HOME OF THE CANCER CHRONICLES
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
A Tongue Cancer Patient Sings on The X Factor!
His name is Karl Dimachki, and today he is my hero! This guy, after having a neck dissection and half his tongue removed, had the guts to stand up and prove to no one else but himself, that he could still sing!
He appeared this year on Australia's X Factor. I am so inspired! Anybody want to sponsor me for America's Got Talent? I'd at least get the sympathy vote from Sharon Osbourne. I'm ready to rumble!!!
"If you have a dream, go on and do it because God will always put a hero inside of you."
~ Karl Dimachki
~ Karl Dimachki
Peace B
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
WHAT IS IT?
Can anyone guess what this beautiful thing is?
The picture above shows two human cancer cells sitting next to each other just before they're about to divide into four cells. They're derived from the now famous "HeLa" line of cancer cells, which were taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951 and used for medical research without her permission. Henrietta was a cervical cancer patient who died in 1951 from her disease. The HeLa cell is termed "immortal" because of its unlimited ability to contiue its reproduction. It's amazing that something so beautiful can be so deadly!
(Photo: Dr. Paul D. Andrews, University of Dundee, Scotland)
WE HAVE A WINNER!
THANK YOU TAMPA GRANNY!!!
The picture above shows two human cancer cells sitting next to each other just before they're about to divide into four cells. They're derived from the now famous "HeLa" line of cancer cells, which were taken from Henrietta Lacks in 1951 and used for medical research without her permission. Henrietta was a cervical cancer patient who died in 1951 from her disease. The HeLa cell is termed "immortal" because of its unlimited ability to contiue its reproduction. It's amazing that something so beautiful can be so deadly!
HeLa cells - not so pretty
Forever Peace B
Thursday, November 11, 2010
WHAT IS IT?
Can anyone guess what this beautiful thing is?
Click on picture to enlarge
Hint: It's not man made
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Medical Marijuana
Is Going GREEN Politically Correct?
Today the State of California will attempt the passage of a law legalizing "Recreational" Marijuana, with Proposition 19. In 1996 the state legalized the usage of “Medical” Marijuana targeted for use by those who suffer from cancer, glaucoma, and HIV. Some patients actually find relief when taking this for a long list of ailments. Others that use the drug for recreational purposes might refer to it as pot, Mary Jane, weed, 420, Maui-wowie, bud, grass, reefer, rip, Acapulco Gold (or Red), cannabis, smoke, wacky terbacky, dope, joints, hemp, TJ, golden leaf, or ganja and so much more, as well as a long list of other names used when teamed up with other drugs.
My company employed over one hundred workers, most being between 16 and 25. I tried to keep up with all of the marijuana terminology in an effort to stop it from entering my restaurants. I had a built in nose for the pungent smell, so very few employees ever got away with bringing it to work or being high while working. I always had a policy; I don’t care what you do on your personal time, but if you bring it to work or come to work with even the odor, you were either fired or suspended. In California it was ALWAYS a problem.
Myth or Miracle?
I’ve always been a non-smoker. I can’t stand the smell of any smoke product. I'd go as far as saying I have an allergy to it. The older I get, the more sensitive I seem to become. As a child I was exposed to heavy second hand cigarette smoke. My doctors have speculated that this could be the reason for my cancer, since I don't fit the typical profile of a tongue cancer patient. I do have many family and friends who partake in “mowing the grass.” Even my mother tried it.
I don’t consider myself a prude. I’ve always said if I smoked cigarettes, I’m sure I would have tried pot already. I was surrounded by "tokers" in high school and at parties we would sit around and pass a joint. My friends respecting my decision passed it right by me knowing I wouldn’t smoke. Now with cancer, mouth and neck pain, added to chronic back pain, I am a candidate for medical marijuana without a doubt.
I take enough Vicodin to warrant trying the green herb, but have always had an aversion to putting any kind of smoke in my lungs. After mom died a buddy came by for a visit. He knows my situation and the pain I’m often in and offered to “smoke me out.” I felt it was time to see what the hubbub is about. I'm going green!
