New York or Bust!

Sorry to be so slow to update this blog but computer problems are the main culprit. I started downloading (uploading?) pictures in reverse order so they will be chronological but this program won't let me download any more at this time so when I can get the earlier ones put in, you'll see the first part of our trip.

One afternoon after we finished our shift at the Whitmer Farm in Fayette, NY, another couple asked if we wanted to go on a dinner cruise that evening on the Erie Canal. Of course we, as well as Louis and Louise did! We drove to Fairport to embark, an hour or so west of Palmyra. About 15 or 20 other couples from our site as well as Palmyra were also on the cruise.













The entire trip was a lot of fun, very romantic and scenic with beautiful homes with their own boat docks all along the way.













Modern equipment has enabled the canal to be widened and deepened to allow bigger boats onto the canal. There are a total of 32 locks going the length. We went through one then turned around and came back, arriving after dark.













Another day before our afternoon shift started, we drove an hour or so into Amish country and stopped at a little country store where they had all manner of beautiful homemade crafts for sale. I especially enjoyed looking at these amazing quilts.

























We saw this cute buggy--the common mode of transportation of the Amish--parked in front of a well-kept farm with a boy in bib overalls out riding his bike. We hoped to see them working in their fields but they were scarce.

One afternoon we drove up to Fair Haven State Park on the shore of Lake Ontario on the northern border of NY with Louis and Louise. We all had a good laugh about these birds who congregated in flocks everywhere waiting for a handout of food and thought they reminded us of the Obama Democrats!

We took a little picnic and enjoyed the beauty of the park by the lake.

This is a typical picture of the beautiful farms, barns, corn fields, etc. that we saw every day wherever we traveled.

On our P-day, we decided to spend the day in Palmyra, to take the scenic tour as well as have a spiritual tour. As we arrived, first at the Grandin Print Shop, it was pouring rain. We got a little drenched waiting to go inside for the tour to start.

One morning the four of us got up early and attended a session here at the beautiful Palmyra Temple.
























The first home of Joseph Smith's family in Palmyra.

The entrance to the Sacred Grove. There were several other paths leading in and out and as we were leaving, a rather hard-looking woman who seemed rather out of place (tattoos, etc., etc., probably in her 30's) met up with us, merging from a different path.

She seemed rather teary eyed and affected by her experience in the grove. She seemed to want to talk so we asked her where she was from and she said Louisiana. We told her of our daughter and husband who had spent two years there going to school and who had learned to love the people and everything about the state because of the warm hospitality of the people there.

We asked her if she was a member of the Church and she said yes, that her mother had joined when she was 3 years old. She said that as a teenager, she became rebellious and started doing things she shouldn't and eventually lost her membership in the Church. After some time she began missing feeling the Spirit and wanted to get back in the church. She became very ill, was hospitalized and felt that she would die. She prayed and prayed that she would live long enough so that she could be re-baptized. After contacting her Bishop to ask if she could be, he began the process for her. She did recover and was able to again receive her membership through re-baptism and to once again feel the spirit.

She told us she never wanted to be without that feeling again but that life was very hard because she had married a non-member and while he allowed her to attend meetings, yet he wasn't interested in the Church. She and her husband and two other friends had left their hometown on motorcycles and were on their way to visit friends elsewhere, but she told them she didn't care where else they went, she was going to stop in and spend some time in the Sacred Grove! They agreed but didn't go in themselves. We talked a while and encouraged her to always make good choices and set a good example for them and said that she would be blessed in her life for doing so. She gave us both big hugs and said how much she had appreciated being able to talk with us. A while later we watched as she donned her bandana, helmet and black leather jacket and rode off on her motorcycle with her husband and friends, waving at us as she left. It was a special experience for us.

Frank in Palmyra before the Hill Cumorah Pageant with two of the awesome Sister Missionaries we had the privilege of working with at the Whitmer farm. They didn't get to stay for the pageant because they hadn't found an investigator to bring and it would be after hours before it ended. Mission
rule. . .

We loved going two or three hours early to watch the pageant because all the participants got their costumes and make-up on early and mixed and mingled with the crowds of people until dark. Their costumes were so amazing and they were very friendly and loved the chance to share a spiritual thought with us. We talked with many young people, even very young ones who weren't afraid to speak up and share their testimony. We marveled at how prepared they were becoming to be future full-time missionaries.





The first night we went to the pageant it started pouring rain about 20 minutes before the end and ended up getting cancelled for the night, due to the danger of lightening to the crew and cast up on the hill. Only the 3rd time in pageant history for that to happen! We were glad we were able to attend again a few days later.

