MMSupport.net unveils “Ask the Expert”, featuring Multiple Myeloma physician and scientist, James R. Berenson, M.D.
Ask the Expert is a free online web-forum where Myeloma and Bone Cancer specialist, Dr. James R. Berenson offers medical answers to questions surrounding quality of life and longevity issues for patients living with this rare form of cancer.
Los Angeles, CA – MMSupport.net and the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research are proud to announce the creation of “Ask the Expert”, a free online web-forum featuring Multiple Myeloma expert, Dr. James R. Berenson.
MMSupport.net is the creation of myeloma-advocate, Beth Morgan. The website serves to foster community in the form of an online forum where patients and caregivers could learn more about Multiple Myeloma, a plasma cell cancer that resides in the bone marrow. Thousands of people visit MMSupport.net every day. Many visitors are Myeloma and Bone Cancer patients, caregivers and other medical professionals who actively participate in online discussions about treatment options and personal experiences. “Ask the Expert” is the latest addition to the MMSupport.net website and is available at no charge by registering on the site. Visit www.mmsupport.net for more information.
James R. Berenson, MD has 25 years experience in treating Multiple Myeloma and Bone Cancer patients. Dr. Berenson is CEO and Medical Director for The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research and CEO and President of Oncotherapeutics, an oncology-specific clinical trials management service. Dr. Berenson is an active clinician who treats patients daily in his Los Angeles offices and acts as a specialist consult to patient’s primary oncologist or primary care physician throughout the world. For more information, visit www.berensononcology.com
The Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research, based in Los Angeles, California, is an independent cancer research institute with a primary focus on hematologic cancers. Established in 2004, the IMBCR is a 501 c (3) non-profit organization. Over the last four years, the IMBCR has created novel breakthrough therapies that have substantially increased the longevity and quality of life of myeloma patients. The latest initiative at the institute is “The Cure Myeloma Project”, a multi-year research project that targets myeloma cells while keeping the non-cancerous cells intact. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.imbcr.org
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Media contact:
Beth Morgan, MMsupport.net beth.morgan@connectnc.com or,
Cheryl A. Cross, MPH, Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research ccross@imbcr.org 866-900-1035
Author: Beth
I was diagnosed with MM in January of 2003. I underwent various treatments, including thalidomide/dex, revlimid/dex, dex alone, a clinical trial of CNTO 328, and Velcade, Doxil and dex until late August, 2007, when I had an autologous stem cell transplant after high dose melphalan. I experienced what's known as a very good partial response (VGPR). Since then, my myeloma has been stable.
When analyzing how much of the email that comes into web hosting accounts, we discovered that it’s 94% spam and viruses. Thanks to our mail filtering device, most of that is blocked or quarantined. I went to google to look for stats, and found that our figure agrees with what’s reported by most other ISPs. A graph from one of our mail filters shows the severity of the spam problem, which is universal.
Increases in junk mail has required us to invest in mail filtering appliances and software, which is the case for many large companies and universities. However, not all companies can afford to make this investment. We offer mail filtering for web sites whether they are hosted with us or not. For a low monthly rate, your domain’s email can be protected. Pricing starts at $13.50 per month, for up to 10 mail accounts. Using the service is easy. A simple change is made to your DNS. No software needs to be installed on any of your systems. We do still recommend that each of your machines has an anti-virus application installed. While most viruses are email borne, there are still risks associated with simply being connected to the Internet. For more information, or to sign up, call us at 888-290-4601, extension 22.
This is what my head looks like now. The rash is gone. There’s discoloration there, and the skin is extremely sensitive. Sometimes it itches, too. I have another appointment to see the eye doctor on Tuesday, and I think it will be the last one for this.
If you’re wondering, the thing sticking out of my ear is from my iPod. This has been the first time I’ve tried to use it since before I had shingles. The virus caused pain even in my ear, which made it hurt to listen to music or even the telephone on that side. I still have headaches on the left side of my head, but they’re not as bad and not as constant as they were even a week ago.
You can see that my hair is growing. I hope to look half way normal by spring.
The picture was taken with PhotoBooth on the Mac, which, for reasons unknown to me, produces a mirror image. So, when I talk of having shingles on the left side, it’s true.
More about shingles
For Immediate Release
January 24, 2008
Contact: Linda M. Parsons, Vice President
Phone: 910.692.2936
Email: lparsons@moorecountychamber.com
Moore County Chamber Announces Finalists: Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year
SOUTHERN PINES, NC – The Moore County Chamber of Commerce announced at a press conference on January 24, 2008 the six finalists for the Chamber’s Small Business and Entrepreneur Business of the Year Awards. The winner of each of these awards will be presented at the Chamber’s Annual Banquet on January 31, 2008 and is made possible in partnership with Progress Energy.
