MyJournal By Mike Foxworth | http://altacities.com

Best Advice to Give

2009-11-14T07:14:00.000-08:00

This file (PPS) was e-mailed to me on 13Nov09 by a dear friend. I assume that this has already gone viral on the internet. How great is this? For some reason, the soundtrack does not play with this upload, so download a file with the audio, click HERE
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Best Advice to Give

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One Chapter Here is My Survival Story

2009-11-13T09:16:00.000-08:00

Many of you know that I plan to write a book someday on my cancer survival story but, for now, the preface to this story is a chapter found HERE, a book for which I collaborated with some Canadian friends of mine.

“This book is a wonderful contribution to letting the world know we're beating cancer - albeit slowly. We need to change the culture, so that when the word is mentioned, we don't think death ...we think survival. Those of us who have been successful in fighting it need to share that with the world; we need to spotlight the amazing work researchers are doing to treat - and sometimes cure - the many cancers. That's the contribution our story tellers make in this book. Cancer was one of the best things ever to happen to me - because of the incredible people I met - and continue to meet - on the journey, and the realization that every day which starts with waking up is a day to dance!“ - Max Keeping, CTV News Ottawa, cancer survivor | @ltaLINK
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13Nov09 LinkShare

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Goettingen, Germany, reverend saving out-of-pring books

2009-11-12T17:01:00.000-08:00

This clip is a dated a couple of weeks ago, but it is one of those rare reports from Goettingen, Germany, the home town of Torben Schmidt, my stem cell donor. | @ltaLINK

German reverend saving out-of-pring books

CDInsight - ‎Oct 30, 2009‎

Reverend Martin Weskott of Goettingen, Germany, is helping to preserve a part of German culture, reports the Agence France-Presse. ...

Saving East German books from history's rubbish heap AFP

all 10 news articles »

Browse all of today's headlines on Google News

Cancer: Increasing Your Odds of Survival

2009-11-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

The content below is actually a Powerpoint presentation adapted and placed on this blog through a free service known as SlideShare. Any blogger or web master may register and use this internet utility for adding content to pages. If you know how to use Powerpoint, this may be your chosen route for creating and publishing expanded internet content. What is particularly neat about this tool is that it allows you to create multiple pages to display in one window of each blog post. This window may be expanded to the the size of a full screen using the menu at the bottom of the window. All content is configured with active hyper links.
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MyJournal 10Nov09

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LinkShare 11Nov09

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What's New with Stem Cell Transplants?

2009-11-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

Advances in stem cell transplantation leads to a changing landscape in treating blood cancers, such as lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. | @ltaLINK

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Welcome to Our World, Linus Schmidt!

2009-11-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

LINUS SCHMIDT, son of Torben Schmidt and Berte Christensen of Goettingen, Germany, was born on Oct 23. For those of you who don't know this family, Torben was my unrelated stem cell donor in August 2007 and we just became official e-mail pals about three months ago.

Writes Torben, "Everything went well. After four days in hospital Birte and Linus were allowed to come home and now were enjoying our family life. Lots of our relatives (Linus grandparents and uncles) visited us. Its the first grandchild and nephew for each of them. So everybody is very excited. Linus is the sweetest and most beautiful baby in the world (of course). Only at night he is a bit difficult, but during the day he hardly cries. He always looks very happy and relaxed. And we are very happy, too."

We celebrate the arrival of Torben to our special friends in Germany. If you wish to know more about Goettingen, CLICK HERE.

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@ltaSPIRIT: Discover The Synergy of Web Surfing

2009-11-01T11:22:00.000-08:00

Like me, you may find great joy in new discoveries. My web browsing has led to this find: SpiritClips is excellent for demonstrating values like integrity, persistence, patience, and doing the right thing. Discover how you can use this resource at their BLOG to demonstrate the benefit of encouragement and positive thinking in your business, non-profit, or spiritual organization.

You can read more about Rob Fried, the genius creator of SpiritClips at My@ltaCITIES | PQ: The People Quotient.

Another special discovery that I hasten to share is found at MyJournal with the posting of links and information about CureToday.com, a trustworthy source of information for cancer patients. My Google search on "cancer myths" produced this result. I was led to a moment of curiosity about this topic because of an e-mail sent to me about the topic of oxygenation to prevent or cure cancer, aids, and swine flu. CLICK HERE for the content of this search.

Meanwhile, please check out some of the other interesting stories and links compiled for the visitors to My@ltaCITIES.

