Bruce's BLOG

Update on me and the Website

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 11:50:50 GMT

My hemoglobin is at 10. Highest in about five years. Website is back to respectability with a working forum. I am working again, also working in the garden for 1 hour stretches and able to take 45-60 minute walks so AA is not currently the center of my life. Hope it stays in the background!

Caution - Chain Saw Surgeon at Work

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:46:04 GMT

I promised this would be like heart surgery with a chain saw so here is my first link from aplastic to my newly created facebook page.

Bruce Lande's Profile

Create Your Badge

Reinventing Myself and Aplastic Central

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:33:55 GMT

Not that long ago, I was on the cutting edge of technology and the information revolution but fell off the track somewhere along the way. This post will be my first as a reinvented "webpreneur" - Yes, Virgina, it's a real word : http://www.thewebpreneur.com/ and http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/webpreneur.

I see how others apparantly use BLOG's, forums, websites, newsletters, Search Engine Optimization, Google Adwords, social networking, click throughs, links and countless other methods to generate revenue. I know I can learn to use these tools and get back in the game.

The aplastic site, the toast forum and this BLOG will be launching points for a new strategy designed to generate recurring revenue. I will be looking for ways to leverage the fact that Aplasticcentral.com still appears on the first page of most search engines. Granted this is a relatively small niche of people but it is a start and I will be seeking ways to expand this network while providing increased value to the loyal group of people who have helped keep the toast forum alive all these years.

Should I stay with the tools I used to create aplasticcentral and simply add new strategies or do I should I use one of the new integrated tools like http://sitesell.com/ recommended by http://www.stevepavlina.com/.

Gwen Ifill, the moderator of the recent presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain recently said, "I don't wake up in the morning and say, 'Oh darn, I'm black again!'". Its time for me to stop saying "Oh darn, I still have aplastic anemia" or "Oh darn, I lost my nest egg" or "Oh darn I'm too old and nobody will hire me" and get on with my life! No more excuses! Make it happen!

Here's what I hope will be a step in the right direction: http://seeker4life.blogspot.com/
and I am using AdSense without knowing much about it. In theory, I'll see some really small bits of revenue flowing sometime in the next few months.

A New Beginning

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:16:02 GMT

Never give up - Although I have been doing the daily sauna and treatment complete with tons of vitamins and supplements, my diet has been horrible! Sue and I watched the "Gerson Miracle" last night and I am inspired to get back on a diet that works.

I will be juicing, bouncing, exercising, and eating lots of fruits and vegetables. Weight today is 218 pounds. Counts are 2.3 WBC, 9.0 Hgb, 27.2 Hct and 17 Plt.

My Historic Counts

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:52:04 GMT

April 14 update

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 04:03:49 GMT

My counts are slipping again. Here are the last two:

March 6 2009

WBC 2.0
Hgb 8.7
HCT 25.6
Platelets 22

April 3 2009

WBC 2.6
Hgb 9.3
HCT 26.8
Platelets 15

Happy New Year and Sinusitis Treatment

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 02:01:29 GMT

I celebrated my 8th anniversary since diagnosis on January 9th, 2009 and continue to thank God for the opportunity to reshape my life. I still experience the fatigue associated with AA but am otherwise able to function normally and try to ignore my illness as much as I can.

Sue and I spend a great deal of our time these days with our now six grandchildren. I am thankful that I was given the "extra" eight years that I did not expect to have with Sue, our daughters and their families.

Cleared up my sinusitus!

I recently had a 6 week battle with cold, sinusitus, etc. that I always seem to get this time of the year. Near the end, I discovered the following that really helped:

1) Nightly routine that includes neti pot flush, breathe right strips and vaporizer.
2) Accupressure at the bone spur between thumb and forefinger
3) Sinusitis can be a "structural issue" so I now stand up straight and tilt my head to the right when I feel clogged up.
4) When it is most severe, I "soak my head" using the steaming method described below.

More detail:

I had realized for a long time that I "tilted" my head to one side and that like most people, my left leg is shorter than my right leg and as a result I have curvature of the spine. Believe it or not ( I was amazed), when I stood straight and tilted my head to the right, my sinus starting draining almost immediatley! When combined with accupressue described above, I can clear my sinuses without any sprays or medication whatsoever.

"Acupressure's Potent Points" by Michael Reed Gach.

It's "in the webbing between the thumb and index finger, at the highest spot of the muscle when you bring the thumb and index finger close together." (p.203) ...