The beautiful Fayette Ward chapel and visitors center at the Whitmer farm. It was designed, both inside and outside, to look like other churches of the period. Note especially the gold domed steeple. Inside was very beautiful with lots of dark wood and red carpets. One tribute to our modern era was the cultural hall with basketball standards! We spent nearly two weeks here during the pageant, serving as volunteer hosts to help the hundreds of people who came through each day to have an enjoyable time. We met so many wonderful people from all over the country and world. There were lots of tour buses full of youth groups as well as others, coming from the Bronx, Ohio, North Carolina, Missouri, and elsewhere. What a choice experience for them, many getting ready to serve missions.

Below is a replica of the Peter Whitmer home, where the Church was organized April 6, 1830.

Frank at Station # 2, at the rear of the building where the tours started. From there, he greeted them and then directed them inside where I would show them to the drinking fountain, bathroom, etc. before they started their tour. We rotated between 4 stations during our 5-6 hour shift, with a different assignment at each.

We were amazed when we arrived for orientation to find that a missionary from Frank's mission to New England many years ago was also serving with us, Marvin Tolman from Provo. He and his wife had been called literally the weekend before time to come to fill in for a couple who had gotten half way to NY and the wife had had to have emergency abd. surgery in Omaha. Bro. Tolman had 2 brothers and wives also serving and had wanted to come. One of his brothers was there FT as a Senior missionary. What a fun time we all had getting acquainted!

This is the William Cunche family from Paris France, that we met and visited with in Palmyra at the pageant the last Saturday night we were there. They asked where we were going to church and we said the Fayette Ward as we needed to work our last shift there Sunday after Church. They came there and we had a chance to visit with them and learn more about this special family. They said if we ever go to Paris, they want to be our guide!

As we returned toward Arizona we went a more southerly route and spent one night in Indianapolis and then stopped at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. It is constructed of steel and is triangular in shape with a tramway inside that we traveled 630 feet up all the way to the top where there were windows that we could look out all over the city. A real architectural marvel. Definitely worth seeing!

After leaving St. Louis, we went to Branson MO. where we spent 3 nights and got to see lots of wonderful shows, all family friendly, with a patriotic and religious ending. Very uplifting entertainment in a beautiful location.

The weather was wonderful the entire trip, never too hot and only a couple of rains.

Multiple Myeloma update

We just returned from a month-long trip by car to New York State and back--will post more about that later with pictures. Friday as we left Branson to start our journey home we stopped in Springfield, Missouri at Labcorp for Frank's monthly blood draw to check various aspects of his disease. His appointment was Monday and it takes a few days for the results to be sent to the doctor's office in Mesa, AZ. The doctor said that while his various values weren't bad, they weren't that good either--his white count has continued to slowly drop again and his platelets as well. Not good. Frank asked him if he is still in the smoldering myeloma stage or if it is active. The doctor explained that its a little of both. His kidneys and bones haven't been affected yet but he has over 50% malignant cells in his bone marrow which are crowding out the good cells--especially the platelets and white cells. He said Frank could start on the chemotherapy if he wanted (which would destroy malignant cells with lots of nasty side effects [including destroying his immune system]), or if not, continue on the supplements I have been giving him. For now we will continue on the supplements. I am researching and deciding where I can tweak dosages, etc.
He had another phlebotomy to remove a pint of blood in order to keep the iron level in his blood in control (because of hemachromatosis, a common blood disease). Cancer loves iron.

If Frank felt terrible, we would be more concerned, but he has felt good the entire month we were gone, not getting sick or requiring any antibiotics. A couple of times when he started getting a sore throat or chest congestion I had him gargle with salt water or take Echinacea, Proligna (a pinecone extract) and L-lysine and they worked like a charm (they are all immune system boosters). He will have a CBC and Ferritin level (iron) check in two weeks and then all the rest before his next appt. in a month.

The following are some of his worrisome low lab values:
RBC (Red Blood Count)--carries oxygen to cells throughout body. Normal range:4.10 to 5.60. His: 3.46 (down from 4.14 in February)
WBC (White Blood Count)--the body's defense system against infection. Normal range: 4-10.5. His: 2.4 (down from 2.8. In April it was at 4.1--higher than it had been in 10 years.) He is at greater risk for infection and tries to avoid sick people and crowds.
Neutrophil%--A type of white blood cell. Normal range: 40-74%. His: 38%(down from 48%). Some cancers may cause a decrease in the body’s ability to form normal new neutrophils. People with neutropenia (low neutrophil count) have a low number of these white blood cells, so it is harder for their bodies to fight infection.
Platelets They are formed in the bone marrow and cause the blood to clot. Normal range 140-415. His: 109 (down from 141 in March).The platelet count may decrease if the bone marrow does not produce enough platelets. Blood cancers and a variety of other bone marrow disorders can have this effect. Several of the anti-cancer supplements he is taking have an anticoagulant effect (including Curcumin) and since he is not bruising easily or bleeding abnormally, the doctor didn't seem overly concerned. Better too low than high and be at risk of heart attack/stroke!

