Daily Quote: "Moments in life that are really hard and challenging, when I look back on those, those were kind of the life-changing moments for me and usually they were followed by the biggest successes because they made me re-evaluate who I was, what I was doing, and refocus on what really matters. I'm hoping that this is the same sort of thing. My personality is such that I usually try to find the positive in every negative, so I'm hopeful that I can do the same again and turn a situation that wasn't pleasant to live through to my advantage. I'm pretty confident that I'll come out of this the better for it." --Shannon Rowbury commenting about her battling back from a persistent lower-leg problem, that was actually an issue with a leg-length discrepancy. Running Times Magazine, July/August 2011, pg 48.
I realize that my lung and tongue cancer is much more severe than Shannon's leg-length discrepancy, but her above quote reflects on my own hopes with my cancer fight, which was indeed a life-changing moment, that I'll have bigger successes because of my cancer. Not only do I wish to improve my fitness, running, chess, but also place more emphasis on smothering my wife with love! She had my back and gave me such strong support during my time of need. Where would I be without her love? I love her dearly. I have a new lease on life and don't want to waste my second chance!
Today was my last radiation treatment!! I have this tremendous feeling of relief and freedom. I am so very happy! I know my battle hasn't been won until I receive a clear PET Scan at the end of this month, which will state my cancer is in remission. Even if my cancer is in remission, I'll still need to have regular health checkups as to assure the cancer hasn't returned and/or spread to some other part of my body. Nevertheless, I feel positive that I'm in remission and the cancer will not return.
It's going to feel weird tomorrow not having my usual 9:00 a.m. radiation treatment, I plan on exercising at the gym during that time slot instead. I must continue to wear my feeding tube until my cancer remission is official, which makes exercising problematic. I use extra gauze tape to prevent the 12 inch tube from bouncing around during my runs. I also need to keep the drainage gauze dry as to prevent infection where the feeding tube connects to my stomach, therefore, after my exercise I will clean the wound and replace the drainage gauze with a new, dry gauze. Currently, the tube's connection has been spotting a small dab of blood, but nothing serious as the stomach entry shows no sign of infection and will continue using the product "Neosporin." I hope after my PET Scan I can immediately have surgery to remove the feeding tube, which will be the last shackle of my cancer fight. My Registered Nurse, Charlie, will continue to visit my home on Wednesdays until the feeding tube has been removed.
My weight is still 170 pounds, which has been my racing weight in the past, but I know my stamina, endurance and muscle fitness needs to improve before returning to racing. Last January I had sent my registration fee for the 2011 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Marathon in December, but doubt I'll be fit enough to race the marathon, but believe I could be ready for the 2011 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon. Tomorrow, I'll start training in earnest, but will listen to my body complaints and strive to improve by baby steps, baby steps. Last week I ran a total of six miles, with most of my exercising being walking. Next week I plan on adding weight lifting, which will help my overall fitness to prevent injuries and make me more durable if the cancer returns.
I have so many people to thank during my cancer battles, my wife, family, friends and the motivational "Bruce's Team." Their support and prayers had been invaluable...God Bless you all!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Only One More Week of Radiation Therapy!!
Daily Quote: "'How often do you (Lance Armstrong) think about your own cancer?' I think about it a lot because I get reminded about it a lot. But 15 years later, umpteen checkups later , [I've] been clear. Mostly my reflection on the disease has to do with other people. Thinking about the stories that I hear on a daily basis, I think, 'It's just unfair.' Many times, that's where I come down on cancer. I look at my situation and all that I've been given after my disease. Some of it I earned, I suppose, but the fact that I was given my health back is great for me, but is really, in a sense, unfair for a lot of people, because they haven't been given that opportunity. I mean I was pretty damn lucky. But types of cancer are so drastically different. People don't understand that. They see me, and they say, 'Hey, I'm gonna do okay, look at [him,]'" --Lance Armstong. Interview by Bill Saporito, Runner's World Magazine, July 2011, article "Strong Man," pg 95.
The above quote hit a chord with me, cancer is just unfair, and all of us cancer victims have different outcomes due to the many types of cancers and our body's ability to fight the disease and/or react to the aggressive treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. I would be tickled pink if I could be given my health back and survive another 15 years like Lance Armstrong, but who knows how much longer I have to live. I hope I have Armstrong's luck!! One thing for sure, I'm a much different person now than I was before cancer as I treat every day as a special gift and strive to live in the moment and still shoot for the stars.
I only have one more week of radiation therapy, and after my radiation therapy this morning, only have five more treatments! Next Wednesday, if all goes well, I'll be finished with my cancer treatments, but still need to see Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a Pet Scan appointment as to determine whether my cancer is in remission or the need to create another round of cancer treatments. I'm prepared, as mentioned in Armstrong's above quote, to have umpteen checkups throughout the rest of my life.
Last week Dr. Treadwell had reset my treatment plan as my cancer tumor on my right chest had shrunk to such a state that it's not longer visible with the naked eye on the radiation machine's X-ray, although the next day with the results from a Cat Scan he did find a a very small nodule on my right chest, which was the remnant of the previous tumor. I had another tattoo made on my chest, which was 1/4 inch to the right of my previous tattoo. I'm very optimistic that my chest and lung cancer will be in remission, but less sure of the result of my tongue cancer...eventually all those cancer remission questions will be answered after my Pet Scan later this month.
