{{{{{JANE!!!}}}}}

We’re here for you Jane!

Much love to and for Jane.

Get well soon Jane.

Calm is good, even when waiting becomes a drag.

I’ve waited with lots of folks in lots of waiting rooms, and having people with whom to wait makes it a lot easier. Thanks, everyone.

*pacing*

Peterr @ 4

Calm is good, even when waiting becomes a drag.

I’ve waited with lots of folks in lots of waiting rooms, and having people with whom to wait makes it a lot easier. Thanks, everyone.

Yep.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((JANE!)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

Everybody I know says I’m a worry-wart. And I suppose I am. But hey, that’s what I do. I’m worried about JH.

Oklahoma kiddo @
9

Everybody I know says I’m a worry-wart. And I suppose I am. But hey, that’s what I do. I’m worried about JH.

I’m not worried, there’s such strong Karma there. There’s good thoughts out here. Just when you think Tinkerbell is down for the count, she comes back, brighter than ever!

I’m sure our Jane is not feeling any pain right this minute.
Better living through chemistry, and all that.
She’s probably quite stoned. I sure hope she is anyway.
Best wishes Jane.
I will be anxiously waiting another update in the A.M..

Usually at times like this I’m speechless, but I’m there. I’m here Jane.

twolf1 @ 6

*pacing*

Yes… {{{{Jane}}}}

Along with everyone else, I’ve been on pins all day waiting to hear about Jane’s surgery.

I’m in SoCal (probably less than 80-miles from her hospital), and the sun is just going down. I hope she’s all right…

Oklahoma kiddo: Yeah, me too, I think I was born worried.

Thanks Christie for the picture, it’s beautiful and it helps.

And thanks Oilfieldguy for sharing your words for Jane. For anyone who missed his beautiful words:

“Strong as nails and more feminine than a daffodil. It takes alot of pressure to make a diamond and Jane your brilliance is breathtaking. Your comrades & flowers await.”

*sitting with head in my hands in the waiting room*

so, the surgery is over, but they’re waiting for all the path reports?

I too am watching the sun go down over the Pacific.

I just made a donation to a local cancer support group, in honor of Jane. It eased the sense of helplessness I’ve had all day.

177 candles, from 4 countries

Here, while the sun goes down in the West, if your feed is strong enough, I found this after Christy’s Mellisa Etheridge song earlier: Jake

Christy — the link to digby is not working. But I checked it independently and that site appears to be down at the moment.

Wishing, hoping, praying…

-GSD

The post from Digby really needs highlighting. Digby comments on possible treatment It has to do with the possibility for an effective cancer treatment based on a compound that is already used to treat mitochondrial disease, without ill effects. But, it is not a “pharmaceutial”, meaning that it is not owned by big pharma, and thus there would be no huge profits involved.

SusanD brought this to my attention in a post yesterday, and I followed up the links, and downloaded the original scientific article.

On my way to class to today, I happened to run into a colleague of mine. He started an enormously successful website called CancerQuest after his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer. I asked him if he had read the scientific article. Not yet, he said, but I was the second colleage (and second female colleague) to mention it to him.

Earlier today, I emailed him a link with the original article. He is a really good cell biologist and also quite informed about cancer not only personally (see above) but professionally, as he teaches a course on the subject. I am really looking forward to his take on this, both scientifically and politically. I will share this info with all, when I hear back from him.

another worrywart here but i’m trying to stay in a peaceful zone for janes sake…………..

Scarecrow @ 21

Christy — the link to digby is not working. But I checked it independently and that site appears to be down at the moment.

i eventually got in.

Renee in Ohio @ 19

177 candles, from 4 countries

Thanks for the candle link Renee, I lit one. I think virtual candles is a lovely idea as I dare not light real candles in my house for fear of very furrys cat setting their tails alight.

I was thinking about Jane last night… staring this thing right in the eyeballs & saying you’re not going to win this one either!!! Nerves of steel. and grace.
I hope we hear tonight she’s waking up safely, no complications… we’ll have to wait for her to give the actual report I’d guess.

I haven’t done one of these in a while:

Current national average for regular gasoline: $2.209.

Crude oil:

Nymex Crude Future $50.48, down $1.76
Dated Brent Spot $51.53, down $.86
WTI Cushing Spot $50.48, down $1.76

Crude oil fell through the floor a week or two ago. Although it is cold at the moment, we had an extended period of mild weather, especially in the Northeast that uses most of the nation’s heating oil. Despite announced cuts by OPEC, they have had little impact on the availability of oil. There is also the slowdown in the US economy. The result is that inventories of gasoline and oil are high. Both increased last week so the likelihood is that low prices will be with us for a while, barring Bush starting another war somewhere.

The digby site is back up.

Thanks for the update, Christy.

I just dropped in and realized that something is up with Jane’s health.

My wife was diagnosed with breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ) which metastasized to her brain and liver shortly after a needle core biopsy was performed instead of doing a simple lumpectomy.

Fortunately we found an incredible oncologist after the cancer spread who suggested she be tested for the “her2″ gene.

Her primary oncologist was unaware of these tests.

She did have an over expression of the her2 gene which was causing the mutations.

Please follow up for us all and verify that this test has been performed for Jane.

My wife has survived over 10 years because there are very effective treatments available for this type of breast cancer.

The treatment, Genentec’s “Herceptin” also cured her related liver cancer.

Jane, this too shall pass and you will THRIVE!

Strength, love and Blessings!

Namaste

Michael

Colbert coming up on O’rilly.

Blogger is down, Christy. Can you share digby’s thoughts with us?

And thank you very much for the updates.

I wonder if the surgery team realizes that people all over the world are in the waiting room.

Persiflage @ 26

Thanks for the candle link Renee, I lit one. I think virtual candles is a lovely idea as I dare not light real candles in my house for fear of very furrys cat setting their tails alight.

