tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44063552383144681812012-02-16T20:29:21.892-07:00la otra vida 5la otra vida 5 is a blog about life after being diagnosed with a rare and deadly blood/bone marrow disease, Amyloidosis. The blog name is Spanish for "the next life 5" (or the other, or another life 5). It represents the five lives, or transformations, the author has experienced thus far in her life. More on that in the future.la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.comBlogger301100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-9978216998015981722010-12-12T17:41:00.004-07:002010-12-12T18:17:02.479-07:00True HappinessDalai Lama: "True happiness comes from having a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved by cultivating altruism, love and compassion, and by eliminating anger, selfishness and greed."
I know this is true and I know it is a challenge.
altruism: altruism |ˈaltroōˌizəm| nounthe belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others: la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-53244937140891817592010-10-04T20:28:00.000-06:002010-10-04T20:28:22.338-06:00The Sketchbook ProjectI've been keeping sketchbook/journals for years and have always enjoyed creating with pen and ink, pencils, and paint. After I got sick and I retired, I had the time for these more creative pursuits. I started painting with both acrylic and oils and I joined a local art coop. I am starting to show my paintings at some local shows.
The Sketchbook Project challenges me in an even more personal la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-17361203484933433432010-04-14T13:04:00.001-06:002010-04-14T13:04:20.706-06:00Inspired lyrics for "Go Do"I heard a song the other day by Jonsi, who is the lead singer for Sigur Ros (who is awesome). The lyrics are so positive and relevant for these days. I think they are especially relevant for those of us that have an illness.-------------Go sing too loudMake your voice break - Sing it outGo scream do shout Make an earthquake...You wish fire would die and turn colderYou wish your love could see youla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-71344612008336113672010-04-13T23:10:00.000-06:002010-04-14T19:38:06.604-06:00The iPad ReviewI'm not one to post about technology, but I do appreciate the technological advances made by Apple Computer. Apple observes what works and what doesn't (tablet PC and net book) and is able to imagine new ways for technology to enrich our lives. They put their amazing engineers to work and define new ways for us to work and play.Introducing the iPad. It is everything that I wished my Amazon Kindlela otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-83360764493791121272009-05-07T04:51:00.002-06:002009-05-07T04:57:03.136-06:00Up all nightIt seems like I miss about half the time in any given month. I don't mean through sleeping but rather feeling wiped out from the chemo or recovering a stable blood pressure or something else between each 4 week phase. It seems like I spend at least two weeks either resting, sleeping, feeling actively bad, or being dizzy and nauseated. That leaves less time for planting and planning and enjoying la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-72240729256861516442009-04-02T12:01:00.001-06:002009-04-02T12:01:35.991-06:00Great Cartoon explains AmyloidosisThis cartoon could save the life of someone you love through early diagnosis. Please take the short time to view it. It very well done.Amyloidosis Awareness from Cartoon Medicine on Vimeo.la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-6580115193046485222009-04-02T11:55:00.001-06:002009-04-02T11:55:12.386-06:00March Medical UpdateIts been a challenging but rewarding month ending on a fantastic note! The really great news was provided by my cardiologist who called and left a message about my recent echocardiogram results. My heart is improving! How about that! My pulmonary lung pressure has improved as has the heart's right side pressure. In addition, one of the leaky valves is not leaking anymore. I can hardly believe it la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-47545131070833192882009-02-05T13:24:00.005-07:002009-02-07T09:44:03.615-07:00Green Tea Blocks Benefits Of Velcade Cancer and Amyloidosis DrugSince I have occasionally suggested Green Tea from the benefits I have received, I thought it was important to get this information out quickly. Of course, please speak with your doctors before starting any complementary treatments and share new research with them such as this. This research indicates that green tea cancels out the benefits of Velcade (bortezomib) and other boronic acid-based la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-75724671643012300542009-02-04T16:18:00.006-07:002009-02-06T11:40:54.994-07:00February Medical Update & new linksI saw both the oncologist and the rheumatologist yesterday. Good news from both of them. My Free Light Chain numbers are still going down, although not as dramatically as in the beginning. My Lambda was up at 30 at one point, so seeing it at 4.67 is great (normal is 0.57-2.63) . In other words, I am still making good progress reducing the amount of amyloid being produced in my body. Although my la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-87914870047604583662009-01-06T14:18:00.002-07:002009-01-06T14:33:57.819-07:00Happy 2009! Change in health and attitudeThe last few months have brought a change in