Daily Quote: "'You can not only beat cancer,' says Issie, "but you can thrive and do amazing, wonderful, and crazy things.'" --Issie Pelc, Runner's World Magazine, July 2011, pg 28, Human Race Section, article "Outrunning Cancer"
The above quote is about Cancer struck Issie Pelc (lymphoma) and his wife, Shelley (ovarian cancer), in a three-year span. To raise $80,000 for the Toronto hospital where they were treated, Pelc, 60 ran a marathon a month for 39 months --finishing in June 2010 with his 60th career marathon. Indeed, it is an "amazing, wonderful, and crazy things!!"
My own future running goals are pretty much in the air. I've already registered for the 2011 Rock n' Roll Las Vegas Marathon for this coming December, and planned on running the marathon as my victory lap over cancer, but I am concerned about my upcoming marathon training as I've lost muscle and endurance during the cancer treatments and must return to running as a beginner. Nevertheless, I'll listen to my body and determine what I can safely manage, I may have to downgrade to the half marathon, as I plan to train conservatively with my "baby steps, baby steps" mantra.
Yesterday, before my chemotherapy treatment, I had a chat with my oncologist, Dr. Parks, who said that this ninth chemotherapy treatment (had chemo every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m - 1:45 pm.) will be my last chemo for now. My next appointment with Dr. Parks will be on August 23rd when he'll schedule me for a PET Scan. WOW!! No more three hours treatments of poisoning my blood! No more blood tests on Monday as a prerequisite for the chemo! No more spending most of Tuesday and Wednesday in bed recuperating from the deep fatigue due to the chemo! I'm so upbeat and optimistic I could burst!!!
I still have five weeks of radiation treatments for my right lung and upper chest on Monday-Friday at 9:00 a.m., but that feels like a taper now! The radiation treatments are more precise pin pointing and isn't as physically draining as poisoning my whole blood stream, nevertheless, the radiation treatments are painful on my pecs and sometimes food has a problem reaching my stomach and wants to return uphill, radiation is also fatiguing...but, I can manage it.
My throat is totally healed, and can now eat solid foods!! Last Friday I overdid it as I had a "hearty breakfast bowl" at Jack-n'-the Box Restaurant, which had too spicy sausage that caused vomiting the next day...I still should eat bland foods for the duration of my treatments. I asked my radiologist if I could have my feeding tube surgically removed soon, but he said I should keep it on for the duration just in case my tongue still has cancer, which the PET scan after August 23rd will ascertain. DRATS! I was hoping that I could start a more strenuous walking/jogging program soon, but will listen to the advice of my doctors and place emphasis on resting and recuperating instead.
Watched the movie "Dodgeball" on television last night...I had the biggest laugh in a long time during the Lance Armstrong's cameo, which you can see here.
Time for my afternoon nap due to yesterday's LAST CHEMOTHERAPY TREATMENT!!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
D.O.T. Health Card
Daily Quote: "When it is about you, your mind races. Am I at fault? Could I have done something differently? What do I tell my children and wife? What if I actually get cancer? Have I done everything I set out to do in life? I am a physician who gives advice for a living. I have spent much of my professional life extolling the value of healthy eating and regular exercise, and I practice both? So how in the world did this happen to me? Part of the answer to that last question is luck of the draw." --Dr. Mehmet Oz, Article, "What I Learned From My Cancer Scare," TIME Magazine, June 13, 2011, pg 52.
Needless to say, I totally identify with the above quote, but found it interesting that a popular surgeon who is often seen on Oprah's television show would have many questions regarding his cancer scare...makes me realize that it's indeed the luck of the draw and that all my concerns on rooting out the cause of my own cancer is pretty futile.
The following TIME Magazine had a mention of the above Dr. Oz quote, which was in the "mail" section was letter from Ellen Werts, from Marana, Arizona:
I am a survivor of chronic myelogenous leukemia, successfully treated with two bone-marrow transplants. Before diagnosis, I, like Oz, was very healthy. Although Oz's story stressing screenings will be helpful to some, I was dismayed by his initial reaction to his possible cancer. "Am I at fault? Could I have done something differently?" Coming from an influential physician, this statement promulgates societal tendency to blame the victim for a diagnosis of cancer. Believe me, no cancer patient needs to be subjected to this notion by anyone, especially treating physicians. Myself, I'm not so hard on doctors or others who want do discover any possible cause-and-effects for my cancer. My good friend at about.com forum site, Dr. Bosco, has been striving to discover what could have happened to cause me cancer, as he tries to attempt to help me and others with possible cancer causes...I definitely don't think Dr. Bosco is trying to "blame the victim."