I'm happy to report that I reached my goal weight of 170 pounds on my six foot frame; my BMI (Body Mass Index) at 23.1, well within the normal weight category! My lowest weight during my cancer treatments was 159 pounds, which was too low for my doctor's comfort as he feared I was becoming malnourished. I hope to maintain this 170 pounds for the rest of the year, which was my weight when I achieved three BQ's (Boston Qualifier) therefore I believe it's my ideal racing weight. Who knows, I may be even faster and more fit at a lesser weight, but realize for now I shouldn't be too concerned with my weight as I still need to repair my body because my endurance and stamina is very low and I've lost muscle fitness. As always, thinking baby steps, baby steps.
My feeding tube has been causing me problems. Whenever I lift heavy objects or bend sharply my feeding tube causes me sharp pain, also the connection between the tube and my stomach has been leaking a very small amount of blood onto my gauze. I've been cleaning the gauze four times a day now, rather than every 12-hours as requested by my nurse. I spoke to the nurse at the radiation office and she examined the connection, she said I have no noticeable infection, but gave me several strips of the ointment, "Neosporin," which should help prevent infections. I have to wear this feeding tube throughout August as a precaution...in case I still need further treatments on my throat and tongue if my later Pet Scan shows I still have cancer. The nurse discouraged me from any exertions like running, she believes exercise would acerbate the connection problem. Those who know me will realize that her discouraging me not to exercise falls on mute ears!
My sleeping patterns have returned to normal, I no longer sleep 10-14 hours a day, but feel refreshed after 7-8 hours of sleep. My depression for the last two weeks has also magically disappeared! Sometimes my depression has me on this emotional roller coaster ride, where I'm high on life for a period of time, than sink to a low where I no longer wish to be a part of this earthly existence, than return again to over exuberance. Would be nice to have a stable emotional life for awhile. My mood swings must drive my wife crazy, she has the patience of a Saint!
All in all, GOOD NEWS this week! Next week's news should be even better!!
The above quote hit a chord with me, cancer is just unfair, and all of us cancer victims have different outcomes due to the many types of cancers and our body's ability to fight the disease and/or react to the aggressive treatments like radiation and chemotherapy. I would be tickled pink if I could be given my health back and survive another 15 years like Lance Armstrong, but who knows how much longer I have to live. I hope I have Armstrong's luck!! One thing for sure, I'm a much different person now than I was before cancer as I treat every day as a special gift and strive to live in the moment and still shoot for the stars.
I only have one more week of radiation therapy, and after my radiation therapy this morning, only have five more treatments! Next Wednesday, if all goes well, I'll be finished with my cancer treatments, but still need to see Dr. Parks on August 23rd to setup a Pet Scan appointment as to determine whether my cancer is in remission or the need to create another round of cancer treatments. I'm prepared, as mentioned in Armstrong's above quote, to have umpteen checkups throughout the rest of my life.
Last week Dr. Treadwell had reset my treatment plan as my cancer tumor on my right chest had shrunk to such a state that it's not longer visible with the naked eye on the radiation machine's X-ray, although the next day with the results from a Cat Scan he did find a a very small nodule on my right chest, which was the remnant of the previous tumor. I had another tattoo made on my chest, which was 1/4 inch to the right of my previous tattoo. I'm very optimistic that my chest and lung cancer will be in remission, but less sure of the result of my tongue cancer...eventually all those cancer remission questions will be answered after my Pet Scan later this month.
I'm happy to report that I reached my goal weight of 170 pounds on my six foot frame; my BMI (Body Mass Index) at 23.1, well within the normal weight category! My lowest weight during my cancer treatments was 159 pounds, which was too low for my doctor's comfort as he feared I was becoming malnourished. I hope to maintain this 170 pounds for the rest of the year, which was my weight when I achieved three BQ's (Boston Qualifier) therefore I believe it's my ideal racing weight. Who knows, I may be even faster and more fit at a lesser weight, but realize for now I shouldn't be too concerned with my weight as I still need to repair my body because my endurance and stamina is very low and I've lost muscle fitness. As always, thinking baby steps, baby steps.
My feeding tube has been causing me problems. Whenever I lift heavy objects or bend sharply my feeding tube causes me sharp pain, also the connection between the tube and my stomach has been leaking a very small amount of blood onto my gauze. I've been cleaning the gauze four times a day now, rather than every 12-hours as requested by my nurse. I spoke to the nurse at the radiation office and she examined the connection, she said I have no noticeable infection, but gave me several strips of the ointment, "Neosporin," which should help prevent infections. I have to wear this feeding tube throughout August as a precaution...in case I still need further treatments on my throat and tongue if my later Pet Scan shows I still have cancer. The nurse discouraged me from any exertions like running, she believes exercise would acerbate the connection problem. Those who know me will realize that her discouraging me not to exercise falls on mute ears!
My sleeping patterns have returned to normal, I no longer sleep 10-14 hours a day, but feel refreshed after 7-8 hours of sleep. My depression for the last two weeks has also magically disappeared! Sometimes my depression has me on this emotional roller coaster ride, where I'm high on life for a period of time, than sink to a low where I no longer wish to be a part of this earthly existence, than return again to over exuberance. Would be nice to have a stable emotional life for awhile. My mood swings must drive my wife crazy, she has the patience of a Saint!
All in all, GOOD NEWS this week! Next week's news should be even better!!
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