Saturday Sleepiness

This past Thursday, I had my monthly treatment and my every other month visit with my Oncologist to not just evaluate my progress but to give me the results of my recent PET scan and while those results showed NO GROWTH, both my cancer treatments were going to continue that is to say my daily intact of Imbruvica (Lymphoma) and my monthly infusion of Opdivo (Melanoma).  I also discovered that I had a thyroid disorder which would necessitate me taking another medication for the rest of my life...

SO, why am I dwelling on this especially since I already mentioned these facts in a previous post?

Simply answered:  On Thursday, I told the Oncologist that my nausea was almost non-existent and that my fatigue was intermittent...

Now, with thyroid issues, it is DOUBTFUL that my fatigue will ever disappear...   and, this is a PISSER because I just started exercising again; in fact, I am going to finish my second week tomorrow.

This morning I woke up and after drinking a couple of cups of coffee went back to bed and slept for an hour...  I was worried that my fatigue was returning when I woke up the second time, but after eating lunch, I felt like I had the energy to go downstairs and exercise which is exactly what I did.

CONCERNS:  My treatments for my two cancers and my newly discovered thyroid issues will cause my fatigue to return to the point that I will not have the energy to exercise and if I do not exercise that I will continue to gain weight which will negatively impact my already damaged heart functions.

LEVOTHYROXIN

Levothyroxine is a thyroid medicine that replaces a hormone normally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism.

Levothyroxine is given when your thyroid does not produce enough of this hormone on its own.

Levothyroxine is used to treat hypothyroidism (low thyroid hormone). It is also used to treat or prevent goiter (enlarged thyroid gland), which can be caused by hormone imbalances, radiation treatment, surgery, or cancer.

➡️IN MY CASE:  My thyroid got whacked out of shape because of my Opdivo Treatments for Melanoma.

SIDE EFFECTS       

• fast or irregular heartbeats;
• chest pain, shortness of breath;
• fever, hot flashes, sweating;
• tremors, or if you feel unusually cold;
• weakness, tiredness, sleep problems (insomnia);
• memory problems, feeling depressed or irritable;
• headache, leg cramps, muscle aches;
• feeling nervous or irritable;
• dryness of your skin or hair, and/or hair loss;
• changes in your menstrual periods; or
• vomiting, diarrhea, appetite changes, weight changes.

Dry Skin, Daily Sweating, Fatigue, Flaky Skin

WebMD Symptom Checker helps you find the most common medical conditions indicated by the symptoms dry skin, excessive sweating, fatigue and flaking skin including Sunburn, Wind exposure, and Mononucleosis.

There are 97 conditions associated with dry skin, excessive sweating, fatigue and flaking skin. The links below will provide you with more detailed information on these medical conditions from the WebMD Symptom Checker and help provide a better understanding of causes and treatment of these related conditions.


