It has been a busy 12 months.....I began an additional project - writing a new weather book which will be called the Connecticut Weather Almanac, or something very close to that. What an exhausting project, but I am now more than halfway there. It will be published later this year. Yet, I haven't done much on Sketches, the year was very difficult. I lost several good friends to this disease, and the weather book became an escape from the realities of dealing with an incureable disease. In addition, I have had a series of minor setbacks which appears to be under control. Early this morning, is the first time in months that I have been able to sit down to share some thoughts - trying to break the ice with you, once again. There is more reason than ever to remain optimistic.

I am still on my revlimid and decadron combination, but I have shared some information of additional supplements which I have taken over the now nearly 12 years since my diagnosis. You know, the cow pills..or I should say, BioCartliage. These capsuls have worked very well for more me. They really are bovine tracheal cartilage. I recently found that if I backed away from them, my M-spike increased about 30 percent. I have previously written about these pills and how they helped several years ago. Well, recently, my protein spike began to increase over two months, and the increase coincided with a change in the manufacturing process of the supplement. I noticed the change in terms of discoloration of the capsul, and when I spoke with the company, I received the older batch - without the change. Immediately, the cancer protein dropped back and held to one of its historic low points. I can't say that this will work for everyone. This continues to be my own experience - but it has been nothing short of miraculous for me. The cartilage evidently works as an immune booster. A number of anecdotal experiences have been documented by the company, and I am sure there is something to this and I wouldn't skip a day. I get them through Lescardin Inc. 420 Lexington Ave, Suite 212, New York, NY 10170. The phone numbers are 212-687-1050, or 888-581-2076. The company also manufactures a healing cream, Catrix. 

But of course, while the cancer is under control, I still need to deal with diminishing bone strength. Still, progress is being made here, and in the weeks to come I hope to focus on the progress being made here. It is amazing. In 1996 when the myeloma began to rage in my system, there were so few options available, but now, we have thalidomide, revlimid, velcade, and many combinations - along with even newer medications under different phases of trials. This is no time to be anything but optimistic. Now for my cow pills!