Detecting Bone Disease in Multiple Myeloma Patients

With approximately 80% to 90% of multiple myeloma patients developing osteolytic bone lesions at some point during the course of their disease, it is important for oncologists to monitor these patients, and to design and administer appropriate bone health treatments at the earliest stages, in an effort to prevent or minimize the effects of skeletal-related events (SREs).

For many years, the standard method of assessing the extent of bone disease in multiple myeloma patients has been a skeletal survey, which consists of a series of x-rays across the whole skeletal system that can detect “punched out” lesions caused by multiple myeloma. This method detects approximately 80% of cases of myeloma that have metastasized to the bone.

However, not only does this method not catch every case of bone disease, it only detects them if lytic bone disease has caused at least 30% of the trabecular bone to be lost. Likewise, it is not sensitive enough to assess how patients respond to therapies designed to prevent SREs or maintain bone mass.

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Stem Cells From Cadavers? Pluripotent Cells Can Be Derived From Dead Bodies, Research Shows

We live in amazing times, folks!  

Death will come for us all one day, but life will not fade from our bodies all at once. After our lungs stop breathing, our hearts stop beating, our minds stop racing, our bodies cool, and long after our vital signs cease, little pockets of cells can live for days, even weeks. Now scientists have harvested such cells from the scalps and brain linings of human corpses and reprogrammed them into stem cells.

In other words, dead people can yield living cells that can be converted into any cell or tissue in the body.

As such, this work could help lead to novel stem cell therapies and shed light on a variety of mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, autism and bipolar disorder, which may stem from problems with development, researchers say.

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Robin Roberts’ Emotional Goodbye At Hospital: ‘There’s No Place Like Home’

SHE's HOME!!!!!!!

Robin Roberts woke up in her own bed Thursday morning after being released from the hospital after undergoing a bone marrow transplant in September to treat a rare blood disorder.

"There's no place like home," the Good Morning America anchor tweeted Thursday morning. "After 30 days in the hospital I'm home. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Thank YOU and bless YOU. XO"

Roberts ,51, went home Wednesday afternoon, and Thursday’s GMA aired video of her emotional goodbye to the hospital staff and welling up as she saw the sky and felt the fresh air for the first time in a month.

Despite being back home, Roberts writes on her GMA blog that her battle with myelodysplastic syndrome or MDS, isn't over yet.

"Far from it," she notes.

"I am considered 21 days old. That's how long it has been since my transplant. Remember when you broughtyour baby home for the first time? Your precious bundle didn't leave the house much and you were careful that anyone who came in contact with your child was healthy.

"So I will still be resting away from GMA until I'm given the all clear, but sleeping in my own bed again feels like a big victory. My doctors will be monitoring me closely and I will still be at the hospital regularly to make sure we're on the right track. I cannot thank my amazing medical team enough. I have a great deal of respect and admiration for how they treat all their patients with such passion and compassion.

“Most of all, I know it is your prayers and warm thoughts that have gotten me this far.  I truly feel them each and every day.  I humbly ask that you please continue to send them until you see me back at the GMA anchor desk and I promise to send them right back at ya.

“Each day I get stronger and stronger.  I am fond of saying, “This Too Shall Pass.”  And even in some dark moments, of which there are still a few, I now see that light at the end of the tunnel. This too really shall pass.
“Light love power presence… and blessings to you all, XO”

Roberts' doctor, Gail Roboz, said on Thursday’s GMA that it has not been an easy journey for the veteran journalist."There were very hard days, and a lot of unpleasantness," Roboz said, adding that the days ahead are important. "She's got to get her hair back, get her strength back, rebuild in every sense." Roboz said Roberts will have to wear masks and gloves to protect her fragile immune system. "The bugs of the world are the terrorists." Roboz also said Roberts' first bone marrow biopsy, "coming up soon," will give an even better idea of how she's doing.

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Don’t Listen to Monsanto: GMOs Lead to More Pesticides

Contrary to what Monsanto would have us believe, a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal Environmental Sciences Europe suggests that pesticide use has been on the rise thanks to the adoption of GMO technology for growing up to 95% of the nation’s corn, soybeans and cotton.

The biotech seed and agrichemical company has a stranglehold on American industrial agriculture, with more than 170 million acres of American farmland taken up for its products, including RoundUp Ready crops that are genetically engineered to survive repeated applications of the company’s RoundUp herbicides. As a result, according to the study, so-called “superweeds” are proliferating and farmers are trying to manage the situation with heavier applications of RoundUp.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/dont-listen-to-monsanto-gmos-lead-to-more-pesticides.html#ixzz290jgHTcu

October on the Beach- and a Visit From Diane and Jerry

We just got home yesterday after a relaxing 4 nights at the condo.  The water was pristine, the sunsets spectacular, the seagulls were feasting on huge schools of fish.

We were happy to entertain, and be entertained by old cruising buddies, Diane and Jerry.  The last time they had seen us was after Dom's diagnosis and before his Stem Cell Transplant.  They were pleased to have him looking so healthy.

The 4 of us went to our favorite Mexican joint, then out for ice cream, and as usual, back to our bar across the street.

The next day we hung out on the beach and finally said our goodbyes.  We enjoy a warm friendship with these folks, and looking forward to next year's visit!

On our way home, we spent some time looking at cars in Biloxi and Gulfport at their annual "Cruisin' the Coast" rally.  NICE cars.  Good hot wings at Hooters, too!

Got home to find our mother/daughter visiting.  They're getting quite comfortable here!

Fish Schools

Feeding Frenzy

HEY!  What are you guys doing at home?