jasmina is home

Jasmina, the six-year old leukemia survivor who had an allogeneic stem cell transplant at Sloan, was discharged yesterday.

The next several months will obviously be a delicate time for her because she'll be immunosuppressed, but the outcome sounds very hopeful.

Read more about Jasmina's great news in Feeling Great: Jasmina Enjoys a Happy Homecoming.

a study for bone marrow/stem cell/cord blood transplant survivors

Have you had a bone marrow transplant, stem cell transplant, or cord blood transplant?

Mount Sinai School of Medicine with the support of the American Cancer Society are looking for people who:

• Had a transplant between 9 months and 3 years ago

• Are living with their disease or free of disease after a successful transplant

• Are at least 18 years old (and 16 or older at the time of transplant)

• Speak English

• Have telephone service

If you answered yes to each of these questions, you may be eligible to join a study that will test a program designed to help people experiencing problems and concerns reported by some people who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant for treatment of cancer and related diseases.

To determine whether you are eligible to join the study, you will be asked to complete a 20 minute telephone screening interview that includes questions about your background and your thoughts and feelings about your illness and transplant.

If you are found to be eligible and if you decide to join the study, you will complete study procedures from your home, directed by a study staff member. The study includes two telephone interviews, spaced over about 4 months. One will take about 45 minutes and the other will take about 60 minutes. Between the two interviews you will be asked to complete four 30-minute study sessions that involve writing about various topics. You will be compensated for your time and effort.

To learn more about this study, contact Christine Rini at (212) 659-5555 or Lisa Wu at (212) 659-5586. You can also email them: christine.rini@mssm.edu or lisa.wu@mssm.edu

More information about this study can be found at its website: Sharing Our Strength: Life's Journey After Transplant.

This study is being conducted at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and is funded by the American Cancer Society. It has been approved by the Mount Sinai Institutional Review Board (GCO# 06-0391 approved through 9/17/09)

cancer fighter awards update

I just received an update on the top-rated cancer nonprofits in the GreatNonprofit's Cancer Fighter Awards!

So far, the 80 nonprofits that are listed have received over 500 reviews.

Here are the current leaders:

Best of the Northeast: I'm Too Young for This!
Best of the West/Pacific: Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, Inc.
Best of the Northwest: Breast Cancer Prevention Fund
Best of the Mountain: First Descents
Best of the Midwest: Mission4Maureen
Best of South: Cancer Schmancer Foundation

There are awards for different sized nonprofits and different regions. Winners will receive recognition on GreatNonprofits, PlanetCancer, and on Guide Star. Guide Star is the premiere site for donors and the winners will be featured on its homepage as well as in its newsletters to its subscribers. The contest ends on July 30th.

Please leave a review and let these great organizations know how much they've helped you and the cancer community. And please, help spread the word!

tacro update

After Thursday's appointment, I was told by my nurse that my Tacrolimus test revealed high creatine levels. This means my kidneys were working harder than they should have been. The result is that they reduced my Tacrolimus dosage to .5 mg. I picked up the new prescription on Friday. So, now I just need to keep an eye out for any changes, such as in the complexion or texture of my skin.

in the news

Like so many, I've been reading articles and watching reports commemorating man's Moon landing 40 years ago tomorrow. The story, of course, has been told countless times. Its accomplishment is almost taken for granted now, and sadly, seemingly distant - a hole in one in time - since human space exploration hasn't achieved much since its golden days. As some of the articles below indicated correctly, it seems like we're glorifying NASA's past achievements more because of a sheer absence of inspiring feats in the realm of human exploration since 1969. And though as the hopeless optimist, I'd like to believe that 1969 marked some seminal moment in the evolution of man's consciousness of his place in the cosmos and his co-dependency on others, the evidence is mixed. War, intolerance, economic inequality, and nationalism continue. It's important to remember that fundamentally this race to the Moon was indeed a political contest between two nuclear armed superpowers, who sought to win new prestige for their embattled political ideologies.

We Choose the Moon is a very cool, interactive website that allows you to track and listen to in real time every step of the Apollo 11 crew's journey to the Moon.

Let's Reach for the Stars Again

Distractions on Earth Lead to Retreat from the Moon

Giant Leap Full Stop

Grand Plans for Moon and Mars, Budget Permitting

That One Small Step Is Still Hard to Measure

40 Years On, Reflections in a Sliver of the Moon

Vocal Minority Insists It Was All Smoke and Mirrors

New Element Named 'Copernicum'

Rumbles on the Rim of China's Empire

World's Oldest Man Dies in Britain

Royal Tributes for Oldest Veteran

day +695

This morning was my second anniversary follow-up at Sloan. August 21st will mark the anniversary.

Overall, everything continues to look very good. My right foot continues to ache at times, most notably after rigorous walks or when I stand for a long time. Dr. CM said to continue massaging and icing the right arch (which I confess I had been slacking off on recently). He also wasn't a fan of anti-inflammatory injections, which my podiatrist suggested as an alternative treatment.

