Monday, October 29, 2012

The "S" word

Actually, the "S" words!  Here we go:

S is for skeletal survey.  A skeletal survey is a series of x-rays from the head to the ankles. Images are taken of the skull, spine, ribs, arms, hips, and legs - just about every bone except for those in the hands and feet.  The skeletal survey is taken because myeloma can cause lesions - holes - in the skull and bones.  My second skeletal survey results have come in and they're the same as the first survey - no holes :-) I am so fortunate.  Often myeloma presents itself through bone pain and the bone pain is what can lead to the myeloma diagnosis.  While I've had sore feet and sore hands, I've never had bone pain.  So fortunate!

It goes downhill from here....

S is for the snatched scarf.  The MMRF Gala and auction was this past Saturday.  While we did not attend the Gala, I decided to bid on a few items.  I was outbid on all but the linen and cotton scarf....or so it seemed.  Even though my name was listed as the winner, apparently I didn't win.  A previous high bidder snatched it away from me and won.  Hmmmm.  Not quite sure how that worked, but I do know the scarf isn't mine :-(  Now that was disappointing!  Anyway, the baseball.  I bid on an autographed baseball for Sarah.  Who knew a baseball autographed by Dustin Pedroia would sell for $560???  Not me!  Glad I stopped bidding a lot earlier than that high bid.  And did you have a chance to check out the other items?  The tickets to the Grammy Awards went for $27,000! And the trip to Jamaica to stay in Ian Fleming's home went for $22,000!  Wow!!  With bids like that, I can see how the MMRF raises $2 million at the Gala!  All good funding for research.  I look forward to seeing the photos from the evening.  I'm sure the MMRF website will have the photos soon.

S is for shake.  As in my morning green shake.  Well, you all know how enthralled I have been with my VitaMix blender and how I have experimented with making green shakes.  Some have been delicious, others have been not so delicious.  Actually, some have been not drinkable.  I've finally found a recipe that I like - frozen banana, apple, and spinach as the main ingredients.  Last week, I was telling a colleague about the ingredients in my healthy shake.  She commented, "sounds like a lot of calories." Really?  I decided I would figure out the caloric intake of my breakfast.  Here is what I discovered:

1 medium banana          110 calories
1 medium apple               80
1 cup spinach                    7
1 serving tofu                120
(this is starting to not look good)
2 T protein powder        120
2 T flax seeds                  80
(now I'm scared!)
1 T twin omega oil         120
1 t. fish oil                        45

S is for shake shock!  That's 682 calories!!!  Just for breakfast!!  Who knew???  No wonder I am gaining weight!!  I had no idea.  I was thinking maybe 400 calories.  And to be honest, my early morning measuring skills can be a bit less than accurate and I don't mean on the low side.  Oh my gosh!  One fried egg with one strip of bacon (seriously - who can eat just one strip of bacon?) is only 136 calories!  Not as healthy as my super green shake, of course, but 500 fewer calories.  (and I do so love eggs and bacon)  Sheesh!  Obviously I need a new plan.  Any and all suggestions welcome!

And last but not least...

S is for Sandy.  The hurricane is just about here.  It's raining, it's windy.  It's not much more than a rain storm right now, but the meteorologists are calling for winds of over 60mph, heavy rain, and flooding.  I kind of like a good storm, but I hope we are not without power for....well, I hope we are not without power (but actually I don't mind that so much, at least for a short time, but my family feels quite differently).

But now that I think of it, if we are without electricity, I won't be able to power up the VitaMix. The gas stove, however, is ready and waiting to cook up some eggs and bacon :-)  There is always a bright side, isn't there?  :-)


Thursday, October 18, 2012

MMRF Gala

This year's MMRF Fall Gala will be held on October 27th at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, CT.  It will feature special performances by Jennifer Hudson and Earth, Wind & Fire.  The tickets start at $500 and much to my surprise it is sold out.  I think this is a very big fundraiser for the MMRF!  In case you, like me, will not be there, there is a silent auction and the bidding is open.  There are some pretty nice items!  Check it out at the Fall Gala Auction.  You just might find something you like!  And it's all for a good cause :-)

Skeletal survey tomorrow!  And this week's labs came back terrific!  Yeah, the platelets and white blood cells are still a bit low, but even the doctors have recognized this as 'just me.'