You’re welcome. My husband sometimes lights a candle on his desk, but we never feel like we can leave them unattended even to leave the room. Yes, we have cats too.

Regarding Digby, it seems to be a Blogspot issue–my husband just told me that the main page of my blog has the same error message I saw at Digby.

The best thing about this waiting room is that we do not have to share it with other families.
Strength.
Peace.

ReneND @ 31

Colbert coming up on O’rilly.

I hope someone can report on how that goes. Our television is allergic to that channel.

jayackroyd @ 32

Blogger is down, Christy. Can you share digby’s thoughts with us?

And thank you very much for the updates.

It seems to be back up.

Did I hear this right, anyone? McCaffrey says on Olbermann that Iraq has a “$5,000,000,000 per month burn rate”?

Can someone tell me when Colbert is on because I never watch O’Reilly and I’m too depressed to start now.

Mack @ 35

The best thing about this waiting room is that we do not have to share it with other families.
Strength.
Peace.

Oh, my! can you imagine that picture?
“Medical Center Waiting Room Overrun by DFH’s!”

ccmask @ 39

Can someone tell me when Colbert is on because I never watch O’Reilly and I’m too depressed to start now.

It’s on now, Colbert up next.

ccmask @ 39

Can someone tell me when Colbert is on because I never watch O’Reilly and I’m too depressed to start now.

i will do my best to notify. i may not make it through more than 5 minutes though.

Oklahoma kiddo @ 38

Did I hear this right, anyone? McCaffrey says on Olbermann that Iraq has a “$5,000,000,000 per month burn rate”?

Right. We have been spending between $5 and $7 billion every month, for over a year.

ccmask @ 38

Can someone tell me when Colbert is on because I never watch O’Reilly abd I’m too depressed to start now.

Colbert’s show is on at 11:30 pm EST. It is then repeated at 10:30 am, 2:30pm and 8:30 pm the following day.

I won’t watch BillO either. I figure that Amato at C&L will document the atrocities for us to see later.

Best wishes to you, Jane

:)

Sorry blogger is down for the Digby link, gang. It was a post on the cancer drug that pharmaceutical companies aren’t testing, because it’s not profitable apparently, but that has real promise for long-term cancer survival. When blogger goes back up, it is certainly worth the read.

At long last I know where Bedlam is dreaming of rain comes from. Yay! Wait a minute…

Not a question but a curse, how could Hell be any worse?

Boy, that kind of whacked me right between the eyes.

First of all, there’s Jane. I lost my only sister to it a couple of years ago. Second, our company (40 Employees) lost our CEO the day after Christmas in a car wreck. Tonite, the widow secretly shows me a letter she received from the four managers running the plant saying that if they do not receive a $25,000 raise by Tuesday, they are walking out. Which would mean that all of us “others” would be out of a job.

Oh, and I did make it to my hair appointment today, a little later than scheduled. Jane ordered me to get my hair done before going to DC — and I didn’t want her kicking my ass if she caught a glimpse of me on teevee without well poofed and poodled hair. *g*

Strength, Jane, strength.

And LOVE.

Christy Hardin Smith @ 46

Sorry blogger is down for the Digby link, gang. It was a post on the cancer drug that pharmaceutical companies aren’t testing, because it’s not profitable apparently, but that has real promise for long-term cancer survival. When blogger goes back up, it is certainly worth the read.

I know this sound tin-foily, but there are lots of people who profit from diseases…

health is not really profitable for some, except for the common folk who thank the stars daily.

ccmask @ 48

Tonite, the widow secretly shows me a letter she received from the four managers running the plant saying that if they do not receive a $25,000 raise by Tuesday, they are walking out. Which would mean that all of us “others” would be out of a job.

Unbelievable – greed knows no bounds. Can’t they be arrested for extortion?

I’m sending best wishes from Florida to Jane.

Gotta Pay

by digby

As I sit here thinking sbout my pal Jane and what she’s facing I can’t help but reflect on just how fucked up this is:

It is expected there would be no problems securing funding to explore a drug that could shrink cancerous tumors and has no side-effects in humans, but University of Alberta researcher Evangelos Michelakis has hit a stalemate with the private sector who would normally fund such a venture.

Michelakis’ drug is none other than dichloroacetate (DCA), a drug which cannot be patented and costs pennies to make.

It’s no wonder he can’t secure the $400-600 million needed to conduct human trials with the medicine – the drug doesn’t have the potential to make enough money.

Michelakis told reporters they will be applying to public agencies for funding, as pharmaceuticals are reluctant to pick up the drug

More on this promising new treatment here . They are hoping they will be able to scrape up the money for the clinical trials through charities, universities and governments.

And here I thought the pharmaceutical companies had to charge such high prices because of all the research they were doing. Seems without the possibility of future revenue they can’t be bothered. Of course, a cheap cure for cancer would cut into profits in so many ways, wouldn’t it?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 46

Sorry blogger is down for the Digby link, gang. It was a post on the cancer drug that pharmaceutical companies aren’t testing, because it’s not profitable apparently, but that has real promise for long-term cancer survival. When blogger goes back up, it is certainly worth the read.

with digby’s inferred permission, here is the text of that post:

Gotta Pay

by digby

As I sit here thinking sbout my pal Jane and what she’s facing I can’t help but reflect on just how fucked up this is:

It is expected there would be no problems securing funding to explore a drug that could shrink cancerous tumors and has no side-effects in humans, but University of Alberta researcher Evangelos Michelakis has hit a stalemate with the private sector who would normally fund such a venture.

Michelakis’ drug is none other than dichloroacetate (DCA), a drug which cannot be patented and costs pennies to make.

It’s no wonder he can’t secure the $400-600 million needed to conduct human trials with the medicine – the drug doesn’t have the potential to make enough money.

Michelakis told reporters they will be applying to public agencies for funding, as pharmaceuticals are reluctant to pick up the drug

.

More on this promising new treatment here. They are hoping they will be able to scrape up the money for the clinical trials through charities, universities and governments.

