No Mind

 

Med Diet

 

The Day After

Yesterday, I had my 42nd Opdivo infusion which means I have been receiving Opdivo for 3.5 years now and while my body seems to be tolerating it pretty well, I am still experiencing cumulative symptoms of night sweats, fatigue, and loss of appetite.

I also met with my Oncologist who was not that concerned about a lesion on my liver but since I was scheduled for a CT scan, he would pay close attention to what it showed for the liver.  He was also not that concerned with my 6 weeks of night sweats every night because there was so many issues that could be causing that to happen to my body...  again, he would be mindful of my sweating in the future.

He was a little concerned that the month after my IVIG infusion, my sinus problems were returning so he was going to write new orders for me to receive IVIG every month...  Not only would this help my sinuses but when I was receiving IVIG every month, I actually felt wonderful both mentally and physically.

Other than these comments he was pleased with all my test results and was going to continue with all my treatment like before with no changes.

OPDIVO: Immunotherapy

My morning starts early this morning...  6:30 actually...  where once up, I shower, grab a quick cup of coffee and then leave for UT Cancer Center to receive my monthly infusion of Opdivo...  I have had about 40 infusions so far and it has been the key factor that has kept my Melanoma from growing and spreading.  My Oncologist has informed me that I will be taking Opdivo for the rest of my life or until the cumulative side effects become too adverse for my body to handle.

Every other month, I visit with my Oncologist and I am looking forward to today's visit because the results of a HIDA scan showed there was a lesion on my liver and I am anxious to see how he reacts to this news...  especially since I am past due for a SCAN....

My day will begin by the nurses accessing my PORT and drawing blood, then I will visit with my Oncologist which could take me waiting another 30-60 minutes depending upon what is happening.  Once that takes place, I typically make appointments for my next visits, then back to another waiting room until there is space available for me to receive my infusion.

I arrive at UT Cancer Center at 7:30 am and usually finish around 10:30-11:00 am...arriving back home in time for lunch.

Cardiologist

Yesterday, I met with my Cardiologist with my 6 month follow-up just to see if everything was still running smoothly inside my chest.  Five stints were put inside 3 major heart arteries back in 2009/2010 in NYC at NY Presbyterian Hospital but a Dr. Moses who perfected the procedure of cleaning out arteries and inserting stints.  The Cardiologist at UT Medical Center in Knoxville was recommending a triple bypass instead...  mainly because they did not have the equipment or the skill to do what Dr. Moses did for me.  However, ever since that heart operation, I have been seeing a Cardiologist at UT Medical every 6 months to make sure my heart if functioning normal or as normal as possible for someone my age after having a heart attack.

The first task once I am in the office is to have an EKG performed which is an insurance/liability issue because and EKG does not measure what might have happened before and or what might happen in the future...  and, like always, it demonstrated that I had a normal heart rhythm.

During my visit, I asked if there was an alternative to taking XARELTO since with every small cut...  like from shaving, it would take at least 2 band aids to stop the bleeding.  The Cardiologist said he understood what I was going through and had heard that before from other patients...  and, before he could consider stopping XARELTO, I would have to wear a heart monitor for 30 days to make sure that there were no irregularities taking place that I was not noticing.

So, I am wearing a heart monitor and it is synced to a special phone also supplied that records my heart rhythms and transmits that data back to my doctor's office every 5 days.  I have to recharge the phone everyday as well as the heart monitor which according to the instructions takes about 90 minutes.

My device is an MCOT Patch - Mobile Cardiac Outpatient Telemetry...

Small price to pay to see if I can get off of XARELTO...

Heart Healthy

Every 6 months, I meet with my Cardiologist for a "checkup" so to speak to make sure that my heart is continuing to function appropriately for a male of my age...  the best approach that I can take to make sure that happens is to:

• get some sunlight
• eat healthy
• manage stress
• exercise
• maintain the proper weight

According to WEBMD, if my weight is between 189 to 219 for a height of 6 feet 1 inch, I am OVERWEIGHT...  

Currently, my weight is 219 and if it were 220, I would be obese...

The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories...  right now, I am eating between 1,500 to 2,000 calories each day, and I should eat between 1,200 to 1,800 calories focusing on 1,500 or less especially since I am not as active as I should be.

I am meeting with my Cardiologist today so I will be in a better position to see where I am once that visit takes place.

