ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. (KMOV.com) -- March is multiple myeloma month. It is the second most common blood cancer in the U.S., according to Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. Researchers there say the five-year survival rate remains below 50 percent, and in Missouri alone, an estimated 560 new cases will be diagnosed this year, with 270 people dying from the disease.
Robyn Long understands the complications of the disease all too well.
"Oh my gosh, it's been a journey," said Long. "In retrospect, I can say, yeah, there were some really off things. The worst thing, though, I had been battling back pain for eight months. I was also tired a lot. But at the time I didn't think I was sick."
Back in 2002, Long was five years out from a cervical cancer diagnosis when she learned she had a new battle to fight - multiple myeloma. Now, she has spent the past 14 years fighting.
"Remission is a word to me because I used to get hung up on that, 'Why can't I get into remission?' But, I'm 14 years out and I’m still here so it's a word to me. It's my story. Every myeloma patient is so different," said Long.
Long has beaten the survival odds. She is also an unlikely patient, as she is a white woman who was diagnosed in her 40s. According to the American Cancer Society, African Americans are two times more likely than Caucasians to be diagnosed with the disease and doctors said men and older Americans are also more at risk.
Researchers are using data from patients in the St. Louis area to try to understand why.
"The focus at Washington University to harbor our strength and access to the African American population to figure out both why they are more predisposed to develop the disease and also to develop better treatments for this disease," said Dr. Ravi Vij, MD, of Siteman Cancer Center.
They are also focusing on immuno-oncology, which works with a patient's own immune system to help control the cancer.
"We have made tremendous progress. It's a disease for which the best is yet to come. Washington University has played a key role in developing the drugs that have come to the forefront in the past 10-15 years," said Dr. Vij.
For Long, during her decade-and-a-half battle, she, too, has seen a great evolution in diagnostics and treatments.
"I don't fit in the demographics at all. That's why I say it's such a personal cancer because no two patients are alike. Everybody is different. Everybody has their own story. Everybody’s outcome is different. Everyone handles treatments differently. It's a very individualized cancer," said Long.
On a personal level, she is sharing her story to encourage other patients struggling with pain or fatigue to not give up and keep searching for answers from their doctors.
"I feel very lucky. I'm trying to figure out what God has for me because I'm still here and there are so many that aren't," said Long.
Thursday, March 30, 2017
Moran, Tester introduce bill to help Agent Orange vets
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Jon Tester (D-Mont.) introduced bipartisan legislation this week (S. 726) to allow veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances in classified incidents to access their military records as they apply for disability benefits and VA health care.
“Often, the impacts of toxic exposure don’t appear until long after service members have returned home from the battlefield and military records are filed away,” Moran said. “It is my privilege to lead legislation that honors the life of Gary Deloney of Fort Scott who passed while working with my staff to access the classified military records that would have proven his exposure to Agent Orange and service-connected illness.
“Our veterans and their families deserve the best our nation has to offer, and giving them access to their classified military records is the least we can do to make certain they receive the benefits they earned.”
Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances face greater chances of suffering from cancer and other health issues.
Veterans who have health conditions that are linked to exposure to toxic substances during their military service are eligible to apply for disability benefits and health care from the VA; however, some missions and projects that resulted in their exposure to such substances remain classified by the Department of Defense, despite having taken place decades ago.
JUMP for more
“Often, the impacts of toxic exposure don’t appear until long after service members have returned home from the battlefield and military records are filed away,” Moran said. “It is my privilege to lead legislation that honors the life of Gary Deloney of Fort Scott who passed while working with my staff to access the classified military records that would have proven his exposure to Agent Orange and service-connected illness.
“Our veterans and their families deserve the best our nation has to offer, and giving them access to their classified military records is the least we can do to make certain they receive the benefits they earned.”
Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances face greater chances of suffering from cancer and other health issues.
Veterans who have health conditions that are linked to exposure to toxic substances during their military service are eligible to apply for disability benefits and health care from the VA; however, some missions and projects that resulted in their exposure to such substances remain classified by the Department of Defense, despite having taken place decades ago.
JUMP for more
The Complete Sous Vide Cookbook: More than 175 Recipes with Tips and Techniques
Hi gang.
I was delighted to receive a copy of this publication from the good folks at Robert Rose, Inc. Publishing.
They thought that you readers would find this of interest. I sure do!
I've never heard of the Sous Vide cooking method, and now I'm ready to jump right in.
As Dom and I entertain quite a bit, I love the idea of preparing meals ahead of time, allowing me to socialize with our guests.... then BOOM. Reheat dinner with the touch of a button! Restaurant quality stuff!
This is a beautiful slick paperback with gorgeous glossy photos. Very easy to follow recipes that I cannot wait to try. There are more than 175 recipes, tips and techniques. It's a large publication: 7x1x10 inches and over 400 pages.
From the publisher:
Restaurant-quality food at home with the simple press of a button.
What technique have restaurants been using for more than 30 years to get perfectly cooked food? Their secret: sous vide, a simple and foolproof technique that involves cooking at precise temperatures. Conventional methods can often result in under- or overcooked food, but with sous vide, it will always be done to tender perfection. Entertaining becomes effortless and your guests will be blown away by the sublime textures and flavors. You'll be wondering if you've really been tasting food for your whole life.
Critically acclaimed chef Chris McDonald has years of experience with using sous vide devices. He presents all his tips and techniques for preparing and cooking a variety of types of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, vegetables, eggs and desserts. More than 175 recipes highlight his experiences cooking in different parts of the world, such as Ribeye Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Venison Loin with Savoy Cabbage and Chestnuts, Georgian Pork Shoulder Roast with Pomegranate Glaze, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Drunken Duck Ramen with Sous Vide Egg, Aloo Gobi, and Crème Brûlée. He also shares his wealth of knowledge about global ingredients, DIY butchery, food substitutions, selecting cuts of meat and types of fish, and much more. This is the book for anyone looking to cook sous vide, from the most basic beginner to the experienced home cook.