Cure Magazine: Fall 2009 - Cancer Tales

2009-11-01T07:50:00.000-08:00

I thought my BLOG readers would be interested in this article from CURE Magazine. CANCER TALES, a survey of the top myths about cancer.

Cancer Tales

Based on a survey of 1,000 by the American Cancer Society, this sidebar defines certain cancer myths as fact or fiction. | @ltaLINK
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@ltaTUDE: Finding Perfection in the Unexpected

2009-10-25T07:24:00.001-07:00

Finding "perfection in the unexpected?" One of my favorite e-mail subscriptions for daily inspirations comes from this SOURCE. Those who follow my blogs, know that this is the week we successfully concluded 20 TomoTherapy (radiation) treatments at City of Hope for recurrence of mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The goal was to obliterate a single small tumor in my middle abdomen and according to the last scan taken, that goal was reached!

Here, of course, for me was the "perfect" confluence of technology, medical science and engineering, and compassionate care at a world-class medical center, not to mention the net effect of faith, hope, and the blessings of a spiritual SOURCE that has attended our 31-month journey in this realm of survival from a potentially fatal disease first discovered in March 2006. "Perfection from the unexpected" might be one way to explain my great fortune at this time in what is now our second experience with cancer remission. See MyJournal for the complete account of this journey and consider joining me as a subscriber to the SOURCE.

Meanwhile, please check out some of the other interesting stories and links compiled for the visitors to My@ltaCITIES.

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TomoTherapy Done! Positive Results!

2009-10-24T06:26:00.000-07:00

Completed the 20th and final TomoTherapy (radiation) treatment today at City of Hope with this report from my doctor as we left: "Our last scan shows no sign of the tumor!" We will have this reality confirmed when a follow-up PET-CT is done on Nov.30. The inset photo shows the actual device at City of Hope that provided my treatment. If you have had a CT or PET scan or an MRI, this looks familiar. CLICK HERE for further details on how this works.

We have also recovered from the chronic coughing condition that served to postpone a couple of my TomoTherapy treatments. Had a pulmonary function test on Friday as well to help find the underlying reason for the frequent coughing attacks and there will be follow-up testing and exams before we have an answer. Continuously, since my SCT in August 2007 I have had frequent bronchial and respiratory issues and that situation still needs to be resolved so that daily life can return to some normalcy.

Again, thanks to all for your messages, hopes, thoughts, and prayers. It has been 31 months since the March 2006 encounter with MCL that eventually lead to our successful treatments at City of Hope.
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Cancer Society Catches Heat for Breast, Prostate Cancer Screening Criticism

2009-10-23T05:12:00.000-07:00

Oct. 21 (Bloomberg) -- Unemployment rose in 23 U.S. states in September and hit records in Nevada, Rhode Island and Florida.

Nevada's jobless rate, at 13.3 percent, was the second- highest among U.S. states behind Michigan, the Labor Department said today in Washington. Unemployment in Rhode Island reached 13 percent, and Florida's rate climbed to 11 percent, the highest since data began in 1976.

Cancer Society Catches Heat for Breast, Prostate Cancer Screening Criticism

ABC News - ‎22October09

The epicenter of the controversy is statement by Dr. Otis Brawley, chief medical officer of the ACS. Brawley made the statement in an interview with the New York Times about a Journal of the American Medical Association analysis of breast ...

American Cancer Society Stands By Cancer Screening Guidelines U.S. News & World Report

More Than Just A Pink Ribbon Seattle Medium

ABC7Chicago.com - eFitnessNow - WHYY - C&G Newspapers

all 353 news articles »

Browse all of today's headlines on Google News

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Breast Cancer Beauty: Papaya Enzyme

2009-10-22T10:33:00.001-07:00

Though it resembles a tree, a papaya plant is actually an overgrown herb, known as an herbaceous perennial. Grown worldwide in tropical climates, papaya is believed to have originated in Mexico and Central America. | @ltaLINK

My COH dietitian has steered us onto "papaya" as and aide to clearing the bronchial and respiratory issues that have plagued me since the Aug. 2007 SCT. Amazingly, this works, and now we see other possible cancer-fighting benefits in the herbaceous perennial.