My Oncologist is Command & Control

My Gastrointestinal Doctor, after ordering a colonoscopy, an Upper GI, an Ultra Sound and a HIDA scan made the determination that everything was "A" OK; however, one of these procedures revealed that there was a lesion on my liver and suggested that I undergo an MRI to get a more detailed look at the lesion.  I contracted my Oncologist because I did not want more than one doctor recommending my direction to avoid confusion and since my Oncologist was basically in control of my health decided to defer everything to him.

Last Friday, I received a letter from my Gastrointestinal doctor that the lesion on my liver had not shown up in my last PET scan.  I found this to be curious as this doctor was inside inside the University System and had no access to those records and I did not authorize any records be sent to him that I recall.

In a couple of days, I will be meeting with my Oncologist and will take this letter from my Gastrointestinal doctor to share with my Oncologist so that I can get to the bottom of this uncertainty and decide which way that I should do.

This is the problem when a patient has more than one doctor recommending direction.

Exercises for Men

 

Healthy Foods

 

Cancer Remission

Remission means that the signs and symptoms of your cancer are reduced. Remission can be partial or complete. In a complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.

If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured. Still, some cancer cells can remain in your body for many years after treatment. These cells may cause the cancer to come back one day. For cancers that return, most do so within the first 5 years after treatment. But, there is a chance that cancer will come back later. For this reason, doctors cannot say for sure that you are cured. The most they can say is that there are no signs of cancer at this time.

However, in my particular case, my Oncologist has never mentioned that my cancer(s) are in remission even though the PET scans show NO METABOLIC activity which is typically an indication that malignant cancers are present.  Whereas, my wife who was also being treated for a type of Lymphoma is in remission as stated by her Oncologist who is also my Oncologist.

Imbruvica is keeping my Lymphoma from showing metabolic activity and Opdivo is keeping my Melanoma from showing metabolic activity...  but, in order for the latter to have actually worked, I needed to receive 6 good doses of radiation which supercharged the Opdivo.

As far as my Oncologist is concerned, I will be taking these two drugs for the rest of my life or until my body starts manifesting negative side effects...

Cancer Effects Long Term

From MD Anderson

LONG TERM EFFECTS OF CANCER

As a cancer survivor, you’re ready to move on with life after cancer. However, side effects from your disease or aggressive treatment methods may interfere with your quality of life. Some may be temporary, and others may last a lifetime. Learn more about the common side effects faced by cancer survivors like you, and how to manage them effectively.

Fatigue is the most common complaint of cancer survivors. Cancer-related fatigue can be mild or severe, temporary or long-lasting, but there are ways to feel less tired and more energetic.

Cancer Recurrence or Secondary Cancers
All cancer survivors live with the possibility that their cancer will come back or spread (metastasize). Some also may develop secondary cancers. Regular follow-up exams, cancer screenings, and reporting symptoms to your doctor can help detect new or spreading cancers as early as possible.

Dental and Oral Problems
Chemotherapy and radiation treatments, especially to the head and neck area, can increase the risk of long-term dental problems. These may include damage to the tooth enamel, gum disease, tooth decay or tooth loss. Mouth ulcers can be painful and make it difficult for you to eat, talk and swallow.

Xerostomia (dry mouth) is common in head and neck cancer survivors because salivary glands are susceptible to radiation damage.

Diabetes
Steroid drugs used to treat certain cancers may increase blood glucose levels in some patients who do not have diabetes. Although it's unclear if these patients will develop diabetes, they are at higher risk because their glucose levels may remain elevated after treatment ends.

Endocrine Changes
Some cancer treatments remove estrogen and testosterone from the body to keep a tumor from growing. These treatments, known as hormone ablation therapy, are most commonly used on prostate and breast cancer patients, who may experience the following side effects:

• Decreased sex drive
• Memory loss
• Anemia
• Decreased muscle mass
• Depression
• Weight gain
• Loss of body hair
• Hypothyroidism

Survivors of head and neck cancers who were treated with radiation therapy often suffer from hypothyroidism, which occurs when the damaged thyroid does not produce enough hormones. Symptoms include weight gain, constipation, dry skin and sensitivity to cold. Thyroid medication can manage these side effects.

Incontinence
Incontinence is the inability to control urination and bowel movements. Removal of the prostate or bladder increases the possibility of urinary incontinence. Treatment for colon, anal and rectal cancers may make it harder to control your bowels (fecal incontinence). Corrective surgery to repair or replace the anal sphincter may ease fecal incontinence. Simple exercises to strengthen the muscles in the pelvic floor can also help you regain control over bowel movements.