After taking a BIG hit, which I coughed immediately back up, I relaxed and tried again. It left a burning sensation in my throat. After a half hour of being "baked" at "420" I was sleepy, comfortable, and mellow. I proceeded to bed expecting my pain to diminish, but it had not. It left me relaxed and cozy, but the pain was still there. I began to wonder if the whole “legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes” was a crock.
Not only did I find putting smoke in my lungs deplorable, but the smell was just overwhelming for me. A relative suggested I try cooking with it and it would work better for me that way. I guess I could create a Pot Pizza. The more you eat, the more hungry you become. Just ask for the "special topping!" How about a Bud Burger or a Maui-wowie Souffle? What a great way to increase business at the restaurants!
Now I have to wonder...Does this drug actually help people with chronic pain and lasting disease or is it just propagated by druggies who want to convince the general population that this is a safe and effective alternative to manufactured drugs?
Fourteen states and DC have legalized “medical marijuana” and now California will lead the way legalizing it for recreational use, if Prop 19 passes. I’d like to see the statistics on how many people (government officials) ran to their doctors for a prescription after it was legalized this year, in Washington DC. And you ask what’s wrong with the politicians in our country??? You can only imagine why it takes so long to get congress to act.
Allegedly overheard during a "Joint" Session of Congress: "Dude, you gotta bill? Yeah man, ya wanna hit it? It's a real fatty. Gotta be blunt...I added a lot to it, real heavy special interest stuff! Dude, pass that bill this way. It's a Colombian bill bro. Is that something to do with immigration? When do we eat?" Now we can really refer to them as a political “party."
Has this actually become a political issue just to garner your vote? With the November elections comes a new slogan “Just say NOW to Marijuana.” When asked how the party can get first-time Obama voters to show up this fall, the 78-year-old chairman of the California Democratic Party, John Burton, gave a one-word answer: “Pot.” Indeed, polls indicate that legalization could lure Obama voters to the polls like no other issue.
Pot is already big business in California creating a $2 Billion dollar medical marijuana industry. Some estimate that this could be one of the states biggest cash crops estimating over $14 Billion dollars in revenues. Others estimate $1.4 Billion dollars could be generated in tax revenues alone. This would also result in a savings of tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. This will create the second California Gold Rush for business entrepreneurs. Just think of the franchise opportunities!
In Oakland, Richard Lee, founded Oaksterdam University in 2007, a trade school that focuses their curriculum on the cannabis industry. I guess this is the best place in the country to seek “higher learning.” I wonder what Yoda would think? Maybe that's why he talks so strange...hum. He did appear to be stoned in Star Wars.
"Around the survivors a perimeter create. When 900 years you reach, look as good, you will not." ~ Yoda
The “mother-ship” is located in downtown Oakland, with a 300,000 square foot campus complete with classrooms, auditorium, and grow labs. There are satellite campuses located in Los Angeles and Flint Michigan.
For a fee of $250 you will receive 12 hours of instruction. The advanced course of 32 hours will teach “Methods of Ingestion” and “Cannabusiness 101.” They also offer a comprehensive “hands on” semester in horticulture. For those of you that over water your house plants, this one’s for you. They don’t dispense, they only teach. Really? REALLY?
Is all this really necessary? Do we now need an education to get stoned? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just subscribe to "High Times” magazine and grow your own? I just don’t get it. As a chronic sufferer of pain and having tried it myself, I think the whole “medical marijuana” issue is just another excuse to make money, push political agendas, and get high. It's not medicine! Just legalized for what it is, a recreational drug, but don’t cloak your agenda by using it as a medical option for people like me. It’s just an excuse to legalize stoning! How much longer before we all go to pot?
Peace B
Dude!
States that currently allow the usage of “medical” marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont…and DC
UPDATE: Proposition 19 did not pass, with a strong 54.9% NO vote.
Today the State of California will attempt the passage of a law legalizing "Recreational" Marijuana, with Proposition 19. In 1996 the state legalized the usage of “Medical” Marijuana targeted for use by those who suffer from cancer, glaucoma, and HIV. Some patients actually find relief when taking this for a long list of ailments. Others that use the drug for recreational purposes might refer to it as pot, Mary Jane, weed, 420, Maui-wowie, bud, grass, reefer, rip, Acapulco Gold (or Red), cannabis, smoke, wacky terbacky, dope, joints, hemp, TJ, golden leaf, or ganja and so much more, as well as a long list of other names used when teamed up with other drugs.