The blood counts remain strong. HGB: 13.3; RBC: 4.98; and WBC: 7.9.

The GVHD remains stable. Part of me had hoped (though I understood it was remote) that at the very least a few of my 8 medications - Tacrolimus, Acyclovir, Voriconazole, Prevacid, Multivitamin, Folic Acid, Magnesium, Penicillin VK - would be reduced or eliminated, but he wants me to stay on them for the immediate future. GVHD is a tricky beast. In truth, these medications don't interfere with my quality of life. After almost 2 years of taking them, it's so routine . . . so ordinary for me. It's just part of what I do everyday. Like brushing teeth or taking a shower or eating. It's just done. And like these, in some strange way there's an element of it being taken for granted. I take them in the mid-morning, one in the late afternoon, and then, the rest again at night. So, there's no problem per se. It's just that as I'm feeling better and approaching two years, it would nice if my pharmacological list mirrored this progress.

Wondering about the potential risks that my immune system will be exposed to as a middle school teacher, I asked. The biggest preventative tool is (as always) to wash hands regularly. Avoid handshaking as well, he recommended. When this winter's influenza or flu shot is available, I will (as expected) need to get this as well.

In addition to seeing my ophthalmologist, cardiologist, and dentist at least twice a year, his assistant recommended that I also see a dermatologist at least once a year for an evaluation. Since I'm at a greater risk for a number of potential medical issues as a result of my many treatments, going forward it's important that I have other specialists keeping an eye on these other aspects of my health.

I'm due to have the two-year follow-up PET scan on August 28th and then, I'll see Dr. CM in October again.

Also, while in clinic today I left a card for my donor, whom I still haven't met. Several months have passed since we last corresponded. I hope to hear back from him.

hodgkin's lymphoma gains notable corporate voices

Many people in the Hodgkin's community are unaware that we have several influential voices in corporate America.

Taco Bell President - Greg Creed and Honeywell International - Senior-Vice President Adriane Brown, are emerging as strong advocates for Hodgkin's research. Taco Bell is a household name and diversified manufacturer, Honeywell, is one of the top 50 largest companies in the country.

These two powerful executives reside on the Board of Directors for the Alese Coco - Fight 2 Win Foundation. This New York based foundation is dedicated strictly to Hodgkin's research. Alese was also my friend and we often conversed while she was being treated at Sloan-Kettering.

On July 1, 2009, Greg Creed and Taco Bell facilitated the taping of the first ever Public Service Announcement for Hodgkin's Lymphoma, which was taped at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, California. The PSA was directed by the Russo Brothers who directed Arrested Development and the motion picture, You, Me & Dupree.

I spoke to Paul Coco (Alese's father) last week and he described the PSA as: "Both challenging and gripping. It will bring much needed attention to a lymphoma that receives far too little consideration from pharmaceutical companies for research." He continued: "The fact is that Hodgkin's has somewhere between 25% - 40% recurrence rate and nearly half of all stem cell transplants fail, and that's unacceptable. We're striving for complete cure."

The 30 second spot will begin airing nationally on several major networks beginning this September.

I will keep you posted on details as they became available.

The foundation's website is www.fight2win.org

in the news

'No Greater Love' is a tearjerker. Humbling, inspiring, beautiful.

More Families Are Becoming Homeless

In West Wing: Grueling Schedules, Bleary Eyes is a revealing peek into the sleep-deprived lives of the White House staff.

As Nation Gains, 'Overweight' Is Relative

Report: NKorea's Kim Has Pancreatic Cancer

400 Years Later, Explorer's Death Still a Mystery

Highlighting the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, Small World is a wonderful essay about three new books that focus on the shortcomings and triumphs of the US space program as well as our collective fascination with our closest neighbor.

As Space Station Nears Completion, Maybe the End

Man in the News: Eric Schimdt

bascove and hudson

I finally made it to Bascove's exhibition at the Arsenal in Central Park. In between errands on Wednesday afternoon, I stopped inside to check it out.

Her work was displayed on the same floor where I listened to Dr. Horenstein lecture about the history of the Harlem River Valley several months ago. This was the first time that I saw her sketches and paintings in person. I was not disappointed. Just like her images in Stone and Steel, Bascove captures a truly unique portrayal of these structures. In her work, these bridges are more than just structures. They are fine examples of both inspiring art and engineering. Her signature motifs - warm tones, electric moving sky, innovative perspectives - fuse to transport the viewer to a dreamy world that in my opinion seems more captivating than the real thing. Her scenes are pulsating with creative vitality. She's quite gifted.

I'm delighted to have a reservation for the exhibition's reception later this month in which she'll be in attendance. I hope to have the opportunity to introduce myself to her.