You can read more and pick up your copy here:
https://smile.amazon.com/Complete-Sous-Vide-Cookbook-Techniques/dp/0778805239/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490830623&sr=1-6&keywords=sous+vide+cookbook
I was delighted to receive a copy of this publication from the good folks at Robert Rose, Inc. Publishing.
They thought that you readers would find this of interest. I sure do!
I've never heard of the Sous Vide cooking method, and now I'm ready to jump right in.
As Dom and I entertain quite a bit, I love the idea of preparing meals ahead of time, allowing me to socialize with our guests.... then BOOM. Reheat dinner with the touch of a button! Restaurant quality stuff!
This is a beautiful slick paperback with gorgeous glossy photos. Very easy to follow recipes that I cannot wait to try. There are more than 175 recipes, tips and techniques. It's a large publication: 7x1x10 inches and over 400 pages.
From the publisher:
Restaurant-quality food at home with the simple press of a button.
What technique have restaurants been using for more than 30 years to get perfectly cooked food? Their secret: sous vide, a simple and foolproof technique that involves cooking at precise temperatures. Conventional methods can often result in under- or overcooked food, but with sous vide, it will always be done to tender perfection. Entertaining becomes effortless and your guests will be blown away by the sublime textures and flavors. You'll be wondering if you've really been tasting food for your whole life.
Critically acclaimed chef Chris McDonald has years of experience with using sous vide devices. He presents all his tips and techniques for preparing and cooking a variety of types of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, vegetables, eggs and desserts. More than 175 recipes highlight his experiences cooking in different parts of the world, such as Ribeye Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, Venison Loin with Savoy Cabbage and Chestnuts, Georgian Pork Shoulder Roast with Pomegranate Glaze, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, Drunken Duck Ramen with Sous Vide Egg, Aloo Gobi, and Crème Brûlée. He also shares his wealth of knowledge about global ingredients, DIY butchery, food substitutions, selecting cuts of meat and types of fish, and much more. This is the book for anyone looking to cook sous vide, from the most basic beginner to the experienced home cook.
You can read more and pick up your copy here:
https://smile.amazon.com/Complete-Sous-Vide-Cookbook-Techniques/dp/0778805239/ref=sr_1_6?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1490830623&sr=1-6&keywords=sous+vide+cookbook
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Garden 2017
My first experience with hay bale gardening seems like a good one. The tomatoes, oregano and thyme seem very happy.
The 2 Gardens on the LEFT are mine. Dom's are to the right. So far- so good!
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| Garden 2017 |
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| 100+ Year Old Heirloom Italian Garlic |
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| Tomatoes, Oregano and Thyme Surrounded with Wax, Heirloom and Bush Beans |
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| Dom's Sweet Banana Peppers, Hot Banana Peppers and Tomatoes |
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| Purple Pole Beans. (Turn bright green when cooked) |
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| Dom's Watermelons, Cantaloupes and His First Attempt at Sweet Corn |
Egg Roll in a Bowl
As I had a couple of no-shows for St. Patrick's Day, I had a few extra carrots and a head of cabbage in the refrigerator.
Thinking this was going to be easy, I got started. Couldn't find my grater. BOO.
Used a knife to "shred" my cabbage and carrots. (This would have been SO EASY to just dump in a bag of coleslaw mix!)
I cooked 1 pound of GROUND PORK with 6 cloves of GARLIC and about half of an ONION.
In a glass bowl, I combined 1/2 cup of SOY SAUCE with a teaspoon of GINGER.
Put my shredded VEGGIES in with the pork, dumped in the liquids and cooked until cabbage was almost cooked, but still crunchy. This was fun.
I might try this with a couple of cans of small shrimp next time!
Thinking this was going to be easy, I got started. Couldn't find my grater. BOO.
Used a knife to "shred" my cabbage and carrots. (This would have been SO EASY to just dump in a bag of coleslaw mix!)
I cooked 1 pound of GROUND PORK with 6 cloves of GARLIC and about half of an ONION.
In a glass bowl, I combined 1/2 cup of SOY SAUCE with a teaspoon of GINGER.
Put my shredded VEGGIES in with the pork, dumped in the liquids and cooked until cabbage was almost cooked, but still crunchy. This was fun.
I might try this with a couple of cans of small shrimp next time!
Saturday, March 25, 2017
Monsanto Faces Hundreds of New Cancer Lawsuits
Soon after a California judge required a cancer warning to be displayed on the popular weedkiller, Roundup, in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, Monsanto is suddenly finding itself knee deep in cancer lawsuits. The lawsuits are being filed over the health risks associated with glyphosate, a chemical classified by the WTO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) as a “probable human carcinogen.”
The new round of lawsuits was filed in St. Louis County Circuit Court last week by Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman, a law firm based in Los Angeles. It was filed on behalf of “136 plaintiffs from across the country who allege that exposure to Monsanto’s glyphosate-based weedkiller Roundup caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma.” Additionally, the firm has also filed similar lawsuits in Alameda County, California, Superior Court on behalf of 40 people who “allege that exposure to the herbicide caused them to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma.”
According to Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., a co-counsel in the lawsuit, the law firm decided to file the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs “to address the injuries that have been caused by Roundup and glyphosate to mainly farmers and farm workers, but we think that consumers and home gardeners have also been affected.”
Plaintiffs from both cases are seeking compensatory and punitive damages for wrongful death and personal injuries against Monsanto, according to EcoWatch. Other defendants include Osborn & Barr Communications, Inc. and Osborn & Barr Holdings, Inc of St. Louis, Missouri, and Wilbur Ellis Company, LLC of San Francisco, California.
With this latest round of lawsuits, the number of cancer claims that have been filed in federal courts against the agriculture giant is more than 700! And that number is expected to continue climbing. Kennedy even suggested that “claims could increase to 3,000 in the next few months” in light of the new cancer warnings being displayed on Roundup.