Yesterday I went to Dr. Amir Nicknam's office as to get my D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) physical exam so I can get my D.O.T. Health Card...without my health card I would be unable to get my T.A. (Taxicab Authority) permit and would not be allowed to drive a cab. Normally this would take only 25-30 minutes, but ended up lasting over three hours!
The first part of the D.O.T. Physical was the vision test where he uses the Snellen chart on the wall and recorded the distance vision at 20 feet. Both of my eyes were perfect as my vision was 20/20 and my horizontal field of vision was 90 degrees.
The second part of the physical was my hearing where I must perceive forced whispered voice greater than five feet. Both my ears heard the whispered voice at five feet. So far so good!!
The third part of my physical was blood pressure/pulse rate. My systolic blood pressure was 108 and my diastolic blood pressure was 68! My recorded pulse rate was 62 bpm. Many cab drivers, who tend to be obese, have problems with high blood pressure If they have blood pressure at 180/110 they'll be unable to drive a cab until they get their blood pressure lower (many do so by taking prescription drugs). Also, if they have blood pressure in the lower 140-159/90-99 range the drivers have to take the physical test every three months. My physical is moving right along, as it has only taken about 15 minutes so far in the testing!
The fourth part of my physical was the toughest part for me...Laboratory and other test findings. Needless to say, I have no idea how many different chemo drugs are flowing through my body and with a certain amount of anxiety I had took the urinalysis. Needless to say, cab drivers who are taking illegal drugs end up not passing the physical, BUT, protein, blood or sugar in the urine may be an indication for further testing to rule out any underlying medical problem. The results of my urine test was: SP.GR: 1,030; PROTEIN: 30; BLOOD: Negative; SUGAR: Negative. I also had normal ALT, AST, and Creatine. I have no idea what the acronyms are, but my protein in my urine was too high and the doctor said that this may be a kidney or liver problem and he asked me when was my last blood test...that was easy to answer, "I take a blood test every Monday!" The doctor had me sign release forms to be faxed to Quest Diagnosis as to receive a copy of my latest blood test. This would take me three hours of waiting before the doctor understood that the protein in my blood was the result of my chemotherapy treatments.
While they were waiting for my latest blood test I finished the rest of the physical examination, which I easily passed, although they did mention I was wearing a feeding tube:
I'm 72 inches tall and weigh 162 pounds.
Mouth and Throat: Checking for irremediable deformities likely to interfere with breathing or swallowing.
Heart: Checking for murmurs, extra sounds, enlarged heart, pacemaker, implantable defibrillator.
Lungs and chest: Checking for Abnormal chest wall expansion, abnormal breath sounds including wheezes, alveolar rales, impaired respiratory function, cyanosis, Abnormal findings on physical exam may require further testing such as pulmonary tests and/or xray chest.
Abdomen and Viscera: Checking for Enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, masses bruits, hernia,significant abdominal wall muscle weakness. Here the doctor noted my feeding tube.
Vascular System: Abnormal pulse and amplitude, cartoid or arterial bruits, varicose veins. Here the doctor asked if my pulse rate is usually that low after running in place for one minute, I told him that I've been a runner since 1999.
Genito-urinary System: Checking for hernias again.
Spine, other musculoskeletal: Checking for previous surgery deformities, limitation of motion, tenderness. Doctor mentioned that I could still touch my toes, while wearing a feeding tube!?!
Neurological: Impaired equilibrium, coordination or speech patter; asymmetric deep tendon reflexes, sensory or positional abnormalities, abnormal patellar and Babinki's reflexes, ataxia.
The doctor told me that it's very rare that someone who is taking chemotherapy and radiation treatments for lung cancer and tongue cancer would still be driving a cab for 12-hours and he can't imagine how I could do it...I'm the only driver he knows that still works as many drivers take a medical leave. I told him that driving a cab was better than the alternative of bankruptcy. He asked if I smoked, which is the usual question I'm asked, and I stated that I've never smoked and have no relatives who had cancer, and in fact, no cancer risk factors. He then shook my hand and wished me well as he rushed to his next driver.
I then received my new D.O.T. Health Card and doesn't expire for two years! Needless to say, I've been driving for Checker Cab Company for 21 years and this was the most stressful D.O.T. physical I've ever taken!! Would I have passed this test if I wasn't a runner?
Needless to say, I totally identify with the above quote, but found it interesting that a popular surgeon who is often seen on Oprah's television show would have many questions regarding his cancer scare...makes me realize that it's indeed the luck of the draw and that all my concerns on rooting out the cause of my own cancer is pretty futile.
