Here is my partner and awesome friend Sol Lipman speaking at the 140 Conference in NYC last week. He was asked to speak about "serendipity", but decided to tell the world about our new video messaging application for the iPhone. I'll let you read between the lines. Enjoy.
I promise that I'll write about Web stuff and social media again... soon. But I need to get this cancer info out there as I continue to learn more about the disease. And specifically the one that clobbered me...
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer -Adenocarcinoma. Stage 1b with a breech or spread of the pleura.
I've learned that it can take years even decades for the initial affected cell to do its thing and mutate to become a tumor. This information is interesting because it could help pinpoint how I may have gotten lung cancer as a non-smoker.
Cells becomes tumors through several steps. The first step is "Initiation" which is the disturbance that affected and modified the cells to begin with. This could be chemicals, radiation, virus... and in my case, probably second hand smoke. The next steps are "Promotion" and "Progression". This process can take up to 40 years. During this time it's not yet cancer. The bunch of modified cells begin to band together to maybe start to do something dastardly upon an organ. These are not detectable. Lung cancer is one of those that may stick around in the progression stage for decades. After progression, detectable cancer appears in the form of a primary tumor(s). Then there's metastasis. That's when it spreads to other organs in the form of secondary tumors. There's nothing after that. Nothing.
Here's the scary thing for you... You may have modified cells in the promotion and progression stages working away in one of your organs right now. Again these are not detectable. But it's very possible.
So what do you do?
A major thing is to eat foods that fight cancer. Change your diet. There are several studies that say a proper diet can keep the already existing modified cells at bay so that they never form a tumor.
Here are the books that I've found that are really cool and do a great job explaining how and why certain foods reduce the formation of cancer.
Foods to Fight Cancer by Richard Beliveau, PhD. and Denis Gingrass, PhD.
Great illustrations and photography in this too. The first chapters are about "knowing your enemy" so it goes into some nice biological detail about what cancer is and how it works. Basically start eating lots of fruits and vegetables and you might want to take an Indian cooking class. Tumeric... it's all about tumeric! :)
What to Eat if You Have Cancer by Maureen Keane and Daniella Chase
I just got this one, but it seems to have a great reputation. It's mostly about eating during the disease, but it's good advice no matter what. Plus it has recipes.
Anticancer - by David Servan-Schreiber
I mentioned this one before, but I thought I'd bring it up again. He really goes into the science of the diet and how it fights and prevents cancer. It's told as a personal story so it's not to nerdy. I haven't finished this one either, but trust me, it's good.
Just after my surgery, I had to stop reading about cancer. I couldn't pick up anything non-fiction in fact without getting depressed, so I started reading all fiction to help escape. I've read some awesome stuff during this time. A bunch by Sherman Alexie, Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett (Good Omens), The Princess Bride, and lately the Octavian Nothing books by M.T. Anderson. Oh and my favorite of the bunch has been Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradely... So if you get tired or overwhelmed by cancer books, I don't blame you. Pick up something fun to read. Then go eat anticancer foods!
I had a CT scan on Tuesday. It wasn't pleasant. In fact it was one of the most uncomfortable experiences that I've had since all this started. Okay it's nothing compared to lung surgery, but it wasn't fun. It's the barium... this thick acidic liquid that you have to drink, drink, drink, and drink some more. It does a number on your innards. Plus there's the IV and pants removal.
I suppose it was worth it though. This test told my Oncologist who then told me that there was no sign of cancer. My organs are normal. No tumors, all clear. Cancerless.
Obviously this is good news. I don't need another test for 6 months and I can start to plan ahead a little bit. Now I continue to heal from the chemotherapy and the surgery, start back to work on Monday, and start living a little.
I have 5 years to go, but this is the best way to begin.
Update: Dr. Weil just posted this article to his newsletter: Preventing Cancer Part 1: Supplements. I'm not trying to be a cheerleader for Weil, there are other sources out there, it's just he's been consistent for more than a decade and I like him and his crazy beard. But please do your own research.
I've come to the conclusion that if you live in the USA, you will get cancer at some point in your life. It will happen. You might as well live your life with this in mind. Sure, it will be other people at first... like it is now, but then it will be you. You will get cancer.
I got lung cancer and I never smoked a moment in my life. If I didn't discover it when I did, I'd be planning my death. No joke.
