I wrote a book called The Power of Two Weeks from Now which is on amazon. It is a lighthearted recounting of my spiritual (or lack thereof) journey over the past 10 years. I make $3 a copy if you buy one. It has gotten good reviews, and there are only about 20 copies left in print. If you do get it and read it, please leave a review and let me know what you think! It is also available through Kindle. Thank you so much.
Love,
Robert
Monday, June 14, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
They are Building More Houses in Las Vegas
It's got nothing to do with cancer or healing, but this story in the New York Times about how they are still building new houses in Las Vegas is the most amazing news story I have read this year. It is a sign of the times--wanting more boom when we need restraint, wanting to create a never never real estate land of magical and continual expansion instead of accepting the realities of the market.
And yet maybe it does have something to do with healing--how we deny our well-being as Americans until things reach a critical point, and then, continue to eat a health weakening diet that only digs our grave more quickly.
Are human beings (and I suppose ostriches) the only mammals on earth with this unique ability to live in denial?
And yet maybe it does have something to do with healing--how we deny our well-being as Americans until things reach a critical point, and then, continue to eat a health weakening diet that only digs our grave more quickly.
Are human beings (and I suppose ostriches) the only mammals on earth with this unique ability to live in denial?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What I Do Each Day
The most important thing I do each day is stay on top of my pain with the pain meds. If I don't take them in advance of the onset of the pain, the pain builds up and is hard to lessen. Bless them pain meds...how did folks/do folks live without them?
With pain under control, I sleep better, and am in a good mood. When the pain gets out of control, my how miserable one suddenly can be...and that's no good, especially not for healing.
Second most important job: eat healthy and stay on all my supps and meds. I have been doing well there, especially since Kristin has been preparing wonderful meals for me over the past 2 weeks. She left today after a heroic job taking care of me. Now, I have someone named Julie to stop by and help me with the cooking. Kristin loaded the fridge with bone marrow soups and other healing foods. Thank you so much, Kristin, for your help and support over the last 2 weeks.
Third most important job is...slowing down, resting and not working. I love to work, miss seeing clients, miss contributing to the world in some way. I have written a guide to nutritional supplements that is 60% done and would love to finish it. But I know now that rest and taking it easy is key. I love to watch educational videos and movies. I listen to CDs of lectures from the nutritional and herbal seminars I can't attend. I have been reading inspiring books such as The Ten Things to Do When Your Life Falls Apart by Daphne Kingma, among others. I listen to Thich Nhat Hanh's amazing CD series The Ultimate Dimension which you can get from Sounds True. I go to church on Sundays now that I found one nearby.
And, I feel the love of so many holding me on this journey. This is such a great gift, to know that, wherever we are, we friends are all connected in our love for each other. The discovery of the depth of this love that exists for me--and for all of us--is one that inspires me daily to do the best I can to be grateful for the healing path I am on and the growth and realizations that such a life challenge can offer.
With pain under control, I sleep better, and am in a good mood. When the pain gets out of control, my how miserable one suddenly can be...and that's no good, especially not for healing.
Second most important job: eat healthy and stay on all my supps and meds. I have been doing well there, especially since Kristin has been preparing wonderful meals for me over the past 2 weeks. She left today after a heroic job taking care of me. Now, I have someone named Julie to stop by and help me with the cooking. Kristin loaded the fridge with bone marrow soups and other healing foods. Thank you so much, Kristin, for your help and support over the last 2 weeks.
Third most important job is...slowing down, resting and not working. I love to work, miss seeing clients, miss contributing to the world in some way. I have written a guide to nutritional supplements that is 60% done and would love to finish it. But I know now that rest and taking it easy is key. I love to watch educational videos and movies. I listen to CDs of lectures from the nutritional and herbal seminars I can't attend. I have been reading inspiring books such as The Ten Things to Do When Your Life Falls Apart by Daphne Kingma, among others. I listen to Thich Nhat Hanh's amazing CD series The Ultimate Dimension which you can get from Sounds True. I go to church on Sundays now that I found one nearby.
And, I feel the love of so many holding me on this journey. This is such a great gift, to know that, wherever we are, we friends are all connected in our love for each other. The discovery of the depth of this love that exists for me--and for all of us--is one that inspires me daily to do the best I can to be grateful for the healing path I am on and the growth and realizations that such a life challenge can offer.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
CRP of 49
Health professional friends--I have a C-reactive protein of 49 as of blood tests from 2 weeks ago. Gadzooks. Well, glad they looked for that. I am one inflamed guy. I hope that number is lower now. Taking Celebrex 100 mg BID, Curcuminoiids 8x a day, and other anti-inflammatory herbals from Donnie Yance/Natura.
Any recommendations about foods or nutrients to lower it? Fish oils, yes, and N-Acetyl Cysteine come to mind. Any other ideas?
Below, an interesting abstract forwarded to me by Cristiana Paul. Thanks, Cristiana.