Infertility
Radiation to the abdominal area may cause infertility in both sexes. Certain chemotherapy drugs can permanently damage the ovaries in women or the testes in men. Abdominal surgery for several types of cancer (particularly prostate, bladder, ovarian and uterine cancers) increase risk of infertility in both men and women. If you’re worried about being able to have children after cancer treatment, MD Anderson can help you preserve your eggs or sperm before treatment.

Learning & Memory Problems
Many cancer patients have problems with learning and memory during and immediately after treatment with certain chemotherapy drugs, a condition known as "chemobrain."

Lymphedema
Lymphedema occurs when lymph nodes under the arm are damaged by radiation or surgically removed. Lymphatic fluid accumulates in the tissue, causing painful inflammation, swelling and limited movement.

Neuropathy
Neuropathy, a tingling or burning sensation in the hands and feet due to nerve damage, can be caused by radiation, surgery or chemotherapies that contain taxanes, platinum, vincristine and thalidomide.

Organ Damage
Certain types of cancer treatment, particularly chemotherapy drugs, can age or damage major organs, which can result in long-term health problems that appear as you age or have other health problems.

• Heart failure: Symptoms include shortness of breath, feeling weak and tired after regular activity or while at rest, chest discomfort or feeling the heart beat fast.
• Lung and airway damage: Some antibiotics, chemotherapy medicines or types of biotherapies can damage tissues in the lungs and bronchial tubes. Common symptoms of lung damage include problems breathing, coughing or pneumonia.
• Liver damage: Symptoms may include dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of the eyes or skin, abdominal swelling or pain, flu-like symptoms or severe fatigue. Some chemotherapy drugs require regular blood tests to check liver function.
• kidneys: Symptoms of kidney damage include decreased urine flow, bladder irritation, blood in the urine, or a burning feeling while urinating.

Osteoporosis
Bone loss is a common side effect for survivors of lymphoma, leukemia, breast and prostate cancers. Osteoporosis can be caused by the cancer itself, cortisone-type drugs, treatment-induced menopause, cancer cells in the bone marrow and treatments that affect testosterone levels.

Pain
Pain can linger for years after cancer treatment, severely affecting quality of life. Managing chronic pain in cancer survivors may require a combination of drugs, physical therapy, support groups and/or complementary therapies.

Sexual Dysfunction
Many cancer patients experience sexual side effects, particularly those with tumors in reproductive organs. Erectile dysfunction (ED) can occur in men, and women may suffer from sudden menopause or vaginal dryness.

Causing Cancer Items

Certain chemicals, including benzene, beryllium, asbestos, vinyl chloride, and arsenic are known human carcinogens, meaning they have been found to cause cancer in humans. A person's risk of developing cancer depends on how much, how long, how often, and when they are exposed to these chemicals.

Cancer Causing Foods

1. Processed meat
2. Red meat
3. Alcohol
4. Salted fish (Chinese style)
5. Sugary drinks or non-diet soda
6. Fast food or processed foods

Cancer Fighting Foods

1. Fruit and vegetables

2. Tomatoes
3. Garlic
4. Citrus fruits
5. Carrots
6. Wholegrains

Common Cancer Causes

• Smoking and Tobacco.
• Diet and Physical Activity.
• Sun and Other Types of Radiation.
• Viruses and Other Infections.

Double Checking

Back in January, I underwent a colonoscopy and because of some other symptoms my Oncologist suggested that I ask my doctor to do an Upper GI.  An Upper GI was also performed along with some biopsies, revealing nothing.  Well...  as a precautionary measure, I underwent an Ultra Sound and a HIDA scan of my abdomen and shortly after those two procedures, the doctor's nurse called and said he wanted do an MRI of my liver since some a lesion was discovered.   I told her that I don't do well with an MRI and would need to put out.  Her boss said he does not authorized that without being given permission from my family doctor.

Well...  after a weekend of considerations, I decided to contact my Oncologist especially since I have alternating CT and PET scans ever 3 months and if there was a lesion, then surely it would have shown up on one of those two scans.  Plus, I was wondering if my Oncologist would want another doctor performing those kinds of tests outside of the UT Medical Center system.

My Oncologist said to send the result of the HIDA/Ultra Sound tests to him and that he would decide how to proceed when he saw me in a couple of weeks...  well...  that sort of ended the matter in my mind until today when I received a letter from from gastro-intestinal doctor indicating that my HIDA/Ultra Sound showed NOTHING...  not even a lesion on the liver was mentioned in the letter.