My company employed over one hundred workers, most being between 16 and 25. I tried to keep up with all of the marijuana terminology in an effort to stop it from entering my restaurants. I had a built in nose for the pungent smell, so very few employees ever got away with bringing it to work or being high while working. I always had a policy; I don’t care what you do on your personal time, but if you bring it to work or come to work with even the odor, you were either fired or suspended. In California it was ALWAYS a problem.
Myth or Miracle?
I’ve always been a non-smoker. I can’t stand the smell of any smoke product. I'd go as far as saying I have an allergy to it. The older I get, the more sensitive I seem to become. As a child I was exposed to heavy second hand cigarette smoke. My doctors have speculated that this could be the reason for my cancer, since I don't fit the typical profile of a tongue cancer patient. I do have many family and friends who partake in “mowing the grass.” Even my mother tried it.
I don’t consider myself a prude. I’ve always said if I smoked cigarettes, I’m sure I would have tried pot already. I was surrounded by "tokers" in high school and at parties we would sit around and pass a joint. My friends respecting my decision passed it right by me knowing I wouldn’t smoke. Now with cancer, mouth and neck pain, added to chronic back pain, I am a candidate for medical marijuana without a doubt.
I take enough Vicodin to warrant trying the green herb, but have always had an aversion to putting any kind of smoke in my lungs. After mom died a buddy came by for a visit. He knows my situation and the pain I’m often in and offered to “smoke me out.” I felt it was time to see what the hubbub is about. I'm going green!
After taking a BIG hit, which I coughed immediately back up, I relaxed and tried again. It left a burning sensation in my throat. After a half hour of being "baked" at "420" I was sleepy, comfortable, and mellow. I proceeded to bed expecting my pain to diminish, but it had not. It left me relaxed and cozy, but the pain was still there. I began to wonder if the whole “legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes” was a crock.
Not only did I find putting smoke in my lungs deplorable, but the smell was just overwhelming for me. A relative suggested I try cooking with it and it would work better for me that way. I guess I could create a Pot Pizza. The more you eat, the more hungry you become. Just ask for the "special topping!" How about a Bud Burger or a Maui-wowie Souffle? What a great way to increase business at the restaurants!
Now I have to wonder...Does this drug actually help people with chronic pain and lasting disease or is it just propagated by druggies who want to convince the general population that this is a safe and effective alternative to manufactured drugs?
Fourteen states and DC have legalized “medical marijuana” and now California will lead the way legalizing it for recreational use, if Prop 19 passes. I’d like to see the statistics on how many people (government officials) ran to their doctors for a prescription after it was legalized this year, in Washington DC. And you ask what’s wrong with the politicians in our country??? You can only imagine why it takes so long to get congress to act.
Allegedly overheard during a "Joint" Session of Congress: "Dude, you gotta bill? Yeah man, ya wanna hit it? It's a real fatty. Gotta be blunt...I added a lot to it, real heavy special interest stuff! Dude, pass that bill this way. It's a Colombian bill bro. Is that something to do with immigration? When do we eat?" Now we can really refer to them as a political “party."
Has this actually become a political issue just to garner your vote? With the November elections comes a new slogan “Just say NOW to Marijuana.” When asked how the party can get first-time Obama voters to show up this fall, the 78-year-old chairman of the California Democratic Party, John Burton, gave a one-word answer: “Pot.” Indeed, polls indicate that legalization could lure Obama voters to the polls like no other issue.
Pot is already big business in California creating a $2 Billion dollar medical marijuana industry. Some estimate that this could be one of the states biggest cash crops estimating over $14 Billion dollars in revenues. Others estimate $1.4 Billion dollars could be generated in tax revenues alone. This would also result in a savings of tens of millions of dollars annually to state and local governments on the costs of incarcerating and supervising certain marijuana offenders. This will create the second California Gold Rush for business entrepreneurs. Just think of the franchise opportunities!