If you don't want to get cancer, or if you want to put it off as long as possible, there is hope. It's mostly about diet and lifestyle. First, if you smoke, stop right now. Lung cancer is the deadliest cancer around. Most people that get it, die and die fast. This is mainly due to the fact that lung cancer is usually detected late in the game. Smokers don't go to the doctor as much and ignore their symptoms. Since I never smoked I'm trying to figure out how I got this. I was around a lot of smoke as a kid, so I'm trying to learn about second hand smoke and how long it might take to develop a tumor. The Radon levels in my home are safe. So that's a relief for my family at least... It's a mystery at the moment, but to me, this makes it more the scarier. I'd rather know, than not know.
Diet: Dr. Weil has had it right for years! Read his books. Start there, read about anti inflammatory diets. http://drweil.com This should get you going, seriously. I have owned 8 Weeks to Optimum Health since 1998. I wonder If I'd be in this position if I actually followed through on his advice and changed my lifestyle then.
Stress: Stress reduction is also part of Dr. Weil's approach. But finding ways to reduce stress in your life will help you put off or survive your cancer assault. Breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, quiet walks, news and TV reduction, less computer time, massage, etc. learn to pamper yourself more. What can it hurt?
Excersise: Another thing that Dr. Weil discusses. He's more about taking walks, walking more, just being more active, etc. I'll leave it up to you if you want to take it up a few notches. Some day I hope to be healthy enough to get back to cross-training. But that's gonna take some time.
Lose Weight: If you're obese, like me, start making your plans for either a funeral or a serious weight loss regimen. Again Dr. Weil and the anti-inflammatory diet might be a good place to start, but also talk to your doctor. There may be more targeted plans for you and your needs. Cancer loves obesiety! Fatter cells to attack, perhaps. Cancer also loves transfats and high fructose corn syrup. Sugar. It eats it up to help it grow! So at least find a way to cut back on sugars.
See your doctor regularly and ask questions! Write them down before you go. If anything weird is bothering you... ask about it! That's what I did. Early detection is the best cure for cancer right now. So don't wait. If you have insurance, take advantage of it. I don't care how old you are... or young. Do it. If you don't have insurance, I hope that this will be resolved soon with new health care policies. But try to find a solution now if you can. Move to France, Canada, the UK, Sweden, Germany, or any other civilized nation in the world.
These are all things I'm going to start working on as I begin to heal from my last chemo treatment today. I have 4 to 6 weeks more recovery time. As I begin to feel better, I'm going start working on the lifestyle that I'll live for the rest of my life. Healthy eating, stress reduction, and exercise. I have to. I have no choice.
Take care of your self. I really mean it.
Another update: I wanted to say this when I wrote this last night at 3 AM... everyone has cells in their body that can beccome cancer right now. All they need to do is to find a place to grow. Anticancer is another good book to check out. So basically, no one is immune. It's just a matter of when or where will it happen.
I really haven't been around. I really haven't been on 12seconds, twitter, here and I don't want to be. That song was some kind of OCD attack that I couldn't control. I wish there was a rock big enough for me to fit under. I'm so tired of pain, discomfort, being sick, tired. blah blah blah. I'm only writing this because I'm pissed and upset and maybe this will let me blow some steam.
I have a damn rash all over now. Nonstop itchiness, like i'm covered in poison oak only it's not poison oak. Now I'm on more drugs. An antihistamine and steroids. Maybe this is 'roid rage i'm feeling. I'm fucking angry.
Have I gone on the "positivity" rant yet? I forget. People tell you to "stay positive" and surviving is "all about attitude." Great! Now I'm killing myself because I'm in a bad mood! I think that's bullshit. I think you have feelings for a reason. If' I'm depressed or upset or angry, then I should be allowed to feel those feelings. I'm not going to put a smile on my face just to make you feel better.
Not you personally.
Another thing... I'm so frustrated that I can barely work. I can barely do anything! I have dreams. And my dreams are being crushed by this situation! CRUSHED! Where's that rock??
Plus I feel guilty. I feel guilty that I can't help my friends and family and Yahoo and you and me and everyone. This sucks!
Yeah it's almost done. I have one more treatment, next Thursday. Then what? I know you want me to feel better, but the list is so long to make that happen I can't even think about it. One thing at time right? Look, I really appreciate the support. You all have been awesome. But this week, I'm frustrated, tired, itchy, and angry. I hope it gets better from here.
I'm sorry for all the negativity.
Okay I'm really done now. It needed a better ending. So I tried to give it a better ending. But I'm done with it. I'm doing that thing with my hands that blackjack dealers do. There. Now go and do The Chemo Stomp.