The following TIME Magazine had a mention of the above Dr. Oz quote, which was in the "mail" section was letter from Ellen Werts, from Marana, Arizona:
I am a survivor of chronic myelogenous leukemia, successfully treated with two bone-marrow transplants. Before diagnosis, I, like Oz, was very healthy. Although Oz's story stressing screenings will be helpful to some, I was dismayed by his initial reaction to his possible cancer. "Am I at fault? Could I have done something differently?" Coming from an influential physician, this statement promulgates societal tendency to blame the victim for a diagnosis of cancer. Believe me, no cancer patient needs to be subjected to this notion by anyone, especially treating physicians. Myself, I'm not so hard on doctors or others who want do discover any possible cause-and-effects for my cancer. My good friend at about.com forum site, Dr. Bosco, has been striving to discover what could have happened to cause me cancer, as he tries to attempt to help me and others with possible cancer causes...I definitely don't think Dr. Bosco is trying to "blame the victim."
Yesterday I went to Dr. Amir Nicknam's office as to get my D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) physical exam so I can get my D.O.T. Health Card...without my health card I would be unable to get my T.A. (Taxicab Authority) permit and would not be allowed to drive a cab. Normally this would take only 25-30 minutes, but ended up lasting over three hours!
The first part of the D.O.T. Physical was the vision test where he uses the Snellen chart on the wall and recorded the distance vision at 20 feet. Both of my eyes were perfect as my vision was 20/20 and my horizontal field of vision was 90 degrees.
The second part of the physical was my hearing where I must perceive forced whispered voice greater than five feet. Both my ears heard the whispered voice at five feet. So far so good!!
The third part of my physical was blood pressure/pulse rate. My systolic blood pressure was 108 and my diastolic blood pressure was 68! My recorded pulse rate was 62 bpm. Many cab drivers, who tend to be obese, have problems with high blood pressure If they have blood pressure at 180/110 they'll be unable to drive a cab until they get their blood pressure lower (many do so by taking prescription drugs). Also, if they have blood pressure in the lower 140-159/90-99 range the drivers have to take the physical test every three months. My physical is moving right along, as it has only taken about 15 minutes so far in the testing!
The fourth part of my physical was the toughest part for me...Laboratory and other test findings. Needless to say, I have no idea how many different chemo drugs are flowing through my body and with a certain amount of anxiety I had took the urinalysis. Needless to say, cab drivers who are taking illegal drugs end up not passing the physical, BUT, protein, blood or sugar in the urine may be an indication for further testing to rule out any underlying medical problem. The results of my urine test was: SP.GR: 1,030; PROTEIN: 30; BLOOD: Negative; SUGAR: Negative. I also had normal ALT, AST, and Creatine. I have no idea what the acronyms are, but my protein in my urine was too high and the doctor said that this may be a kidney or liver problem and he asked me when was my last blood test...that was easy to answer, "I take a blood test every Monday!" The doctor had me sign release forms to be faxed to Quest Diagnosis as to receive a copy of my latest blood test. This would take me three hours of waiting before the doctor understood that the protein in my blood was the result of my chemotherapy treatments.
While they were waiting for my latest blood test I finished the rest of the physical examination, which I easily passed, although they did mention I was wearing a feeding tube:
I'm 72 inches tall and weigh 162 pounds.
Mouth and Throat: Checking for irremediable deformities likely to interfere with breathing or swallowing.
Heart: Checking for murmurs, extra sounds, enlarged heart, pacemaker, implantable defibrillator.
Lungs and chest: Checking for Abnormal chest wall expansion, abnormal breath sounds including wheezes, alveolar rales, impaired respiratory function, cyanosis, Abnormal findings on physical exam may require further testing such as pulmonary tests and/or xray chest.
Abdomen and Viscera: Checking for Enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, masses bruits, hernia,significant abdominal wall muscle weakness. Here the doctor noted my feeding tube.
Vascular System: Abnormal pulse and amplitude, cartoid or arterial bruits, varicose veins. Here the doctor asked if my pulse rate is usually that low after running in place for one minute, I told him that I've been a runner since 1999.
Genito-urinary System: Checking for hernias again.
Spine, other musculoskeletal: Checking for previous surgery deformities, limitation of motion, tenderness. Doctor mentioned that I could still touch my toes, while wearing a feeding tube!?!
Neurological: Impaired equilibrium, coordination or speech patter; asymmetric deep tendon reflexes, sensory or positional abnormalities, abnormal patellar and Babinki's reflexes, ataxia.