Sometimes a person has chronic sinus problems because of structural problems...

Spinal misalignment can trigger head and sinus congestion. There is an adjustment to the neck that chiropractors and DOs can give which can open up nasal passages. This adjustment can work on sinus congestion due to allergies or infections. I used to know a DO at a local hospital who was very much in demand by staff as well as patients during allergy season. The adjustments he gave opened up their heads instantly without the side effects like drowsiness or agitation of conventional medications. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE ADJUSTMENT ON MY OWN BY WALKING WITH MY HEAD TITLED TO ONE SIDE AND CONCENTRATING ON STANDING STRAIGHTER.

http://acupuncture.com/conditions/sinus.htm

Quick Fix 1: Get Steamy

Dry air can cause or irritate sinus problems, but inhaling moisture can help. Simply breathing the steam from a hot shower will ease congestion.

You can also enhance the steam you breathe with sinus-clearing essential oils. Once or twice a day, add five drops of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), or sandalwood (Santalum album) essential oils (or a combination) to a large bowl of steaming-hot water, suggests Sylvia Goldfarb, Ph.D., of Wyncote, Pa., author of Allergy Relief (Avery Penguin Putnam, 2000). Drape a towel over your head and the bowl, and breathe deeply for 10 minutes. You'll feel relief within that time.

To treat acute sinusitis, substitute tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and repeat the sinus steam three to four times daily. Tea tree oil's powerful antibacterial properties fight the bacteria that cause many infections, says Karen Barnes, N.D., a naturopath in Burlington, Ontario, and author of Naturopathic First Aid (Quarry Press, 2001). Your symptoms should clear up within a few days.

Quick Fix 2: Press to Relieve Pain

Massaging certain acupressure points on your body can quickly relieve facial pain, says Susan Padberg, M.D., a medical acupuncturist in Madison, Wis.

Use your right thumb and index finger to grasp the skin between your left thumb and index finger. Press gently to find where the muscles make a V shape on the top of your hand. Massage this small indentation with firm but gentle pressure for 10 to 15 seconds; repeat on your right hand. Do this as needed. Pregnant women should not use this technique; it may stimulate uterine contractions.

You can also massage your face directly. Firmly and gently press your index fingers above the center of each eyebrow or between them. Massage for 10 to 15 seconds and repeat as needed.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_3_33/ai_104836631

Human embryonic stem cells to create functional immune system

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 03:22:05 GMT

http://www.advancedcell.com/recent-news-item/from-stem-cell-to-immune-system

From Stem Cell To Immune System
Scientist Live
Date: 13/02/2008

A new study demonstrates for the first time that embryonic stem cells can be used to create functional immune system blood cells, a finding which is an important step in the utilisation of embryonic stem cells as an alternative source of cells for bone marrow transplantation. This hopeful news for patients with severe blood and immune disorders, who need these transplants for treatment, was prepublished on-line in Blood, the official journal of the American Society of Hematology.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are being intensely investigated as a renewable source of primitive cells theoretically able to regenerate all tissues and organs. The use of ESC-derived blood-forming cells may have an important advantage over traditional transplants that use bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and peripheral blood from donors. The antigens on the surface of donated cells must be compatible (determined by a method called HLA matching) with those of the patient to prevent rejection. The use of embryonic stem cells, which have low levels of these antigens and may therefore be less likely to provoke a defencive reaction by the patient’s body, may allow patients who can’t find suitable HLA-matched donors to receive transplants.

Previous studies have shown that mouse ESCs can be coaxed to form blood-forming hematopoietic cells by introducing a protein called HOXB4, known for its unique ability to greatly enhance cell proliferation, into them. These cells could then be transplanted into mice whose own marrow had been destroyed by radiation, rescuing their marrow function and beginning to produce necessary blood cells. However, previous studies have not investigated whether ESC-derived bone marrow in these mice could regenerate normal immune function – in particular, if they could allow the mice to respond to viruses or vaccines. Because foetuses have no need for a functional immune system as they are protected from the environment while in the womb, it was unclear if ESC-derived marrow would recreate an immune system at all or just very slowly.

In this study, a team of scientists from Iowa, Taiwan, and Germany used HOXB4-containing ESCs to engraft the bone marrow and rescue mice that genetically lacked any immune system and had been irradiated to destroy their bone marrow. Only cells containing HOXB4 were able to engraft, rescue the mice, and produce blood cells long term. These engrafted cells were shown to be derived from the transplanted ESC-derived cells.