health, and attitude. Thankfully we have a new administration coming into the White House in only a few weeks. The first African American president is holding the hopes of so many in his hands. We want so much for him to be a different kind of man, of politician. What huge responsibility sits on his shoulders. Our world is in such trouble and we need la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-26974632987773563112008-09-14T14:29:00.009-06:002008-09-17T21:26:48.612-06:00Laughter Heals: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin on Saturday Night LiveFrom Saturday Night Live, via the Huffington Post. Wonderful for a good laugh. If you are like me, you need it after seeing the Republican Convention. The Republicans seem so mean spirited and seem to represent the opposite of my values. They lie and cheat so openly now. They prey on the worst of our nature... our fears of "the other" and our fears of change. They puff themselves up by belittlingla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-64550232135369963932008-08-25T21:42:00.004-06:002008-08-25T21:51:20.342-06:00Update on my AmyloidosisThis month I have received some bad news about my health. The Melphalan and Prednisone is just not working enough to slow down the damage happening to my heart. I was in the hospital the day after my 52nd birthday, and there were some new discoveries about my heart.I now have a new signs of poor survival rates -- my heart is producing troponin indicating damage to the heart. That is the chemical la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-68357636717738104962008-07-27T15:00:00.001-06:002008-07-27T15:00:44.118-06:00Gardening for life's blessingsIt has been such a long time since I posted. Once the weather got warm enough to spend time outside I quit thinking about writing and my blog. My energy turned to the garden. We built raised beds and planted them with vegetables using the square foot gardening strategy. After planting and watering, came the first harvesting. At every stage, I watched it grow, took pictures and created sketches ofla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-39426676353436806382008-07-27T14:50:00.001-06:002008-07-27T14:50:30.667-06:00my gardenmy gardenOriginally uploaded by MarthaRileyla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-70219744548155439642008-07-27T14:49:00.001-06:002008-07-27T14:49:35.242-06:00daily harvest yesterdaydaily harvest yesterdayOriginally uploaded by MarthaRileyla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-11056387062373890072008-04-16T11:43:00.010-06:002008-09-16T21:24:42.627-06:00My tiny bit of the planet - chemical freeThere is a correlation between the blood disease I have (Amyloidosis) and the use of agricultural chemicals (including agent orange) as well as radiation.I believe I know when I was exposed, be it with radiation or agricultural chemicals. There are really three times that could qualify. As an archeologist I was crop dusted once by a plane that never saw us. Not long after that I collected and la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-7417253293825858952008-04-02T17:55:00.003-06:002008-04-02T18:01:42.877-06:00Tai Chi Exercises Improve Type 2 Diabetes Control, Study SuggestsScienceDaily (2008-04-02) -- Tai Chi exercises can improve the control of type 2 diabetes, suggests a small study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Tai Chi Chuan is a traditional Chinese martial art, which combines deep diaphragmatic breathing and relaxation with gentle movement.Also effected were levels of interleukin-12, which boosts the immune response. These doubled. Levels of la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-42649844584398096902008-03-27T12:09:00.005-06:002008-03-27T12:33:27.924-06:00Elephants provide close up views of TigersOnly if you get BBC One, will you be able to view the three part series premiering on Sunday March 30th. I am hopeful it will be re-released on either BBC America or the Discovery Channel. It is Tiger - Spy in the Jungle, narrated by Sir David Attenborough. The camera's were held by elephant's trunks or tusks and allow an up close and personal look at Tigers and other animals that are difficult la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-57556747229608783072008-03-26T14:51:00.002-06:002008-03-26T14:53:39.191-06:00Money can buy happiness, if you give it away.A new study published in the journal Science (Vol. 319. no. 5870, pp. 1687 - 1688) suggests people who spend money on other people experience greater happiness than spending money on oneself. This held true in a nationally representative survey study and in a field study of windfall spending.Personally, I wonder if the happiness is coming from spending the money on someone, or simply doing la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-52447599369612466032008-03-24T19:15:00.001-06:002008-03-24T19:21:08.594-06:00Amyloidosis on TVA woman on one of the email Amyloidosis lists is having her story highlighted during the "Mystery Diagnosis" episode on Monday, April 7 at 10:00 p.m., EST! The program is shown on the Discovery Health Channel (not to be confused with the Discovery Channel). The episode will describe her personal experience with the disease, from diagnosis to treatment. Spread the word! She hopes it will meet la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-69215248133864600572008-03-23T16:44:00.004-06:002008-03-23T17:12:33.739-06:00Amyloidosis Support