I can't not share this

One of my hobbies is discovering oddities on the internets. A friend sent this to me today and I can't not share this... from the 70s colour coordinated outfits to the cheesy lyrics, the video is rather special. My dear readers, proving this blog is about more than cancer, I present Sonseed:



(Thanks, M)

Blood Tests Tomorrow

When I was diagnosed with with stage I MM on April 16th, my doctor decided to monitor my condition with blood tests every two months. Tomorrow's test day, with my next oncology appointment on June 9th. I've been experiencing more frequent and intense bone pain over the past weeks. More worrisome than painful - until yesterday. It was the first time I've felt "sick" since my diagnosis, and I had to skip a retirement dinner for a colleague because of the discomfort. I fear this might be stage II creeping up, but I'll know more in June. Until then, I'm livin', and being an internet addict, enjoying stuff like this:

Vitamins, Curcumin and Wheatgrass

I've started to take various supplements to help my system fight cancer. After doing some research on various helpers, here's what I'm adding to my arsenal. I'm hoping this will complement exercise, healthier food choices and a positive attitude.

• Curcumin - A powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory. According to wikipedia, it also may induce apostasis, or death of cancer cells. Sold! I take 1-400g capsule 3 times daily.
• Vitamin D - Softening and weakening of the bones is an eventual symptom of myeloma. Bisphosonates are often given to help strengthen bones, but I've read that vitamin D can be a huge help. Taking 1-1000UI capsule in the morning.
• Anti-oxidant multivitamin - I was taking Centrum Protegra, but a dietician familiar with eating to fight cancer recommended a better vitamin. My "Le Naturiste" brand contains vitamin C and E, zinc, selenium, lycopene, grape seed extract and other anti-oxidants. I take 2 capsules daily.

Coming soon - wheatgrass. I received my seed kit a few days ago and the seeds are germinating. I have my Z-Star manual juicer fastened to the kitchen counter and ready to go once the wheatgrass is ready for harvest. Many believe wheatgrass can "shrink cancer", boost the immune system and help the body eliminate toxins. I just figure it's worth a try. I'd like to stick around for as long as possible.

A Few of my Favourite Things - Music Edition

There's more to any cancer patient than a disease. So, in an effort to share a bit of what makes me me, here's the first in a series of A Few of My Favourite Things, starting with music.

Music has always been a huge part of my life. It's motivation, an escape, comfort, fun, jarring, emotional and just plain fun. My tastes range from punk to Acadian folk music, from Nana Mouskouri to Hüsker Dü, from Hank Snow to Joy Division. My musical tastes really expanded when I started listening to CKDU, the Dalhousie University radio station. I even had my own show there for a while. Here are some favourites in case you're interested in checking some of this stuff out. It's well worth it, if I do say so myself.

• Wire's Pink Flag album. It's perfect - edgy, melodious, full of fast, short tunes. Their song Strange was covered by R.E.M., and when you listen to the lyrics it fits that myeloma feeling pretty well.
• Jacques Brel's "Ne Me Quittes Pas". A brilliant song about pleading for the love of another. One of the most powerful songs and videos I have ever heard or seen.
• Just about anything by Radiohead. Their music is exquisitely layered with different instruments, moods and melodies. A band you can love and respect, especially for dissing Hannah Montana. Sorry, Miley... There, There.
• Johnny Cash's At Folsom Prison album. I've always wished I'd seen him in concert, but I did see him in a shopping mall walking around with a rather hyper June Carter. They were alone, just enjoying each other and free from crowds of fans. Another favourite would be his cover of Nine Inch Nail's Hurt. Brilliant video.
• Nick Drake battled several demons and depression while creating some very beautiful and influential music. Such as Pink Moon. He died way too young, as did Tim Buckley and his son, Jeff Buckley.
• Plus a ton of other bands, such as The Police, R.E.M., The Guess Who, Leonard Cohen, Kate Bush, XTC, Minutemen, Joy Division and more.

I also play some acoustic guitar, but I'm an amateur in the true sense of the word. I play for the love of playing, despite very mediocre skills. I've always wished I could play the guitar, or even the ukulele effortlessly. Like the following gentleman. Enjoy.

A One Cheek Sneak (In More Ways Than One)

Time for a laugh. Back in the 80s, I used to watch a TV evangelist named Robert Tilton. It was the best comedy on television, and an infomercial masquerading as religious programming. His rants often bordered on non-sensical and his facial expressions were dramatic, quirky and bizarre. When he ran out of things to say, he'd scrunch his eyes closed or start speaking in tongues. Hysterical. He asked viewers to send in monetary "vows of faith", and they did, to the tune of $80 million a year. In the 90s, his ministry came crashing down thanks for various investigations, including one by ABC News' Primetime Live (part 1, part 2, part 3). He's back at it, but is a shadow of his former self.

