ANTHONY R. VIZZARI | ARCHTOGRAPHIST

This is a slice from my FDG PET showing one of the tumors in question. It doesn't look like much, but it's something! These fused scans kind of remind me of Francis Bacon paintings... I've always been a big fan. I guess that's a plus? We had a very long day (13hrs) at the Hospital in Bad Berka. I underwent a number of scans, and labs, followed by a consult by Dr. Baum. The meeting with Dr. Baum was indeed illuminating. For a more accurate recap, it would be too complicated and a bit long winded for a blog post. In layman's terms, it looks like my disease is a more extensive than the new nodes seen on recent MRI and FDG PET (there are also a few hot spots in the liver). PRRT is not an option per Dr. Baum, since these tumors are much more aggressive and will not respond to PRRT (receptor negative on Ga-68, but very hot on FDG PET, if I have that right). Dr. Baum thinks surgery would only be a temporary measure and is suggesting I investigate various inhibitors wit

...this is a icture of a two headed calf that has nothing to do with this post... After getting to Berlin, we spent most of the day catching up on sleep. In the evening, we had a nice long stroll, followed by some good Indian food (lots of veggies). After last time, we learned if looks traditional German, or uses "brat" anywhere in the name, it's not for us. Also, we stay away from places with oversized beer mug signs and "little chef boy" motifs. We are headed to Weimar via train. Tomorrow is the big day at the clinic in Bad Berka to see what happens next. It will most likley be a LONG day.

A nice photo of my work bench. It was an insane week of work required prior to leaving... We are spent! So, maybe we can try to relax for a few hours, if not days.

Today was my birthday. I purchased 8 vintage cameras, a pile of photos, 4 photo journal mags, two lead mini red cows, a red cross pin, 8 books on the American landscape, and a Japanese toy spy cam. I also got the report back from FDG PET scan. It looks like the cancer has spread into some of the lymph nodes around my heart. We are still waiting on more info, tests and a plan. ...but let's not forget Poe's birthday... And Cezanne too!

05 January 2011

I just started this series. Right now, they are just studies. While I was working with the LIFE mags, I picked up some photos in the studio. It's nice to have the photobooths up and running all week. Every night before I leave the studio, I've been spending a little time taking pics. We'll see what comes next. On another note... we booked our tickets to Germany (with a little side trip to Madrid & Barcelona, Spain - assuming all goes well in Bad Berka...)

I guess a lot can happen in a day...week, month, year, decade, century and so forth? Maybe that's why they called it LIFE? I don't think I'd want to relive any of it? One cover is a movie start, while another is the end of the world. It's hard to keep that up...

I've been buying up LIFE magzines on the cheap lately... the covers have some of the most iconic images of the last century. And of course, the advertising is amazing. My favorite period is 1940 - 1969. I'm not entirely sure where this series is going, but I've been having fun with it. The magazine look even better in the vintage B&W strips. Here are a few from our Digital-Retro booth, in color.

After many months, we have the pathology results from Germany. The following was found after analysis of the tumor tissue post-surgery. It's somewhat involved, but it explains why we saw such strange results with FDG and Ga-68 PET scans: " Immunohistochemistry  has been performed and revealed the following: Proliferation rate (Ki-67 measured using MIB1 antibody) was 10-20% in both tumors (liver metastasis and primary tumor)." "The liver metastasis  did not express SSTR 2a (Somatostatin receptor Subtype 2a), and in 20 % of the cells a weak expression of SSTR 5." "There was a strong expression of TKTL1 (the marker which is correlated with FDG uptake and aggressive behavior of tumors)." "The primary tumor  showed moderate expression of SSTR 2a and SSTR 5 in 80% of the cells and strong expression of TKTL1 in 70% of the cells." "What is really remarkable in this case is the different expression of the neuroendocrine markers in the prim

Arkansas game officials probe mystery of falling birds Arkansas game officials hope testing scheduled to begin Monday will solve the mystery of why more than 1,000 blackbirds fell from the sky just before midnight New Year's Eve. The birds -- most of which were dead -- were found within a one-mile area of Beebe, about 40 miles northeast of Little Rock, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission said. Karen Rowe, an ornithologist for the commission, said the incident is not that unusual and is often caused by a lightning strike or high-altitude hail. A strong storm system moved through the state earlier in the day Friday. Officials also speculated that fireworks shot by New Year's revelers in the area might have caused severe stress in the birds. "Since it only involved a flock of blackbirds and only involved them falling out of the sky, it is unlikely they were poisoned, but a necropsy is the only way to determine if the birds died from trauma or toxin," Rowe s

I just got this Kodak 500. It's a sweet little instamatic for which only 2000 or so were originally produced. It has a sharp little German lens. The film is no longer made but you can reload old cartridges with 35mm film.

Posted in the Tribune Local: http://tinyurl.com/2aw85uo