This is a bit of ” blog housekeeping” for Technorati.
Q8MFXDV9DJB6
Technorati Token
Dec 14th, 2010 by Lori Puente
Follow up on the whole “weaving thing”
Dec 14th, 2010 by Lori Puente
Scarf #2 - On my own, start to finish.
“Remember, you are an Essential Artist. Weaving is an essential art.” – Dena (our instructor)
Scarf #2 - On my own, start to finish.
What she meant, essentially (ha ha couldn’t resist) is that there are some artistic endeavors that are essential to survival: clothing to wear, pottery to eat off of, etc. That we, as creative individuals are taking something we need and presenting it in an artistic manner. Continue Reading »
Barbara Hammack – Myeloma Survivor
Dec 13th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“It’s hard to find Myeloma Survivors because they are out living their lives!” – Unknown
David Emerson, a Myeloma Survivor who used to run the Beating-Myeloma forum and now runs the People Beating Cancer website, has a survivor story on his site of Barbara Hammack.
David’s own story of beating Myeloma is very unique and worth your time as well (link here). Continue Reading »
Kris @ How to Move a Mountain
Dec 12th, 2010 by Lori Puente
Kris’ latest blog entry is hopeful! If you are so inclined, have a read. Kris is someone who went thru the Total Therapy regimen at the well regarded Huntsman Cancer Institute in Utah, (the ‘sister clinic’ to Little Rock).
Nice and Normal
Thanks Kris!
Dry Skin – Here’s a Tip
Dec 12th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” – Mark Twain
I was chatting with MM Caregiver Buddy, JB, from Illinois today and she mention that her hubby had really dry skin and she felt it was from his chemotherapy maintenance. She might be quite right. We caregivers notice these things. I mentioned, “You know, Dave does too, but then he typically has dry skin, its winter time, and he also gets very flush in the face after his infusions each week.” She said she noticed the same thing. Continue Reading »
Email Subscribe
Dec 11th, 2010 by Lori Puente
I’ve been looking for a “widget” to allow visitors and readers to just subscribe to blog posts directly. I found the one I like, I hope, and it is now installed under my site counter, above my profile picture. It will send you an email with links to the posts directly within 24 hours of posting, and if there are multiple posts, they will be combined into one email. Typically I don’t blog everyday, I try at least twice a week, but sometimes I have a flurry of posts just due to my own schedule or sudden expression of thoughts or ideas on topics. Continue Reading »
Ok. I’m Excited…
Dec 10th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“You see, when weaving a blanket, an Indian woman leaves a flaw in the weaving of that blanket to let the soul out.” – Martha Graham
Some of you know that I was a professional Calligrapher for about 20 years, with ten of those years working for a Master Calligrapher, Ron Baker, in Takoma Park, MD. Ron and his wife Sally, became very dear to me and the godparents of both of my children. I loved working there and it provided me with meaningful and creative work on a daily basis, as well as the opportunity to also raise my children without the usual 9-5+, career track. Oh I had dreams, big ones… I wanted to maybe own a frame shop/studio, sell other’s art, etc. I wanted to do my own thing and have them published into prints and sell them. All the usual stuff. But alas, Dave’s career was zooming and his time became more and more precious to us, his family. Continue Reading »
FaceBook Fan Page
Dec 8th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“If it keeps up, man will atrophy all his limbs but the push-button finger.” ~Frank Lloyd Wright
Some time ago, I created a Riding the Wave Facebook “Page”. Not really having a clue about what I was doing and it has languished for some time. I couldn’t quite figure out “how” I would use it and whether it would be extra work, and on and on. . . Continue Reading »
The Myeloma Beacon – ASH Conference 2010
Dec 8th, 2010 by Lori Puente
I urge you to go on over to The Myeloma Beacon and read the daily reporting on the ASH Conference paper presentations, Q&A, etc., going on right now concerning Multiple Myeloma. It is a great way to get snippets of the latest research translated into understandable sound bites for us “lay” folks dealing with Multiple Myeloma.
“Thank you Beacon Staff!”
There is some exciting stuff going on and I’m enjoying immensely the latest updates. Continue Reading »
“Many of the great achievements of the world were accomplished by tired and discouraged men who kept on working.” – Unknown
This would certainly be a good description of Dr. Bart Barlogie and his “team” of researchers at UAMS. Continue Reading »
Dave’s Parents
Dec 6th, 2010 by Lori Puente
Sal, Irma, Hudson, Dave at Graduation in May '10
“To us, family means putting your arms around each other and being there.” ~Barbara Bush
What can I say? Dave’s parents are amazing.
When Dave was diagnosed and we called them it was brutal for us. This is not a call you want to make. But to ask them NOT to come was even more difficult. Can you imagine? Wild horses couldn’t keep me away from my children in need. However, we had no home there. Dave was staying with friends. All I was doing was sitting in a hospital chair all day keeping Dave company. There was nothing, absolutely nothing that they could do that would be helpful in physically being there. In fact, it would become cumbersome, because of our mid-relocation situation. Continue Reading »
Health Blogging Tips
Dec 5th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.” – Gautama Siddharta (aka Buddha)
Sometimes I meet people who are in the same boat or a slightly different healthcare boat. The dilemma they feel in “talking about it” all the time, coupled with the understandable desire to keep their friends and loved ones up to date and informed with accurate information. Life is always about balance and transition.
What if you are a novice on the computer, never been much of a writer, but you want to give it a go for all the right and noble reasons?
