carry me through the winter. Mush.
Health-wise, nothing all that new to report. A Bence-Jones test I had done a few weeks ago was rejected thanks to traces of blood in my urine. I don't see any blood when I urinate and hope this isn't a sign of another health issue. Bone pain and extremity sensations continue, varying from throbbing, pins and needles to warmth. Could be related to MM neuropathy or just arthritis. That's the hassle of MM. It makes you paranoid since you wonder if every little ache and pain signals the progression of the disease. Oh cancer, how I loathe thee.
In changing the subject, I'll leave you with this jem - Idioteque by one of my very favourite bands - Radiohead. I love this band for their muscial complexity, energy, artistry and sound. Top notch, in my book.
Howdy. I haven't posted in a while due to studying for my A+ Certification and enjoying goofing off during my vacation. All said, I've been feeling pretty good apart from increasingly frequent pain in my humerus, femur and tibia bones. My doctor says while this could be a symptom of myeloma, it could just be arthritis. I've also been experiencing what I think is neuropathy in my extremities (tips of fingers and toes). Although my MM has been diagnosed at stage I and indolent, it's still a bit unnerving to think about what might be coming. Still, I'm not letting this stop me from living and it seldom gets be worried. I went through a major "freak out" period just prior to being officially diagnosed, between my bone marrow biopsy and results appointment. I refuse to feel like that again. Although I'm feeling positive I am still being proactive.
Although skeletal surveys show my bones to be strong and free of lesions, I am aware that in the future I may need to take biophosphates. These drugs are also used in treating osteoperosis, and are used to bind areas where bones have been destroyed. A rare but serious side effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw, where the jaw bones do not receive adequate oxygen or nutrients and can collapse. This side effect occurs in 1-6% of patients, and can be caused by dental work prior to or during taking biophosphate drugs. For this reason, it is recommended patients have dental work compelted prior to taking biophosphates or stop taking the drugs prior dental procedures (on their doctor's recommendations, of course). In thinking ahead, I'm getting a filling replaced in efforts to fix a fractured tooth. Oh, the joy. My dentist said I would not be a high risk for jaw disease, but did recommend the problem be addressed.
Going to the dentist reminds me of the following skit featuring Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. I love how they stuggle to keep a straight face through the skit. Fortunately, my dentist is much more competent than this guy. Enjoy.
UPDATE: I jist goth backsh from da dentisht. Went well, but I'm shtill a bit fwozen.
A fellow myeloma forum member once said "it's a good time to have multiple myeloma", in reference to the rapid pace of discoveries about the disease and what makes it tick. Case in point - the MM genome has been unlocked. Hopefully this will lead to more effective and individualized treatments, and possibly a cure down the road. I find comfort in my faith in science and medicine, and am confident several new options will be available when this disease progresses. Good news for anyone with MM.
In other news, it's been a busy week. I attended an intensive Cisco A+ Essentials Skills training and passed with flying colours. Now for the A+ Certification exam. Yep, I'm a geek. And speaking of which, someone took footage from Star Wars and created a Han Solo PI video, as a tribute (or sorts) to Magnum PI. Here's a side-by-side comparison. I think it's pretty impressive.
On April 16th, 2009 I was diagnosed with stage I multiple myeloma. I've created this blog as a form of therapy. I'll be documenting my experience with myeloma, but also sharing some thoughts, ideas and opinions and other topics of interest. - Paul
How do I spell relief? I-N-D-O-L-E-N-T. Had an oncology appointment today and got the good news. Blood test results are fine although they showed very high ferratine levels. I've read that bloodletting is a treatment for high iron levels. Drain some blood, drain some iron. I've yet to hear anything official from my doctor, and in the meantime, I'll stay away from magnets.
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