These 97 conditions are listed below:
Sunburn  Sunburn causes a reddened, irritated area of skin caused by overexposure to the sun's rays or other UV light.
Wind exposure  Long exposure to wind can cause painful skin, red skin, or dry skin.
Mononucleosis  Mononucleosis is a viral infection causing extreme fatigue, sore throat, fever, rash, muscle aches, and more.
Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)   low blood sugar, or low glucose levels, causes shakiness, anxiety, clammy skin, irritability, hunger, and more.
Medication reaction or side-effect  Medication side effects include nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, weakness, dizziness, seizures, and more.
Exercise or physical activity  Exercise is vital for good health, but overdoing it can lead to muscle aches, dehydration, headache, and more.
Multiple sclerosis  Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the nervous system causing difficulties with balance, speech, and movement.
Supraventricular tachycardia  Supraventricular tachycardia is fast heart rhythm starting in one of the upper chambers of the heart.
Hypothyroidism (adult)  Hypothyroidism your body functions slow down, making you gain weight and feel tired all the time.
Heat exhaustion  Heat exhaustion causes intense thirst, heavy sweating, pale, cool, and moist skin, muscle cramps, and more.
Hyperthyroidism  Hyperparathyroidism can cause fatigue and weakness, increased thirst, impaired thinking, and bone fractures.
Anemia  Anemia, a lack of red blood cells, can cause fatigue, pale skin, weakness, dizziness, headache and more.
Eczema (child)  Eczema is a common cause of skin rashes in children, causing redness, bumps, swelling, itchiness, and more.
Eczema (teen and adult)  Eczema is a skin condition that causes itchy, scaly, and dry skin.
Generalized anxiety disorder  Generalized anxiety disorder is a condition in which a person has nearly constant anxiety.
Dehydration (Children)  Dehydration, or not getting enough fluid, causes dry and sticky mouth, tearless crying, and more in children.
Panic attack  When someone has a panic attack, that person feels a sudden, intense fear that can't be controlled.
Depression (Adult)  Depression is a painful sadness that interferes with daily life and includes hopelessness, anxiety, and more.
Hay fever  Hay fever, an allergic reaction to outdoor pollens and molds, causes nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and more.
Heart rhythm disorder  Some heart rhythm disorders can cause a fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, chest pain or dizziness.
Acute sinusitis  Acute sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses, causes sinus pain and tenderness, facial redness and more.
Diabetes, type 2  Diabetes can make you feel hungry, tired, or thirsty; you may urinate more than normal and have blurry vision.
Acute stress reaction  Acute stress reaction symptoms include shortness of breath, anxiety, nervousness, sense of doom and more.
Viral syndrome  Viral syndrome is an unidentified cause of typical virus symptoms sore throat, stuffy nose, aches and more.
Sleep apnea  People with sleep apnea stop and restart breathing multiple times while sleeping.
Sleep deprivation  Sleep deprivation occurs when the lack of restful sleep is severe enough to compromise basic body functions.
Chronic sinusitis  Chronic sinusitis, or sinus infections, cause a stuffy or runny nose, tooth pain, fever, sore throat and more.
Cystic fibrosis  Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that causes the body to produce abnormally thick and sticky mucus.
Dandruff  Dandruff is a common condition that causes itching and flaking of skin on your scalp.
Atrial fibrillation  Atrial fibrillation is a heart condition that causes heart palpitations, confusion, dizziness and more.
Eating disorder  People with eating disorders have extreme and dangerous eating habits.
Eczema (infants)  Eczema is a common cause of skin rashes in infants, causing redness, bumps, swelling, itchiness, and more.
Emphysema  Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath, a chronic cough, wheezing, and more.
Glomerulonephritis  Glomerulonephritis is a type of kidney disease and causes swelling, abnormal urine, fever, achiness, and more.
Diabetes, type 1  Diabetes can make you feel hungry, tired, or thirsty; you may urinate more than normal and have blurry vision.
Hepatitis A  Hepatitis A is an inflammation of the liver. Symptoms include fever, fatigue, yellowing of the skin, and more.
Hepatitis B  Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver that may cause fever, fatigue, dark urine, jaundice, and more.
Hepatitis C  Hepatitis B is an inflammation of the liver that may cause yellowing of the skin and eyes, tiredness, and more.
Low blood pressure (hypotension)  Low blood pressure, or hypotension, can make you feel lightheaded and dizzy
Lyme disease  Lyme disease is a bacterial infection spread through tick bites; symptoms include rash, fever chills, and more.
Pulmonary embolism  A pulmonary embolism, a blood clot lodged in the lung, causes shortness of breath, chest pain, and more.
Pulmonary hypertension  Pulmonary hypertension can cause shortness of breath, a fast heart rate, or lightheadedness.
Rheumatoid arthritis  Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling, and joint damage.
Transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke)  Transient ischemic attacks cause headache, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the face, arm, or leg, and more.
Tuberculosis  Tuberculosis usually infects the lungs, causing a bad cough with blood, chest pain, fever, chills, and fatigue.
Psoriasis  Psoriasis occurs when skin cells grow too quickly and create patches of scaly, painful, or itching skin.
Hyperventilation  Hyperventilation is rapid or shallow breathing usually caused by stress or anxiety.
Insulin reaction (hypoglycemia)  An insulin reaction is the result of low blood sugar and causes anxiety, hunger, shaking, dizziness, and more.