These values all flucuate month to month so we just pray that that the change isn't too drastic.

New Camera, Fun Vacation in Puerta Vallarta, Boogie Boarding

My my, its been a long time since I've posted anything. We both were pretty busy going back and forth to doctors. Frank had two cataract surgeries and both eyes are doing well--for the first time since he was in 5th grade, NO glasses! Amazing! I had two benign lesions on my cervix removed. A urologist blasted (with sound waves) an 8mm stone in my kidney and Frank had a lesion on his arm removed (probably skin cancer). Along with these procedures there were many trips to doctors (the closest an hour away) for checkups, xrays, CT Scan, Ultrasound, blood tests, etc. etc. I had an emergency trip to the hospital for an injured spine and was down pretty much flat for 10 days. Anyway, we are finally doing great and are ready for some fun.


My digital camera suddenly without warning, died, quit--it went totally kaput. Frank bought me a new one for my birthday so I've been trying it out. My first subjects were of course my flowers--first signs of spring after months of cold WINDY weather. It was amazing but while Frank was gone helping Kandra and Jared move from Ohio to L.V., the trees overnight leaved out! One week they were bare and the next, brilliant green. Good thing they know what to do in spite of weather that made us wonder if spring would come at all.





Our longtime friends, the Beecroft's, invited us to spend a week with them at their timeshare (penthouse suite!) in Puerto Vallarta--a perfect opportunity to try out my new camera. We had a wonderful, relaxing time and enjoyed everything about our trip--the exotic resort, listening to the ocean waves, boogie boarding, long walks on the beach, late night movies on the VCR, lazy mornings and even keeping up with the "news" at home, courtesy of FOX news. It was a very relaxing week, just what the doctor ordered!

































Sorry for so many pictures--I could have posted many more--my point and click camera does an awesome job. I will try to post pictures of the newest additions (!) at our Humble Abode this week if I have time. We are preparing to go on a road trip to New York for the pageant in Palmyra. We have been asked to serve as Hosts at the Peter Whitmer Farm during that time, along with my brother and his wife Louis and Louise. We will be gone a month (end of June to end of July) so of course you can count on getting a travelogue of that trip when we get back!

Supplement Sources

Because I have had lots of inquiries about where I purchase the various herbs and supplements Frank and I have taken, here are some of the sources for the things I buy. You can compare prices, etc. and see if there are better sources. Because I live in a small town without readily available products at a health food store, it is easy to go online to make most of my purchases. I think some sources just want to sell their products and may not have standardized optimal products. The book "Cancer Free" by Bill Henderson has lots of tips for good sources of the supplements he recommends also.

www.swansonvitamins.com Quercetin 650 mg; Saw palmetto 540 mg; Boswellia 800 mg; Dual Ginseng Plus; Evening Primrose Flowers 500 mg

www.vitacost.com NSI artemisinin 500 mg, NSI resveratrol+grapeseed, NSI Ginkgo Biloba 120 mg, NSI Glucosamine condroitin + MSM; Doctors Best Curcumin C3 Complex w/bioperine 1000 mg or (Frank prefers--easier to swallow) NSI Turmeric Extract Curcumin C3 complex1000 mg w/bioperene [I read where they are made by the same company, the first is a hard caplet and the second is in a gelatin capsule], NSI CoQ10 600 mg; NSI Pancreatin 10X (digestive Enzyme)

www.iherb.com Allera immune extra; Jarrow Green Tea 500 mg, Vitality Works; Oregano Oil Carvacrol 70; Doctor's best MSM, 1000 mg

www.nutritiongeeks.com Calcium citrate 600 mg, Niacin 500 mg, Theanine serene w/GABA,

http://physicianformulas.com Astragalus root, Feverfew (parthenolide)

I've also bought lots of things at Wal-mart: Multi- vitamins (no iron), etc. Hope this helps. For the regimen he follows go back a few posts to the one that lists what he takes and why.

Thoughts on Mother's Day, Cancer Scare, back pain

Today was Mother's day and a very enjoyable one--was able to talk to all my children plus my mom on the phone. Church services were very touching as outstanding talks were given by Craig Blackburn and Rick Turley. In the past I have not always enjoyed this day of the year because I guess my expectations exceeded the reality. As I listened to the stories at church every year about exemplary mothers, I always would feel depressed and like a failure for not being the kind of mother who had raised 10 wonderful children as a widow on a shoestring budget, etc., etc. Anyway, now that my children are gone and some of the small details of my past imperfections are forgotten (unless with humor I am reminded of such by my children!), I can look at our four kids and feel like I must have done a few things right because each of them have become outstanding responsible adults.

