Challenge Cancer 5k

My sweeties and I went to the Challenge Cancer 5k this morning, where Sunshine and Sweet Pea ran the race in a good time, and eight cancer survivors, including myself, were recognized for remaining athletically active while dealing with our cancers. I didn’t run this race, because Grandma’s Marathon is just a week away now and I want to give my plantar fasciitis the best possible chance to heal first. So I rode my bike a little and took pictures; what a beautiful day and a nice time.

Afterward we headed to the club, where I “ran” on the elliptical for 32 minutes at a rather hard pace, which I believe is the right thing to do one week before a marathon. The machine said 3.9 miles, but my heart rate was about 150 most of the time, indicating a faster pace than that.

The doctor actually suggested taking an anti-inflammatory before the marathon. I’m aware that other doctors might disagree, for several reasons, and that excess use of anti-inflammatories can threaten kidneys and liver, already threatened by the myeloma. So yesterday I tried taking one gram of curcumin, a natural anti-inflammatory with no known long-term risks, and today I took two grams, just to make sure that I don’t have any problems with it. So far so good - I think I’ll take two grams before the race next Saturday.


Catfish, pan-fried in 1 tsp organic butter, organic lemon, oven-roasted organic sweet potatoes, organic catsup, almonds, jicama, and Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout (not shown). Estimate: nine Weight Watcher points including three for the stout.

So-so Doctor Visit

Yesterday my oncologist/hematologist gave me the results from last week’s tests.

IgG, M-spike, and Beta-2 Microglobulin were all up from a month ago, though none very much. Lambda light chains were down a little. Actual values are displayed graphically in the charts and numerically in the test result table. In short, it appears that the cancer is still advancing slowly despite the thalidomide treatment. Time for something new.

The doctor suggested Revlimid. I proposed, instead, a two-month respite to let the effects of the thalidomide settle out, followed by an "alternative medicine" curcumin regimen. That will probably mean eight grams of curcumin daily, with bioperine and an oil to enhance bioavailability. We will continue that regimen until a result is evident, and then start Revlimid and dexamethasone if the curcumin has not stabilized the cancer. He readily agreed; I'm proud of him!

Meantime, we will do tests every month to see what’s happening, and I will meet with the doctor again in two months.

An interesting side note: The doctor asked about my running. When I told him that I won my age group in the recent Austin Marathon, he said that he was surprised that I was feeling so well and running so well, considering the test results. He further remarked that some of the CBC and chem test results showed evidence of very good nutrition. Kudos to Eagle Momma.

Related links:

• My Myeloma A discussion of my myeloma, not very technical.
• Charts Graphic displays of several key test results over time.
• Test Result Table Best with a wide browser window. Very “technical.”
• Treatment History Not technical.

These links are also on the side panel and will remain there.