In Oakland, Richard Lee, founded Oaksterdam University in 2007, a trade school that focuses their curriculum on the cannabis industry. I guess this is the best place in the country to seek “higher learning.” I wonder what Yoda would think? Maybe that's why he talks so strange...hum. He did appear to be stoned in Star Wars.
"Around the survivors a perimeter create. When 900 years you reach, look as good, you will not." ~ YodaThe “mother-ship” is located in downtown Oakland, with a 300,000 square foot campus complete with classrooms, auditorium, and grow labs. There are satellite campuses located in Los Angeles and Flint Michigan.
For a fee of $250 you will receive 12 hours of instruction. The advanced course of 32 hours will teach “Methods of Ingestion” and “Cannabusiness 101.” They also offer a comprehensive “hands on” semester in horticulture. For those of you that over water your house plants, this one’s for you. They don’t dispense, they only teach. Really? REALLY?
Is all this really necessary? Do we now need an education to get stoned? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to just subscribe to "High Times” magazine and grow your own? I just don’t get it. As a chronic sufferer of pain and having tried it myself, I think the whole “medical marijuana” issue is just another excuse to make money, push political agendas, and get high. It's not medicine! Just legalized for what it is, a recreational drug, but don’t cloak your agenda by using it as a medical option for people like me. It’s just an excuse to legalize stoning! How much longer before we all go to pot?
Peace BDude!
States that currently allow the usage of “medical” marijuana: Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont…and DC
UPDATE: Proposition 19 did not pass, with a strong 54.9% NO vote.
Friday, October 29, 2010
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
KNOCK KNOCK
Anybody home? Guess I’ve been away longer than I realized. Things have been so crazy on this end just trying to keep up with everything…and you know what they say: “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” Guess I’ve been a little grumpy lately.
After mom died I spent the summer trying to get her house cleared out and ready for sale. It’s been on the market for months and the added responsibilities and expenses are not always easy to deal with. It’s all very draining, emotionally, physically, and monetarily. I am starting to see the dust settle and I’m feeling better with more energy than I have had in months.
I want to thank all of you who have posted and sent emails wondering how I was, THANK YOU! I guess for me it was easier to pretend cancer wasn’t a part of my life while I dealt with some of my life’s other realities.
TRICK OR TREAT!
Last year my mom so badly wanted to hand out candy for the Trick or Treater’s. I just didn’t think it was such a great idea to be exposed to so many people with both of us not being well. But mom was insistent and so I brought Dr. Swill to life with mother as my patient and that would be our Halloween costumes.
Dr. Swill Lives!During the evening a little boy dressed as Superman approached mom on the porch with a puzzled look on his face. In a very serious tone he asked me, "Are you a real doctor?"
"No." I said, "Just a pretend one."
Then he asked mom, "Are you really sick?"
"Yes," She replied "I'm really a very sick patient."
Without hesitation he jumped at me pointing a finger, "You shouldn't go around pretending to be a doctor. Doctors help people. She needs a real doctor now and you can't help her!"
For a brief moment I almost forgot it was Halloween. The situation became too real. All pointed out by a pint sized Superman with an attitude. SNAP! Mom asked sweetly, "Don't you want any candy?"
"Sure!" he growled as he disapprovingly scowled at me. His father, standing behind him just shrugged his shoulders and smiled as I smartly quipped, "Your son's going to be a great lawyer someday." (Anybody know where I can buy some kriptonite?)
This year sadly, I’m not in the mood to play doctor or greet goblins so the lights will stay off and I’ll watch a scary movie with popcorn. I just don’t think it would be any fun. Next year I promise to set up a killer haunted house and have some fun.
Happy Hauntings…Peace
B
Friday, March 26, 2010
After a While
After a while you learn
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with grace, not the grief of a child
and you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...
© 1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall
the subtle difference between
holding a hand and chaining a soul
and you learn
that love doesn't mean leaning
and company doesn't always mean security.
And you begin to learn
that kisses aren't contracts
and presents aren't promises
and you begin to accept your defeats
with your head up and your eyes ahead
with grace, not the grief of a child
and you learn to build all your roads on today
because tomorrow's ground is
too uncertain for plans
and futures have a way of falling down
in mid-flight.
After a while you learn
that even sunshine burns
if you get too much
so you plant your own garden
and decorate your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn...
© 1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall
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