However, the lawsuits aren’t just sounding the alarm on the cancer risk associated with Roundup. It’s also shining a light on the corruption that exists throughout Monsanto. For example, just last week, “a federal judge in San Francisco unsealed documents suggesting that company employees had ghostwritten scientific reports that U.S. regulators used to determine glyphosate does not cause cancer.” In simple terms, Monsanto tried to hide Roundups risks from the public and regulators so the company could go on, business as usual.
Kennedy summed up the company’s corruption in a recent statement, saying:
“Monsanto’s newly released documents expose a culture corrupt enough to shock the company’s most jaded critics. Those papers show sociopathic company officials ghostwriting scientific studies to conceal Roundup’s risks from Monsanto’s regulators and customers, including food consumers, farmers, and the public…One wonders about the perverse morality that incentivizes executives to lie so easily and to put profits before human life. All humanity will benefit when a jury sees this scheme and gives this behemoth a new set of incentives.”
The scary thing is, despite reports and tests classifying glyphosate, as a carcinogen, Monsanto continues to claim that “Roundup creates no risks to human health or to the environment.” But according to reports like the one from the WTO classifying the chemical as a probable carcinogen, it does, and that’s why consumers across the globe should be ecstatic that Baum, Hedlund, Aristei & Goldman has decided to take a stand against Monsanto to shed light on just how crooked the company is.
So what does Monsanto have to say in its defense? Well, in addition to continuing to claim that glyphosate is perfectly safe, Monsanto spokesperson Charla Lord issued a statement saying:
“We empathize with anyone facing cancer. We can also confidently say that glyphosate is not the cause. No regulatory agency in the world considers glyphosate a carcinogen.”
There’s no denying that this is shaping up to be a whopper of a case, and it will be interesting to see how things unfold in coming weeks and months.
http://www.legalreader.com/monsanto-faces-hundreds-of-new-cancer-lawsuits/
These Vietnam Vets Are Sick And Blame Agent Orange, But VA Won’t Pay
Sam Genco, at age 19, narrowly survived one of the United States’ worst military aircraft carrier fires. Today, 50 years later, it’s that ship’s drinking water he says could be killing him.
Genco was diagnosed last year at a North Carolina veterans’ clinic with ischemic heart disease — a common condition the federal government says is linked to Agent Orange exposure. He suffers from severely blocked arteries, cutting off the normal flow of oxygen and blood to the heart.
“It’s fatigue. Your muscles just don’t want to work. Like an engine full of sludge,” Genco said. “The engine keeps working harder but going slower.”
But the 69-year-old can’t access veterans’ disability benefits tied to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange.
If the federal government approved his claim, his monthly veteran’s benefit check would jump from about $1,400 to more than $3,000. Full disability benefits also have tax advantages and would improve his wife’s health care coverage. Despite no acknowledgment from the government that he was exposed to Agent Orange, Genco does get free medical treatment, like other veterans, at veterans’ clinics.
His bid for financial help is caught in a bureaucratic maze and a struggle involving widespread disagreement among experts about why he’s sick.
Genco, who lives in Pine Knoll Shores, N.C., is one of an estimated 90,000 affected “blue water Navy Vietnam veterans,” named for the open seas and harbors where they served.
JUMP for more
Genco was diagnosed last year at a North Carolina veterans’ clinic with ischemic heart disease — a common condition the federal government says is linked to Agent Orange exposure. He suffers from severely blocked arteries, cutting off the normal flow of oxygen and blood to the heart.
“It’s fatigue. Your muscles just don’t want to work. Like an engine full of sludge,” Genco said. “The engine keeps working harder but going slower.”
But the 69-year-old can’t access veterans’ disability benefits tied to exposure to the herbicide Agent Orange.
If the federal government approved his claim, his monthly veteran’s benefit check would jump from about $1,400 to more than $3,000. Full disability benefits also have tax advantages and would improve his wife’s health care coverage. Despite no acknowledgment from the government that he was exposed to Agent Orange, Genco does get free medical treatment, like other veterans, at veterans’ clinics.
His bid for financial help is caught in a bureaucratic maze and a struggle involving widespread disagreement among experts about why he’s sick.
Genco, who lives in Pine Knoll Shores, N.C., is one of an estimated 90,000 affected “blue water Navy Vietnam veterans,” named for the open seas and harbors where they served.
JUMP for more
Friday, March 24, 2017
Dr. Thompson on the Future of Treatment in Multiple Myeloma -
Michael A. Thompson, MD, PhD, medical director, precision medicine, Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic, Aurora Health Care, discusses the future of treatment in multiple myeloma.
Immunotherapy may be beneficial in patients with later stages of multiple myeloma, says Thompson. Combinations with checkpoint inhibitors are currently being explored.
For patients with early disease that have a high risk of progressing from smoldering myeloma to myeloma, a combination of induction, consolidation, and maintenance may be curative, adds Thompson. -
LINK TO VIDEO
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Earlier recognition of multiple myeloma in primary requires ‘connecting the dots’
March has been designated “Myeloma Action Month” by the International Myeloma Foundation to encourage health care professionals, patient advocates and caregivers to “take action to empower patients and arm them with knowledge.” Healio Family Medicine spoke with oncologists and primary care physicians about awareness of the malignancy in primary care and strategies for diagnosing the disease earlier.
Multiple myeloma is considered relatively rare in the United States, accounting for 1.8% of all anticipated new cancer cases in 2016, with an estimated 30,330 new cases and 12,650 deaths.
The prognosis for multiple myeloma has improved in recent years, due in large part to new therapeutic agents and the use of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Median survival rates vary by stage, but range from 62 months for patients with stage 1 disease to 29 months for patients with stage 3 disease.
Identifying patients with multiple myeloma can begin in the primary care setting, but the non-specific symptoms make diagnosis challenging and require greater recognition of symptom patterns and patients at increased risk.