And here I thought the pharmaceutical companies had to charge such high prices because of all the research they were doing. Seems without the possibility of future revenue they can’t be bothered. Of course, a cheap cure for cancer would cut into profits in so many ways, wouldn’t it?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 45

Sorry blogger is down for the Digby link, gang. It was a post on the cancer drug that pharmaceutical companies aren’t testing, because it’s not profitable apparently, but that has real promise for long-term cancer survival. When blogger goes back up, it is certainly worth the read.

Here’s what Digby had to say:

Gotta Pay

by digby

As I sit here thinking sbout my pal Jane and what she’s facing I can’t help but reflect on just how fucked up this is:

It is expected there would be no problems securing funding to explore a drug that could shrink cancerous tumors and has no side-effects in humans, but University of Alberta researcher Evangelos Michelakis has hit a stalemate with the private sector who would normally fund such a venture.

Michelakis’ drug is none other than dichloroacetate (DCA), a drug which cannot be patented and costs pennies to make.

It’s no wonder he can’t secure the $400-600 million needed to conduct human trials with the medicine – the drug doesn’t have the potential to make enough money.

Michelakis told reporters they will be applying to public agencies for funding, as pharmaceuticals are reluctant to pick up the drug

.

More on this promising new treatment here. They are hoping they will be able to scrape up the money for the clinical trials through charities, universities and governments.

And here I thought the pharmaceutical companies had to charge such high prices because of all the research they were doing. Seems without the possibility of future revenue they can’t be bothered. Of course, a cheap cure for cancer would cut into profits in so many ways, wouldn’t it?

Do go over and leave a word or two once Blogger is back up or follow the link Digby has to the study.

OT– George McGovern is a giant.

He is on KO right now.

Dab: The widow is so upset. He died Dec. 28 and she received the letter Jan 15. We did 2.2 Million last year.

ccmask @ 48 Sorry to hear about your losses.

Is what the managers are doing to your boss legal?

BTW, My comment above was in response to this possible new treatment.

Thanks for the heads-up, angie.

ccmask @ 58

Dab: The widow is so upset. He died Dec. 28 and she received the letter Jan 15. We did 2.2 Million last year.

She should call a lawyer ASAP! The company lawyer may be the place to start if he or she is not in tight with managers.

colbert on fox now… i think

…yep, he’s on

Hope I’m not annoying your stat-o-matic thingy cos this is my 5th check back. Glad to hear everyone’s being cautiously, well, cautious. Nothing wrong with that.

I know you know but dammit, you foks are fabulous and wonderful and cool and the besest.

bestest even

whodathunk?:

Fox Poll: More Americans Dislike Bush Than … Cheney!
By Eric Kleefeld

This has to be a milestone: A new poll has found that the American people dislike President Bush more than they dislike … Dick Cheney. The poll — by Fox News, of all people — finds that President Bush’s unfavorable rating is 58%, while Cheney’s unpopularity rating is five points lower at 53%. Bush can, however, still take some small solace from the fact that his approval rating is one point higher than Cheney’s; the President’s is 38%, while the VP’s is 37%.

rumi: I don’t know. That’s why I mentioned it. It doesn’t seem right to me.

Excellent synchronicity on the digby.

Hi Christy
Thanks for keeping us updated. It will be awhile for the lab reports to come back so we will have to be patient as hard as it is.
You and Jane are such inspirations to me and I love this blog. Life is such a series of trials and we just have to do the best we can.
Thank you for the Monet. I love him as well and have several prints in my home. Always look for the light.

ccmask @ 67

rumi: I don’t know. That’s why I mentioned it. It doesn’t seem right to me.

regardless of the legality, that kind of shake-down in those circumstances is just plain wrong.

Republicans, right?

Christy Hardin Smith @ 49

Oh, and I did make it to my hair appointment today, a little later than scheduled. Jane ordered me to get my hair done before going to DC — and I didn’t want her kicking my ass if she caught a glimpse of me on teevee without well poofed and poodled hair. *g*

Can’t wait to catch another TV shot of our favorite ReddHedd!

RBG @ 68

Excellent synchronicity on the digby.

fair fair fair
use use use
???

Thanks everyone! Of course, my sister had other problems too and she wasn’t very strong, like Jane. Jane is a trooper and I know she is going to come back strong.

My synch has links too, for anyone who wants to click through. I got lucky.

RBG @ 67

Excellent synchronicity on the digby.

great minds link likely.

punaise @ 70

ccmask @ 67

rumi: I don’t know. That’s why I mentioned it. It doesn’t seem right to me.

regardless of the legality, that kind of shake-down in those circumstances is just plain wrong.

Republicans, right?

Three Republicans and one Independent. Like Joe.

RevDeb @ 75

RBG @ 67

Excellent synchronicity on the digby.

great minds link likely.

Hey RevDeb! Hey Punaise! Hope you saw earlier that I will be following up on this.

Totally off topic, but here’s what I’ve been working on lately: anti-Valentine designs for the current contest at Cafe Press.

Blogger, it seems, has taken a big dump tonight.

CCMask, is it possible to run the plant without these 4? It seems to me that management always gets the managers to do the line work when the line workers go on strike…why not a little role reversal?

Yes VG.

It will be interesting to see what your colleague has to say about it.

Sorry for the personal stuff. I just left her house and she is destroyed over it and I have to go to work tomorrow. End of story.

Fitz!!

Valley Girl @ 77

Hope you saw earlier that I will be following up on this.

thanks – keep us posted.

Bless you, Jane. I love Monet. Thank you Christy for the beautiful painting.

Hi all.

I don’t have much to say, just sharing everybody’s good wishes and eating my liver quietly.

ccmask @ 80

Sorry for the personal stuff. I just left her house and she is destroyed over it and I have to go to work tomorrow. End of story.

Fitz!!