If I had not been a little curious would I have had to undergo a NEEDLESS PROCEDURE???

Meditation for Beginners

HOW TO MEDITATE EFFECTIVELY
Meditation is an approach to training the mind, similar to the way that fitness is an approach to training the body. But many meditation techniques exist — so how do you learn how to meditate?

“In Buddhist tradition, the word ‘meditation’ is equivalent to a word like ‘sports’ in the U.S. It’s a family of activities, not a single thing,” University of Wisconsin neuroscience lab director Richard J. Davidson, Ph.D., told The New York Times. And different meditation practices require different mental skills.

It’s extremely difficult for a beginner to sit for hours and think of nothing or have an “empty mind.” We have some tools such as a beginner meditation DVD or a brain-sensing headband to help you through this process when you are just starting to learn how to best meditate. In general, the easiest way to begin meditating is by focusing on the breath. An example of one of the most common approaches to meditation is concentration.

CONCENTRATION MEDITATION
Concentration meditation involves focusing on a single point. This could entail following the breath, repeating a single word or mantra, staring at a candle flame, listening to a repetitive gong, or counting beads on a mala. Since focusing the mind is challenging, a beginner might meditate for only a few minutes and then work up to longer durations.

In this form of meditation, you simply refocus your awareness on the chosen object of attention each time you notice your mind wandering. Rather than pursuing random thoughts, you simply let them go. Through this process, your ability to concentrate improves.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION
Mindfulness meditation encourages the practitioner to observe wandering thoughts as they drift through the mind. The intention is not to get involved with the thoughts or to judge them, but simply to be aware of each mental note as it arises.

When you meditate through mindfulness meditation, you can see how your thoughts and feelings tend to move in particular patterns. Over time, you can become more aware of the human tendency to quickly judge an experience as good or bad, pleasant or unpleasant. With practice, an inner balance develops.

In some schools of meditation, students practice a combination of concentration and mindfulness. Many disciplines call for stillness — to a greater or lesser degree, depending on the teacher.

OTHER MEDITATION TECHNIQUES
There are various other meditation techniques. For example, a daily meditation practice among Buddhist monks focuses directly on the cultivation of compassion. This involves envisioning negative events and recasting them in a positive light by transforming them through compassion. There are also moving meditation techniques, such as tai chi, qigong, and walking meditation.

BENEFITS OF MEDITATION
If relaxation is not the goal of meditation, it is often a result. In the 1970s, Herbert Benson, MD, a researcher at Harvard University Medical School, coined the term “relaxation response" after conducting research on people who practiced transcendental meditation. The relaxation response, in Benson’s words, is “an opposite, involuntary response that causes a reduction in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system.”

Since then, studies on the relaxation response have documented the following short-term benefits to the nervous system:

• Lower blood pressure
• Improved blood circulation
• Lower heart rate
• Less perspiration
• Slower respiratory rate
• Less anxiety
• Lower blood cortisol levels
• More feelings of well-being
• Less stress
• Deeper relaxation

Contemporary researchers are now exploring whether a consistent meditation practice yields long-term benefits, and noting positive effects on brain and immune function among meditators. Yet it’s worth repeating that the purpose of meditation is not to achieve benefits. To put it as an Eastern philosopher may say, the goal of meditation is no goal. It’s simply to be present.

In Buddhist philosophy, the ultimate benefit of meditation is liberation of the mind from attachment to things it cannot control, such as external circumstances or strong internal emotions. The liberated or “enlightened” practitioner no longer needlessly follows desires or clings to experiences, but instead maintains a calm mind and sense of inner harmony.

HOW TO MEDITATE: SIMPLE MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS
This meditation exercise is an excellent introduction to meditation techniques.
Sit or lie comfortably. You may even want to invest in a meditation chair or cushion.

Close your eyes. We recommend using one of our Cooling Eye Masks or Restorative Eye Pillows if lying down.

1.  Make no effort to control the breath; simply breathe naturally.

2.  Focus your attention on the breath and on how the body moves with each inhalation and exhalation. Notice the movement of your body as you breathe. 

3.  Observe your chest, shoulders, rib cage, and belly. Simply focus your attention on your breath without controlling its pace or intensity. If your mind wanders, return your focus back to your breath.