The initial symptoms of multiple myeloma include pain, particularly of the back and bones, and fatigue, common complaints in primary care, according to Robert A. Vescio, MD, medical director of the multiple myeloma and amyloidosis program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“Back pain and bone pain are the most common early symptoms that people present with,” Vescio said. “If the bone is weakened from a plasmacytoma, a tumor of malignant plasma cells, that can cause a compression fracture. People have back pain for many other reasons, so there is often a lag between symptom onset and diagnosis. In older patients, it may be assumed that they have compression fractures from osteoporosis.”
Healio Family Medicine spoke with Vescio and other clinicians about the initial symptoms of multiple myeloma and the steps that can be taken to increase earlier diagnosis in the primary care setting.
Importance of patient characteristics, related symptoms
In addition to pain and fatigue, early symptoms of multiple myeloma include anemia and renal insufficiency, which may not be recognized immediately as an indicator of multiple myeloma, according to Vescio.
“If the creatinine is rising in a patient who has a history of diabetes or hypertension, or there is another reason to explain why the kidneys are not functioning, a complete workup isn’t always done,” he said.
JUMP for much more
Multiple myeloma is considered relatively rare in the United States, accounting for 1.8% of all anticipated new cancer cases in 2016, with an estimated 30,330 new cases and 12,650 deaths.
The prognosis for multiple myeloma has improved in recent years, due in large part to new therapeutic agents and the use of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant. Median survival rates vary by stage, but range from 62 months for patients with stage 1 disease to 29 months for patients with stage 3 disease.
Identifying patients with multiple myeloma can begin in the primary care setting, but the non-specific symptoms make diagnosis challenging and require greater recognition of symptom patterns and patients at increased risk.
The initial symptoms of multiple myeloma include pain, particularly of the back and bones, and fatigue, common complaints in primary care, according to Robert A. Vescio, MD, medical director of the multiple myeloma and amyloidosis program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
“Back pain and bone pain are the most common early symptoms that people present with,” Vescio said. “If the bone is weakened from a plasmacytoma, a tumor of malignant plasma cells, that can cause a compression fracture. People have back pain for many other reasons, so there is often a lag between symptom onset and diagnosis. In older patients, it may be assumed that they have compression fractures from osteoporosis.”
Healio Family Medicine spoke with Vescio and other clinicians about the initial symptoms of multiple myeloma and the steps that can be taken to increase earlier diagnosis in the primary care setting.
Importance of patient characteristics, related symptoms
In addition to pain and fatigue, early symptoms of multiple myeloma include anemia and renal insufficiency, which may not be recognized immediately as an indicator of multiple myeloma, according to Vescio.
“If the creatinine is rising in a patient who has a history of diabetes or hypertension, or there is another reason to explain why the kidneys are not functioning, a complete workup isn’t always done,” he said.
JUMP for much more
Another Fun St. Patrick's Day
We had big fun, as usual.
Wendy spent 2 nights. The beer flowed. Had the traditional breads and dinner on Friday, then made Rubens and bean soup (out of the corned beef broth) on Saturday.
The boys did some shooting.
Had a great time.
Limoneira Company for Wonderful Citrus! (AND MORE!)
The good folks at Limoneira sent me some fruit. A box of Blood Oranges and Cara Cara Navels. What a treat!
They were sweet, juicy and delicious. Thought that you guys might be interested in ordering some:
They feature citrus, avocados, general merchandise and their own skincare line.
http://www.limoneiralifestyles.com/
They were sweet, juicy and delicious. Thought that you guys might be interested in ordering some:
They feature citrus, avocados, general merchandise and their own skincare line.
http://www.limoneiralifestyles.com/
Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma
Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma
In a stem cell transplant, the patient gets high-dose chemotherapy (sometimes with radiation to the whole body) to kill the cells in the bone marrow (including the myeloma cells). Then the patient receives new, healthy blood-forming stem cells. When stem cell transplants were first developed, the new stem cells came from bone marrow, and so this was known as a bone marrow transplant. Now, stem cells are more often gathered from the blood (a peripheral blood stem cell transplant).
Stem cell transplant is commonly used to treat multiple myeloma. Before the transplant, drug treatment is used to reduce the number of myeloma cells in the patient’s body. (See Chemotherapy and Other Drugs for Multiple Myeloma.)
Stem cell transplants (SCT) are autologous and allogeneic.
Autologous transplants
For an autologous stem cell transplant, the patient’s own stem cells are removed from his or her bone marrow or peripheral blood before the transplant. The cells are stored until they are needed for the transplant. Then, the person with myeloma gets treatment such as high-dose chemotherapy, sometimes with radiation, to kill the cancer cells. When this is complete, the stored stem cells are infused back into the patient’s blood.
This type of transplant is a standard treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. Still, while an autologous transplant can make the myeloma go away for a time (even years), it doesn’t cure the cancer, and eventually the myeloma returns.
Some doctors recommend that patients with multiple myeloma have 2 autologous transplants, 6 to 12 months apart. This approach is called tandem transplant. Studies show that this may help some patients more than a single transplant. The drawback is that it causes more side effects and so is riskier.
Allogeneic transplants
In an allogeneic stem cell transplant, the patient gets blood-forming stem cells from another person – the donor. The best treatment results occur when the donor’s cells are closely matched to the patient’s cell type and the donor is closely related to the patient, such as a brother or sister. Allogeneic transplants are much riskier than autologous transplants, but they may be better at fighting the cancer. That’s because transplanted (donor) cells may actually help destroy myeloma cells. This is called a graft vs. tumor effect. Still, in studies of multiple myeloma patients, those who got allogeneic transplants often did worse in the short term than those who got autologous transplants. At this time, allogeneic transplants are not considered a standard treatment for myeloma, but may be done as a part of a clinical trial.
Side effects
The early side effects from a stem cell transplant (SCT) are similar to those from chemotherapy and radiation, only more severe. One of the most serious side effects is low blood counts, which can lead to risks of serious infections and bleeding.
The most serious side effect from allogeneic transplants is graft-versus-host disease (or GVHD). This occurs when the new immune cells (from the donor) see the patient’s tissues as foreign and so attack them. GVHD can affect any part of the body and can be life threatening.