Breast Cancer Beauty

Single Minded Women - ‎Oct 10, 2009‎

Snag this grab-bag of Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, Pro-Collagen Oxygenating Night Cream, Papaya Enzyme Peel, and limited-edition Pro-Collagen Lifting ...

all 1,090 news articles »

Browse all of today's headlines on Google News

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change

Daily Inspirations: HERE | My Facebook HERE | MyJournal BLOG

Celebrate Life with Terry Kelly

2009-10-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

“I have always been a dreamer; I will always be a dreamer. I have discovered that The Power of the Dream gives hope, strength, courage, empowerment, and brings about profound transformation in individuals and groups of people, if one simple rule is followed - honour the dream by taking action.”

Terry Kelly

Terry Kelly, cancer survivor and honorary chair of Celebrate Life, in partnership with Cancer Care Nova Scotia, is pleased to present this special song, written and performed by Terry Kelly, to honor and recognize those whose lives have been affected by cancer. | Source: YouTube | Web Site: www.terry-kelly.com
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Recently discovered this artist, a cancer survivor, and thought you would enjoy him, too. Particularly notable is his presence on YouTube where you may view and download any number of his performances, including the one embeded here.
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Blog Spotlight: Cancer Banter

2009-10-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

The recurrence of my lymphoma may have some wondering if the allogeneic stem cell transplant in August 2007 was a worthwhile step in my treatment. Not to worry. We have every reason to believe (and know) that I would not be alive today without the transplant and that I am physically better able to cope with the setback (and new TomoTherapy treatment) because of this gift.

This is the main reason why I continue to advocate the BMT (marrow/blood donor) programs that save lives. Here is a favorite blog site that does the same.
2009 has been a year of losses. As my circle of friends affected by cancer widens, the death toll seems to be rising proportionately. | @ltaLINK

Great news: Bone Marrow Biopsy is 'Clean'!

2009-10-07T08:44:00.000-07:00

Our 11:10 am appointment today at COH will cover our 10th of 20 TomoTherapy treatments as that process continues to go well. Yesterday, we got some terrific news: Friday's bone marrow biopsy was negative, clean of any presence of the lymphoma. That reality all but confirms the initial suspicion: The growth in my abdomen is probably the only malignancy location, a rogue cell, as I like to describe it. We also completed our fourth and final (for now) Rituxan infusion yesterday (a 10-hour day at the hospital). While these matters are going well, your thoughts and prayers are still much appreciated. | @ltaLINK

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Cancer Story | Patrick Swayze: 'I Just Couldn't Face The Idea That Life As I'd Always Known It Was Over'

2009-09-29T19:46:00.001-07:00

"When my doctor at Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles said the words 'pancreatic cancer,' a single thought popped into my mind: I'm a dead man!" Patrick said in an audio clip from "The Time of My Life," which he wrote with his wife of 34 years, Lisa Niemi, and hit bookshelves on Tuesday. | @ltaLINK

Tomography: 1 of 20 Underway

2009-09-24T11:14:00.000-07:00

The first of 20 tomography treatments was completed yesterday. Amazingly, I only had a little mild nausea last evening, but a prescription to mitigate the symptoms. Of course, with only one treatment literally under my belt, who knows what degree the side-effects will reach, but they say that these will not be as severe as chemotherapy and mild nausea is the only thing expected? This technology is amazing, for sure. I am placed on a moveable gurney, as in the typical CT scanner, and moved under a huge cylinder, but other than the noise of the machine, I couldn't detect that anything was happening. There is no light or heat emitted during the whole process, hence there is no physical awareness that radiation is entering the body for the 5-minutes that they say the exposure is happening. I really had a surreal feeling that I was being treated by a robotic machine, even though I knew the technicians were in the adjacent room pushing buttons. Next up: We are back to COH today at 1 pm today and tomorrow at 10:45 am and we will get next week's schedule today or tomorrow. Now, of course, we spend more time traveling to and from Duarte than we do in the treatment room, except on Wednesdays when we have our 4-5 hour infusion of Rituxan for the next two weeks in the current cycle.

See my FACEBOOK page for periodic updates.

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Adjusting to the News: Cancer is Back

2009-09-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

Maybe in the back of my mind, I feared that my cancer might return. My thoughts, "How can this be happening to me again? Haven't I been through enough?" | @ltaLINK

A new lymphoma of a different kind

2009-09-04T12:29:00.000-07:00

As an MCL survivor who had an unrelated (allogeneic) donor transplant two years ago and have remained in complete remission until now, I have known all along that there was always a possibility that the lymphoma my return.

Now, postive CT-PET scans in the last month and a biopsy last week have confirmed that the lymphoma has returned, but this time as a different type and one with which most are familiar: INDOLENT.