4.  Maintain this meditation practice for two to three minutes to start, and then try it for longer periods.                                           Source:  Gaiam      Gaiam's Meditation Shop 

Coping With the Psychological Affects of Cancer

Emotional and social support can help patients learn to cope with psychological stress. Such support can reduce levels of depression, anxiety, and disease- and treatment-related symptoms among patients. Approaches can include the following:

• Training in relaxation, meditation, or stress management
• Counseling or talk therapy
• Cancer education sessions
• Social support in a group setting
• Medications for depression or anxiety
• Exercise

Some expert organizations recommend that all cancer patients be screened for distress early in the course of treatment. A number also recommend re-screening at critical points along the course of care. Health care providers can use a variety of screening tools, such as a distress scale or questionnaire, to gauge whether cancer patients need help managing their emotions or with other practical concerns. Patients who show moderate to severe distress are typically referred to appropriate resources, such as a clinical health psychologist, social worker, chaplain, or psychiatrist.  SOURCE:  National Cancer Institute

Do or Don't Do

 

Healthy Foods

 

Psychological Affects of Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute

People who have cancer may find the physical, emotional, and social effects of the disease to be stressful. Those who attempt to manage their stress with risky behaviors such as smoking or drinking alcohol or who become more sedentary may have a poorer quality of life after cancer treatment. In contrast, people who are able to use effective coping strategies to deal with stress, such as relaxation and stress management techniques, have been shown to have lower levels of depression, anxiety, and symptoms related to the cancer and its treatment. However, there is no evidence that successful management of psychological stress improves cancer survival.

Evidence from experimental studies does suggest that psychological stress can affect a tumor’s ability to grow and spread. For example, some studies have shown that when mice bearing human tumors were kept confined or isolated from other mice—conditions that increase stress—their tumors were more likely to grow and spread (metastasize). In one set of experiments, tumors transplanted into the mammary fat pads of mice had much higher rates of spread to the lungs and lymph nodes if the mice were chronically stressed than if the mice were not stressed. Studies in mice and in human cancer cells grown in the laboratory have found that the stress hormone norepinephrine, part of the body’s fight-or-flight response system, may promote angiogenesis and metastasis.

In another study, women with triple-negative breast cancer who had been treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy were asked about their use of beta blockers, which are medications that interfere with certain stress hormones, before and during chemotherapy. Women who reported using beta blockers had a better chance of surviving their cancer treatment without a relapse than women who did not report beta blocker use. There was no difference between the groups, however, in terms of overall survival.

Although there is still no strong evidence that stress directly affects cancer outcomes, some data do suggest that patients can develop a sense of helplessness or hopelessness when stress becomes overwhelming. This response is associated with higher rates of death, although the mechanism for this outcome is unclear. It may be that people who feel helpless or hopeless do not seek treatment when they become ill, give up prematurely on or fail to adhere to potentially helpful therapy, engage in risky behaviors such as drug use, or do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, resulting in premature death.

My HIDA Scan

My HIDA scan lasted about two hours this morning and prior to my HIDA scan, I had an Ultra Sound of my belly to see if there was anything that the Upper GI missed.  My Ultra Sound lasted about 20 minutes and the only thing that was uncomfortable about it was the belly jelly they used...  it was slimy more than it was cold, but using a towel was easy to remove.

I have to wait around for another 40 minutes for my HIDA and fortunate for me there was nobody else waiting for Radiology.  When the technician came and got me, she explained that the test was broken up into 2 - 1 hours segments and that I would be given a bathroom break after the first hour.  I was injected with a radioactive dye and the machine would take a photograph every 15 minutes, but I was still not allowed to move unless it was absolutely necessary.

Since my scan was early, I slept about 50 minutes of the first hour so it did not seem long at all.  I had a triangle cushion under my knees and a couple of pillows for my head along with a rolled up towel under my neck.

Immediately following my bathroom break, I was given a chocolate chalky liquid to drink right away and returned to my lying down position on my back.  The scan was going to make an on-going video for the next hour so it was imperative that I not move or it would "mess up" the video.  I again slept for about 30 minutes and for the next 30 minutes I was in and out of consciousness...  like I was in some sort of twilight sleep.

When there was about 10 minutes left, the technician touched me on the shoulder to let me know and I jerked out of alarm...  which scared her as much as it did me.  I am sure that "messed up" the video but she did not say anything.

My two hours went my quickly and before I knew it, I was treated myself to a Cappuccino at Weigles Convenience Store which was a mile from the house.  Actually, the hospital where I had these 2 procedures was only 3 miles from the house...

If I ever have to do this again, I am going to request early morning to make sure that I fall asleep again.

More Tests

Today, I am scheduled for a Hida Scan and an Ultra Sound of my abdomen to see if there is any reason in that area of my body to cause weight loss and loss of appetite and nausea after eating since my Upper GI showed negative results.