The doctor told me that it's very rare that someone who is taking chemotherapy and radiation treatments for lung cancer and tongue cancer would still be driving a cab for 12-hours and he can't imagine how I could do it...I'm the only driver he knows that still works as many drivers take a medical leave. I told him that driving a cab was better than the alternative of bankruptcy. He asked if I smoked, which is the usual question I'm asked, and I stated that I've never smoked and have no relatives who had cancer, and in fact, no cancer risk factors. He then shook my hand and wished me well as he rushed to his next driver.
I then received my new D.O.T. Health Card and doesn't expire for two years! Needless to say, I've been driving for Checker Cab Company for 21 years and this was the most stressful D.O.T. physical I've ever taken!! Would I have passed this test if I wasn't a runner?
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
FIRST PHASE OF CANCER BATTLE IS COMPLETE!
Daily Quote: "Hope keeps our minds at ease, lowers stress and improves physical health. Researcher studying heart-disease patients found that optimists were more likely than nonoptimstic patients to take vitamins, eat low fat diets and exercise, thereby reducing their overall coronary risk. A study of cancer patients revealed that pessimistic patients under the age of 60 were more likely to die within eight months than nonpessimistic patients of the same initial health, status and age." --Talli Sharot, Article "The Optimism Bias," Time Magazine, June 6, 2011, pg 42.
My hope and optimism is sky high due to finishing my first phase of my cancer battle, which was six weeks of radiation focusing on my tongue, neck, and lymph nodes. Today starts my second phase of my cancer battle, which will shift the radiation and chemotherapy to focus on my right lung.
Today I arrived at Dr. Treadwell's office with anticipation on what will be the preparation for my second phase, having another cat scan as to determine the cancer targets, and getting three tattoos to form a triangulation so that my body will be perfectly aligned with the computers.
The cat scan and tattoos were done within thirty minutes and the technician made my next radiation appointment for June 22nd at 7:30 a.m., yes that's correct, I won't receive any radiation for the next two weeks!! Originally I was told that I would rest for one week before the second phase, but I do believe my body could use the much needed extra rest and hopefully my poor throat will have extra time to heal before the next phase. The second phase will be six weeks of chemotherapy on Tuesdays and radiation therapy on Monday-Friday focusing on my right lung.
Even though I won't be having radiation therapy for the next two weeks, I will still be continuing my chemo-therapy appointments, which are every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m and lasts for about three hours...nevertheless, without radiation therapy my body will have plenty of time to rest during the remainder of the week!
The technician gave me a souvenir...my molded face mask that I had to wear during my radiation treatments on my face and neck, I'm treating the mask as a trophy and it now stares down onto the computer from a shelf in the office. It's definitely better than a Jackalope!
My seniority date for Checker Cab Company is June 21st (driving for Checker Cab for 21 years), which means I'll need to renew my T.A. Permit and my DOT Health Card soon, that also means I have to attend the annual T.A. Safety Class that takes three hours as well. No matter how long a driver has been working as a cab driver it's mandatory by law to take this long, silly, class! Now that I don't have to awake at 6:30 a.m. for the next two weeks makes it a little easier to take care of business.
Thanks for all the support everyone has given me during the last six weeks, every one of you kept my spirits and hopes up! I doubt my optimism would be as high without my support team!!
I need to go to bed soon, but don't need to set my alarm clock for 6:30 a.m. for two whole weeks!!!
My hope and optimism is sky high due to finishing my first phase of my cancer battle, which was six weeks of radiation focusing on my tongue, neck, and lymph nodes. Today starts my second phase of my cancer battle, which will shift the radiation and chemotherapy to focus on my right lung.
Today I arrived at Dr. Treadwell's office with anticipation on what will be the preparation for my second phase, having another cat scan as to determine the cancer targets, and getting three tattoos to form a triangulation so that my body will be perfectly aligned with the computers.
The cat scan and tattoos were done within thirty minutes and the technician made my next radiation appointment for June 22nd at 7:30 a.m., yes that's correct, I won't receive any radiation for the next two weeks!! Originally I was told that I would rest for one week before the second phase, but I do believe my body could use the much needed extra rest and hopefully my poor throat will have extra time to heal before the next phase. The second phase will be six weeks of chemotherapy on Tuesdays and radiation therapy on Monday-Friday focusing on my right lung.
Even though I won't be having radiation therapy for the next two weeks, I will still be continuing my chemo-therapy appointments, which are every Tuesday at 10:30 a.m and lasts for about three hours...nevertheless, without radiation therapy my body will have plenty of time to rest during the remainder of the week!
The technician gave me a souvenir...my molded face mask that I had to wear during my radiation treatments on my face and neck, I'm treating the mask as a trophy and it now stares down onto the computer from a shelf in the office. It's definitely better than a Jackalope!
