tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85798527248677710092024-03-12T23:37:35.088-05:00Myeloma Youreloma. . . . The adventures of an ordinary guy making his way through an extraordinary, and often times challenging, world. Please feel free to share your pearls of wisdom with me. Take courage shipmates. Land is in sight!Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-9791447398354203602013-01-31T14:58:00.000-06:002013-01-31T14:58:08.415-06:00When the Clock Runs Out - Play On!
Just because the clock seems to have stopped ticking, it doesn't necessarily mean the game is over.
Following is the text from my January Myeloma Beacon article:
“So, how much time are they giving you?” an old friend from college asked me with great concern in his voice.We had lost touch for several years, and he had only recently learned of my ongoing battle with multiple Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-53970676175364811072012-11-19T15:11:00.000-06:002012-11-19T15:11:15.893-06:00Flying The Sometimes Not-So-Friendly Skies So, you've decided to leave your happy corner of Myelomaville and go out-and-about on an adventure, hunh?
Travel can sometimes prove to be a daunting activity for many of us dealing with multiple myeloma. Following is an account of a quick trip that I took to San Francisco which recently appeared in the Myeloma Beacon.
Sean's Burgundy Thread
Have a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-2900026514468953952012-11-12T22:23:00.002-06:002012-11-12T22:23:44.881-06:00New Link to the Burgundy Thread Archive at the Myeloma BeaconBoris Simkovich, CEO of Light Knowledge Resources and Publisher of the Myeloma Beacon, was kind enough to send me a better link to my article archive at the Myeloma Beacon. This link will allow you to see my articles in reverse chronological order of publication. For my cousin Clem, that means newest first - oldest last. Sort of like on bath night Saturday. Here's the link:Sean's Burgundy Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-80672549149684635442012-11-12T13:49:00.000-06:002012-11-12T13:49:40.884-06:00Myeloma Beacon ArticlesA friend asked me to post a link to my articles in the Myeloma Beacon archives. Here you go:
Assorted Ramblings from Sean's Burgundy Thread
I think that I am getting a second wind to tackle this blog again. Life with one wife, two children, three dogs, and four years of cancer treatment have consumed my waking minutes. It's time to get back at it! Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-9693429441748297982012-11-01T15:10:00.002-05:002012-11-01T15:10:49.111-05:00Myeloma Smyeloma
Over
the last four years I have 'stoically endured with a smile' (my wife's
words) 16 bone biopsies and bone marrow aspirations, surgery to repair
collapsed vertebrae, lots of fractures, major high-dose chemo, and much more during my treatment for multiple myeloma. Many of you have done the same.
You'd
think that I wouldn't have been nervous to have a simple dental cavity
filled on&Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-651875692292556652012-02-09T13:24:00.001-06:002012-02-09T13:24:18.416-06:00Hello & My Recent Myeloma Beacon ArticleHappy February!
It's starting to get cold here in the Ozarks of southwest Missouri. Up until now we've been averaging temperatures 20 degrees warmer than normal. No snow to speak of and much to the chagrin of my teacher wife and two school-aged daughters, no snow days off from school! Not complaining, mind you, it could change any minute!
I've attached a link to my most recent Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-7214240546124216692012-01-05T12:07:00.000-06:002012-01-05T12:07:08.998-06:00Happy New Year!Happy New Year 2012 out there in Myelomaville!
It sounds like a good year to hand multiple myeloma its walking papers. I am tired of having to say 'farewell' to the myeloma friends that I've made across the world. Maybe this is the year that will bring remarkable breakthroughs in the fight against cancer- I pray that it is so! I will NEVER give up!
Here's a link to my latest Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-86931069216891537602011-12-15T10:08:00.001-06:002011-12-15T10:08:47.140-06:00Myeloma Christmas MemoriesChristmas is just around the corner! I want to share a link to my December Myeloma Beacon article which talks about how different my Christmas experience was when I began my myeloma journey three short years ago.
Happy Holidays and an early Merry Christmas to all out in Myelomaville!Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-18392761562006167012011-11-10T10:14:00.001-06:002011-11-10T11:29:54.284-06:00Marines and Multiple Myeloma
There
have been some rough spots during my last three years of treatment for
multiple myeloma, but when it gets particularly bad, I think of a
short-list of people or groups whom have shown extraordinary courage under fire,
proverbial and
otherwise.
I
remember other cancer patients (including my parents) whom have quietly
shown me that there is no disgrace in being afraid in the Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-80130393349278471722011-11-09T18:17:00.000-06:002011-11-09T18:17:33.162-06:00Myeloma Institute Treats Its 10,000th PatientHear ye, hear ye!
Congratulations are in order to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy (MIRT) for hitting the milestone of treating its 10,000th multiple myeloma patient. Since MIRT's founding 22 years ago, patients have traveled to Little Rock from all 50 of the United States and more than 50 different countries.
I credit Dr. Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-64502753188153416302011-11-05T01:21:00.000-05:002011-11-05T01:21:34.228-05:00RIP Matthew PetersonPlease pray for the young family of Lutheran Youth Pastor Matthew Peterson . Matthew, 41, passed away this week from multiple myeloma and leaves behind a dear wife and two young daughters. This breaks my heart.
- link courtesy of the Chicago Daily HeraldSean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-55646579065280542452011-11-03T10:37:00.000-05:002011-11-03T10:37:40.993-05:00Thanksgiving ThoughtsWith Thanksgiving just around the corner, the native Ozark wild turkeys are getting a bit nervous. I see them darting around in the woods between my house and Table Rock Lake. They keep looking over their shoulders and conspiratorially talking with each other and pointing my way. I think that they are the ones cooking up something.
