The news is out about a controversial MS treatment a Canadian woman went to Poland to get (because it has not been approved by the FDA and Canadian government) and she says, "I'm a human being again". Valerie says she knows it might be temporary; "It was worth every penny for me to feel the way I'm feeling now".  She is walking on a beach with her 11 year old daughter and no cane or walker and wearing what appears to be flip-flops. She also has a BIG smile on her face.  The treatment involves opening blocked jugular veins in an attempt to increase blood flow to the brain.  Dr. Paolo Zamboni developed this treatment to counter the condition known as chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) which causes a buildup of blood and iron deposits resulting in brain lesions.

It cost around $7,000 for Valerie to get this humanoid (sic) feeling again and she said she would do it again.  This is an interesting story to follow and there will more people want to try treatments not yet approved by the powers that be.  Angioplasty on one jugular and a stent put in on the other, three days 
rest and Valerie was touring in Krakow.  She was able to participate in a 2.5 hour walking tour 5 or 6 days after the procedure! 

Modern music is covering a myriad of scenarios other new music.  Modernism is an attitude and it appears now and then in music. The definition to this music lover is gray to say the least.  It depends on my attitude whether I want traditional music pleasant to my ear or modern music that basically doesn't have a tradition beyond LOUD and garbled.  I encourage you to click on the above website and define what music is for you.  You can learn about the thread between modern music and traditional that being sound and find where your niche is.  Why do composers compose music if they don't stir the soul?

Several days ago I read on about an immune protein for MS possible helping asthma patients as well; wonderful news for both patient types.  Interferon is the protein we all know helping MS, hepatitis C patients and several cancer types.  Recently, it was announced that interferon blocks the development of 
immune cells known to cause asthma.  The article talks about different cells that cause asthma and interferon is known to block the development of and the stability of same cells.  Researchers say "...targeting this transcription factor, we've turned off the key component that regulates the entire process."

"The findings of this study were published in the Journal of Immunology" says AndhraNews.net on July 14, 2010.  Researchers go back to discover information on asthma and find ties to prenatal stress during the pregnancy.  Higher stressed moms tend to have different immune cell responses when environmentally-triggered proteins are set for functioning. It seems stress is a major factor in being the immune modulator.  Two key words in the above sentence are stress and immune.  MSers everywhere can relate to those words.  The current therapies for asthma are inhalers and steroids and offering only temporary relief.  Now it is hoped that immune-system protein (interferon) can help.

Golf widow I am.  Purrrfect for me now and again.  I have never wanted to play golf; I was more into water and snow skiing, racquetball, you know active sports. I know, golf is active and it keeps my husband "off the streets" (so to speak) and he is happy not having me to slow him down.  I would have but we never had to confront that issue.  I have always known I needed alone time.  With my computer and cell phone, I can get the "alone" time I need and want.  I was quietly reading this morning paper when I saw out the corner of my eye the "brothers" running to the windows behind me.  Always alert for movement, I turn around to see what they were excited about.  I didn't see movement at first but on top of the fence I finally focused on an animal moving on top of the fence.  It appeared stalking something so I turned around in my chair to view straight on and saw a pointy snout.  Not that of a cat so I watched. 

This animal turned the fence corner and headed up towards the front of the house; turned another fence corner and I could see the face of a very intent raccoon walking our backyard fence.  Now, if I had been playing golf, I would have missed that and I cannot speak kittyese so I wouldn't have understood what the brothers were talking about. Oh, then I was able to texted a friend miles away about what I just saw and then later talked to this friend and we were able to share secrets about our two different mornings of the day.  Again, if I was golfing this wouldn't have happened.  Yes, purrrfect for me!

Landscape paintings are used on walls all over houses, offices and some doctors’ offices waiting rooms.  They are a very popular layout when painting personally or professionally.  In this era of technology, photographers are hatching everywhere and all the time. Rather than going to the Internet for the 'perfect' painting or picture, see if you can take the perfect shot that goes with your decor.  You would then be able to had personal touches to the room.  Japanese paintings can be very simple but eloquent. Charcoal or pen and ink, pastels or chalk, color or black and white, or photos; you will be able to choose your medium which is half the fun.  Check out the above website and see if you agree.