To determine if these transplants were able to rebuild the defunct immune system, the scientists injected the mice with LCMV, a common rodent virus, and watched for T-cell activity, a sign that the body was defending itself against the infection. Although the number of T cells generated by the new haematopoietic cells was low, they were able to respond effectively to the virus. In addition, the transplanted haematopoietic cells were also able to produce B cells and other defencive cells called antigen-presenting cells, which have a role in signalling T cells to action. They also tested the ability of the mice to respond to vaccination and demonstrated the induction of specific immune cells. Although the level of immune response was not what is seen in normal adult mice after exposure to the virus or vaccine, it was measurable and effective.

The study was also encouraging in that none of the 70 transplanted mice followed for more than 200 days developed any tumours – another concern when using ESCs for tissue regeneration.

“These results show, for the first time, that functional white blood cells, the key players in the body’s immune system, can be successfully derived from embryonic stem cells expressing HOXB4,” said lead study author Nicholas Zavazava, MD, PhD, Professor of Internal Medicine and Director of Transplant Research at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City and Staff Physician at the Iowa City VA Medical Center. “Therefore, we’re hopeful that these exciting findings are the first step toward new, improved therapies for patients.”

Counts Up!

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 12:04:40 GMT

A definite upward trend:

Bruce WBC HGB HCT PLT
Normal 3.6 13 165
12/07 2 8.3 24.3 28
06/08 2.1 8.6 26
07/08 2.3 9.1 32
11/08 2.4 9.9 28.4 30

I stopped paying attention to counts several years ago figuring it was a lost cause but even my feeble brain can see this is on a positive trend. If it was a stock, I'd be buying HGB on the uptrend.

Good Alternative Medicine Site

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 15:34:15 GMT

This site has good informatin on alternative approaches including Gerson and other well known innovators of natural therapies. It has been recently updated and is more user friendly.

http://www.alternative-doctor.com/
http://www.doctoryourself.com/gersonspeech.html

Also, I am updating the links section of the website at
http://aplasticcentral.com/Aplastic_Links.asp.

Please visit and feel free to add your own links at
http://aplasticcentral.com/Aplastic_suggest_a_link.asp
password is nevergiveup.

What is working for me

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 18:40:34 GMT

The program I refer to in my previous post is pretty much the same protocol I have been on since 2002 and is documented here:

http://aplasticcentral.com/aplastic_healing.htm

I occasionally tried other protocols to see if I can get my counts up but invariably come back to this strategy as the one that works for me.

It is the exact same one I documented in my book and send to anyone who asks. I take most of the supplements listed at http://aplasticcentral.com/Charts_and_Stuff/supplements.xls
and try to eat a much more healthy diet than I did prior to my diagnosis. Lots of fresh vegetables and fruits and limit the fast food consumption although I still have the occaisional McD french fry attack.

My daily treatment includes sauna, enema and the detox stuff (multi, vit c, niacin, recancostat glutathione and alpha lipoic). I take the rest of the supplements at least once or twice a week.

I have not had a transfusion in a little over four months but have my threshold set at 8.0 hemoglobin which is much lower than most people can tolerate.

Counts Up

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:45:10 GMT

Many of you would not be impressed, but this is decent progress for me:

Hemoglogin 9.1 - up from 8.6 2-3 weeks ago
Platelets 32,000 - up from 26,000
WBC 2.3 - from 2.1

Mayhaps something is working? I have gotten back into a pretty good routine with better food and steady use of vitamins, sauna etc. including good rest - an AA type needs to recharge the body more regularly than normal types.

So long to Chinese, accupuncture and Shaklee stuff (protein shakes and some other magic potients) - I have known for a long time there are no magic potients! - I think I know what works - I just need to get back on my program

June 23, 2008

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 16:49:35 GMT

Just finished a much needed refresh of the website at http://aplasticcentral.com. Cleaned out a bunch of junk that had accumulated, fixed broken links and updated the entry pages. If anyone actually reads this, please leave me a comment. I really wonder if anyone uses the website anymore. The forum also seems to have much less activity than it did in the past.

Update

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 01:38:38 GMT

I just keep hanging around. Not feeling great but not feeling all that bad. I anticipate that I will be back on the transfusion band wagon again. Had one in March and am already feeling drained at times - have a doctor appointment in July so will see how it goes.