I try to tell them that they needn't fear me because theySean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-77617386780577504802011-10-06T15:57:00.001-05:002011-10-18T06:08:28.631-05:00Think Before You Drink
Although I hate having been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, the experience has taught me many valuable lessons. About myself, about the strength of my wife and children, about my faith, and about the immense courage of others facing this disease- not to mention a good bit about the world of cancer and medicine.
One of the terrific things that I have learned about is a wonderful drink Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-86980932844021210462011-10-04T16:27:00.001-05:002011-10-18T05:59:10.033-05:00Myeloma Beacon: I'm Just Wild About HairyIf you're interested in reading some cutting-edge news & information about Multiple Myeloma, sail on over to the Myeloma Beacon.
After you've read the important articles, browsed the forums and checked-out the numerous MM resources, why dontcha' kill a couple of minutes by reading my monthly Myeloma Beacon offering at Sean's Burgundy Thread .
My article, I'm Just Wild About Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-62235435793374019142011-09-26T10:21:00.000-05:002011-09-26T10:21:23.247-05:00Myeloma Move-Its<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-18520497282532494372011-09-22T14:27:00.000-05:002011-09-23T01:27:14.501-05:00A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the InfusionAlthough I live in a small town of less than 2000 people, the neighboring burg, Branson, MO, is a noted tourist destination that brings in several million visitors annually.
Enticed by nearly 100 live shows, shopping, dining, theme parks and attractions, friendly, hospitable people, and pristine lakes - all set in the spectacular natural beauty of the Ozarks of southwestern Missouri- Branson Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-77278342641572292992011-09-21T10:40:00.000-05:002011-09-21T10:40:07.351-05:00Don't Slug Your Boss Day
Just
as a reminder, today is the 7th annual international celebration of
Don't Slug Your Boss Day. Workers the world over will commemorate the
festivities with a rousing 24 hour period of not slugging their bosses.
President Obama will welcome DSYBD founder Bruce Springsteen to a
special luncheon in the White House cafetorium. Featured speakers include Donald Trump and Charlie Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-68145754692769015412011-09-20T21:40:00.000-05:002011-09-20T21:40:03.054-05:00Not As I Pictured - A Film by John KaplanI was recently leafing through the Summer/Fall 2011 issue of the LIVESTRONG Quarterly magazine and ran across an interesting article brief in the Strong Stuff section entitled 'Through a Lens: What Survivorship Feels Like'.
The article highlighted Pulitzer Prize winning photographer John Kaplan's documentary film, Not As I Pictured , which chronicles the courageous, Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-77692686666209628762011-09-15T11:05:00.000-05:002011-09-15T11:05:10.193-05:00He Lives!Yes, yes, I know. I have not been attending to my blog in an acceptable manner. Very busy. Very, very busy. And my dog ate my blog homework. And the 'M' key on my computer refused not to stick. How do you write Myeloma and Murray and Melphalan without a working M?
I promise to get on a more regular schedule soon. And when I do, you might just realize how nice it has been not to read my Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-5095675020543586882011-06-12T16:14:00.000-05:002011-06-12T16:14:23.573-05:00Myeloma and May WindsHere's a link to my recent Myeloma Beacon article referencing our good friends in Joplin, Missouri and the harrowing story of the massive, unprecedented tornado that struck the town on May 22. Just as in our battle with multiple myeloma, the people of Joplin face adversity with courage, strength and a deep faith.
Warm wishes to you all out in Myelomaville!Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-80502173011979532642011-05-12T09:16:00.000-05:002011-05-13T15:21:01.085-05:00Sean's Myeloma Beacon column: Myeloma and Mother's DayHere is a link to the Myeloma Beacon , where you will find information from last week's International Myeloma Workshop meetings in Paris (and lots of other great Multiple Myeloma news and resources) and my latest published patient-perspective column Sean's Burgundy Thread.
A copy of my column follows:
As this year’s Mother’s Day drew near, my thoughts turned toward the two ‘mothers’ whom have Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-13382345860652185752011-05-05T12:57:00.000-05:002011-05-05T12:57:08.410-05:00News from the Paris Meetings at the International Myeloma WorkshopBonjour to all of you out in Myelomaville! That means 'hello!' to my friends down at the 5 & Dime.
Thanks to the dedicated folks at the International Myeloma Foundation, you can watch an exciting, hopeful, helpful internet video presentation from the 2011 International Myeloma Workshop meetings taking place in Paris this week. C'est magnifique!
This presentation addressesSean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-56545958823351568522011-03-10T16:00:00.000-06:002011-03-10T16:00:27.943-06:00I Still Believe in Miracles... How About You?Hi! Holt International Children's Services is the adoption agency that helped us to bring our two beautiful Chinese daughters into our family. Katie and Lizzie have blessed our lives in countless ways. They've also played an important part in my facing the difficult battle with Multiple Myeloma.
Would you please take a brief moment to read this article from Holt's websiteSean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-46688827198104723522011-03-03T11:32:00.001-06:002011-03-11T03:03:01.966-06:00Some of My Memorable Myeloma MomentsHere’s a short list of some of my adventures while being treated for Multiple Myeloma. Best enjoyed with a bit of truth and grain of salt!
1. Misunderstanding that I could expect a jug of Port wine for my first infusion and ending up whining about the jugular port implanted for my first infusion.
Note: Jugular port not pictured- thank goodness., The last time I did that, I had to Sean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8579852724867771009.post-17891844479633512582011-02-04T21:16:00.000-06:002011-02-04T21:16:16.447-06:00Myeloma: You Give Me Fever!Latest post from the Myeloma Beacon:
Seans Burgundy Thread: Fevers, Flu.and a Few New Multiple Myeloma Friends
After taking a much-needed break, I will be posting more often. Just thought I'd warn you!
Blessings to you out in Myelomaville.
SeanSean Murrayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com3