tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709Fri, 18 Oct 2024 14:16:42 +0000cancer storydexamethasonemultiple myelomaRevlamidcancer patient healthdecadronmyeloma"cancer story" "myeloma" "pain humor""ct scan" "cancer humor""radiation treatment" "multiple myeloma tumor" "plasmacytoma radiation""radiation treatment" "multiple myeloma tumor" "plasmacytoma radiation" "cancer pain" "Jose R Isidro" "Dr Isidro" "pain management"VelcadeZofranblood chemistrycancer exercisecancer fitnesscancer nauseacancer side effectscancer treatment stress reliefcat scancbcdoctor examgreg shroyerlenalidomidelumpmyeloma diagnosismyeloma testsneck painpainrevlimidscanside effectstumorHere are the notes of a guy dealing with cancer -- not a movie star, not anybody who's name's been in the news. Just me,- markhttp://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)Blogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-8806075114864757614Wed, 21 May 2014 14:26:00 +00002014-05-21T18:38:02.512-04:00I received the analysis and the actual images of my latest PET/CT scan. It revealed a mighty and fierce myeloma lesion in my C2 spinous process. Dr G said the risk of my neck breaking is very high. That spot is known for the infamous, "Hangman's Break" which is the place the neck breaks when the rope snaps tight causing immediate and complete paralysis. Dr G said that is why she wants me to starthttp://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2014/05/once-more-brave-friend-into-fray.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-3047268882994364061Sun, 20 Apr 2014 23:26:00 +00002014-04-20T19:29:28.513-04:00 Nobody Really Knew I Had This Idea According to the Gerson Institute, there is no way to expect results from the Gerson Therapy against multiple myeloma. They say it right here: https://gerson.org/gerpress/contraindications-and-cautions-for-the-gerson-therapy/ But I Did ... And that's too bad, because I had been holding onto an idea that I could start - and stick with - the Gerson Therapy http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2014/04/multiple-myeloma-not-treatable-with.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-1090281685110217049Wed, 26 Mar 2014 03:32:00 +00002014-03-26T18:51:21.085-04:00 Is good news like dessert? Good News or Bad News: Which do you ask to hear first when someone tells you that they have both to tell you? I usually prefer the good news first. But I also often tell people that, "Life is uncertain; Eat dessert first!" That keeps me on an even keel. I mean, having an expression like that and then relating it to the question of which news I choose to hear first .. http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2014/03/new-petct-scan-new-research-on-road-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-3399599568481285961Fri, 14 Feb 2014 13:56:00 +00002014-02-14T08:58:56.712-05:00"How long has it been since we've seen you, Mark?" I heard that question about 6 times last week when I went back to the Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ they like to say). And there was the answer right there on their own printouts -- April .. 2013. Nearly a year. If You Feel Fine; Why Ask? That's not the length of time between checkups that they are used to having with their patients. http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2014/02/check-up-not-just-from-neck-up.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-767922255115011581Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:27:00 +00002013-08-26T14:27:27.826-04:00Less than two years since my last day at work, I have started hunting a new position. Because I have two certifications in software, I am starting to get emails and calls already. Hopefully the right job will come my way real soon. I stayed on maintenance therapy with lenalidomide (revlimid) until March. But I finally told my medical team that I was done. they accepted that, I guess. The drug http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2013/08/seeking-work-former-cancer-patient.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-4168714766077563447Mon, 01 Jul 2013 22:56:00 +00002014-03-26T18:57:50.272-04:00 Jumping for joy! -- that's what I would really like to do now that I realize I am not going to take any more medication having its main purpose of trying to kill a part of me without destroying the rest of me. I am not going to take any for a while at least. Since I pushed and pushed and nearly said I would end my treatment against medical advice, my oncologist gave in to my request. No more http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2013/07/what-to-do-with-this-brand-new-remission.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-6860124002898955369Fri, 15 Feb 2013 22:04:00 +00002013-02-15T17:04:56.123-05:00 I Am Proud of You Son You got up this morning before me. I had left the door to your room open last night so I expected it to be open. It was. But you were not in your bed. I went to the top of the stairs and called down. "Oscar?" "Hello.." "Come up here, please.. I want to see you..." No answer. Leaving my bedroom door open I went in and back into the bathroom, at the side of the sink I http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2013/02/proud-of-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-7788920677679347631Tue, 29 Jan 2013 12:17:00 +00002013-01-29T07:19:59.121-05:00 "That's What She Said!" "Hearsay, Your Honor." is said in court to attempt to block second hand information.  What I want to tell you about IS 'what she said.' So, I'm not making this up. I heard it myself. It was said to me. There are even witnesses.  Here is what Mildred L. said. "Mark, you look so much better than the last time we saw you."  