For more information about stem cell transplants, including details about the processes and side effects, see Stem Cell Transplant for Cancer.
LINKS HERE
Thursday, March 16, 2017
A St. Patrick's Day Prayer
Blessed St. Patrick's Day!
From 'St. Patrick's Breastplate Prayer':
I bind unto myself the Name,
The strong Name of the Trinity;
By invocation of the same.
The Three in One, and One in Three,
Of Whom all nature hath creation,
Eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
Praise to the Lord of my salvation,
Salvation is of Christ the Lord. Amen.
Monday, March 13, 2017
Pine Pollen Abounds in the Deep South
All of our friends are suffering.... coughing, spitting, blowing.... It's horrid. Dom and I were both "sick" for over 2 weeks. Finally starting to return to normal. Pine Pollen is the culprit. I've never seen it this drastic!
Hay Bale Gardening
We've got some type of funky virus in our soil that makes all of our tomatoes drop dead.
We'd taken a soil sample to both our County Agent and our USDA....they both said that it was hopeless.
Just as the tomatoes start producing fruit, the plants wither and dye, one by one. We've tried potting soil, moving our gardens, container gardeing, getting a truckload of topsoil...no luck.
So.... I'm trying this. Hay Bale Gardening. http://www.newsprepper.com/hay-bale-gardening-effortless-food-production-with-no-weeds-no-fertilizer-less-watering-video/#.VrpnAvkrLIU
Starting small with only 2 hay bales. 3 cherry tomatoes, 1 regular tomato, thyme and oregano.
Health Matters: What is Multiple Myeloma?
It’s a cancer that can be triggered by the immune system. Doctors say multiple myeloma happens when our bodies make too many cells.
Dr. Michael Raymond, an oncologist on the medical staff of Lee Health, says when your body gets sick your immune system releases plasma cells to fight off the infection. But if too many plasma cells are produced, patients are at risk for developing multiple myeloma. “When the plasma cells multiply instead of just fighting infection and turning off, they keep on multiplying, that’s what causes the disease.”
Multiple myeloma is a disease that primarily starts in the bone marrow. “Multiple myeloma may have a variety of causes, most of which we believe are environmental,” said Dr. Raymond.
The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count. Patients with multiple myeloma may become anemic or develop kidney disease. “In the later stages of the disease, many times people will have problems with pain because the disease starts with the bone marrow and if those plasma cells start eating away at the bone they can weaken the bones causing bone pain and bone fracture,” said Dr. Raymond.
Multiple myeloma typically targets patients who are over the age of 60. “There are many, many treatment options. The landscape of myeloma treatment has changed over the last year with many new drugs being discovered and approved by the FDA,” said Dr. Raymond.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment. Because the disease is found through a blood test, doctors say it’s important patients notify them if they are experiencing any new symptoms of pain.
https://vimeo.com/205770992
LINK
Dr. Michael Raymond, an oncologist on the medical staff of Lee Health, says when your body gets sick your immune system releases plasma cells to fight off the infection. But if too many plasma cells are produced, patients are at risk for developing multiple myeloma. “When the plasma cells multiply instead of just fighting infection and turning off, they keep on multiplying, that’s what causes the disease.”
Multiple myeloma is a disease that primarily starts in the bone marrow. “Multiple myeloma may have a variety of causes, most of which we believe are environmental,” said Dr. Raymond.
The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count. Patients with multiple myeloma may become anemic or develop kidney disease. “In the later stages of the disease, many times people will have problems with pain because the disease starts with the bone marrow and if those plasma cells start eating away at the bone they can weaken the bones causing bone pain and bone fracture,” said Dr. Raymond.
Multiple myeloma typically targets patients who are over the age of 60. “There are many, many treatment options. The landscape of myeloma treatment has changed over the last year with many new drugs being discovered and approved by the FDA,” said Dr. Raymond.
Chemotherapy is a common treatment. Because the disease is found through a blood test, doctors say it’s important patients notify them if they are experiencing any new symptoms of pain.
https://vimeo.com/205770992
LINK
Saturday, March 11, 2017
Multiple myeloma causes bone, immune system and kidney problems
Today, it seems like everyone knows someone who has experienced cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 39 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The most common types include skin, lung, prostate, breast and colorectal cancer. There are also cancers that can affect your blood, such as multiple myeloma. This disease affects about one in 143 Americans, and more than 30,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Multiple myeloma develops in the plasma cells and causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found in the interior of bones. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system, because they make antibodies that help the body attack and kill germs. When plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, they can produce a tumor called a plasmacytoma. If people have more than one plasmacytoma, they have multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is characterized by several features, including a low blood count, weakened immune system, bone and calcium problems, and kidney problems.
Low red blood cell counts can lead to anemia, causing paleness, weakness and fatigue. Calcium issues weaken the bones, so bone fractures and breaks are common. Due to kidney problems, those with multiple myeloma may experience extreme thirst and frequent urination, dehydration, severe constipation and abdominal pain. Nervous system symptoms, such as sudden and severe back pain, numbness, dizziness and muscle aches can also occur.
The exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known, but this disease can be linked to genetic abnormalities or environmental exposures. Some individuals are at higher risk for multiple myeloma, including people older than 65, men, blacks, those who are overweight or obese, those with a family history of multiple myeloma or other plasma cell diseases, and people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation.
To diagnose multiple myeloma, a physician will run a series of tests, including bone marrow count tests, bone marrow biopsies and bone X-rays. A doctor may also order a CAT scan or MRI. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and stem-cell transplants can also be used to treat multiple myeloma. A stem-cell transplant replaces the damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
The goals of treatment are to eliminate cancerous cells, control tumor growth and pain, and allow patients to live an active life. There is no cure, but this cancer can be managed in many patients for years.
Although some patients with multiple myeloma show no symptoms, others may experience broken bones, loss of appetite, dehydration, aches and pain, dizziness and fever. If you are experiencing a combination of these symptoms, visit your physician immediately.