Indolent lymphoma is marked by a very slow growth cycle and it is not an immediate threat to life. Because this is a single location (in the left side of my gut) we are due for a consult about radiation tomography to shrink or obliterate the tumor. This development along with persistent bouts this last year with bronchitis and other respiratory distress have brought me again to a decision to take a 6-month medical leave from work, a probable precursor to early retirement about the time or a little before my 62nd birthday next June.

The odd thing about this is that when I am free of the bronchitis and respiratory ills (like today), I feal wonderful, as well as I have felt in three years. However, I am a bit physically exhausted from the chore of relocating our residence from Alta Loma to a 55-plus community called Emerald Isle in Placentia where Dee Dee and I will be within minutes of the residences of our two daughters and one grandson. For your information, we are still under treatment at City of Hope.

What Does the Next Biopsy Hold?

2009-08-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Those of you who have been following my recent updates on FACEBOOK are asking, as I am, what's in store with the pending biopsy this week? The biopsy was ordered by Dr. Nakamura because of something suspicious that appeared in the last CT and PET scan. The location is in the intestinal area but it is unclear if it is again a "growth" in a lymph node or something else.

Meanwhile, we continue to experience frequent respiratory (mostly a hacking cough) distress, so the combination of that endless symptom and now the discovery of this "growth" bring us to a new reality: Now is the time to not just consider, but to effect early retirement and medical disability at age 61 plus 2 months. You're invited to check my FACEBOOK pages for further reading and updates from this point forward.

This Relay Keeps on Running, Giving

2009-08-08T14:29:00.000-07:00

Cancer survivors bond at Relay for Life | LaSalle News Tribune | Aug 08, 2009 | Christina Pastorek of Triumph helped survivors find a flower to label. “My aunt and grandmother are breast cancer survivors,” Pastorek said. ... MyAltacities | FLY-on-The-Web | PQ: People Quotes | Topix: Trivia

Researchers May Have Found Equivalent of Embryonic Stem Cells

2009-07-26T09:27:00.000-07:00

The findings were welcomed by supporters and opponents of human embryonic stem cell research as a long-sought vital step in proving that the cells could be ... | @ltaLINK | @ltaSEARCH | @ltaCONNECT

Introducing Torben Schmidt

2009-07-25T08:56:00.000-07:00

Ich werde erfreut zu berichten, dass mein SCT Spender deutsch ist.

From my just-revealed and now connected stem-cell donor, Torben Schmidt, comes this message:

"At the moment I live together with my girlfriend Birte. But in October there will be one more in our flat because were having a baby. It will be our first child. So we are very excited.

"As you have just read a lot of important things will change in my life very soon. When everything has settled down a bit we would love to meet you, Dee Dee and the rest of your family." You can find Torben and Birte's photo at my FACEBOOK page.

Torben resides in Goettingen, a city 100 kilometers south of Hannover in the middle of Germany, and this location is about 260km (160mi) from Darmstadt where I lived in 1959-60 when my father was stationed there with the U.S. Army.

It's Official: “Guten Tag” - My Donor is German!

2009-07-06T06:02:00.000-07:00

NEWS FLASH! ... This morning an e-mail arrived to share the identity of my SCT donor in August 2007. Of course, I sent to him an e-mail this morning so that we can learn more about each other, but this I can share: He resides in the central German hamlet of Goettingen (see MAP LINK). I was previously misinformed that he lived near Frankfurt. Coincidentally, at age 12-13 in 1960-61, I lived in Darmstadt and Schweinfurt, Germany, when my father was stationed there with the U.S. Army. What a small world! Stay tuned for more about this story. Here is another GOOGLE map to help pinpoint my donor's location:
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July 4th 2009 | An Anniversary to Remember

2009-07-01T20:56:00.000-07:00

July 4 is a day for patriotic celebrations, barbecues, parades, a day at the beach or mountains, or perhaps an excursion to a nearby favorite destination. For some, like Dee Dee and me, it may also be an anniversary of major importance. The love of my life and I mark our 38th wedding anniversary on this date noted more for fireworks than matrimonial connections. July 4, 2009, is more special for other developments: 1) We have closed on the sale of our Alta Loma homa in preparation for an August 26 move to Glendora. 2) We continue to receive positive reports that my MCL (mantle cell lymphoma) remains in full remission and can't ask for any better news than that. See more details: @ltaLINK | @ltaSEARCH | @ltaCONNECT