I was surprised. Very. She http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2013/01/thats-what-she-said.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-4980151555674746477Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:42:00 +00002013-01-16T09:46:53.391-05:00blood chemistrycancer storycbclenalidomidemultiple myelomamyelomarevlimidside effectsRevlimid at 5mg Instead of 10mg Since I put together my last update, I've had almost a full cycle of Revlimid. The lower dosage I mentioned last time -- that's what I have been taking. Yes; it is a good sign and it's much less trouble. Now my dose of Revlimid (generic name is Lenalidomide) is 5mg instead of the 10mg it was before. Certainly much easier than it was last time. But it is stillhttp://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2013/01/been-good-and-getting-even-better.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-8277978271655495235Sat, 29 Dec 2012 01:14:00 +00002013-01-04T16:19:59.595-05:00cancer patient healthcancer storymyelomaRevlamidscan A PET/CT Scan Made Me Write Again The greatest pleasure I can enjoy during a clinical examination comes when I get a sneak peek at my results before anyone else has officially seen them. After being a patient for over 7 years, it is no real secret to me what my numbers mean about my condition. Last week we were looking at a super high-tech image: a misty 3D silhouette of a complete tiny little http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2012/12/good-news-is-good-news.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-3031549268945630955Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:28:00 +00002012-06-14T20:28:51.690-04:00cat scandoctor exammultiple myelomaneck painThe Problem is a Pain in My Neck It turns out that no answer to a question can be good news. What happened (is happening) is that a sore throat started bothering me last week Friday; the 7th of June, or so. Over the weekend it was making the entire side of my head and neck really ache. It felt pretty lousy. Self-Medication Didn't Work I picked up a teeny tiny bottle of ear, nose and throat http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2012/06/no-news-can-be-good-news-too.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-3795838577848569940Sun, 20 May 2012 00:52:00 +00002012-05-19T20:53:56.897-04:00 Here is a note I left on a fellow myeloma patient's blog last week. So instead of just putting a link to Sean Tiernan's blog called My Life With Myeloma, here is what I wrote to him.  Please drop by Sean's blog and wish him well if you have a moment, okay? Overheard on My Life With Myeloma, a blog by Sean Tiernan Hiya Sean, Mark (knotfourhigher.blogspot.com / Multiple Myeloma My Way) http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2012/05/wanna-eavesdrop-on-me.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-4638925139800054113Mon, 13 Feb 2012 05:58:00 +00002012-02-13T00:58:03.424-05:00The results of a new PET/CT scan came back on Friday. The results are good. A couple of the five new lytic lesions we found in September have left the stadium -- the one one left shoulder blade and the one on my third rib - right in front of my heart -- have shut down/gone away. The other three are still around. The main troublemaker at the base of my spine -- responsible for having caused http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2012/02/once-again-chemo-is-working.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-8681178718975814023Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:40:00 +00002012-01-06T11:42:20.681-05:00cancer nauseacancer side effectscancer storydecadrondexamethasonemultiple myelomaRevlamidVelcadeZofran    It is one of the most common side effects according to all of the drug inserts. So many of the books and pamphlets and all of those bits of information -- they bring up nausea. It shows up everywhere.     So why should I be so surprised that I wake up in the middle of the night with my guts gripped in cramps? And nearly every day for the past week; when I stand http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2012/01/sometimes-cure-will-make-you-sick.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-7415788510250322078Mon, 14 Nov 2011 15:05:00 +00002011-11-14T10:47:42.332-05:00cancer exercisecancer fitnesscancer patient healthcancer treatment stress relief This is a key topic for me and David Haas generously offered to author this for us. Coping with cancer and undergoing cancer treatment often creates stress on the body, mind and spirit. However, whether you are a cancer patient, survivor or you have just been diagnosed with cancer, you many find many benefits for your physical and emotional health by being involved in a fitness program. Uphttp://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2011/11/benefits-of-physical-fitness-for-cancer.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-221431434721486846Mon, 14 Nov 2011 14:45:00 +00002011-11-14T10:46:00.358-05:00Most of this year, I have been just holding off on checkup visits and none of my doctors called or contacted me about any maintenance therapy -- except for my guru of pain control, Dr. Isi. So as my pain began returning, I got a sneaking suspicion that the only news would be the bad kind, so I tried to see how long I could hold out. That didn't go too well and it pulled me down into a really http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2011/10/fall-weather-means-time-for-pet-scan.