No apologies necessary. When folks are hanging out in a waiting room they talk about lots of stuff. This is important and worth mentioning. The suggestion of talking to the company lawyer or another lawyer sounds reasonable.

O’rilly will be on Colbert tonight.

I’m sure it will be better. This wasn’t very funny.

KO – bush admin worst person in world – for cutting budget for cancer research last year and planning to do it again this year.

The Bush Admin is worst person in the world for misleading us on cancer research.

KO!

Bush gets the Worst Person in the World for cutting the funding for Cancer research after they announced yesterday that the cancer rate is going down.

Keith has been lurking.

Did Olberman just do an “Homage” to our Jane?”

Bush Admin WPITW today for their boasting about cancer deaths down while cutting research dollars.

Christy, John Amato, Digby, and all the rest, Jane has excellent instincts when picking friends. Your generosity, kindness, decency, and selfless giving is wonderful. I feel for all of you today, it’s been a long one.

I just saw that, RevDeb.

I think if you’ve created your own reality, it doesn’t seem like lying any more.

ReneND @ 86

O’rilly will be on Colbert tonight.

I’m sure it will be better. This wasn’t very funny.

no, agreed, i’m not sure anything with O’rly can be funny. anyway, I recorded it and can post it on youtube if anyone is interested.

Twisted Martini @ 79

Blogger, it seems, has taken a big dump tonight.

CCMask, is it possible to run the plant without these 4? It seems to me that management always gets the managers to do the line work when the line workers go on strike…why not a little role reversal?

That’s what she wants me to do. Pull up all the applications and bring them home and see what we can do. I’ll let you know Monday how it goes. I really wanted to Fitz all weekend but there are people in our small busness that need those jobs……they are working for minimum wage while these guys, combined, are bringing in close to $300 thou. We’ll see. Good idea.

Big and continuing hugs to Jane.

Hope.

Faith in her and in her doctors.

More hugs.

Breast cancer in a loved one has been part of my life for almost 11 years. Chemotherapy (CEF, both before and after surgery), surgery, radiotherapy afterwards, Tamoxifen.

For those who want to learn much more, or who have experienced breast cancer (or that of a loved one), no place is better to go than to The Breast Cancer Mailing List.

For those who want to search for information on specific treatments, discussed by those with BC who do painstaking research, go to the Breast Cancer Mailing List Archives.

I used to be a regular on the BC List, but as 10 years have gone by, I started to become more and more optimistic and have less and less need to check on the latest.

But it is an incredible resource for those who have a current need.

ccmask @ 81

Sorry for the personal stuff. I just left her house and she is destroyed over it and I have to go to work tomorrow. End of story.

Fitz!!

ccmask,

Realizing that it will create difficulties now for your company her best move would be to fire all 4 of these guys and put the word out about them. Few companies would hire them with reputation that they will get. They probably have secretaries who know where info is and if you have compentent lower level folks move them up.

And we are rooting for you!!!

Get well, Jane, and to the rest of you, thank you for your support.

Also, what Boudica (91) said.

ccmask- sorry I haven’t absorbed the details of your plight. will reread. But hugs, and no need to apologize.

Though I haven’t been able to post since the early a.m. first waiting room thread, I’ve been thinking of Jane all day. No let-up here on the prayers and good thoughts!

ccmask — You and your fellow employees are on my prayer list now, too! Please let us know how it goes. I hope that something can be done to stop these managers from exercising an extortion racket.

That was KO’s most special comment ever, imho.

It is the first time he has made Bushco the worst person in the world.

He did it for Jane and many others.

Thank you KO!

Remember, in addition to sending Jane our best wishes, we can also help her with the expenses related to this wonderful blog.

Let’s keep the fire by the lake well tended till she gets back.

John O @
97

Get well, Jane, and to the rest of you, thank you for your support.

Also, what Boudica (91) said.

John O—that was a mighty fine post you wrote. Thanks.

Hi Valley Girl!

I’d be really interested in what your colleague has to say about this possible treatment.

I used to work in geriatrics. For years there were no treatments for Alzheimers. Then the baby boomer generation hits middle age and Big Pharma realises the huge potential profit. Now there are some drugs that slow the pace of the disease. Most clinical trials that I”m aware of are for better Alzheimer-slowing drugs, not Alzheimer-curing drugs.

Big Pharma’s got to make it’s fortune. How else would Mrs Lieberman keep Joey in the style to which he is accustomed?

Michael @ 30

Her primary oncologist was unaware of these tests.

There are three kinds of oncologists:

medical oncologists (chemotherapy);
radiation oncologists (radiotherapy);
surgical oncologists (surgery).

Each keeps up with developments in his or her field, but rarely with developments in one of the other two fields.

It is essential to consult all three — and best if all three work in a team.

angie @ 100

That was KO’s most special comment ever, imho.

It is the first time he has made Bushco the worst person in the world.

He did it for Jane and many others.

Thank you KO!

he just keeps rockin’ more and more each day.

thanks for catching that.

ccmask,

She should immediately act on that 25,000 number. As in: REDUCE each of the 4 salaries by at least 25,000. Then fire their asses.

{{{ Jane }}}

there is also an enormous benefit to get from oncology nurses and nurse practitioners…

very, very integral to getting well and dealing with side effects and much more.

Can you feel the love, Jane?

AZMATT: The good news is I am all their secretary! I do all the collections, write all the proposals and bring in all the clients. We may have to give our company Gop a run for their money. I’ll keep you all posted! Thanks. That is the reason why I love this place. Fitz me hard!

The other good news is I lost my diamond tennis bracelet my Mom gave me for xmas and a FRIEND called me today…they found it in the grass at their house. They had a New Year’s party and I lost it there. I thought I lost it at work. So, with this good news, and waiting on Jane’s good news…

ccmask- the tactic the 4 are using sounds like blackmail (sorta) to me. As in, if she gives in now, they will have won, and have the power to do same again.

Scarborough says Bush is a “cornered” prez., and that worries him (Scarborough).