The past few months there has been a little cloud hanging over me as I worried on and off about the cause of occasional blood in my urine. Having been more concerned about Frank's diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, I had for the most part, ignored my own painless symptom as I continuously researched natural treatment for him so that he wouldn't have to endure chemotherapy/radiation. I had gone to doctors a few times and eventually a CT scan of my kidneys and bladder was ordered, then an ultrasound of the same region because of 'something' they thought they saw on the CT scan. Finally, two weeks ago I was able to get into see a Urologist to learn the results of the tests done. I was told I had two problems, an 8mm kidney stone which will need to be blasted and a 'mass' in my bladder(!!) Great. The doctor scheduled me to come back the 9th (yesterday) for a cystoscopy (a fiber optic cable with a light inserted into my bladder) to determine the type of abnormal tissue and what needed to be done. I went in and was able to watch on a monitor screen as he look all around inside and never found anything abnormal and said I had a very normal healthy bladder! What I didn't tell him was that the day I found out I had a mass in there, I immediately started taking the 'atomic bomb'--what I call the handful of anti-cancer supplements that Frank has been taking successfully the past two months (see my earlier blog for his regimen). I call them our "afternoon delight" as they need to be taken on an empty stomach with a hot liquid for absorbability purposes, either hot chocolate or hot apple cider. Anyway we were both thrilled and very relieved at the good news. I'll keep on taking them but perhaps not as many of the curcumin now (12 grams).

Three or 4 days after I saw the urologist for the first time, I was working in the yard, raking leaves from our back area where my fruit trees are and also pulling up sucker roots that come from the white poplar tree and are trying to take over the back yard. Anyway, as I pulled on an extra stubborn root, I felt a severe pain travel from my lower back down my left leg to my foot and was unable to put weight on it--excruciating. Frank took me to the ER and they did a CT scan. They didn't find any mis-alignment but said it was spinal stenosis which is a narrowing of the openings from the spine that the nerves pass through which causes damage to and inflammation of the nerves. I was pretty much flat in bed or a recliner for about a week, got up only with the help of Frank's strong arm or a walker loaned by a friend. Kristal came down from SLC to stay and help several days. With the help of her great leg massages, painkillers and heating pads to my back, the pain and inflammation gradually subsided and I am able to be up and about--carefully. However, Kandra's move from Ohio to Las Vegas this week will have to take place without me :( Jared is graduating Law School at OSU (Hurray for him!) and will work for a judge there. Frank left this morning to go St George, the first leg of the trip where he will leave from LV with Kristal and Jason on Southwest Airlines; they will also go help pack, clean, drive vehicles, etc. Jason's architecture classes ended last week so he volunteered to take my place, bless his heart.

Las Vegas, St. George, Washington State, Myeloma Checkup

April has been a busy but enjoyable month for us. We drove to Las Vegas where we met and picked up Kandra and Jared (and of course Gavin) at the airport. They had come to find a house to live in before they move out from Ohio next month. After crisscrossing the city many times and checking out hundreds of places, they settled on a very nice house in the Summerlin area (check out her blog for more details). We all stayed at South Point, a very nice resort a few miles south of the strip. Jared had found a smokin' deal on the room rates (thanks)! We had an enjoyable time eating and visiting with our oldest grand daughter, Summer (who is living there) one evening. After K & J found the home they wanted (no gang graffiti on the walls!) we went to St. George and spent a couple days celebrating Easter with Lance and family and Kristal et al. The weather had turned somewhat cold but nevertheless we had an enjoyable time together. Sunday afternoon we took Kandra and Jared back to LV where they caught their plane back to Ohio.
The next morning Frank and I flew to Seattle and then on to Bellingham, Washington. We rented a car there and drove to Birch Bay where we stayed a week at a lovely Worldmark condominium there. We explored the area that I had lived in for 14 months when I was a child--very scenic. I was able to locate the actual site where our home was on South Pass Road though the house was no longer standing--it was old when my family lived in it 50+ years ago!
Frank and I celebrated our 44th wedding anniversary while in Washington--hurray!
Worldmark Resort with gorgeous blooming trees and flowers.

Birch Bay across the street from the resort.

Dusk at Discovery Bay and receding tide.


Golf course behind the resort where I enjoyed early morning walks.

This church building in Everson is 3-4 years old and 2 wards meet there. When we lived in the area no one had even heard of the church! There are also several others in the area now.

The beautiful valley near Mt. Baker where our home was located.

We saw many fields which looked like this. After examining the vines closely, I found they are raspberry vines which are trained in this fashion, several canes are tied together and then as they grow taller they are bent over and tied into the next bundle--apparently to make harvesting easier.

Friends we met on a cruise a few years ago drove up from Seattle on the weekend and we had a wonderful time together. A highlight was driving down to Skagit Valley where some of the world's largest growers of tulips and other flowers are grown--fields and fields of them. It was totally amazing.

Field of tulips in Skagit Valley.