Download: (Do The) Chemo Stomp! by me
Thank you for indulging me. I think the chemo has given me a bit of the OCD because it's 3:20 AM and I woke up and had to fix it. G'night.
I went to my first acupuncture appointment on Saturday. It was at Five Branches. I had no idea what to expect. Actually I'm still not sure what happened.
I went into the room. Spoke for a bit with a nice practitioner who has also had cancer, then laid on a table and had needles put in me. I didn't really feel anything. She turned off the lights and I laid there for a half hour in the dark. I coudn't move. Then that was pretty much it. I have no idea what happened or what is supposed to happen now. I'm going next week so I'll ask more questions. I did seem to have more energy today. Actually I felt really restless like I didn't know what to do with myself. Sort of buzzy but bored. There was an energy that I hadn't felt in a while. Maybe that's the result of the acupuncture.
Ironically, my insurance covers acupuncture. Just not nutritionists.
I took the kids to see Star Trek. It was decent, but not worth the hype. I already have a problem with action films that throw too much visual information at you all at once. Effects have gotten out of hand in their effort to appear realistic. The first rule of modern special effects movies should be "just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should." Camera shakes, shit flying all over the place, layer after layer of detail. It's too much and probably a waste of budgets. Don't get me wrong, I love ILM, but dial it back a bit people. Other than that, I like what they've done with the premise. Let's see what happens next.
The theater was packed with all of these crusty trekker/trekkie hippies that probably haven't seen a movie in a theater since the last Captian Kirk film. I swear one guy got up before the film and made an arm waving speech about how it was terrible that they were showing commercials. I wonder how he felt about all the product placement that appeared during the film. By the way, I found it ironic that Nokia still can't make a decent interface hundreds of years in the future.
I thought Sabatoge was a good choice.
Well, I go back to work tomorrow. Perhaps this acupuncture buzz will keep me going for a few more days. My brain has been acting up and is looking for an outlet.
New Update! Okay I made sort of a real song. (Sort of.) So stomp along!
Download (Do The) Chemo Stomp by Me Final Version
Update: I remixed it. So here is the latest mix:
Download: (Do The) Chemo Stomp by Me
Download: The Chemo Stomp by me
Here's a little ditty I made up and recorded just now. enjoy!
I've decided to post the second Michael Jackson letter. I've been a little distracted, but I thought I'd might as well get this out.
Mr. David Beach
Santa Cruz, CADear Mr. Beach
Thank you for the letter that you sent. I received it in my suite in Dubai and it was also forwarded to me from The Neverland Valley Ranch. The weeds at the ranch have now grown knee high and I am very sad about that. There are no weeds in the desert.
Please let me express my condolences about your friend Jimmy. We lost so many friends on that terrible day of September 11. Jimmy will not be forgotten. Donny and Marie have a brother named Jimmy. He was always my favorite Osmond. His cheeks are like shiny red apples.
You mentioned tigers and goblins and many things in your letter. I like tigers but I don't know any goblins. They both can be terrifying. They both can eat your face as I've seen this happen in Las Vegas.
Mr. Beach, children are very important to me. Children are more important to me than anything else in the whole world! Children are always the same size, they are always child-size. They have little arms that are chubby. I like how sometimes when you play chase, they are slower than bigger people. It's because their legs are also smaller, Jimmy. Children are like little adults. They also smell like bubblegum and popcorn and Woolworth's. And rubber.
I would like to hear more about your ideas. I'm always looking for ideas about my music. I have been speaking with many people about this. Have you heard of scat? Of scatting? This is one idea I am considering.
Jimmy, when will you be doing an Osmond family reunion tour? I would very much like to see this. I think many people in Dubai and Las Vegas would like to see this too. You could all wear matching sweaters and bow ties. Rainbows!
Sincerely,
MJ
I put my blog back up. We'll it never went away, I just stopped mapping itsbeach.com to it for awhile. Okay off to watch the Mighty Boosh. I'll write some new shit soon.
I went to the Nutritionist today only to discover that my insurance wouldn't cover the visit or anything else associated with the service. I'm not going to complain too much because they've paid for everything else. Tens of thousands of dollars of expenses from the sleep study, to the surgery, to the chemotherapy. I'm very lucky. But it strikes me odd that as soon as I try to get preventative medicine or treatment, I get turned down. The nutritionist would have probably cost about $1,000 over time, if that... I was just looking for some guidance. The first visit was probably $100. The results would be even more valuable. Imagine how much less I'd cost them if I was healthy and physically fit with professional supervision? I'm sure they have their reasons. It's just disappointing.
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