Sunday, October 14, 2012

Hiking in the White Mountains

Last weekend - Columbus Day weekend - I was fortunate to take a trip north to the White Mountains for my very first back-to-the-Whites hike!  It was a little hike - very little! - at only 3 miles round trip.  And it wasn't a very high mountain - not even a 3000 footer.  None of that mattered, though.  I was back in the Whites!  It felt great to be hiking uphill with a backpack.  I hope you'll enjoy these photos, some which were taken atop the summit.  Oh - forgot to mention - the summit across the way was covered in snow - already!









As promised - Team Multiple Miracles!


Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Race for Research results!


Race Day has come and gone and I have some of the results to share with you.  Not all results are in, as the MMRF has had several races back to back and they are still tabulating.  Here's what we have thus far:

Carson Beach Race:  $310,423.17 in donations received to date.  The goal for the race is $355,000 and donations continue to come in.  More than 80 teams were registered, with 1500 participants braving the early morning rain.

Team Multiple Miracles:  Our tally at this point is $13, 895.  I know they have another $500 to add to that and a few additional donations have come in.  It is amazing to me!  When my good friend Joan suggested we set a goal of $10,000, I was a bit concerned.  Actually, I was flabbergasted!   How were we ever going to raise that amount??  Wow - was I surprised!

Team Results:  
Team Multiple Miracles came in 3rd place for donations.  That's another 'wow' for me - that's a lot of donations!  Big Mike Brody's team came in at $17,467, while Jeff's Juggernaut's received $16,706 in donations.

First Team Multiple Miracles runner to cross the finish line:  Michael Poor, with a time of 23:24!  Mike was #71 overall.  Congrats!!!

Last Team Multiple Miracles runner to cross the finish line:  well I do believe that was my daughter Sarah and her friend (and our logo designer!) Josh at 1:03 - but they were walking :-)  I came in as racer #524 of 549.  Oh boy.  Can I say that I was running and walking to the front of the group and to the back of the group to see everyone??  Does that explain my being #524??  Ok, ok, enough said.  I get it.  Next year, I'll be #.....I don't know but I certainly won't be #524 :-)  

One last (and surprising!) note:  the MMRF presented me with the Spirit of Giving award.  Yet another 'wow'!  I was truly humbled and honored.  I have much for which to be thankful and grateful.

Beyond the race, I'd like to share my continued good health news.  I remain in remission and on a one-drug therapy!  Woo-hoo! I feel energetic and just about like 'my old self.'  I hope to soon find myself hiking again - not the big mountains (yet) but in my hiking boots, wearing a backpack, heading up a trail in the White Mountains, even if it's a little trail.  My white blood count and platelets continue to rebel, insisting upon remaining at the 'new normal' level of low, but they are not low enough to require more than a little extra caution.  (no gashes on the hiking trail!)  My oncologists have told me that I need to visit them only every 3 months.   Hmmm....that doesn't quite work for me.  I've been through a lot in a year and I'm not ready to....well, I'm just not ready.  It was agreed that I'll see my NH oncologist every 6 weeks until the end of the year and my Dana-Farber oncologist every 3 months.  Lab work every month and a skeletal survey in 2 weeks - that's my health plan.

Still hard to believe how very, very sick I was just 12 months ago....I am blessed to be so healthy and in remission now.
 
Our logo above and the back of my shirt with the sleeve in memory of my friends who are gone, and the back in thanks to my new multiple myeloma friends who support me every day.


 Team photo coming soon!