Good idea Shez. Unemployment will appreciate the letter :)) which they all signed.

Hmm- I stayed on fox to check on what Newt had to say. Something about a bigger/super contract for america. He is so running. Loser.

Janie, please get well. The Bastard loves you!

been thinking of this all day and in total denial

please kick its ass like you do everything, Jane

Me too VG. But to me, it is the timing first of all and second, knowing that she knows nothing at all about the business. I spent the day canceling cruises and other trips I had made for them and these guys are strong arming her behind our backs.

Just found this recent update by Corn on the selection process today. FWIW. FYI. Haven’t read it yet, but wanted to post quickly.

today’s corn

hey guitar, I’m a piano playing bastard tonight

hi Sharkbabe!

I echo your sentiments and must tell you that I have missed you– a lot.

Persiflage @ 103

Hi Valley Girl!

I’d be really interested in what your colleague has to say about this possible treatment.

I used to work in geriatrics. For years there were no treatments for Alzheimers. Then the baby boomer generation hits middle age and Big Pharma realises the huge potential profit. Now there are some drugs that slow the pace of the disease. Most clinical trials that I”m aware of are for better Alzheimer-slowing drugs, not Alzheimer-curing drugs.

Big Pharma’s got to make it’s fortune. How else would Mrs Lieberman keep Joey in the style to which he is accustomed?

Persiflage, I despise Big Pharma’s corporate values: they are inimical to the values of medicine.

Despite Pig Pharma’s prpaganda, most of the intellectual work in the development of novel drugs is still done in academia. Pig Pharma exploits this intellectual work. GOP/Reagan greatly cut fundinng for basic science, but have not eliminated public funding for biomedical research.

Please share with us your knowledge of the basic mechanisms by which “Alzheimer curing” drugs ready for Phase I clinical trials operate.

After describing the mechanism(s), please also share with us the specific drugs which have been shown in animal models to be “Alzheimer-curing”.

You seem most certain of your conclusions about a matter of vital importance for millions of Americans and their families. Please, enlighten us regarding the factual basis for your assertions.

Citations will be most useful in standard Medline format, but any citations of peer-reviewed journals supporting your assertions will be most eagerly reviewed.

What is the basic mechanism for the Alzheimer curing drug? Oh yes – and what is the drug?

Simple questions – so what are the answers?

That candle page is so cool!

OFG, you made me cry too.

{{{ Jane }}}

Jane, you are in my thoughts & prayers. I wish you a very speedy recovery.

New Moon in Capricorn
Thursday, January 18, 2007
8:01pm PST

Since much of the time Capricorn gets a bad rap in astrology, let’s begin by celebrating Capricorn’s wonderful qualities. Got goals? Got focus? Got Capricorn. Got drive? Got stamina? Got accomplishment? Got Capricorn. Okay we all know about these qualities, but here’s a list you might not automatically come up with. Got loyalty, courage, commitment, a huge heart, deep caring for others, a desire to teach, uplift and inspire? Now you’ve got the totality of Capricorn.

This is the best New Moon for setting goals, initiating projects, and making a serious commitment to achieve. (Oh and lucky us, this year, the New Moon in Capricorn comes just as you are working on those New Year’s resolutions!) With Mars (action) in Capricorn, it will be mighty tempting to get right on the stick and put action behind your intentions. So let me remind you all that the two weeks after the New Moon, as the Moon waxes to full, is the optimal time to build the energy of your intentions. Action is best begun on the Full Moon. So slowing down and being deliberate is not only appropriate, but it is the Capricorn way. For those of you who have trouble with follow-through, this is the New Moon to gain focus and work on building real stamina. Believe me, with concerted focus and effort, you might find you are a whole lot stronger and more responsible than you think! Mars will help here as well.

http://www.astrowisdom.com/thisnewmoon.htm

(Give us something new to read while we wait. I find it comforting to know tonight is the New Moon, a fresh start for Jane)

The cancer is probably scared shit by now.

ccmask @ 94

That’s what she wants me to do. Pull up all the applications and bring them home and see what we can do. I’ll let you know Monday how it goes. I really wanted to Fitz all weekend but there are people in our small busness that need those jobs……they are working for minimum wage while these guys, combined, are bringing in close to $300 thou. We’ll see. Good idea.

Morally, it’s extortion, even if the law doesn’t define it as such.

Now, this might seem drastic, but management does this all the time to the little people. I worked for a company that, when someone was quitting or was fired, would have security watch them pack up (or, sometimes, have security pack up for them) so they could not take so much as a pencil (or proprietary information such as customer lists, etc.), and march them to the main gate.

If I were that widow, I’d have security on hand Monday morning, tell them they were all fired, and march them out. No briefcases, lock them out of their computer access Sunday night, not give them a single chance to get their hands on proprietary info.

And then let `em stew about their decision to hold up someone they perceived to be in a weakened position. Because that’s exactly what they’re doing.

I’m wondering what the title of her post on Feb. 4 will be. Any ideas?

ccmask @ 125

The cancer is probably scared shit by now.

i fervently hope so and a big ole hug to you ccmask. i am so sorry for your troubles.

yeah…I watch Scarborough and it’s for moments like this. His panel and he are discussing the probable final destruction of the GOP under the hand of BushCo…..I can loves me some GOP destruction.

ccmask – no shortage of great advice from caring people here at the lake. I’m right in line with let ‘em walk if they want and be ready to roll without them, fwiw. Any chance she can (or should?) get some kind of resignation letter as proof for later so they don’t claim something different?

thanks angie, back at ya & friends

ccmask @ 127

I’m wondering what the title of her post on Feb. 4 will be. Any ideas?

How I Kicked Ass!

Survivor!

Lady Jane Returns!

colbert on o’reilly’s show

John’s got news over at C&L – Jane’s out of surgery and it went really well.

Montag – I like your ideas in 126. Definitely get security. And definitely lock all the computers down this weekend. And send a copy of their letter around to the employees on Monday. And ask for the employees input.