A HIDA scan, also called cholescintigraphy or hepatobiliary scintigraphy, is an imaging test used to view the liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, and small intestine. The scan involves injecting a radioactive tracer into a person's vein. The tracer travels through the bloodstream into the body parts listed above.

The scan involves injecting a radioactive tracer into a person’s vein. The tracer travels through the bloodstream into the body parts listed above. A special camera takes pictures to track the tracer’s movement and transmit images onto a computer screen for observation and diagnosis.

A HIDA scan is most often done to evaluate your gallbladder. It's also used to look at the bile-excreting function of your liver and to track the flow of bile from your liver into your small intestine. A HIDA scan is often used with X-ray and ultrasound.

A HIDA scan might help in the diagnosis of several diseases and conditions, such as:

• Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis)
• Bile duct obstruction
• Congenital abnormalities in the bile ducts, such as biliary atresia
• Postoperative complications, such as bile leaks and fistulas
• Assessment of liver transplant

NHL Ris Factors

FROM THE CLEVELAND CLINIC:

What are the risk factors for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?

• Being older, male, or Caucasian
• Having any of the following conditions:
• An inherited immune system disorder
• An autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis
• HIV/AIDS
• Human T-lymphotrophic virus Type I or Epstein-Barr virus
• Repeated bouts of Helicobacter pylori infection, which causes stomach ulcers
• Use of immunosuppressant drugs following an organ transplant
• High levels of exposure to certain pesticides has been found in some observational studies to slightly increase the risk of NHL in in agricultural workers. The risk from low level and/or periodic exposure to these substances is not certain.
• Exposure to radiation
• A diet containing high amounts of meat and fat
• Previous treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma

How common is adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?

An estimated 74,200 new cases of NHL are expected to be diagnosed in 2019. About 1,000 people will die from the disease in 2019. NHL is the seventh most common cancer in US adults.

What are the symptoms of adult non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?

• Painless swelling in the lymph nodes of the neck, underarm, groin, or stomach
• Unexplained fever
• Heavy night sweats
• Feeling much more tired than usual for at least several weeks for no apparent reason
• Unexplained weight loss
• Skin rash or itchy skin
• Unexplained pain in the chest, abdomen, or bones
• A feeling of fullness even though you did not eat a lot

These symptoms and signs are common to many conditions. You shouldn’t assume that you have NHL. However, you should contact your healthcare provider when you have symptoms that worry you.

Types of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

FROM THE CLEVELAND CLINIC:

What are the types of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?

NHL comes in many types, but is often divided into indolent (slow-moving, usually with few symptoms) or aggressive (growing quickly, often causing symptoms). These two forms of NHL behave quite differently and are treated differently. Some types of indolent NHL (i.e., follicular lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic leukemia, and marginal zone lymphomas) can occasionally change or “transform” into more aggressive lymphomas.

NHL is also grouped by types based on whether the cancer has started in the B cells (B lymphocytes) or the T cells (T lymphocytes). The majority of cases begin in the B cells, which are responsible for creating antibodies that are able to stop foreign substances from causing problems in the body. T cells, on the other hand, attack foreign substances directly.

What are types of aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?
Types include:
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)
Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBL)
Burkitt lymphoma

What are types of indolent B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?

• Follicular lymphoma
• Marginal zone lymphoma
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and small lymphomcytic lymphoma (SLL) are interchangeable terms for an indolent B-cell cancer that is found mostly in the blood or tissues of the body, respectively
• Cutaneous B-cell lymphoma

What are types of T-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)?
These types of T-cell NHL are relatively rare and include:

• Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma
• Peripheral T-cell lymphoma
• Anaplastic large cell lymphoma. There is a version of this cancer that is associated with breast implants called breast-implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
• Angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma
• Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma
• Lymphoblastic lymphoma, which more often develops in T-cells but can develop in B-cells

Most Common Cancers

NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE 

Common Cancer Types

This list of common cancer types includes cancers that are diagnosed with the greatest frequency in the United States, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers:

1. Bladder Cancer
2. Breast Cancer
3. Colon and Rectal Cancer
4. Endometrial Cancer
5. Kidney Cancer
6. Leukemia
7. Liver
8. Lung Cancer
9. Melanoma
10. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
11. Pancreatic Cancer
12. Prostate Cancer
13. Thyroid Cancer

Cancer incidence and mortality statistics reported by the American Cancer Society and other resources were used to create the list. To qualify as a common cancer for the list, the estimated annual incidence for 2020 had to be 40,000 cases or more.