Groups - HighlightedToday I am highlighting the most active organization for Amyloidosis patients and the caregivers that I have found. Amyloidosis Support Groups (ASG) is a non-profit, 501 (c)3 corporation dedicated to "the Support of Amyloidosis patients and care givers and former care givers." Their goals are (from their site): to form Amyloidosis Support Groups where needed to have all Amyloidosis Support Groupsla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-81555551546972227522008-03-22T21:23:00.007-06:002008-04-17T19:42:02.758-06:00Good Friday Pilgrims on Tome HillIt is a tradition in New Mexico for locals to make the journey to Tome Hill or Chimayo on Good Friday. People walk for miles, climbing the basalt hill to the crosses on top to demonstrate their faith, and in some cases, to atone for their sins. Some carry walking sticks and some drag giant crosses. These are photo illustrations of that pilgrimage.la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-34231592231564654612008-03-20T15:48:00.003-06:002008-03-20T15:51:31.308-06:00Sharon Salzberg Quote“One of the primary conditions for suffering is denial. Shutting our mind to pain, whether in ourselves or others, only ensures that it will continue. We must have the strength to face it without turning away. By opening to the pain we see around us with wisdom and compassion, we start to experience the intimate connection of our relationship with all beings.” - Sharon SalzbergSharon Salzberg is la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-13802849851607314132008-03-17T16:16:00.001-06:002008-03-17T16:21:27.766-06:00The music of my people... In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, it is time for another YouTube video selection for your entertainment. Today I am sharing the West Limerick 102 Community Radio Concert held in Abbeyfeale on the 16th of November 2007. This is a selection of slides played by Paddy King (who took second place in the Senior Button Accordion competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2007), Jeremy Spencer on fiddle andla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-4810811709225755062008-03-15T17:40:00.007-06:002008-03-17T19:30:04.949-06:00Minn Heima - Bluepoles Edit FinalMy mom found this version of Minn Heima after viewing the one I already posted below. It's the Bluepoles version and the linkto a high resolution version comes up on the right. Don't forget to turn the sound on. Mom said it made her cry and that she love the music. It was also Sigur Ros but I don't know the specific track. To hear several tracks from their website visit http://www.sigur-ros.co.ukla otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-49753229577317964332008-03-14T18:06:00.005-06:002008-03-19T16:06:30.777-06:00The Corner House - Draft 1The Corner House - All rights reserved © Martha BinfordThis is a little vignette I wrote that I want to expand into a real story. I hope to get comments from others to help me improve it. I will post these as comments for this draft. Later drafts will follow.(This is fiction; any resemblance to persons real or fictional is purely coincidental.)--------------------It's the sweet house on a corner la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-36158321351961986312008-03-13T11:40:00.004-06:002008-03-17T19:23:22.537-06:00Minn HeimaBelow is Juan Mosqueda’s entry in the Minn Heima contest, sponsored by the band Sigur Ros from Iceland. They made a film called Heima in which they toured all parts of Iceland. The combination of film and music provides a haunting image of Iceland. The film has come to characterize the place. YouTube has the full film for viewing.In the Minn Heima contest, they offered their video clips for la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-44630410889875622532008-03-10T15:55:00.005-06:002010-07-12T18:34:06.385-06:00My Medical StoryI was diagnosed with MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance) about 5 or 6 years ago after a spike in m-component was identified by my primary care doctor during some testing for MS because of dizziness, weakness, pain, and numb areas. At that time I had no protein in my urine and also had a clean bone survey. As a result of the MGUS, I've been monitored with blood work every 6 la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-67997715153799138722008-03-10T15:46:00.000-06:002008-03-10T14:53:31.942-06:00Amyloidosis AwarenessIf you want to donate money toward raising awareness you can visit the Amyloidosis Foundation and make a donation. Their mission is below (from their website).The Amyloidosis Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), all volunteer organization. The Amyloidosis Foundation is committed to improving patient survivability and quality of life by:Promoting disease awareness in the medical la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4406355238314468181.post-46994852434533488112008-03-10T14:04:00.003-06:002008-03-17T19:11:11.181-06:00My First PostWhy Blog?There is nothing like being diagnosed with a terminal disease (amyloidosis) to foster reflection. Although we are all dying all the time, or we could be hit by a truck at any moment, a diagnosis with a deadly disease with no cure really produces immediate change. It is true what people say, that there is an increased appreciation for living and a new found joy in simple things. It is la otra vida 5http://www.blogger.com/profile/05700116189086618410noreply@blogger.com1