Beauty everywhere! I was really envious of the tall stems and unbelievably huge blooms on all the tulips. Pictures don't do them justice. At home my tulips grow to about 5 or 6" tall and the flowers are small--totally stunted by our cold windy weather. Sixty-70 mph winds at home were one thing we were glad we missed while we were gone.



There were thousands of people everywhere in the fields (some even coming in tour buses) to view the tulip gardens.

Some of the families brought very colorful kites to fly.

Waves and waves of beautifully color-coordinated flowers in park-like settings.

A colorful windmill gave the atmosphere of being in Holland.

Rows and Rows of many colored tulips.

Purple tulips in a tub.



On our last day in Washington we traveled to British Columbia before heading to the Bellingham airport. This is the famous Peace Arch between the two friendly countries.

The city of White Rock sits by the ocean with lovely beach and many birds on one side of the highway and row after row of condos and apartments rising up the hill on the other side, very scenic.
BTW, forgot to mention that Frank had gone into Bellingham to a Labcorp to have vials of blood drawn while we were there so that the results would be ready when he went in for a checkup with his oncologist in Arizona the day we returned. Some of them still weren't back yet but his white blood cell count which is the one the doctor has been most worried about had risen again, from 3.2 to 4.1--the highest its been in several years!!! He has an immune system again! Though we had gone prepared with an antibiotic just in case, he hasn't needed one for 2 1/2 months. Yippee :) The doctor said things looked great, that what we are doing is apparently working and to not come back for 2 months. GREAT news!

Alternative Myeloma Regimen

For those dealing with the same disease as Frank, I will present the protocol I have developed based on my studies and what I think will help Frank's body fight the malignant cells in his bone marrow. It is still evolving and not set in concrete. Follow the advice of your own physician as I certainly am not advocating this as a cure for anyone else. There are 7 forms of Myeloma with many variations in those and everyone reacts differently to the same treatment. I am including my reasoning for giving him the various supplements. I will probably increase/decrease/stop/add others as time goes on. . . . If you haven't checked out Margaret's myeloma blog, you would be ahead to do so. She has been at her research of the same subject for many years and is very knowledgeable--I'm a beginner. Anyway, on to my regimen.

This is what he takes in the AM after breakfast: [I'm not including his rx's for other conditions.]
Multi-vitamin without iron
Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 mg-1 DHA and EPA in fish oil lowers triglycerides, blood thinner, slows the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques
CoQ10 1000 mg (Ubiquinone)—all tissues, heart muscle, anticancer--helps restore aerobic metabolism
Green Tea—antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, induces apoptosis in MM; may negate the benefits of Velcade®
Proteolytic (pancreatic) enzymes--blood thinner, anti-neoplastic
Super B complex-1
Calcium/Magnesium/Zinc 1-- Calcium and magnesium help maintain healthy bones while zinc is essential for cell division and growth. Zinc is an essential element needed to support the body's immune system.
Niacin TR 1000 mg --heart, lowers cholesterol, plays a role in DNA repair.
MSM 1000 mg—anti-inflammatory (arthritis), antioxidant, oxygen transporter Milk Thistle 1 cap (silymarin)—liver support; antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, makes chemotherapy less toxic and more effective, slows the growth of cancer cells.
Sea kelp--Thyroid support
Vitamin C 1000 mg, 2 pills—antioxidant, oxygen transporter, lowers cholesterol, promotes production of CoQ10; may interfere with Velcade (Bortezomib,)
Vitamin E 400 mg—antioxidant, synergistic with Vitamin C to transport oxygen to mitochondria (oil soluble), blood thinner,
plays a role in immune function, in DNA repair, and other metabolic processes
Ginkgo Biloba (blood thinner, antioxidant) combats chemotherapy side effects (memory loss)
Pomegranate—super antioxidant; contains the highest antioxidant capacity compared to other juices, red wine, green tea, tomatoes, vitamin E;
pomegranate juice decreased LDL ("bad cholesterol") and increased HDL ("good cholesterol") by 20% in humans. The oxidation of LDL was reduced by up to 90%.