The most common type of cancer on the list is breast cancer, with 279,100 new cases expected in the United States in 2020. The next most common cancers are lung cancer and prostate cancer.

Because colon and rectal cancers are often referred to as "colorectal cancers," these two cancer types are combined for the list. For 2020, the estimated number of new cases of colon cancer and rectal cancer are 104,610 and 43,340, respectively, adding to a total of 147,950 new cases of colorectal cancer.

What to Eat

 

COVID Vaccine, continued

 

COVID Vaccine, continued

How COVID-19 Vaccines Work

COVID-19 vaccines help our bodies develop immunity to the virus that causes COVID-19 without us having to get the illness. Different types of vaccines work in different ways to offer protection, but with all types of vaccines, the body is left with a supply of “memory” T-lymphocytes as well as B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus in the future.

It typically takes a few weeks for the body to produce T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes after vaccination. Therefore, it is possible that a person could be infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 just before or just after vaccination and then get sick because the vaccine did not have enough time to provide protection.

Sometimes after vaccination, the process of building immunity can cause symptoms, such as fever. These symptoms are normal and are a sign that the body is building immunity.

Types of Vaccines

Currently, there are three main types of COVID-19 vaccines that are or soon will be undergoing large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials in the United States. Below is a description of how each type of vaccine prompts our bodies to recognize and protect us from the virus that causes COVID-19. None of these vaccines can give you COVID-19.

mRNA vaccines contain material from the virus that causes COVID-19 that gives our cells instructions for how to make a harmless protein that is unique to the virus. After our cells make copies of the protein, they destroy the genetic material from the vaccine. Our bodies recognize that the protein should not be there and build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight the virus that causes COVID-19 if we are infected in the future.

Protein subunit vaccines include harmless pieces (proteins) of the virus that cause COVID-19 instead of the entire germ. Once vaccinated, our immune system recognizes that the proteins don’t belong in the body and begins making T-lymphocytes and antibodies. If we are ever infected in the future, memory cells will recognize and fight the virus.

Vector vaccines contain a weakened version of a live virus—a different virus than the one that causes COVID-19—that has genetic material from the virus that causes COVID-19 inserted in it (this is called a viral vector). Once the viral vector is inside our cells, the genetic material gives cells instructions to make a protein that is unique to the virus that causes COVID-19. Using these instructions, our cells make copies of the protein. This prompts our bodies to build T-lymphocytes and B-lymphocytes that will remember how to fight that virus if we are infected in the future.

Most COVID-19 Vaccines Require More Than One Shot

All but one of the COVID-19 vaccines that are currently in Phase 3 clinical trials in the United States use two shots. The first shot starts building protection. A second shot a few weeks later is needed to get the most protection the vaccine has to offer. One vaccine in Phase 3 clinical trials only needs one shot.

The Bottom Line

Getting vaccinated is one of many steps you can take to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. Protection from COVID-19 is critically important because for some people, it can cause severe illness or death.

Stopping a pandemic requires using all the tools available. Vaccines work with your immune system so your body will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed. Other steps, like masks and social distancing, help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. Together, COVID-19 vaccination and following CDC’s recommendations to protect yourself and others will offer the best protection from COVID-19.

COVID Vaccine

The Immune System—The Body’s Defense Against Infection

To understand how COVID-19 vaccines work, it helps to first look at how our bodies fight illness. When germs, such as the virus that causes COVID-19, invade our bodies, they attack and multiply. This invasion, called an infection, is what causes illness. Our immune system uses several tools to fight infection. Blood contains red cells, which carry oxygen to tissues and organs, and white or immune cells, which fight infection. Different types of white blood cells fight infection in different ways:

• Macrophages are white blood cells that swallow up and digest germs and dead or dying cells. The macrophages leave behind parts of the invading germs called antigens. The body identifies antigens as dangerous and stimulates antibodies to attack them.
• B-lymphocytes are defensive white blood cells. They produce antibodies that attack the pieces of the virus left behind by the macrophages.
• T-lymphocytes are another type of defensive white blood cell. They attack cells in the body that have already been infected.

The first time a person is infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, it can take several days or weeks for their body to make and use all the germ-fighting tools needed to get over the infection. After the infection, the person’s immune system remembers what it learned about how to protect the body against that disease.