Dr. Monty Metcalfe is with KentuckyOne Health Hematology and Oncology Associates.
http://www.kentucky.com/living/health-and-medicine/article137707698.html
According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 39 percent of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The most common types include skin, lung, prostate, breast and colorectal cancer. There are also cancers that can affect your blood, such as multiple myeloma. This disease affects about one in 143 Americans, and more than 30,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the United States.
Multiple myeloma develops in the plasma cells and causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found in the interior of bones. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system, because they make antibodies that help the body attack and kill germs. When plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, they can produce a tumor called a plasmacytoma. If people have more than one plasmacytoma, they have multiple myeloma.
Multiple myeloma is characterized by several features, including a low blood count, weakened immune system, bone and calcium problems, and kidney problems.
Low red blood cell counts can lead to anemia, causing paleness, weakness and fatigue. Calcium issues weaken the bones, so bone fractures and breaks are common. Due to kidney problems, those with multiple myeloma may experience extreme thirst and frequent urination, dehydration, severe constipation and abdominal pain. Nervous system symptoms, such as sudden and severe back pain, numbness, dizziness and muscle aches can also occur.
The exact cause of multiple myeloma is not known, but this disease can be linked to genetic abnormalities or environmental exposures. Some individuals are at higher risk for multiple myeloma, including people older than 65, men, blacks, those who are overweight or obese, those with a family history of multiple myeloma or other plasma cell diseases, and people who have been exposed to high levels of radiation.
To diagnose multiple myeloma, a physician will run a series of tests, including bone marrow count tests, bone marrow biopsies and bone X-rays. A doctor may also order a CAT scan or MRI. Surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, and stem-cell transplants can also be used to treat multiple myeloma. A stem-cell transplant replaces the damaged bone marrow with healthy stem cells.
The goals of treatment are to eliminate cancerous cells, control tumor growth and pain, and allow patients to live an active life. There is no cure, but this cancer can be managed in many patients for years.
Although some patients with multiple myeloma show no symptoms, others may experience broken bones, loss of appetite, dehydration, aches and pain, dizziness and fever. If you are experiencing a combination of these symptoms, visit your physician immediately.
Dr. Monty Metcalfe is with KentuckyOne Health Hematology and Oncology Associates.
http://www.kentucky.com/living/health-and-medicine/article137707698.html
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Breaking Bread: GMO labeling due on packaged foods by summer 2018
FINALLY!!!!!
Last year, Congress passed a law requiring that foods containing genetically modified ingredients reveal that on their labels.
By the summer of 2018, the marketing division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is charged with defining what that label will say.
Will it actually list the ingredients (as in: "This product contains genetically modified corn and soy"), or will it be a QR code connecting the consumer to the information on a website?
The debate over the label's wording could prove as contentious as the fight over genetically modified organisms themselves.
GMOs are plants whose DNA has been changed. The development is beyond the typical cross-breeding of plants because the changes are made in the laboratory at the cellular level.
Opponents of GMOs fought hard for the labeling. They consider GMOs less safe than non-GMO foods, have ethical concerns about tampering with nature, have issues with the corporations behind GMO seed (namely Monsanto), and fear environmental damage from widespread GMO crops.
GMOs were developed 20 years ago to help farmers by changing the structure of plants to make them more resistant to disease so that farms could produce higher yields while applying fewer pesticides. GMOs are produced mostly for commodity crops: Corn, soy, canola and sugar beet.
Recently, I had the chance to sit in while a group of Ohio food manufacturers learned about the new labeling law from Steve Armstrong of EAS Consulting.
Armstrong is a lawyer who specializes in food labeling and food-regulation compliance; until recently, he served as the chief food-law counsel for Campbell's Soup Co. Armstrong traveled to Columbus to speak at the Ohio Food Industry Summit, sponsored by the Center for Innovative Food Technology in Toledo.
JUMP
Last year, Congress passed a law requiring that foods containing genetically modified ingredients reveal that on their labels.
By the summer of 2018, the marketing division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is charged with defining what that label will say.
Will it actually list the ingredients (as in: "This product contains genetically modified corn and soy"), or will it be a QR code connecting the consumer to the information on a website?
The debate over the label's wording could prove as contentious as the fight over genetically modified organisms themselves.
GMOs are plants whose DNA has been changed. The development is beyond the typical cross-breeding of plants because the changes are made in the laboratory at the cellular level.
Opponents of GMOs fought hard for the labeling. They consider GMOs less safe than non-GMO foods, have ethical concerns about tampering with nature, have issues with the corporations behind GMO seed (namely Monsanto), and fear environmental damage from widespread GMO crops.
GMOs were developed 20 years ago to help farmers by changing the structure of plants to make them more resistant to disease so that farms could produce higher yields while applying fewer pesticides. GMOs are produced mostly for commodity crops: Corn, soy, canola and sugar beet.
Recently, I had the chance to sit in while a group of Ohio food manufacturers learned about the new labeling law from Steve Armstrong of EAS Consulting.
Armstrong is a lawyer who specializes in food labeling and food-regulation compliance; until recently, he served as the chief food-law counsel for Campbell's Soup Co. Armstrong traveled to Columbus to speak at the Ohio Food Industry Summit, sponsored by the Center for Innovative Food Technology in Toledo.
JUMP
Researchers identify therapy that shrinks tumors in patients with multiple myeloma
Mayo Clinic researchers have found that an experimental drug, LCL161, stimulates the immune system, leading to tumor shrinkage in patients affected by multiple myeloma. The findings are published in Nature Medicine.
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects plasma cells - white blood cells that normally produce antibodies to fight infection. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells, as they grow, secrete large amounts of a single antibody that accumulate in the body, causing kidney problems and infections.
"The drug, LCL161, was initially developed to promote tumor death," says Marta Chesi, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic biochemist and lead author of the study of 25 Multiple Myeloma patients. "However, we found that the drug does not kill tumor cells directly. Rather, it makes them more visible to the immune system that recognizes them as foreigner invaders and eliminates them."