As an exquisite example of poetic justice, Tilton may forever best be remembered as The Farting Preacher, as you'll see from the following video. You might have seen this before, but if not, you're in for a treat. Watch it once for the fun, and a second time for the weird showmanship that was passed for passion - pardon the pun. I've known about the video for years, but shared it with some colleagues a few days ago, and thought it would make a great blog post. Oh, and you're welcome.

Bucket List

Gee Wally, being faced with one's own mortality sure ain't no fun, especially at 42. So, what's a guy to do? Why, start a bucket list, of course. First on the list is a trip to New York City with my lovely wife. My next blood tests are in a just over a week, and I hope my beta-2 microglobulin levels are stable enough so I don't have to start treatment just yet. Wouldn't want to miss a chance to see the Big Apple, check out Gods of Carnage on Broadway with James Gandolfini and Jeff Daniels, and have the mandatory slice of NYC pizza.

I've sent in a request for Letterman tickets, so Dave, if you (or someone in your staff) sees this... puh-lease accept our request for tickets. Or if you like, email me and we can make some arrangements! (Hey, I'm an optimist!) We also want to try for Daily Show and Colbert Report, and comedy gods willing, we'll see at least one taping. Also on the list are Central Park, the Metropolitan Museum, the hop-on-hop-off tour, and Times Square, for starters. Can't wait.

What comes next on the bucket list? Who knows... I'm hoping I'll have plenty of time to consider the 2nd item of a very long list.

Dietitian's Recommendations

I met with two dietitians yesterday, one of whom has just returned from a cancer health spa in Florida. He shared a lot of tips about what to eat and not eat in order to boost one's immune system. Here are some of his recommendations:

• Avoid aspartame, Splenda, pop (too acidic - cancer cells thrive in an acidic enviroment)


• Limit servings of fruit to 2 servings a day because of the sugar content (I will be choosing low GI fruits).


• Take a good multivitamin (said Centrum was not very good). He recommended vitamin D (1000 UI was great.


• Take digestive enzymes and probiotics (such as BioK) to help digest food better and more quickly, giving one's immune system more time and energy to fight the cancer cells.


• Invest in a manual juicer and drink juice from dark green veggies, with some onions and garlic. A manual juicer preserves the integrity of the enzymes.


• Have a green salad with every meal.


• Yellow and red peppers are better than green ones.


• Green tea, green tea, green tea! (Unless you are taking Velcade, since it interferes with the medication)


• Coffee is still ok in moderation, but switch from cream to milk.


• Eat organic almonds, soaked in water overnight. Helps release enzymes for the best health benefit.


• Avoid acidic foods (hence no more pop).


• Exercise is important... cancer cells do not thrive in an oxygenated environment. Walk.


• He recommended avoiding Splenda and to use Stevia (liquid sweetener).


• Eat quinoa instead of potatoes. He said buckwheat was fine to eat too, along with whole grains.


• Avoid juice powders such as Crystal Light, since they may contain aspartame or Splenda. Water is best.

To save time, I bought an electric juicer for veggies and fruit, but ordered a manual Z Star juicer for wheatgrass and a wheatgrass kit. All part of efforts to feel more empowered and helping my immune system fight cancer. Now to find juicing recipes. Cheers!

Two Myeloma Videos

The following videos might help you understand a bit more about myeloma. Both videos are from Myeloma UK.

An introduction - what is myeloma?



What is it like to live with Myeloma?



I hope these videos help you better understand this disease. My bone pain is slowly starting to increase in both frequency and intensity. My next blood tests are at the end of May... I'm thinking that treatment is not far away, but am hoping for the best.

Gates of Heaven

One of the best movies I've ever seen is a documentary about the relocation of a pet cemetery. Filmed in 1978, Gates of Heaven presents a touching and often hilarious look at pets, life, people and death. It's also a guilty pleasure - you can't help but be amused by some of the people interviewed. One moment you find yourself laughing and the next thinking about insights offered by the variety of people in the film. I'm not sharing this because I have cancer, so don't mistake this post for anything other than wanting to recommend this movie as a true gem.

In his review Gates of Heaven, Roger Ebert states the film "has become an underground legend, a litmus test for audiences, who cannot decide if it is serious or satirical, funny or sad, sympathetic or mocking." Once you see the film, you will understand what he means. Ebert also mentioned he has seen this film over 30 times.

Here are two favourite clips from the movie. Enjoy.