Interesting cancer news...

There is an interesting article in last week's (Sept. 15, 2014) New Yorker magazine entitled, "The Transformation" by Jerome Groopman, who is not only a writer, but a physician. It is quite interesting in re progress in the fight against certain cancers, particularly those of the blood (i.e., leukemias).  I will try to summarize:
1. Cancer cells are typically immature cells that deviate from their usual course of maturation and replicate themselves repeatedly. Were they to become mature, they wouldn't do this (i.e., replicate repeatedly).
2. The traditional medical response to these cells is to kill them and/or remove them via, respectively chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery. Well known bad news: Often some cancer cells escape this approach
3. A new approach discussed in the article is to apply newly developed drugs which have the effect of making the cancer cells go down their usual path, that is, to maturity. When this happens the cell no longer replicates repeatedly. 
4. For some leukemia patients experimental therapies using these drugs have produced complete, lasting remissions after all else has failed; and, controlled trials are showing high percentages of remissions.
5. Where the cancer is more specifically located, this approach seems to stop, but not reverse the development of tumors. Unfortunately, the effect of the drugs on specific tumors appears to wane over time. Researchers are looking at combinations of these drugs along with the more general, earlier approaches.
6. Stem cells are involved theoretically and empirically in some of this, but I don't understand enough about them to relate their roles.

Fall has brought out my allergies but I am, at this time, coping, and will continue to do so.

the neglectful one

OMG, a call from a blog follower, wondering what condition my condition is in! Mea culpa. I guess I am feeling well enough that the blog posts are not at the top of my list. Bad Grayson! So I am reminded to check in, in case any of you were wondering. Clearly, one of you was.

I am well. I seem to be staving off further upper respiratory difficulty while those around me are sniffling and coughing. I can only hope that my beaten-upon immune system has recovered sufficiently to do business this winter. As previously reported, I am on no extra meds for anything except what I have always taken meds for (acalasia, A-fib, cholesterol). 

I just finished a demanding week of music: a 90-min Las Vegas type review followed by a set of dance music for five nights. With rehearsals, this was a week's involvement and always--while I really dig it--let's me know that my decision to not make music my very existence 50+ yrs ago is still a valid decision. But, for the week, I had a ball.  There is nothing like being in the center of a screaming, wailing, big band playing swinging music. Okay, maybe there are comparable experiences out there, but this one's mine. And it is to be followed immediately by rehearsals for the fall concert of the same big band where the music will be jazz rather than dance. It don't get no better.

Plus on Wed after our first Tues rehearsal we will decamp for Grand Junction CO to meet fun friends all there to taste this year's vintages, and, mayhap, purchase a case or three. What's not to like about this picture? Then, shortly after returning from GJ I will repair to Lake Powell in the annual search for the wily striped bass. Again, what's not to like?

So, you can see, dear reader, that I am hale and hearty, and plan to make the most of it given the time I have. You will pardon me if I occasionally miss the opportunity to regale you further.

Luv you all madly.