The body keeps a few T-lymphocytes, called memory cells, that go into action quickly if the body encounters the same virus again. When the familiar antigens are detected, B-lymphocytes produce antibodies to attack them. Experts are still learning how long these memory cells protect a person against the virus that causes COVID-19.

MORE TOMORROW...

Hemtology

Hematologists are internal medicine doctors or pediatricians who have extra training in disorders related to your blood, bone marrow, and lymphatic system. They’re specialists who may work in hospitals, blood banks, or clinics. Hematologists who practice in labs are called hematopathologists. They’re trained in pathology, a branch of medicine that examines body tissues and blood with microscopes or tests.

All hematologists have at least 9 years of medical education. It includes 3 years of on-the-job training called residency after medical school and up to 4 years of subspecialty training. Some hematologists are generalists, while others focus on specific conditions and organs that require extra training.
When Do You Need a Hematologist?

You’ll most likely be referred to one by your primary care doctor. Reasons include if you have or might have:

• Anemia, or low red blood cells
• Deep vein thrombosis (blood clots)
• Leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma (cancers in your bone marrow, lymph nodes, or white blood cells)
• Sepsis, a dangerous reaction to an infection
• Hemophilia, a genetic blood clotting disorder
• Sickle cell disease, which involves faulty red blood cells

Cancer Survivor

In 2007, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma or SLL...   according to the National Cancer Institute about SLL/CLL:  An indolent (slow-growing) cancer in which immature lymphocytes (white blood cells) are found in the blood and bone marrow and/or in the lymph nodes. CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia) and SLL (small lymphocytic lymphoma) are the same disease, but in CLL cancer cells are found mostly in the blood and bone marrow. In SLL cancer cells are found mostly in the lymph nodes. CLL/SLL is a type of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Also called chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma.

In 2008, I began treatment with Rituxan....  and, added later was Fludara and Cytoxin which made me incredibly sick to the point that a couple of days after treatment, I was in he ER in the hopes of stopping my vomiting.  This lasted for 6 months.  Triandra replaced Rituxan.

In 2012/2013, I was diagnosed with Melanoma on the bottom of my left foot.  It was surgically removed but no follow-up treatment took place.  Four years later, the Melanoma spread to my groin and eventually to my neck.  I was treated with a cocktail of Opidvo/Yervoy and a few months later I stopped the Yervoy because it was replaced with RADIATION.

As far as my non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma (CLL/SLL) was concerned, I stopped infusions and began taking pills:  IMBRUVICA which had out-of-pocket costs but I was able to get a grant to pay for those expenses.

During these 12/13 years of my cancer treatments, I was also going to a Dermatologist to have squamous carcinomas removed that were also byproducts of my cancer treatments.  To date, there have been 6 of these removed, including a rather large on from the top of my head.

CURRENTLY there has been no metabolic activity detected from either cancer even though my treatments for both cancers continue and will continue indefinitely as I have been told by my Oncologist.

I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR...

Cancer Prevention

Cancer prevention is action taken to lower the risk of getting cancer. This can include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding exposure to known cancer-causing substances, and taking medicines or vaccines that can prevent cancer from developing.

RISK FACTORS FOR CANCER:

It is usually not possible to know exactly why one person develops cancer and another doesn’t. But research has shown that certain risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing cancer. (There are also factors that are linked to a lower risk of cancer. These are sometimes called protective risk factors, or just protective factors.)

Cancer risk factors include exposure to chemicals or other substances, as well as certain behaviors. They also include things people cannot control, like age and family history. A family history of certain cancers can be a sign of a possible inherited cancer syndrome. (See the Hereditary Cancer Syndromes section for more information about inherited genetic mutations that can cause cancer.)

Most cancer risk (and protective) factors are initially identified in epidemiology studies. In these studies, scientists look at large groups of people and compare those who develop cancer with those who don’t. These studies may show that the people who develop cancer are more or less likely to behave in certain ways or to be exposed to certain substances than those who do not develop cancer.

Such studies, on their own, cannot prove that a behavior or substance causes cancer. For example, the finding could be a result of chance, or the true risk factor could be something other than the suspected risk factor. But findings of this type sometimes get attention in the media, and this can lead to wrong ideas about how cancer starts and spreads. (See the Common Cancer Myths and Misconceptions page for more information.)

When many studies all point to a similar association between a potential risk factor and an increased risk of cancer, and when a possible mechanism exists that could explain how the risk factor could actually cause cancer, scientists can be more confident about the relationship between the two.  SOURCE:  National Cancer Institute