Mayo Clinic researchers will conduct a follow-up clinical trial of LCL161 in combination with an inhibitor of immune checkpoints that has been widely used in many cancer treatments to evaluate if LCL161 could represent a potential new treatment option.
"The model for preclinical studies to predict with great accuracy which drugs would work in the clinic was developed a decade ago," says Dr. Chesi. "And it has been instrumental in the prioritization of which experimental therapeutics should be tested in patients with multiple myeloma."
The research highlights the importance of studying the effects of drugs not only on the tumor cells in a culture plate, but also on the interaction of the tumor cells with their own microenvironment. The finding that LCL161 is active against multiple myeloma suggests that similar drugs may have broader clinical activity than previously thought.
Explore Further HERE
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects plasma cells - white blood cells that normally produce antibodies to fight infection. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells, as they grow, secrete large amounts of a single antibody that accumulate in the body, causing kidney problems and infections.
"The drug, LCL161, was initially developed to promote tumor death," says Marta Chesi, Ph.D., a Mayo Clinic biochemist and lead author of the study of 25 Multiple Myeloma patients. "However, we found that the drug does not kill tumor cells directly. Rather, it makes them more visible to the immune system that recognizes them as foreigner invaders and eliminates them."
Mayo Clinic researchers will conduct a follow-up clinical trial of LCL161 in combination with an inhibitor of immune checkpoints that has been widely used in many cancer treatments to evaluate if LCL161 could represent a potential new treatment option.
"The model for preclinical studies to predict with great accuracy which drugs would work in the clinic was developed a decade ago," says Dr. Chesi. "And it has been instrumental in the prioritization of which experimental therapeutics should be tested in patients with multiple myeloma."
The research highlights the importance of studying the effects of drugs not only on the tumor cells in a culture plate, but also on the interaction of the tumor cells with their own microenvironment. The finding that LCL161 is active against multiple myeloma suggests that similar drugs may have broader clinical activity than previously thought.
Explore Further HERE
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
No Excuses Detox - 100 Recipes That Help You Eat Healthy Every Day
Hi Gang:
I just received a review copy of this publication, and was really impressed. You guys know that we've been on a bit of a healthy-eating kick. I couldn't believe my eyes when I flipped through this book. Like a kid in a candy store!
In the next week or so I'll be whipping up a couple of recipes that immediately caught my eye.
I'll share them with you!
Nan
*******************************
No Excuses Detox proves that creating nutritious, healthy meals doesn’t have to be difficult. Megan Gilmore, author of Everyday Detox and blogger behind the popular website Detoxinista.com , guides readers in how to master daily cooking habits that will change the way you think about whole foods and help you better understand how to aid your body’s natural detoxification process.
In her second cookbook, Megan presents a collection of satisfying, family-friendly recipes developed with speed, convenience, and optimum digestion in mind. Meals are quick-to-prepare, affordable, and delicious, making it easy for you and your family to live a healthy lifestyle every day. A working mother of two, Megan understands the importance of crafting wholesome, kid-friendly meals in a pinch.
Enjoying what you eat on a daily basis is crucial to maintaining health goals, so these recipes for comfort food favorites- from Freezer Oat Waffles, Butternut Mac ‘n Cheese, Quinoa Pizza, Loaded Nacho Dip, and Avocado Caesar Salad to Frosty Chocolate Shakes, No-Bake Brownie Bites, and Carrot Cake Cupcakes- taste just a good as their traditional counterparts. Megan’s Chocolate Sweet Potato Buttercream frosting will truly blow your mind.
No Excuses Detox tackles everyday issues of eating by addressing the reasons people fail to stick to a healthy diet- “I’m too busy to cook,” “Healthy food is expensive,” “I have a family of picky eaters to feed,: “If it’s good for me, it probably won’t taste good or fill me up.” This beautifully packaged and artfully photographed book gives readers no excuse to not eat well year-round.
MEGAN GILMORE is the creator and recipe developer behind Detoxinista.com, a website that makes healthy living easier and more accessible, and the author of Everyday Detox. A certified health coach and certified nutritionist consultant, she trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and NCI College.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
AN EASY APPROACH TO DETOXING
STOCKING YOUR DETOX-FRIENDLY KITCHEN
LIQUID NOURISHMENT
MORNING FAVORITES
SALADS, DRESSINGS AND SIDES
SOUPS, SANDWICHES AND WRAPS
CASSEROLES AND COMFORT FOOD
SWEET TREATS
BACK TO BASICS
$19.99 trade paperback 216 pages 7-7/16 x 9 inches
ISBM 978-0-39957-902-8 Available in large glossy paperback or E-Book here:
Look inside and order HERE
ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON! (Currently $10.70)
I just received a review copy of this publication, and was really impressed. You guys know that we've been on a bit of a healthy-eating kick. I couldn't believe my eyes when I flipped through this book. Like a kid in a candy store!
In the next week or so I'll be whipping up a couple of recipes that immediately caught my eye.
I'll share them with you!
Nan
*******************************
No Excuses Detox proves that creating nutritious, healthy meals doesn’t have to be difficult. Megan Gilmore, author of Everyday Detox and blogger behind the popular website Detoxinista.com , guides readers in how to master daily cooking habits that will change the way you think about whole foods and help you better understand how to aid your body’s natural detoxification process.
Enjoying what you eat on a daily basis is crucial to maintaining health goals, so these recipes for comfort food favorites- from Freezer Oat Waffles, Butternut Mac ‘n Cheese, Quinoa Pizza, Loaded Nacho Dip, and Avocado Caesar Salad to Frosty Chocolate Shakes, No-Bake Brownie Bites, and Carrot Cake Cupcakes- taste just a good as their traditional counterparts. Megan’s Chocolate Sweet Potato Buttercream frosting will truly blow your mind.