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-6634858423967703853Thu, 07 Jul 2011 11:21:00 +00002011-07-07T07:31:05.901-04:00Today is the birthday of the Loving Lovely Gracious Gorgeous Woman who is my wife. If you have a moment, please send a Happy Birthday to Femi today - we're having the time of our lives. A difficult time in a lot of ways. But we HAVE this time and we acknowledge that every day - we know our time is precious and dear. So, we're going to have some extra fancy meals, and we will light and blow out http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2011/07/birthday-week.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-1819384832571493955Tue, 07 Jun 2011 17:42:00 +00002011-06-24T09:55:15.175-04:00"radiation treatment" "multiple myeloma tumor" "plasmacytoma radiation" "cancer pain" "Jose R Isidro" "Dr Isidro" "pain management"Thanks to Marie Taylor, I am updating my status today. Once again, Marie - Thanks for asking! My attentions have been elsewhere since writing about my amazement at the Radiation Treatment process. Thanks to Great People in My LifeIt's amazing the wonderful folks who've reached out to wish me well and give good words of support. Especially my wife who has long ago gone so far "Above and Beyondhttp://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2011/06/its-hard-knock-life.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-3217918874299202598Thu, 14 Oct 2010 00:48:00 +00002010-10-13T21:14:41.093-04:00"radiation treatment" "multiple myeloma tumor" "plasmacytoma radiation"I guess I commented earlier that I cannot tell whether or not I am actually getting radiation. And I am pretty sure that I am getting real radiation treatments. Actually, I think I felt something touching inside my bones when I was inside the machine last week!But if they told me it was all in my head, I couldn't prove otherwise. I just lay down on this stainless steel table. The Operator http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/10/radiation-placebo-may-be-effective.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-6381546299945220504Wed, 06 Oct 2010 11:08:00 +00002010-10-14T07:26:43.441-04:00Have you seen the yellow armbands? They are from LIVESTRONG -- Lance Armstrong's foundation for folks "experiencing cancer."  The organization he put together came up with a program in cooperation with some of the YMCA around the United States. They studied what happens to people while they are getting diagnosed and treated for cancer. They recognized that we slow down and move less. http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/10/blog-post.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-8791888410888573674Thu, 30 Sep 2010 06:39:00 +00002010-09-30T03:12:04.148-04:00In the past 10 days, I started radiation therapy for the tumor in my sacrum. And an interesting change has happened in how people talk with me and the questions they ask and how much they talk with me. I wonder why that is?Does radiation make my condition more predictable | understandable | less exciting | less scary?Folks had been asking me all about what was known about my diagnosis. They http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/09/radiation-treatments-my-way.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-3761122568919798497Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:32:00 +00002010-09-20T11:03:20.449-04:00Sometimes we realize that we just have to ask for help. We don't usually do that. We manage on our own. But this time, we know we need to let people know we need a hand.My doctor has said that though I could drive he has two reasons that make it a bad idea: 1. The amount of pain killers I need right now is very high. So I feel okay when the dosage is correct, but I am not really okay to be http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/09/getting-there-and-home-again.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-4536827641616505055Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:27:00 +00002010-09-15T11:24:04.101-04:00"ct scan" "cancer humor"I saw it myself - maybe you did too - actually almost all the adventure or action movies do it now. All you have to do is walk through this machine - like a doorway, but it doesn't have walls all the way around it. Then in about a minute or so, they can see exactly 'you'They had a lot of news about it earlier this year. One company made this machine that could take a picture of you that was so http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/09/its-not-like-they-show-in-movies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-6234398270383192573Sun, 12 Sep 2010 07:31:00 +00002010-09-13T02:12:44.180-04:00"cancer story" "myeloma" "pain humor"I can hardly recognize what's happened around here in the past few weeks. I am certainly overdue for an update. Okay!!! Way, Way Overdue... It's hard to think of where to begin really. Where were we? Facets, right? Well. They're still there, (I wrote earlier about "facet joints" that are a part of everyone's skeleton and sometimes the target of nicely effective spinal pain treatment.) I will http://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-is-going-on-in-here-i-step-out-for.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16304709.post-876828281282590497Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:51:00 +00002010-06-24T11:36:34.708-04:00As it turns out, everybody has facets. No; not the kind diamonds and precious stones have and this is not a fancy way of referring to other "sides" of my personality. Uh uh. They are on the bones of the spine where the bones are joined. So it is a common name for that part -- usually referred to as a facet joint. I didn't know that! The idea came up after Dr L observed the results of the secondhttp://knotfourhigher.blogspot.com/2010/06/i-didnt-even-know-i-have-facets.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Anonymous)1