I would bet that the employees will stick with the widow and pull the company along. And support her all the way.

then call the lawyer who works with the company. And give the original letter to him/her. And hold it for future use. :)

Something else to look at while we sit and wait:

“Ladies and Gentlemen… 53 seconds you’ll never get back! Give it up for…. POODLE!“

This is excrutiating. I keep checking back to see if she is out of surgery yet or if there is any word.

Still pacing…

Hey Kirk- you’re putting a pretty hard load on Persiflage. I basically agree with what she said. Sure, I too could go search out MedLine, etc. but it is huge area of research, and there are probably bazillions of articles out there. BEst info about trials is probably to go to the NIH site. These may seem like simple questions to you, but the answers are not simple. Back off, man! xxxooo

ccmask @ 127

I’m wondering what the title of her post on Feb. 4 will be. Any ideas?

Goodbye Earl Scooter

rumi: I’ll add it to my list. And Montag, also a great idea. I have the three page letter with me. I was thinking of leaving it in the lunchroom. But I won’t.

It is so typical of the haves and the have nots.

watertiger @
133

John’s got news over at C&L – Jane’s out of surgery and it went really well.

sounds like good news!

dab from CT @ 136

This is excrutiating. I keep checking back to see if she is out of surgery yet or if there is any word.

Still pacing…

she’s out of surgery – 8 hours worth (damn!), Amato sez, “all is well”.

Woo hoo watertiger! Thanks! Big sigh of relief here.

Great to hear from John that things went well…many thoughts and prayers for Jane!

Hey sharkbabe! been missing you!

“Jane’s doctor said that everything went really well. She was in surgery for about 8 hours…I’ll let you know more when I find out…Thanks for all the kind words the last few days. It’s really helped her.”

- John Amato

twolf1 @ 140

watertiger @
133

John’s got news over at C&L – Jane’s out of surgery and it went really well.

sounds like good news!

Thank you Lord! I love ya Jane!

I’m grateful to hear that there is a positive vibe from the doctor. Keeping those good thoughts coming…

I hate when things drag on like this. Even though you’re hoping for the best, even though you know it’ll probably turn out OK, by the time they actually tell you, you’re ready to faint from the stress and strain of waiting for the actual news. Somebody is going to have to invent a way to jump time dimension. I’m sure it builds character to have the patience to suffer the unknown, but c’mon – as we say in NY, let’s go, let’s go, let’s get to the bottom line here.

Yep — new post upstairs…

http://www.firedoglake.com/200…..fth-cuppa/

ccmask, please make sure you have triplicate copies of that letter…lol. And yea, a little sunshine on its sleazy underhanded widow extortion tactics should do wonders.

Whew- Now I look forward to hearing from Jane herself!! I know a some very special people that will be pleased with this latest positive news about her surgery! (Take care Jane)

Oh, what wonderful news, now that was worth waiting for!!!!

Valley Girl @ 117

Just found this recent update by Corn on the selection process today. FWIW. FYI. Haven’t read it yet, but wanted to post quickly.

today’s corn

Thanks for that link. He did a nice job with that article and offered an interesting insight. Sometimes I wonder in all of this if maybe I miss what I think is the overall average public opinion. This jury selection proves we aren’t the only confirmed BushCo skeptics here on the leftblogside.

all this pacing has made me cranky

I’ll make an observation on the scientific publicaton food chain in this case of the DCA cancer treatment. The article digby (and everyone else) is citing is from New Scientist. New Scientist is a science news outlet, not a journal of original research. The actual research is peer-reviewed (in “Cancer Cell”); New Scientist is simply reporting on it.

New Scientist does the same in many science areas–not only medicine. Including my own field, physics. Presumably the editors for physics and medicine are different, but it seems to me unlikely the philosophy is so different. My take on NS , from its physics reporting, is that it takes interesting original research, then breathlessly spins out the most spectacular interpretation of it that is not flatly contradicted by the data.

The author of a highly recommended dkos diary on this topic inadvertently made this point for me, in a comment I think he thought was showing the opposite:

They bill themselves as “The World’s No.1 Science & Technology News Service,” and usually have at least one article a day that has life/world-changing implications in it.

The original research is peer-reviewed and therefore meets at least a minimal credibility threshhold. I’m not competent in the field to render any judgment whatsoever about it. I hope we’ll hear more from knowledgeable scientists.

But I’m not going to get to worked up simply because New Scientist wrote a glowing article about it. I imagine this is one among many very promising approaches.

Jane, today I yelled at Kennedy’s staff about Gonzales’ testimony; take it as my action taken in your honor.

Took awhile to catch up on all the Jane updates and comments… phew!

My morning got spent at the ER – again – with my youngest daughter (20). Since the second week of December, she’s been to the ER at least 10 times for severe abdominal pain. They removed her gall bladder 13 days ago, but still, pain…

She threw away the Dilaudid and Percocet yesterday, just because she’s trying to avoid addiction, despite the ongoing pain. But nausea’s been fighting her the past few days. This morning, her bf called because she’d passed out from a standing position, waking him up.

She’s home now, a little better. But damn, the poor kid needs a break. There’s little worse in the world than watching your children suffer so.

Sometimes it seems the doctors are so slow to pinpoint what’s wrong, but we have no choice except to keep the faith that the answers are near.

I hope my whining isn’t out of place…

Go-o-o-o-o-o Jane! The best is yet to come! For you, and my Johannah.

Oilfieldguy @ 138

ccmask @ 127

I’m wondering what the title of her post on Feb. 4 will be. Any ideas?

Goodbye Earl Scooter

I first heard that song on the Howard Stern show the last time the Dixie Chicks were on, and it kicks ass!

I’ve been in a hospital all day (and every day for the past 4 weeks) waiting for my mom to come out of surgery. She has been on a ventilator & after some setbacks, today they inserted a trach & peg tube. The procedure went well & hopefully she will be able to wean from the vent.