“The Chamber is proud to showcase the six finalists and their contributions to the enrichment of Moore County’s business Community,” stated Sherwood Blackwood, 2008 Chairman of the Board. According to Sherwood, “The Chamber was looking for a business that despite facing tremendous adversity would do it all over again, and whose fervor for running a business is rivaled only by their willingness to serve the community.”
The criteria for both awards included innovation, response to adversity and community involvement. For innovation the businesses needed to cite examples as to marketing ideas, overcoming significant challenges, employee relations, customer development, technology, distribution and competitive advantages. The category of adversity, the business needed to show how they addressed significant challenges, overcoming one or more of the following: Employee relations, growth, training, retention, management and technology. In the last category the business needed to indicate their involvement in the community, not including industry related organizations or affiliations. The steering committee that reviewed the applications received were Chamber executives and economic development executives from outside of Moore County.
The three finalists for the Entrepreneur Business of the Year Award have been in business less than five years and with less than 50 full time employees. These finalists include HomeChoice Network Inc., Bliss, A Salon Experience and Weichert Realtors, Larose & Company. The finalists for the Small Business of the Year Award have been in business more than five years and also have less than 50 full time employees. These finalists include Pinestar Farms Inc., ConnectNC Inc., and Moore Uniforms. The final award winner of each category will be presented at the Annual Banquet on January 31, 2008 at the Carolina Hotel.
For more information or to purchase tickets to the Moore county Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet visit www.moorecountychamber.com or call (910) 692-3926.
The mission of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce is to provide quality, value-added services and programs to members to unite Moore County area businesses in a committed effort to strengthen the economic environment and thus, improve the quality of life for all of Moore County. With nearly 800 members the Chamber is instrumental in Advancing Commerce and Community and exists to help strengthen the local economy and promote comprehensive community development.
Linda Parsons
Vice President
Moore County Chamber of Commerce
10677 Hwy 15-501
Southern Pines, NC 28387
910.692-3926 Fax 910.692-0619
Advancing Commerce and Community
On Friday I started taking famvir for an outbreak of shingles. I knew from previous times that famvir gave me a pretty bad headache, but I thought I’d do it anyway and maybe this time it wouldn’t happen. I withstood it for almost 4 full days, but then called the doctor to get something else. It was a wicked headache and I thought anything else had to be better. I got the rx for acyclovir Tuesday and took my first dose with dinner. Pretty soon I was experiencing nausea. Those of you who know me, know that this is a serious situation. I fought off the nausea for four hours and then finally had an episode of vomiting and diarrhea. It was over fast, and probably not worth the four hours I spent trying to avoid it. We do what we do though, and it’s hard to overcome a phobia you’ve had all your life. This could have very well been a coincidence, but I attributed it to the acyclovir (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are reported possible side effects). I called my doctor the next day, and a nurse asked me if I could tolerate the famvir headache for just 3 more days. So, I’m back on famvir now. Just a couple of days to go. Afterwards, I will probably take one a day to help prevent a recurrence of shingles.
The eye doctor told me that he saw no internal goings-on in my eye. Only the exterior was affected, including the eyelid (outside and inside). I have an antibiotic ointment to apply twice daily and a return appointment next week.
I should expect to have a complete recovery anywhere from a few weeks to 6 weeks.
More about shingles
I just learned that shingles’ name comes from the Latin cingulum, which means girdle or belt. There’s a lot of useful information about shingles at the FDA web site.
I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon about my left eye, which is afflicted with shingles. If an eye is ever affected by shingles, get to a doctor, asap!
Here’s a new picture of what the rash looks like. Don’t click on the thumbnail if you don’t want to see it. I think it’s hideous. I try to stay in so that I don’t attract mobs of torch-wielding villagers out in front of the house.
I’m still taking the 500 mg of Famvir three times a day and am taking some oxycodone as needed. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish I had some dex.
More about shingles
I have a case of shingles AGAIN. This time it’s on the left side of my head and face, affecting my eye. I’m on 500 mg of Famvir, three times a day. As my doctor said, it will get worse before it gets better. These pictures don’t really quite do it justice.
More about shingles on this blog.
What is shingles? There’s a really good explanation of shingles here on Wikipedia.
zoster, shingles, varicella