Feeling good after 75 g of intravenous vitamin C today. Let's keep that a comin'.
Love,
Robert
Inflammation. 2009 Jun;32(3):169-75.
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in cancer patients are linked with tumor burden and are reduced by anti-hypertensive medication.
Koukourakis MI, Kambouromiti G, Pitsiava D, Tsousou P, Tsiarkatsi M, Kartalis G.
Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. targ@her.forthnet.gr
Abstract
High levels of CRP relate with advanced disease and poor prognosis of cancer patients. CRP serum levels were measured in 684 cancer patients who had undergone complete surgery or inoperable patients. Patients with inoperable tumors had significantly higher CRP levels (1.21 +/- 2.2 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.4 mg/dL; p < 0.0001). No association with gender, diabetes, autoimmune disease, thyroid disease or allergy was noted. Significantly higher CRP levels were noted in operated patients with hypertension (0.55 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.4; p = 0.001), coronary disease (0.73 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.4; p = 0.01) and obesity (0.51 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.4; p = 0.04). On the contrary, analysis in the group of inoperable patients showed that hypertensive patients had significantly lower CRP levels (0.64 +/- 1.0 vs. 1.36 +/- 2.4; p = 0.008). Although the tumor itself is the main factor defining increased CRP levels in cancer patients, hypertension, coronary disease and obesity are also linked with high CRP levels. Anti-hypertensive drugs appear as potent suppressors of the tumor-induced CRP production.
Any recommendations about foods or nutrients to lower it? Fish oils, yes, and N-Acetyl Cysteine come to mind. Any other ideas?
Below, an interesting abstract forwarded to me by Cristiana Paul. Thanks, Cristiana.
Feeling good after 75 g of intravenous vitamin C today. Let's keep that a comin'.
Love,
Robert
Inflammation. 2009 Jun;32(3):169-75.
Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in cancer patients are linked with tumor burden and are reduced by anti-hypertensive medication.
Koukourakis MI, Kambouromiti G, Pitsiava D, Tsousou P, Tsiarkatsi M, Kartalis G.
Department of Radiotherapy/Oncology, University Hospital of Alexandroupolis, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece. targ@her.forthnet.gr
Abstract
High levels of CRP relate with advanced disease and poor prognosis of cancer patients. CRP serum levels were measured in 684 cancer patients who had undergone complete surgery or inoperable patients. Patients with inoperable tumors had significantly higher CRP levels (1.21 +/- 2.2 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.4 mg/dL; p < 0.0001). No association with gender, diabetes, autoimmune disease, thyroid disease or allergy was noted. Significantly higher CRP levels were noted in operated patients with hypertension (0.55 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.35 +/- 0.4; p = 0.001), coronary disease (0.73 +/- 0.8 vs. 0.39 +/- 0.4; p = 0.01) and obesity (0.51 +/- 0.5 vs. 0.37 +/- 0.4; p = 0.04). On the contrary, analysis in the group of inoperable patients showed that hypertensive patients had significantly lower CRP levels (0.64 +/- 1.0 vs. 1.36 +/- 2.4; p = 0.008). Although the tumor itself is the main factor defining increased CRP levels in cancer patients, hypertension, coronary disease and obesity are also linked with high CRP levels. Anti-hypertensive drugs appear as potent suppressors of the tumor-induced CRP production.
Resting and Doing My Therapies
Rested much over the Memorial Day weekend. Slept well, which has a lot to do with timing my pain meds effectively. I have my good friend Kristin Cook staying with me to help with cooking, cleaning, shopping, organizing my supplements. Kristin stays until a week from today...I am blessed. My friend is keeping on a nutrient-dense, junk-free diet, paleostyle plus tubers, basically. I am keeping up with my supplements, a long list, and also the intravenous therapies I am getting. Just bought a used Norwalk juicer, and will try to incorporate green juices more. I am watching the old Bob Newhart Show from the 70s on Hulu.com. If you've never been to Hulu.com, check it out, tons of TV shows there on demand.
I also bought a trumpet on eBay for $55 to play and keep my lungs strong. Used to play the trumpet, now it is not just fun but medicinal. I try not to watch the news, because the oil spill and other things just stress me out. Feeling stronger and more relaxed. I look forward in the coming months to have more detailed testing to see how all these interventions are affecting my tumor size. I am gradually feeling better and better, that's for sure.
For anyone wanting to help stem my boredom, I have a wish list on amazon.com with many inexpensive movies up there. Thank you in advance.
Love,
Robert
I also bought a trumpet on eBay for $55 to play and keep my lungs strong. Used to play the trumpet, now it is not just fun but medicinal. I try not to watch the news, because the oil spill and other things just stress me out. Feeling stronger and more relaxed. I look forward in the coming months to have more detailed testing to see how all these interventions are affecting my tumor size. I am gradually feeling better and better, that's for sure.
For anyone wanting to help stem my boredom, I have a wish list on amazon.com with many inexpensive movies up there. Thank you in advance.
Love,
Robert
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