Tonight I will be in this waiting room til we get news on Jane. I believe prayers got my mom this far, and am hoping the prayers for Jane will take her through this surgery with success.

For the faithful among us, prayers to St. Jude are heard and answered.

Valley Girl @ 137

Hey Kirk- you’re putting a pretty hard load on Persiflage. I basically agree with what she said. Sure, I too could go search out MedLine, etc. but it is huge area of research, and there are probably bazillions of articles out there. BEst info about trials is probably to go to the NIH site. These may seem like simple questions to you, but the answers are not simple. Back off, man! xxxooo

Valley Girl, I seek to place a very heavy burden upon specific inaccurate assertions about medicine and academic medicine.

Here in San Francisco, I meet perfectly affluent people with the capacity to secure health care for themselves and their families – and to observe first hand the very real suffering and injury resulting from their refusal of effective treatments due to widely held cultural myths regarding medical care. (And here I’m not even talking about the HIV deniers.)

FDL shapes opinions. I have and shall continue to lay a very heavy burden of proof – valid, referenced, supporting data – in response to culturally sanctioned “suburban myths” regarding medical care.

I have no animus towards those on the Lake who repeat here the latest – or not so latest – cultural myths about biomedicine. Yet silence is assent. For me, the human suffering resulting from these cultural myths is morally unacceptable – maintaing silence when the myths are expressed here is morally abhorrent for me.

I ask for specifics – that’s what real scientists do.

When I hear real big assertions, I make real big demands for specifics.

That’s what real scientists do.

Those who wish to opine on biomedicne will have their opinions – and I’ll have my requests for specifics.

Nothing personal to anyone – but the stakes are too high for silence.

(and – my friend – a sincere and robustly reproducible xxxooo to you!)

Kevin Hayden @ 155

Took awhile to catch up on all the Jane updates and comments… phew!

My morning got spent at the ER – again – with my youngest daughter (20). Since the second week of December, she’s been to the ER at least 10 times for severe abdominal pain. They removed her gall bladder 13 days ago, but still, pain…

She threw away the Dilaudid and Percocet yesterday, just because she’s trying to avoid addiction, despite the ongoing pain. But nausea’s been fighting her the past few days. This morning, her bf called because she’d passed out from a standing position, waking him up.

She’s home now, a little better. But damn, the poor kid needs a break. There’s little worse in the world than watching your children suffer so.

Sometimes it seems the doctors are so slow to pinpoint what’s wrong, but we have no choice except to keep the faith that the answers are near.

I hope my whining isn’t out of place…

Go-o-o-o-o-o Jane! The best is yet to come! For you, and my Johannah.

I hope your daughter gets some relief soon!

Just wanted to chime in on a misconception I believe your daughter has (as many in the public have).

Unless she already had a drug abuse problem, she does not have to worry about addiction to pain medication if she’s being given the meds legitimately to treat pain.

It has been shown in research (and sorry I don’t have a link right now, and also have to go out soon — but if you’re really curious I could try to dig it up tomorrow) that pain medication given legitimately for pain and in proper amounts (no overdosages!) does NOT cause addiction.

No need for your daughter to torture herself out of fear. Addiction occurs when people take the stuff to the level of getting high, with no real pain impulses to block.

Let me know if you want me to look up more data on that — it was a major concern of mine with my long-term pain problem. I did plenty of research at the websites of professional pain managment specialists’ associations, folks who are trying their best to educate the public about this. However, it was a long time ago that I did the research (years ago), which is why I can’t pull a website up immediately. But I’ll be happy to go back tomorrow and dig if it will mean your daughter can (legitimately!!!) have her agony relieved.

There’s altogether too much unnecessary stoicism going around in this post-Puritan society. [Again — unless your daughter has other problems which would obviate this advice — but even in that case, there may be ways of approaching it without danger with an experienced practitioner’s advice.]

Good luck!!!

Hello, Friendly Neighborhood Moderator?

I wrote a response to Kevin Hayden, and it’s stuck in limbo for reasons that escape me.

Can you help and free this remark while Kevin Hayden may still be around? (Now that there’s a new thread, I’d hate for him to miss it.)

Oh, and BTW — thanks for all you mods do! You have a herculean and thankless task.

OOPS, on edit — never mind — that was quick!!! Thanks!

Although I certainly don’t take back my thanks to you!

{{{{{{{{{{DIANE}}}}}}}}}}}}}

My best to you & your Mom.

That song is kickass, I didn’t think you guys could get any cooler. Prayers for Jane.

ccmask, this will probably get EPU’d, but I wanted to thank you for the hug & well wishes!

ccmask @
48

First of all, there’s Jane. I lost my only sister to it a couple of years ago. Second, our company (40 Employees) lost our CEO the day after Christmas in a car wreck. Tonite, the widow secretly shows me a letter she received from the four managers running the plant saying that if they do not receive a $25,000 raise by Tuesday, they are walking out. Which would mean that all of us “others” would be out of a job.

ccmask,

Managers are less important to a company than the other 36 workers. By which I mean, they are more ‘generic’ so more easily replaced. Does your widow-owner-lady have a CPA and /or lawyer she can trust? Such a person can arrange rent-a-managers for interim times and help her get over this without being held to ransom. Managers are dime-a-dozen, thriving small companies not so much. If there are shareholders there should already be an audit firm in place that can help with this.

Shez @
124

New Moon in Capricorn
Thursday, January 18, 2007

http://www.astrowisdom.com/thisnewmoon.htm

(Give us something new to read while we wait. I find it comforting to know tonight is the New Moon, a fresh start for Jane)

This is a very good omen. We plant root crops in the waning moon, because that prospers things that grown below ground, and above-ground crops in the waxing moon. Cancer, I would think, is an underground-y sort of thing. OK, so it’s not scientific, but it is comforting.