Takes about 4- 6 pm (On empty stomach with water) then drinks hot apple cider with 1/2 tsp coconut or olive oil to increase efficacy of curcumin x 12
Curcumin 8-12 gm (Doctors Best 95% pure with 5% Bioperine)
anti-carcinogenic (apoptosis), anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anticoagulant, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-protozoal, antiviral, anti-fibrotic, anti-venom, anti-ulcer, hypotensive, hypocholesteremic activities, protects against radiation. Bioperine from black pepper increases its absorption by up to 2000%, Add in others like green tea extract and ginkgo biloba and the antioxidant powers are magnified greatly due to the interaction or synergy, increasing the ability to help fight many diseases and premature aging. Heating Curcumin improves the solubility and bioavailability. Curcumin may lessen the anti-cancer efficacy of some chemo drugs, such as doxorubicin and dexamethazone. In studies all doses tested decreased cancer cell growth and triggered cell death. Higher doses were more effective, and the higher the dose used, the more cancer cells died.(3)[Siwak DR, Shishodia S, Aggarwal BB, Kurzrock R.] Curcumin-induced antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects in melanoma cells are associated with suppression of IkappaB kinase and nuclear factor kappaB activity and are independent of the B-Raf/mitogen-activated/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase pathway and the Akt pathway.[Cancer. 2005 Jul 11] Non-toxic.
Omega 3 Fish Oil 1000 mg-- DHA and EPA in fish oil lowers triglycerides, slows the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques, reduces cholesterol
Flaxseed oil 1000 mg--omega-3 fatty acid, contains alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), an essential fatty acid beneficial for heart disease, inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, and other health conditions. Flaxseed, in addition to ALA, contains a group of chemicals called lignans that may play a role in the prevention of cancer.
Selenium 100 mcg--necessary for cellular function; antioxidant, synergistic with Vit E.
Vitamin E 400 mg antioxidant, synergistic with Vitamin C to transport oxygen to mitochondria (oil soluble), blood thinner,
plays a role in immune function, in DNA repair, and other metabolic processes
Vit D3 1000 IU/Calcium 160 mg—fat soluble, prevent bone loss, osteoporosis, skin cancer;) promotes phagocytosis, anti-tumor activity, and immunomodulatory functions.
Boswellia 800 mg 2 tabs--Boswellic acid blocks signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 signaling, proliferation, and survival of
multiple myeloma via the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-1. Blocks IL-6’s activation of the STAT3 pathway, antiangiogenesis, inhibits osteoclastogenesis, is a novel inhibitor of STAT3 activation and has potential in the treatment of cancer.
Capsaicin 1 cap- is a blocker of the STAT3 activation pathway, with a potential role in the prevention and treatment of multiple myeloma and other cancers.
Ginseng 2 cap--induces apoptosis and inhibits FGFR3 expression, lowers cholesterol, reduces fatigue (don’t take with coumadin)
Resveratrol 2 caps –inhibits tumorigenesis, causes apoptosis, prevents osteoclast formation, anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-brain aging.7

Frank—Bedtime
Artemisinin 200 mg—(not water soluble) apoptosis (attracted to cancer cells with iron, kills them) (combine with green
tea, CoQ10 and pancreatic enzyme)
MSM 2000 mg 2 cap--anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, oxygen transporter
Aspirin 81 gr (EC)-1--blood thinner
Melatonin 3-6 mg-- kills directly many different types of human tumor cells.It is a naturally produced cytotoxin, which can induce tumor cell death (apoptosis); exhibits natural oncostatic activity and inhibits cancer cell growth
growth; inhibit development of new tumor blood vessels; suppresses corticosteroid activity—don’t take with steroids
Parthenolide (feverfew)—(not water soluble) induces apoptosis, inhibits angiogenesis induced by MM cells
Probiotic—1—provide beneficial intestinal bacteria suppressed by antibiotics, antacids
Niacin 1-2000 TR--acts by protecting cells and tissues from damage by toxic molecules or free radicals. Kidney tissue is protected by niacinamide, (1) niacin lowers cholesterol and, (2) decreases frequency of fibrillation and tissue damage.
Green Tea 2 caps-- antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, induces apoptosis in MM,
L-lysine 500 mg 2 cap—stops invasion of CA cells
Milk Thistle 1 (silymarin)—liver support; makes chemotherapy less toxic, more effective, slows the growth of cancer cells
Theanine 1—stress reliever, calming
Ginkgo Biloba 60 mg—blood thinner, antioxidant, combats chemotherapy side effects (memory loss)
Proteolytic enzyme 2 cap--Control/modulate molecules that tend to inhibit the immune system and/or provide anchor to metastatic cancer
cells (Sakalova, 1993);
Ester C 2000 mg—antioxidant

I found this quote from a Hematologist and liked what he said:
"Although cure is the ultimate goal of our long-term research, we need more data from randomized trials before resorting to highly intense therapy that is more toxic and unlikely to lead to a cure outside the setting of a clinical trial."

"Should we treat patients ... with the goal of potentially curing a subset of patients, recognizing that the risk of adverse events and effect on quality of life will be substantial?

"Or should we address myeloma as a chronic incurable condition with the goal of disease control, using the least toxic regimens, emphasizing a balance between efficacy and quality of life ... ?"
Mayo hematologist S. Vincent Rajkumar, M.D.,

Roller Coaster ride with Myeloma at the controls

Life has its ups and downs, highs and lows for everyone. Lately we've certainly felt like we've been on one, traveling at breakneck speed, mostly downhill. We had accepted Frank's diagnosis of cancer in February and the change in many life plans that it implies and certainly have faith that whatever happens is the Lord's will. We all will die sometime anyway, right?