My seniority date for Checker Cab Company is June 21st (driving for Checker Cab for 21 years), which means I'll need to renew my T.A. Permit and my DOT Health Card soon, that also means I have to attend the annual T.A. Safety Class that takes three hours as well. No matter how long a driver has been working as a cab driver it's mandatory by law to take this long, silly, class! Now that I don't have to awake at 6:30 a.m. for the next two weeks makes it a little easier to take care of business.
Thanks for all the support everyone has given me during the last six weeks, every one of you kept my spirits and hopes up! I doubt my optimism would be as high without my support team!!
I need to go to bed soon, but don't need to set my alarm clock for 6:30 a.m. for two whole weeks!!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Update On Future Radiology Testing
Daily Quote: "People who know they have cancer have a motto: 'Make every day count.' I have done that. What I have not done is make every person count. My life has been filled with the best of me. What it has not been filled with is the best of others. I now know that Robert Frost was right. I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep." --Dr. George Sheehan.
Today after my 7:00 a.m. radiation therapy I had an appointment with my radiologist, Dr. Treadwell. The first thing he asked me was, "How was driving a cab for 12-hours during Memorial Day Weekend feel?" I told him the truth, it was very stressful and exhausting. He then said, "Bruce, you are one tough son-of-a-bitch!" Remember, Dr. Treadwell strongly encouraged me to take a medical leave of absence during my first consultation with him, with scare stories how men who are athletes couldn't finish two weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy...essentially, although he didn't know it, he threw down a gauntlet for me to prove him wrong. Plus, I can't afford to take 12 weeks off from work, which would be a short cut to bankruptcy for me and my wife.
Dr Treadwell said that my next four radiation treatments (Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday) will be solely focused on tumor on the back of my tongue, my lymph nodes and neck appear to be clear now! Yup, only four more radiation treatments on my tongue and and then I go into the next six week phase of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on my upper chest and right lung! My throat should be less sore next week!!
Next Wednesday, June 8th, I have an appointment with the Radiologist at 1:00 p.m., which will start my second phase of my chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I won't have any radiation that day, nor will I have any radiation therapy for a week as to prepare the computers, lasers, etc. for therapy on my upper chest and right lung! Next Wednesday I'll be getting tattoos on my upper torso where the radiation therapy lasers will eventually be targeted. Another FIRST...I've never had a tattoo before!
He mentioned that after all my future treatments are over, the radiation will still have a half-life in my body and will continue to shrink whatever cancer is left for several weeks later.
I'm so full of confidence and positive thoughts with the realization that I'm half way through my cancer battle, which appear I may be winning!! Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers...where would I be without you? Every one of you counts.
Today after my 7:00 a.m. radiation therapy I had an appointment with my radiologist, Dr. Treadwell. The first thing he asked me was, "How was driving a cab for 12-hours during Memorial Day Weekend feel?" I told him the truth, it was very stressful and exhausting. He then said, "Bruce, you are one tough son-of-a-bitch!" Remember, Dr. Treadwell strongly encouraged me to take a medical leave of absence during my first consultation with him, with scare stories how men who are athletes couldn't finish two weeks of chemotherapy and radiation therapy...essentially, although he didn't know it, he threw down a gauntlet for me to prove him wrong. Plus, I can't afford to take 12 weeks off from work, which would be a short cut to bankruptcy for me and my wife.
Dr Treadwell said that my next four radiation treatments (Thursday, Friday, Monday, and Tuesday) will be solely focused on tumor on the back of my tongue, my lymph nodes and neck appear to be clear now! Yup, only four more radiation treatments on my tongue and and then I go into the next six week phase of chemotherapy and radiation therapy on my upper chest and right lung! My throat should be less sore next week!!
Next Wednesday, June 8th, I have an appointment with the Radiologist at 1:00 p.m., which will start my second phase of my chemotherapy and radiation therapy. I won't have any radiation that day, nor will I have any radiation therapy for a week as to prepare the computers, lasers, etc. for therapy on my upper chest and right lung! Next Wednesday I'll be getting tattoos on my upper torso where the radiation therapy lasers will eventually be targeted. Another FIRST...I've never had a tattoo before!
He mentioned that after all my future treatments are over, the radiation will still have a half-life in my body and will continue to shrink whatever cancer is left for several weeks later.
I'm so full of confidence and positive thoughts with the realization that I'm half way through my cancer battle, which appear I may be winning!! Thank you all for your positive thoughts and prayers...where would I be without you? Every one of you counts.
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