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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear friends, as often as I can I will try to
report to you Jim's experiences throughout his treatments. For those who don't
know, Jim is the Foresight webmaster and on the board of Alcor, he was
diagnosed with multiple myeloma ( <A
href="http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/">http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/</A> )
on May 7th. The treatment is chemo and then a stem cell transplant.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Jim had the line put in his
chest on July 1st. He recovered very well from the surgery. On July 8th
Thursday, they began introducing the chemo into the line. A small bag of
the drug is put inside of a square box that delivers the drug continuously and
also has a read out on it, to monitor how much is being delivered and when it is
close to empty. If something wasn't working right with the device it would
activate a beeping noise. This box is put inside of a nylon pouch that has a
belt he can wear around his waist. From this box is a thin tube that you
can see the drug (it's red) coming into the line in his chest. He wears this box
device for four days out of each month, for 3 to 4 months. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> The next morning on the ninth
Friday, he had to begin the steroid pill, a drug that is part of this
combination treatment. The steroid pill will be taken four days off and four
days on continuously. On this day Jim said he felt jittery. We had been told
that patients tend to feel amped up by this particular drug. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> On the 10th Saturday, Jim
said he had trouble sleeping the night before</FONT><FONT face=Arial
size=2> due to the same jitters he felt earlier in the day. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> On the 11th Sunday, Jim had
dominating stomach cramps, did not eat well and was very tired, spending a lot
of time lying down in bed. Both he and I thought he felt hot, and I thought
he looked flushed in the face, but his temperature was pretty much normal.
On this night, Jim's attempt to sleep was agonizing. I usually go to bed a
couple hours past Jim's bed times but right before I was ready to go to bed, he
was in the living room pacing. He was getting up all night long in frustration.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Yesterday, July 12 Monday, Jim
decided to take the anti nausea pill that was prescribed. Up to this point he
had taken the sample anti nausea pills instead. It seems this was a good
decision since his cramping was not as bad. We went to Pac Med to have the
line removed. Jim took his last steroid pill of the four day round and
will start it again in another four days. Removing the line was quick. Jim's
original doctor, Dr.Frank is moving to another facility and had told us
that Dr. Chen would be Jims new doctor. We passed Dr. Chen's office in the
hallway and introduced ourselves. I asked him about Jim's problem sleeping. He
said that Jim should avoid taking naps through out the day, so that he is very
tired when it is time to go to bed. </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jim ate
better this day, although he said the food didn't taste as good that it was sort
of metallic. This was also a common reaction mentioned in our list of side
effects. We really focused on Jim not taking a nap per Dr. Chen's suggestion.
Jim spent a nice chunk of time at the computer! Last night Jim took longer than
usual to go to sleep. But while I was in the living room, I heard snoring!
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> Jim slept last night and
this morning (July 13 Tuesday) said he woke up feeling rested. He said this
rested sensation sort of wore off after he did a few of his daily routines.
Since he felt the jitters previously I had suggested that he skip his coffee, so
he might be missing his usual morning alertness partially due to the lack of
caffeine he is used to. He took his first shower today, he didn't want to take
one while the tubing was attached, not only because the attached box is
cumbersome but to avoid any wetness and pulling on the tubes. They had told us
that he needs to use baby shampoo with a soft cloth or brush. I'm not sure if
this is to protect his hair or his scalp, since he is to avoid nicks (to avoid
nicks he is also not to floss, or use a straight shaver). He needed a little
nudging, "that won't help my dandruff" he says. His head could be snowing and it
would be alright, as long as he is okay! He of course understood and used the
shampoo. It's an adjustment to have to make so many changes in ones daily
routine. He said he felt weak after the shower. We took the bandage off of his
chest. He is now back in the office trying to figure out some of the insurance
stuff. The Zometa infusion (which is to protect his bones which this disease
targets) apparently is not covered by the insurance company and is rather large
bill so we will need to pay it and then try to appeal it. There are
office visit bills to be paid as well. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2> So now we are up to this very
moment in time. Thank you all for your support I will keep you informed.
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Warm Regards, Gina</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Gina "Nanogirl" Miller<BR>Nanotechnology
Industries<BR><A
href="http://www.nanoindustries.com">http://www.nanoindustries.com</A><BR>Personal:
<A href="http://www.nanogirl.com">http://www.nanogirl.com</A><BR>Foresight
Senior Associate <A
href="http://www.foresight.org">http://www.foresight.org</A><BR>Nanotechnology
Advisor Extropy Institute <A
href="http://www.extropy.org">http://www.extropy.org</A><BR>Tech-Aid Advisor <A
href="http://www.tech-aid.info/t/all-about.html">http://www.tech-aid.info/t/all-about.html</A><BR>Email:
<A
href="mailto:nanogirl@halcyon.com">nanogirl@halcyon.com</A><BR>"Nanotechnology:
Solutions for the future."<BR></FONT></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>