We however, are not ready to give in to this demon without a fight--our very best efforts. After the diagnosis, I spent many hours every day researching the internet and reading books about cancer and non-toxic ways to heal. I carry bags of books with me when we travel, I often stay up till 1 or 2am, trying to absorb and retain the mountains of information available. We both feel strongly that since the chemotherapy he had 17 years ago for a previous cancer plus radiation he had received as a "downwinder" growing up in St. Johns were the cause of his present non-curable cancer, we don't want to go that route again if there is another way. We have felt the guiding hand of the Lord in helping to lead us, step by step, to information that has been helpful.

Well, I purchased from various places (mostly online) numerous supplements that have shown through many clinical trials to be effective against cancer in general and Multiple Myeloma specifically. He takes handfulls of pills a day (not his favorite thing to do) and trusts my judgement that they will work. The most promising one, curcumin, took awhile to arrive and since he takes 8 grams a day (8 LARGE pills) I started him on a low dose and gradually built up to full strength. The great news was that none of the many supplements he is taking including the curcumin, have caused side effects and are non-toxic! Yeah!!

A few days later he had his monthly lab tests and then a checkup by his Oncologist. Not good. His white cell count (his immune system) had dropped like a rock. The doctor wanted to start him on chemotherapy immediately, said his genetic studies showed he had an aggressive kind and that the malignant cells were crowding out his good cells in the bone marrow. What a blow! We had really hoped and expected better, not worse results. Well, Frank had taken his day planner and he opened it and showed the doctor his schedule for the next few months and said he didn't have time for that [to spend 4 days a week in Mesa getting toxic chemo plus labs in between]! He had other things to do. The doctor finally agreed that for now he could just take a powerful steroid plus an antibiotic and we would return in one week.

We filled the 2 prescriptions and drove back to Heber. I reviewed the research I had done on Curcumin and still felt good about it. Then I looked up dexamethazone, the steroid, and found some benefits but many serious side effects including lowering of the white count. Great. . .so that's why he wanted Frank on the antibiotic even though Frank told him he felt good. Not only that but in clinical trials, it had worked against curcumin, negating its effectiveness. Anyway, we discussed the whole scenario and decided that he not take the prescriptions and continue the curcumin and other supplements for the next week, giving them more time to work, figuring it might take 4-8 weeks to see a positive result.

The following week was very stressful as we prayed that the regimen I have him on would work and we would be able to continue with our normal plans. He cancelled cataract surgery planned for the next couple of weeks because an eye infection with no immune system could cause blindness. Not a good prospect. Will have to wait till later for that and put up with foggy vision till then. We also increased his curcumin to 12 grams daily.

He held off till the last day to get his labs done then last Friday we returned to the Oncologist. When the doctor came in he looked at the chart and then told us that Frank's white count had greatly improved--by 100% over the week before! [It's still below 4, below normal but not in the critical range] Then he said, "Those steroids really worked!" We looked at each other and replied that he hadn't taken them and explained why. I had brought a stack of papers with much of the research I had done on curcumin and told the doctor he could make a copy. He wrote the word 'Curcumin' down and said, 'No, by next month I'll know all about it.' We wanted to dance and shout at the good news of Frank's labs and also were happy 1)that the doctor didn't throw us out of his office, 2)that he has an open mind and will do his own research, and 3) that he didn't want to see Frank for another month!

Can't argue with success!!!

Friday the 13th

Frank was born on Friday, March the 13th, many years ago--68 to be exact. He always considered Friday the 13th to be lucky for him and said that the best birthday present he ever got was when his daughter Kristal was born on his birthday. As I lay hour after hour in labor that day I said, 'what a way to spend your birthday!' and he replied that he couldn't ask for a better present! She truly was a wonderful gift to all of us and was called the miracle baby because we had waited so long for her to come. I wanted to post baby pictures of both of them but my scanner isn't recognizing the computer or vise versa, anyway I can't scan the pictures in so will have to settle for those that are already in. I was going to post 13 nice things about each of them but since Frank decided to go to the Mountain West basketball Conference championships in LV this weekend with his brother and nephew to celebrate his birthday (and left me to the nasty job of getting the inside of the house painted) I didn't have time. So these 13 pictures of them will have to do.
Kristal graduates from Dixie as a Dental Hygenist

Little Celeste Franco with Grandpa 'n Grandma Greer

In Lake Charles after Hurricane Rita went through; Frank and Lance are sharpening a saw to help clear out broken trees from property.

Little grandaughter Kayla with silly Grandpa--peace out!

Grandpa Greer with two precious little grand daughters, Brinley and Regan

Celebrating a surprise 40th anniversary party given by our kids in 2005

Kristal with her two beautiful girls, Regan and Sophie

Kristal and Little Sophie Joy

Kristal, the bathing beauty!