No Excuses Detox tackles everyday issues of eating by addressing the reasons people fail to stick to a healthy diet- “I’m too busy to cook,” “Healthy food is expensive,” “I have a family of picky eaters to feed,: “If it’s good for me, it probably won’t taste good or fill me up.” This beautifully packaged and artfully photographed book gives readers no excuse to not eat well year-round.
MEGAN GILMORE is the creator and recipe developer behind Detoxinista.com, a website that makes healthy living easier and more accessible, and the author of Everyday Detox. A certified health coach and certified nutritionist consultant, she trained at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition and NCI College.
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
AN EASY APPROACH TO DETOXING
STOCKING YOUR DETOX-FRIENDLY KITCHEN
LIQUID NOURISHMENT
MORNING FAVORITES
SALADS, DRESSINGS AND SIDES
SOUPS, SANDWICHES AND WRAPS
CASSEROLES AND COMFORT FOOD
SWEET TREATS
BACK TO BASICS
ISBM 978-0-39957-902-8 Available in large glossy paperback or E-Book here:
Look inside and order HERE
ALSO AVAILABLE ON AMAZON! (Currently $10.70)
Thursday, March 2, 2017
MONSANTO AND THE EPA ALLEGEDLY HID EVIDENCE LINKING ROUNDUP TO CANCER
There is growing evidence that the agricultural giant Monsanto and the EPA allegedly worked together to hide evidence which links Roundup to cancer, as a new court filing shows. Sixty people that contracted cancer have been named on behalf of the recent court filing which purports that the Environmental Protection Agency worked with Monsanto officials to hide evidence that Roundup is toxic.
Included in the court filing is evidence from an EPA scientist who worked with the agency for 30 years and specifically singles out Jess Rowland, one of the top EPA officials, for using “political conniving games with the science” in order to hand out favors to Monsanto.
The reason Rowland is being named is because this official was in charge of the assessment for glyphosate, which is the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup and other weed killers and Rowland was also responsible as the main author of a report which found that glyphosate was not deemed to be toxic. However, in correspondence, Marion Copley, a top EPA toxocologist, stated, “It is essentially certain that glyphosate causes cancer,” which came after numerous animal studies. Marion Copley’s correspondence was written on May 4, 2013.
This letter was dated after Marion Copley stopped working for the EPA in 2012, but before she passed away from breast cancer in 2014. Marion alleged that the EPA’s Jess Rowland “intimidated staff” by colluding with Monsanto to change reports in their favor. Copley also wrote that there has been ample research conducted which proves that glyphosate and Monsanto’s Roundup should be considered a “human carcinogen,” as Huffington Post reported.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, A branch of the World Health Organization, has also said that glyphosate was a carcinogen in March 2015. Monsanto, meanwhile, has gone out of their way to try to discredit the IARC and any scientific studies they have conducted or cited.
If the communication from Marion Copley is proven to be legitimate, this could have a major effect on this multi-district litigation case with Monsanto and the EPA. The plaintiffs that are involved in this lawsuit have all either contracted non-Hodgkin lymphoma or have lost someone to the disease. These plaintiffs are citing growing evidence that Monsanto was able to sell their allegedly toxic Roundup because the agricultural company has so much influence within the Office of Pesticide Program, run by the EPA.
JUMP
Related to the Above Piece
Included in the court filing is evidence from an EPA scientist who worked with the agency for 30 years and specifically singles out Jess Rowland, one of the top EPA officials, for using “political conniving games with the science” in order to hand out favors to Monsanto.
The reason Rowland is being named is because this official was in charge of the assessment for glyphosate, which is the main ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup and other weed killers and Rowland was also responsible as the main author of a report which found that glyphosate was not deemed to be toxic. However, in correspondence, Marion Copley, a top EPA toxocologist, stated, “It is essentially certain that glyphosate causes cancer,” which came after numerous animal studies. Marion Copley’s correspondence was written on May 4, 2013.
This letter was dated after Marion Copley stopped working for the EPA in 2012, but before she passed away from breast cancer in 2014. Marion alleged that the EPA’s Jess Rowland “intimidated staff” by colluding with Monsanto to change reports in their favor. Copley also wrote that there has been ample research conducted which proves that glyphosate and Monsanto’s Roundup should be considered a “human carcinogen,” as Huffington Post reported.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer, A branch of the World Health Organization, has also said that glyphosate was a carcinogen in March 2015. Monsanto, meanwhile, has gone out of their way to try to discredit the IARC and any scientific studies they have conducted or cited.
If the communication from Marion Copley is proven to be legitimate, this could have a major effect on this multi-district litigation case with Monsanto and the EPA. The plaintiffs that are involved in this lawsuit have all either contracted non-Hodgkin lymphoma or have lost someone to the disease. These plaintiffs are citing growing evidence that Monsanto was able to sell their allegedly toxic Roundup because the agricultural company has so much influence within the Office of Pesticide Program, run by the EPA.
JUMP
Related to the Above Piece
Monsanto and Bayer's Chemical Romance: Heroin, Nerve Gas and Agent Orange
The proposed remarriage of two agrochemical giants with dark histories promises more bad things.
Fifty years ago, the Monsanto and Bayer corporations were forced to separate in order to avoid violating basic antitrust regulations. U.S. courts declared that the two chemical giants, when operating together under the name Mobay, stymied market competition and comprised a monopoly that could not stand.
But that was then. Today, under a much different regulatory climate that all but rubberstamps such corporate monopolies, the Germany-based Bayer’s $66 billion offer to purchase Monsanto is being fast-tracked by U.S. regulators. The proposed mega-merger, or re-marriage, will result in nearly 30 percent of all worldwide pesticide and seed sales being controlled by the new partnership.
JUMP
But that was then. Today, under a much different regulatory climate that all but rubberstamps such corporate monopolies, the Germany-based Bayer’s $66 billion offer to purchase Monsanto is being fast-tracked by U.S. regulators. The proposed mega-merger, or re-marriage, will result in nearly 30 percent of all worldwide pesticide and seed sales being controlled by the new partnership.
JUMP
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