OMG - Does that make me a propellerhead????

[chrisy]

I haven't been posting much lately because I've been trying to take the month of January "off" from cancer. A bit of a challenge of course with Pet/CT and Echo scans, infusions and weekly office visits.

Nevertheless, I was a bit stunned by an experience I just had while shopping. I was going to post this in the "keeping your mind off cancer" forum, but I'm afraid this is just a symptom of my NOT being able to do so!

So, I'm in the checkout at the grocery store and the clerk (who is actually the manager) sees my milk thistle and olive leaf. She says "OK, I know what the milk thistle does, but what's the olive leaf good for?"

I wanted to, and almost said this:
"According to Dr. Javier Menendez' research, the polyphenol oleuropein, (the bitter principle in olive leaf), significantly reduces cleavage of the extracellular domain of HER2 and subsequently, Her2 auto-phosphorylation. It enhancesTrastuzumab-induced down-regulation of HER2 expression and may increase the effectiveness of the investigational therapy I am using by preserving the "target" for the targeted drug."

Instead I said "my reasons for the olive leaf are complex, but well researched"

The really scary part is, although I did go back to my research article it was only to check the spelling of auto-phosphorylation - I was actually going to use that word and, worse yet, I think I even understood what I was going to say!

So does that make me a propellerhead or am I still normal? I mean, who uses that word in casual conversation???

[StephN]

Dear Chris -
Well - you are an EVOLVING human being. Once it would have been complex financial terms, since that is your profession, but now you have "cancer" as an avocation!

Being the person who can hold those long microbiological terms in your head in spite of chemo fog, this shows that you have gone to another level beyond spouting off which star played in the latest movies. Or maybe you can do that too!?!?

Your head is working for your advantage, and I am happy you are giving yourself a "cancer break" to start the year out NED.

[Mary Anne in TX]

I vote Propellar Head for sure.... but then, that's just an additional gift to add to your already enormous giftings! I must admit it made my way too gone chemo head shiver and shake, but I'm mighty proud to know ya PH!!!!! ma

[Laurel]

Hey, Chrisy, you're a propeller head! What's more I want to pick your impressive brain to find out what the milk thistle is for? I am way into the supplements, but was only taking olive oil, not olive leaf. Now I'll do both thanks to a certain propeller head I know! I am still in the dark about the milk thistle. Please enlighten me! Thanks!

[vickie h]

Chrisy, Definitely a propellerhead, but with a great vocabulary and lots of smarts. I'd rather be that anyday rather than "normal"! I think the sun and warm weather this "winter" is affecting our livers as much as the milk thistle. Now, what was that olive leaf doing, again? Much love, Vickie

[Jackie07]

First, define 'propellerhead'...

If a propellar pencil is a 'mechanical pencil' as is used in UK, is propellerhead a 'mechanical' head? :)

[Check out 'Can colorless green idea sleep furiously']

[ElaineM]

Good for you Christy. I think we are meant to learn and expand our horizons through our experiences. It sounds like you are doing a good job of it.

[Gerri]

Chris,

I have always thought of you as one of the "big thinkers" of the group. Don't know if it means you are a propellerhead, but it does mean you know your stuff. We are lucky to have members such as you to explain (or at least try to) the more complicated concepts to us.

[harrie]

You have my vote for propellerhead!
We are lucky to have someone like you, so smart, well-researched, but so down to earth. Perfecto!!

[Shobha]

Propellerhead for sure! A definite advantage for this group since we can pick your brain :)

[Rich66]

Wow. I didn't think grocery stores carried olive leaf. That store must have a propellorhead clientele.

[Bill]

Oh, yes, propellerhead for sure. I've been meaning to tell you, but didn't quite know how to bring it up. You rock, Chris!

[Jean]

hmm Chrisy, haven't you noticed that you're feet are about 4 feet off the ground lately? teehee...

Sending you hugs,
Jean :)

[SoCalGal]

That is worth me driving ?? hours just to go back there and stand next to you while you give the "real" answer. Too funny. But impressive. As for me - when I read cleavage reduction I just thought - we'll that can't be good. Have printed out your post and will discuss with Dr Conklin tomorrow. Another smarty-smarty. It's always about me so of course I want to know if I need some cleavage reduction for my targets. Hah.
xo Flori

[tricia keegan]

Chrisy, what a mouthful, doubt I could repeat it never mind understand it!
Wish I could hmmm....:)

[chrisy]

Flori,
Remember the cleavage reduction relates to the Her2 extracellular domain, not the "other" cleavage reduction that comes with bc.

My doctors usually respond with mild interest to articles such as this, they would never prescribe taking olive leaf because there's "no proof" it does anything in humans - but they sometimes will give me the "can't hurt anything" blessing!

[Jean]

Chrisy,
Have a question for you, what is the amount of olive leaf are you taking...and have you heard anything about taking OL after finishing the year of hercetin.

I am still taking OL ...have you heard anything on this?
Thx

Jean

[chrisy]

Hi Jean,
Remember, there is NO DATA on use of olive oil, or olive leaf supplements in humans. - before, during, after herceptin etc, whatever...

However there is SOME data (mainly done by Dr. Javier Menendez) that looks at the mechanisms of interaction between herceptin, Her2, and various components of EVOO and olive leaf. Besides better understanding WHY there is synergy, most interesting to me was the suggestion acquired resistance to herceptin was reversed in some cells "treated" with oleuropein. This is in test tubes only - not even in mice. But it is interesting research.

The link to my thread last year on this topic is below - but as you will see, it was mostly QUESTIONS!

That said, I take 500mg standardized olive leaf extract (I use Natures way in the purple lid bottle) 3 -4 times/day when I remember. For me, it's definitely in the "won't hurt, might help" bucket.



http://her2support.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=32380&highlight=olive

[Believe51]

Huh????......I always thought you were. Amazing all the things we know that no one should ever have to learn. I am so proud to call you my friend! Always just a thought away from my mind>>Believe51

[Soccermom]

Wow! Wow! Wow!