Frank Shoveling snow that came a couple of years ago at this time--typical weather of the day he was born.

Frank with 4 handsome sons and equally handsome grandsons

Cookout at Black Canyon with the grandkids

Coach Frank giving the team the word. Kristal 3rd from left

Spring has Sprung or Wind has Won??

At this time of the year, that is always the big question. Am I going to spot the tiny signs of spring as they arrive in my yard, crocuses blooming and tulip and daffodil leaves poking through the dried out ground? Or am I going to vent my frustration at the unending wind and cold without moisture that it brings? Needless to say, the cute little flowers are a very welcome sight and give me hope.


A few years ago I planted tons of showy big purple crocuses like this one scattered throughout the lawn but this is the only brave one to survive, it seems.


Thought this was a cute picture of Frank getting a blood draw before his bone marrow biopsy. There was a time when he had to have this done that his free arm would be raised with a clenched fist and he would say to the Lab Tech, "We're not going to hurt one another, are we?" It has become very routine now (and will continue to be so) and he has become very mellow about it. For the most part, they are very skilled with their needles and he doesn't mind them at all.

Smoldering Myeloma

Yesterday Frank went for F/U with the doctor in Mesa and he said the same thing as before, that the cancer is still smoldering (i.e. in the bone marrow, not in the blood) and at stage 1 so they won't start any treatment until it has become active. The new blood tests he had done looked good. He will have to have blood work every month to monitor things and at the point that things change, they will determine what to do. The genetic profile that they will use to see whether he has an aggressive kind still hadn't come in yet so we don't know those results but based on everything else, we are confident that it is a very slow growing kind (there are 7 different kinds of myeloma!). The doctor said that Frank has probably had this for a number of years.

We stayed overnight and returned from Mesa today after dropping Kandra and Gavin off at the airport. He was a little sick, must have picked it up from Kristal's two little girls who we took to the ER Sunday night because of continued high fevers (105+) and coughs. Thankfully they are feeling a lot better and she will leave with them to go to St George in the morning to visit the other grandparents a few days before going to SLC. It has been fun having them all here for a chance to visit and have fun together. BTW, in case you hadn't noticed, the wallpaper on my blog has been changed, with thanks to Kristal.

Tomorrow Frank will go to Show Low for a Cardiolyte Stress Test to determine how his heart is holding up. In March he will start the process for Cataract surgery on both eyes. Always something with him.

To My Honey

This has been a very different Valentines month for us this year. We were eagerly anticipating the chance to attend the Marvin Goldstein concert in St. George Utah on Valentines Day. All four of our kids were able to travel to it and we all had a wonderful time together listening to his music. He is a world class pianist and played one song after another seamlessly, only stopping to change to a different theme, such as from love songs to a medly from Fiddler on the Roof, then The Sound of Music, then The Phantom of the Opera, etc. He even took many requests from the audience, wrote the titles down and then played them one after another without stopping. He never used music and played everything from memory. He interspersed his music with lots of good humor and was very entertaining. The concert was wonderful and I would love to go to another of his. We had an awesome weekend with all our kids and most of our grandkids in St George.

All that being said, we had a rather dark cloud hanging over our heads as we had just found out a few days previously that Frank has a malignant blood disease called Multiple Myeloma. It was diagnosed through a bone marrow biopsy done to determine why his white cell count had continued to slowly drop to a dangerously low point over a period of several years. This diagnosis has been totally unexpected but explains his tiredness and frequent colds and chest infections which he couldn't fight off without antibiotics. The doctor (Oncologist/Hematologist) feels that the chemotherapy he received 17 years ago for Lymphoma cancer caused mutations in his chromosomes that are now causing mutations in his plasma cells and turning them malignant. We will find out more about what treatment, etc. the doctor wants to do when we go back to Mesa on Monday for another follow-up to find results of other tests that have been done (genetics, etc). The doctor is thinking at this point that it is in the 'smoldering' stage and has not entered Frank's bloodstream to start causing damage. He says if that is the case, chemotherapy won't do any good until the disease becomes active. I am very leery of chemo at this point for many reasons, not the least of which is that it is very toxic to the body, normal cells as well as the cancerous ones.

We both have found comfort in a wonderful blessing given to Frank by his good friend Bill Beecroft, in which he was told that he would live a normal life and be able to accomplish the things he wanted and needed to do. Only the Lord knows how that will be fulfilled but when the doctor said that his disease was 'smoldering' and has not affected any of his organs--kidneys, bones, red blood cells, etc. at this point, Frank felt like a great weight had been lifted and feels very peaceful.

I am so grateful to him for the many good years we have had together, for his strength, example, humor and leadership and especially for his great faith in the Lord. He has always been there for me when I needed it. Honey, I love you more than I can say.

Wrestle a velociraptor????????

I could survive for 60 seconds chained to a bunk bed with a velociraptor