I just wanted to thank everyone for the “helpful hints” and to let you all know how much help it has been for me. I have never been so open here and for once, I’m glad I posted the situation. It has helped me more than you will ever know and Jane is so lucky to have so many friends such as you all. And so am I!
Sleep well tonite Jane and thanks for bringing us all together to fight against the “haves” for the “have nots”.

To CCmask, many good wishes for a positive outcome for the bereaved Lady and you.

((((((((((Diane & Mom))))))))))

or, my preferred way:

)))))))))))Diane & Mom(((((((((((

(a bear hug)

And Mrs. K8: thank you very much for the important info. No addictive personality, not a druggie at all. I don’t think it’s all stoicism; I think she’s just trying to force herself to heal. Your kindness is very much appreciated.

Kevin Hayden @ 167

To CCmask, many good wishes for a positive outcome for the bereaved Lady and you.

((((((((((Diane & Mom))))))))))

or, my preferred way:

)))))))))))Diane & Mom(((((((((((

(a bear hug)

And Mrs. K8: thank you very much for the important info. No addictive personality, not a druggie at all. I don’t think it’s all stoicism; I think she’s just trying to force herself to heal. Your kindness is very much appreciated.

Kevin –

Thanks for clarifying. If it’s a question of “forcing” herself to heal, please tell her that there is PLENTY of data that indicates healing is MUCH FASTER when pain is relieved. Pain actually hinders the healing process. It causes extra stressors on all of the body systems, causing stress hormones to be released which have a negative effect. Sleep is not as deep or rejuvenating. Muscles tense automatically, even out of awareness of the patient, restricting blood flow, etc. There are even more physiological effects which I can’t remember off the top of my head now. Study after study shows that people heal much more slowly after injuries or surgeries if they don’t have adequate pain control.

We just got in from taking the dog to the vet and other errands — and now must eat late this evening.
However, like the other question I was addressing, I do have links in my files to data which provide plenty of proof of that point (pain hindering speed of healing), which would require a little bit of digging. Once again, I’ll be happy to do that if you like.

Unfortunately I had to get myself really up to speed about the latest scientific knowledge concerning pain management. We had a complete jerk of a doctor who was telling me it was all “in my head” and I was in unbearable agony for a very long time. I know way more than I ever wanted to know about the topic — and finding a qualified pain management specialist gave me my life back. No addiction, no love of medication, in fact a steady regular decrease in medication levels over time. I know my situation is very different from your daughter’s, but during the course of research I learned how many misconceptions there are about pain management — and about how many medical professionals, doctors and nurses, still labor under many misapprehensions.

Doctors who specialize in pain management are undertaking an ongoing effort to educate their colleagues on what the truth really is. So many patients have needlessly suffered.

Hi again, moderator!

Seems just now my latest reply to Kevin got stuck in the filter. Can you rescue me again?

[And is this a topic which just can’t be discussed in detail without getting stuck in moderation? I hate having to annoy y’all — and would love to know what to do in future to avoid the whole problem, if you have any suggestions.]

EDIT: Once again, y’all are really fast! Thanks so much!

My question still stands — any suggestions for me on how to avoid getting stuck in the filter? Or is it just a mystery?

[Mod Note; no mystery, there is a common brand name drug inside the word that describes people who have specific training.]

kirk murphy @ 120

Persiflage @ 103

Hi Valley Girl!

I’d be really interested in what your colleague has to say about this possible treatment.

I used to work in geriatrics. For years there were no treatments for Alzheimers. Then the baby boomer generation hits middle age and Big Pharma realises the huge potential profit. Now there are some drugs that slow the pace of the disease. Most clinical trials that I”m aware of are for better Alzheimer-slowing drugs, not Alzheimer-curing drugs.

Big Pharma’s got to make it’s fortune. How else would Mrs Lieberman keep Joey in the style to which he is accustomed?

Persiflage, I despise Big Pharma’s corporate values: they are inimical to the values of medicine.

Despite Pig Pharma’s prpaganda, most of the intellectual work in the development of novel drugs is still done in academia. Pig Pharma exploits this intellectual work. GOP/Reagan greatly cut fundinng for basic science, but have not eliminated public funding for biomedical research.

Please share with us your knowledge of the basic mechanisms by which “Alzheimer curing” drugs ready for Phase I clinical trials operate.

After describing the mechanism(s), please also share with us the specific drugs which have been shown in animal models to be “Alzheimer-curing”.

You seem most certain of your conclusions about a matter of vital importance for millions of Americans and their families. Please, enlighten us regarding the factual basis for your assertions.

Citations will be most useful in standard Medline format, but any citations of peer-reviewed journals supporting your assertions will be most eagerly reviewed.

What is the basic mechanism for the Alzheimer curing drug? Oh yes – and what is the drug?

Simple questions – so what are the answers?

Hi KM,

I’m sorry if I misled you, there are no Alzheimer-curing drugs.

I haven’t worked in the field for about 5 years and my remarks were based on social discussions with the geriatrician for whom I worked. At the time we were using Donepizil, an anti-cholinesterase inhibitor which, despite its side-effects, did seem to slow the progress of the disease. I recall one lady whose MMSE before Donepizil was 15, after 8 months on the drug it shot up to 23, despite the fact that nobody claimed the drug could reverse damage.

There was lots of talk about Clioquinol as a potential treatment for slowing or stopping the disease in its tracks but, as I no longer work in the field, I’m not sure how that has fared in clinical trials.

I’ll contact my ex-boss and get some references from him and I’ll let you know when I’ve done further research, if you’re interested. (Don’t worry, I actually enjoy researching these things).

Mod –

Sheesh. (Slaps forehead.)

Is there no way for the filter to recognize when the forbidden word is not actually being used, but is actually just the innards of a larger, real word? Forgive the ignorance on my part about how these things work….

I do appreciate the explanation. It’ll probably take a while for me to get used to the notion that I have to type a coherent thought quickly and at the same time scan for hidden “secret” words contained therein. But I’ll try!