There are a couple of things to know. If you want your blogging to be available to family, friends and acquaintances, but you are uncomfortable with throwing everything out there on the world wide web known as the internet. I highly recommend a Caring Bridge Website. Continue Reading »
Western Scrub Jay and the Peanuts
Dec 5th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song.” – Chinese Proverb
In our neck of the woods we have a different version of Blue Jay than back East. Its called a Western Scrub Jay. Similar to the Blue Jays in the East, they are fairly large and sometimes a bit of the backyard bully at the feeder. Continue Reading »
Risk-Adapted Therapy for Multiple Myeloma
Dec 3rd, 2010 by Lori Puente
The Myeloma Beacon (click link)
published another great article today by Dr. Vincent Rajikumar, (a professor of medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His research focuses on clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory research for myeloma and related disorders.)
First, if you aren’t reading The Myeloma Beacon regularly as a caregiver or patient of Multiple Myeloma, I strongly urge you to do so. Continue Reading »
A Geneticist’s Cancer Crusade
Nov 27th, 2010 by Lori Puente
Watson describes DNA
Dr. Watson points out that scientists are correctly looking at DNA before they treat early-stage cancer, since different drugs work on different genes.
Watson describes DNA
The discoverer of the double-helix says the disease can be cured in his lifetime. He’s 82.
An interesting interview (click link to read) with Dr. James Watson (wikipedia bio) on curing cancer, its research, and its need for bold leadership. While it appears that some might take exception to his somewhat superior arrogance… I think it takes this kind of no-nonsense, take no prisoners, attitude, to tackle the intricacies of cancer and all its nuances.
What struck me about this article was his validation of using DNA and genetic testing in treating cancer from the outset. Continue Reading »
Thanksgiving
Nov 24th, 2010 by Lori Puente
“Treat your family like friends and your friends like family.” – Proverb
Dave and I are off to Huntington Beach for the Thanksgiving Holiday Tradition. We are taking our beloved Kip with us who will celebrate Thanksgiving at Dog Beach and love it. Like a parent with a child, I take such joy in seeing him running along the beach sniffing and noticing all the cool things around him. Continue Reading »
Susie & Hamada @ Hemingway
Nov 23rd, 2010 by Lori Puente
A beautiful woman who has become someone I care so deeply for, though we have never met. I met her through my Multiple Myeloma journey as Dave’s caregiver online. Her husband, Hamada, lost his battle with Myeloma today and I’m saddened by this news, though it was coming, we all knew, even Susie, but we just didn’t want it to be true.
Susie hosts a couple of blogs and published a book of her poems on this journey called A Power Within. All proceeds go toward MM research.
Her announcement to us all today.
This is the part I hate the most. Making such incredible and lovely friends because of Multiple Myeloma and losing them as we walk this path.
Susie and Hamada have a grace and dignity that shines in this world – put on your sunglasses Heaven, because you have a very special, bright, being joining you!
New Study on Tandem SCT over Single
Nov 23rd, 2010 by Lori Puente
“It hasn’t been disproven either!” – Dr. M. G., my friend
(when I was told tandem was not a “proven” treatment)
Long-Term Follow-Up of Tandem Autologous Stem-Cell Transplantation in Multiple Myeloma
Story in The Myeloma Beacon (which is helpful in evaluating the study)
Backyard Raptor
Nov 23rd, 2010 by Lori Puente
“Look deep into Nature, and then you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein
In Northern California, raptors are EVERYWHERE! When I have guests visiting I will notice as we are driving that they aren’t catching them, every 100 yards or so. So I begin pointing them out as we are driving. On the lamp post, on the ground, the fence, a rock, perched with their serious looking keen eye for territory and FOOD. Once I point a few out with some frequency they can’t believe it. Everywhere they look, they are like sentinels.
Have you decided? – Scanners or Pat-down?
Nov 19th, 2010 by Lori Puente
Artist Ron Baker, My Friend!
“Relying on the government to protect your privacy is like asking a peeping tom to install your window blinds.” – John Perry Barlow
I really don’t know what to do – regarding Dave. I don’t like him flying, but we have to from time to time. He has a suppressed immune system and just doesn’t have the overall physical strength he used to. Continue Reading »
Our Visitors
Email Subscription
Author’s Picks
Categories
- Abecma Car T (34)
- Begin Here (shortcut) (1)
- Caregiver Thoughts (231)
- Caregiver Tips (39)
- CB (CaringBridge) (28)
- Johnson & Johnson (1)
- Misc (219)
- MM Chrono Journey (37)
- Multiple Myeloma (214)
- Our Life (106)
- Kids (27)
- Tecvayli (teclistamab-cqvy) (1)
- Uncategorized (2)
Archives
-
Blogroll
- A Myeloma Widow's Journey Alone (Dianne West)
- Caregiver, Sarah Walker Gorrell
- Dave's CaringBridge
- David Emerson
- Feresaknit (Paula)
- Life with Big EZ
- Margaret's Corner
- MM Support Group (Facebook)
- Murray Madness & MM (Angie, Caregiver)
- Myeloma Hope
- Myeloma Youreloma
- Nick's Myeloma Blog
- Pat Killingsworth
- Robin's Myeloma Caregiver Journal
- Susie Hemingway – A Power Within
- Tanner's Journey
- The Myeloma Beacon
Currently Popular Posts
-
Slideshow