TCM Update

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 23:38:10 GMT

As mentioned on the Toast Forum at http://apasticcentral.com, it has been four full months since my last blood transfusion so I remain cautiously optimstic that whatever I am doing is working to some extent. So for the record, here is what I am doing:

Daily sauna and "treatment" as outlined oft before - see
http://aplasticcentral.com/aplastic_healing.htm and
http://aplasticcentral.com/Holistic_Medicine/coffee_enema.htm .

I have backed off a bit on the number of supplemental vitamins etc. and am trying to get my nutrition the natural way.

I have added a daily dose of customized herbal treatment (10 different herbs especially blended to tonfigy the blood, liver etc.) and do daily accupressure on four points

1) Hand at the point where thumb and forefinger come together (there is like a bone spur there that you can feel)
2) Inside arm at a point 2 fingers below the elbow
3) Inside calf a palm's lenght below the bottom of the knee
4) Foot where big toe and first tow join on the top

I put a finger tip pressure on each area on both sides of the body for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes each.

Most days I have tremendous energy and am getting back to where I was several years ago.

CAUTION - If you are taking any prespecription drugs, consult with your doctor before experimenting with herbs as there is a danger of contra indicators. My Hematologist is aware of what I am doing and agrees that whatever I am doing appears to be working. Unfortunately not all doctors are as open minded so please check with your doctor before trying any of this stuff or at least be off conventional meds that may negatively interact with this strategy.

Humbly yours,

The Original and still trying AA/MDS Guinea Pig

Biochemistry, Molecular Bilogy and Genetics

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Tue, 29 May 2007 02:35:02 GMT

Understanding the interrelationship between Biochmeistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics will go a long way in helping me better understand Aplastic and MDS. See link below and wiki the three subject areas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Schematic_relationship_between_biochemistry%2C_genetics_and_molecular_biology.svg

Bruce and TCM

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:43:18 GMT

Thanks to Grace, Michelle's college roommate and her friend Brian I will be entering the world of TCM. I have now had two acupuncture treatments, will have 2-3 more and then will be provided herbal treatments and advice on how to stimulate my nerve pathways. I am really looking forward to this and will report on progress.

Progress Report

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 21:15:19 GMT

I am officially "predictable" according to my new doctor. Every 2 months, my counts will have crashed and I will need PRBC's. I push myself to be able to do what I want but never truly have the energy any more. Oh well. Things could be worse. My hemoglobin was at an all time low post original admission 8.2 and platelets are at 18. Not very encouraging given all the vitamins and minerals etc I am taking. I will also be getting one of my favorite procedures next appointmen - Bone Marrow Biopsy - Whoopee! Dr. Brodkin wants to have his own benchmmark which makes sense to me.

Cancer Research

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Wed, 03 Jan 2007 14:54:56 GMT

Cancer research not affiliated with Pharma companies - found this link at the MDS forum

http://cancerfocus.net/

Early Life Events and Consequences

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:55:41 GMT

Feature Article
Early life events and their consequences for later disease: A life history and evolutionary perspective
Peter D. Gluckman 1 2 *, Mark A. Hanson 2, Alan S. Beedle 1
1Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, and National Research Centre for Growth and Development, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand
2Centre for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 5YA, United Kingdom

email: Peter D. Gluckman (pd.gluckman@auckland.ac.nz)

*Correspondence to Peter D. Gluckman, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand

Funded by:
British Heart Foundation

Abstract
Biomedical science has little considered the relevance of life history theory and evolutionary and ecological developmental biology to clinical medicine. However, the observations that early life influences can alter later disease risk - the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) paradigm - have led to a recognition that these perspectives can inform our understanding of human biology. We propose that the DOHaD phenomenon can be considered as a subset of the broader processes of developmental plasticity by which organisms adapt to their environment during their life course. Such adaptive processes allow genotypic variation to be preserved through transient environmental changes. Cues for plasticity operate particularly during early development; they may affect a single organ or system, but generally they induce integrated adjustments in the mature phenotype, a process underpinned by epigenetic mechanisms and influenced by prediction of the mature environment. In mammals, an adverse intrauterine environment results in an integrated suite of responses, suggesting the involvement of a few key regulatory genes, that resets the developmental trajectory in expectation of poor postnatal conditions. Mismatch between the anticipated and the actual mature environment exposes the organism to risk of adverse consequences - the greater the mismatch, the greater the risk. For humans, prediction is inaccurate for many individuals because of changes in the postnatal environment toward energy-dense nutrition and low energy expenditure, contributing to the epidemic of chronic noncommunicable disease. This view of human disease from the perspectives of life history biology and evolutionary theory offers new approaches to prevention, diagnosis and intervention. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 19:1-19, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Received: 1 June 2006; Revised: 17 August 2006; Accepted: 29 August 2006
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