And this afternoon, I went to the Museum of the City of New York in El Barrio, where I saw the enthralling exhibition, Amsterdam/New Amsterdam: The Worlds of Henry Hudson. Of course, this year is the anniversary of a lot of historical events, such as Galileo focusing his telescope on the heavens, Robert Fulton's steamboat, and the Apollo 11 moon landing. NYC is celebrating another event: Henry Hudson's discovery of the river that bears his name. This river was obviously known by the Native Americans who were here originally, but Hudson gets the credit as the first European (of course). Nevertheless, this exhibit examines the European Age of Discovery and Hudson's place in it. It has some beautiful, fascinating maps from the 16th and 17th centuries. It goes on to look at the affairs in the Netherlands that led the Dutch to establish an outpost in the New World and the life of this new society once it was established. Issues such as trade, religion, slavery, immigration, domestic life, and relations with the Native American population are addressed. I thought it was superb. I probably will go back again next week and to check out the other exhibitions about Dutch New York that I didn't have time to see today.

checkup rescheduled

I was supposed to have had a 3 month follow-up appointment at Sloan yesterday morning, but I wasn't feeling too great. I went to bed with a bit of a knot in my stomach and woke up feeling a bit worse. Not sure really what happened, but the result was that I didn't feel up to making my appointment yesterday. So, I canceled it and it was rescheduled for next Thursday.

I feel better today.

cancer fighters award 2009

GreatNonprofits.org is running a campaign to identify the top non-profits across the country serving the cancer community.

People who have personal experiences with organizations (volunteers, clients, board members, donors) are encouraged to post reviews and stories on GreatNonprofits.org, and the nonprofit that receives the most positive reviews during July will win the contest. Individuals who participate also have a chance to win prizes.

I'm Too Young For This, Ulman Cancer Fund For Young Adults, and First Descents are just a few of the organizations nominated.

Visit GreatNonprofits.org for more information about these organizations and to post a review for the one that has made the most difference for you.

in the news

What Friends Are For is a very interesting article in Friday's Financial Times about the future of Facebook and similar networking sites.

Chestnut Wins NY Hot Dog Eating Match, 3rd in Row

he's barack obama

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Yesterday for the first time, I saw this funny, satirical JibJab video about President Obama's Herculean and multipronged efforts at resuscitating America's promise. In their usual JibJab kind of way, the producers did a wonderful job.

sincerely, lou

Sincerely, Lou is a short ESPN documentary that examines Yankee great Lou Gehrig's battle against ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. The most surprising element for me and I'm sure for others who know something about the Hall of Famer's career but little about his personal life is the reluctance of his physician and wife to tell him the truth about his illness.

Watching how they collaborated to prevent Gehrig from knowing the reality of what he was facing irritated and astonished me. Having gone through what I went through, I can't imagine being sheltered from the truth like Gehrig was despite whatever arguments may be made for the necessity to maintain my upbeat spirit.

in the news

Obama Enters Decisive Phase of Presidency

Iraqis Are Too Shrewd to Fall for an 'Invisible' Occupation

Arab Dissent Finds Voice in Cyberspace

Review: Firefox 3.5 Makes Browsing Faster, Easier, and More Fun

day +680

Yesterday afternoon, I stopped by the school where I'll be teaching this fall to pick up some helpful reading materials for the summer. As I prepare for my first professional teaching experience, these books should help.

Aside from these newly added books, I've been making some headway on the others on my seemingly infinite reading list. Very recently, I finished Genghis Khan and the Making of the Modern World by Jack Weatherford. A gripping history of the life of the Great Khan and his descendants, Weatherford's text offers further insight and appreciation for the legacy of the Mongols on world culture. At the moment, I'm working on the last 60 or so pages of E.H. Gombrich's A Little History of the World. Though this book was written with children as the intended audience back in the 1930s, it has become a well-known favorite of people of all ages. A simple, general history, it's an interesting read as I'm reminded of some of the key people and events in human history. At the same time, however, Gombrich's analysis of the past is largely Eurocentric. Almost token attention is given to the peoples of the Americas, Asia, and so far in my readings, I haven't come across anything dealing seriously with Africa with the exception of ancient Egypt. Though concise and charming, Gombrich, in my opinion, does a big disservice to the richness of human civilization by avoiding these other areas.

In thinking about how I'd like to teach, I've been thinking increasingly about teaching history as a global, interdependent discipline. Reading Genghis Khan has reminded me of this. Moreover, my studies in Chicago as well as my Watson research were focused on this very belief in global interdependence and complexity.

Though I'll be teaching U.S. history, there are many ways in which I think I'll be able to shape the lessons within a global context.

Finally, I'm just one quarter shy of completing my collection of the 50 state commemorative quarter collection. In a bundle of change I received a couple of days ago, I found Alaska for the first time. And then, yesterday I stumbled upon Utah which had eluded me for a long time. So, what's the state that's holding out? It's Hawaii.

But interestingly, I've also found Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. So, there must be a commemorative set for territories as well. I need to look more into this. In addition to the states, I've been looking out for the commemorative one dollar presidential coins.