2006 Holiday Update

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Wed, 27 Dec 2006 18:02:08 GMT

Well, I'm still here and it's coming up on the 5th anniversay of my diagnosis. When I first started the website and dealing with AA, you would have thought I was the first person ever to deal with a life threatening diagnosis. As time goes by, I realize that my situation is nothing compared to many others who fight much more difficult situations. I am trying to move on and only deal with my illness as an inconvenience that requires me to stop in for a little blood once in awhile.

I still must be extremely dilligent about avoiding stress, over-extending, physical exertion, exposure to colds, flu, etc, but otherwise lead a pretty normal semi-retired existence.

I've spent some time updating the website and am trying to learn more about RSS to allow automatic news feeds. It has also been suggested that I revive the data collection effot so plan to do that in the next couple of weeks. Previous attempts always got hacked into and created lots of extra work. Maybe I'll discuss the issue with my host company. It will probably require some kind of registration process and I'll actually post on the forum and see how many people respond. That will be my clue.

So for now, I am back to needing transfusions about every 2 months but may see if I can extend a bit. Most days I feel pretty strong but every once in a while I get knocked on by kiester as a reminder that all is not normal. At times like that, I try to lay really low and avoid anything that may cause a serious relapse.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to anyone who still reads this.

Platelets Up, Ferratin Down, Transfusion on 11/16

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 13:16:53 GMT

Positive news for a change. Platelets are at 26! Go pineapple! Sue is feeding me 1/4 of a pineapple every day based on readings from Dr. Raza. I have not seen that level in about 2 years. Hemoglobin was down to 8.3 so I had to have blood but I seem to remember that last time I became transfusion independent, platelets were the first to increase. Will be checking into that later. Right now I am on the way to Watertown (snowing up here - what is wrong with this picuture? I thought I moved to Carolina to get away from this stuff!)

Exjade report - after the rash I stopped but according to Martha, a very nice PA at Dr. Brodkin/s office, my ferratin level dropped from 1300 to 800 - she thinks that is quite remarkable. I took 1/2 dose yesterday and had a very minor reaction so will try taking it every other day at 1/2 dose.

Feeling very strong with my new blood - I was pretty weak prior to the latest transfusion. Had trouble even making it up a flight of stairs again. But Sunday, I carried a 4x8 sheet of plywood up the stairs and worked all day framing in the attic and still had energy to burn.

Back on the Wagon

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 00:07:55 GMT

I am officially back on my protocol and have been since Dr. Brodkin delivered my counts on October 20th. Hemoglobin down to 9.1, WBC count consistenly below 2 and Platelets still in the 13 range. I don't track them as closely as I used to but will have to start paying attention again and am hoping that getting back with the program will reverse the downward slide.

I am taking more supplements than I can keep track of, on a modified rotational diet with lots of grains, greens, beans, roots, fruits, weeds and seeds. Loading on carrots, carrot juic, bananas, pineapple, brown rice, organic lettuce (now have to be concerned about e-coli?) and all the good stuff I can think of. No popcorn, dairy, chocolate, alcohol, processed foods, Bojangles or McD's for me! Based on past experience the first week is the toughest. I made it through that with Sue's help so here's hoping I can make it work.

I'm light headed from low RBC's but otherwise able to function pretty well. Am unable to do anything strenuous but otherwise life is good.

Exjade

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 16:37:29 GMT

With a great deal of reluctance (I really don't like drugs!), I started on exjade yesterday after having baseline for vision and hearing - I can't see or hear already but I guess it could get worse. I'll be watching for side effects and post here if anything out of the ordinary happens.

Settled in North Carolina

bruce.lande@roadrunner.com — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 00:13:01 GMT

OK, so I am settled in North Carolina and wondering how important getting away from the Northeast will be in my healing process. I have long believed that the constant nasal congestion is in a large part due to the climate so we'll see. So far, I seem to be much less congested and I will not miss the cold and grey days. I have received 2 transfusions in the last 4 months so no demonstrable progress on that front. I am finally settling into some kind of a routine in the new house after multiple moving trips so will be anxious to see if this transfusion holds me or not. I am taking the full compliment of Dr. Rogers recommnedaitons - about 30 different things in total - A real pain but will give it until they run out to see if anything chanes.