Iron poisoning  Iron poisoning causes abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and dehydration.
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFIDS)  Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes extreme tiredness that doesn't get better with rest.
Congestive heart failure  People with congestive heart failure can have shortness of breath, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and more.
Depression (Child and Adolescent)  Depression is a painful sadness that interferes with a child's schoolwork, family life, and social activities.
Drug overdose  A drug overdose can be fatal and causes sleepiness, confusion, coma, vomiting, and other symptoms.
Gastrointestinal bleeding  The symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding include black or bloody stool or vomit, dizziness, and cramping.
Histoplasmosis  Histoplasmosis is a fungal infection of the lungs causing muscle aches, fever, chest pain, cough, and more.
Bipolar disorder  Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings between depression and mania.
Anemia, iron deficiency  Anemia , a lack of red blood cells, can cause fatigue, pale skin and gums, brittle nails, irritability, and more.
Carbon monoxide poisoning  Carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal, symptoms include headache, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Chronic kidney disease  Chronic kidney disease is a condition of the kidneys that can cause high blood pressure, fatigue, and weakness.
Dehydration (Adult)  Dehydration, or not getting enough fluid, causes low blood pressure, weakness, dizziness, fatigue, and nausea.
Pleural effusion  Pleural effusion is buildup of fluid in the pleura and can cause difficulty breathing or chest pain.
Narcotic abuse  Narcotic abuse can cause fatigue, shallow breathing, anxiety, euphoria, vomiting, confusion, and constipation.
Lung cancer (small cell)  Small cell lung cancer is the least common type of lung cancer and can cause a cough, chest pain, and more.
Thalassemia  Thalassemia is a rare group of genetic blood disorders effecting red blood cells and leading to anemia.
Aortic regurgitation  Aortic regurgitation, when the aortic valve doesn't close completely, can cause severe heart symptoms.
Anemia, chronic disease  Anemia of chronic disease (ACD) can cause fatigue, pale skin, weakness, dizziness, headache and more.
Restless legs syndrome  Restless leg syndrome causes intense discomfort in your legs and an overpowering urge to move them.
Sarcoidosis  Sarcoidosis is a rare disease that can cause swelling and hard lumps in the lymph nodes and organs.
Thyroid storm  A thyroid storm, dangerously high levels of thyroid hormone, causes fever, racing heartbeat, sweating, and more
Vitamin B12 deficiency  Vitamin B12 deficiency symptoms include fatigue, pale skin, weakness, sleepiness, numbness, weakness, and more.
Radon exposure  Breathing in high levels of radon over time can cause lung cancer.
Lung cancer (non small cell)  Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer and can cause a cough, chest pain, and more.
Mumps  Mumps is a contagious viral disease that causes painful swelling of the glands that produce saliva.
Pre-leukemia (myelodysplastic syndrome)  Myelodysplastic syndromes are diseases that affect the bone marrow and blood, causing anemia and tiredness.
Rectal cancer  Rectal cancer appears in the rectum and causes bloody stool and constipation.
Dementia in head injury  Dementia resulting from a head injury may cause memory problems, difficulty speaking, and personality changes.
Dry skin  Symptoms of dry skin include scaly, rough, itchy, flakey, cracked skin, as well as chapped or cracked lips.
Myasthenia gravis  Myasthenia gravis is caused by abnormal immune responses that weaken muscles, particularly of the face.
Hyperhidrosis  Hyperhidrosis is a condition nervous system leading to overactive sweat glands causing excessive sweating
Malnutrition  Malnutrition occurs when the body isn't getting enough nutrients; sometimes the condition is life-threatening.
Cocaine withdrawal  Cocaine withdrawal may cause feelings ranging from anxiety, irritability and sleepiness to suicidal thoughts.
Underweight  Being underweight means weighing less than you need for good health.
Heat exposure  heat exposure can cause dizziness, nausea, headache, weakness, a fast heartbeat, muscle cramps, and more.
Hyperparathyroidism  Hyperthyroidism causes weight loss, shakiness, tiredness, sensitivity to heat, insomnia, and more.
Renal cell (kidney) cancer  Renal cell cancer is a type of kidney cancer that can cause bloody urine and persistent pain in the side.
Throat cancer  Throat cancer can cause symptoms including difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, and chronic cough.
Small intestine cancer  Small intestine cancer is rare and often has no symptoms, but can cause symptoms in its advanced stages.
Typhoid fever  Typhoid fever is a life-threatening illness and causes fever, general aches and pains, headache, and weakness.
Lead poisoning  Lead poisoning causes sudden pain on either side of the lower back, urinary issues, nausea, fever, and chills.
Mesenteric lymphadenitis  Mesenteric lymphadenitis is an inflammation of abdominal lymph nodes causing pain, diarrhea, fever, and more.
Radiation sickness  Radiation sickness is caused by a high dose of radiation, and causes vomiting, diarrhea, hair loss, and more.
Anemia, hemolytic  Hemolytic anemia occurs when there aren't enough red blood cells in the blood.
Hypothyroidism (infant and child)  Hypothyroidism in children can cause delayed growth, weight gain, a puffy face, a large tongue, and more.
Pseudohypoparathyroidism  Pseudohypoparathyroidism is a rare inherited condition that can lead to cramps, muscle spasms, and more.
Hypopituitarism  Hypopituitarism is a rare disorder of the pituitary glands, which can cause many different symptoms.
Bird (avian) flu  Bird flu is spread to people from birds and causes fever, cough, sore throat and muscle aches.
Cat-scratch disease  Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by a cat scratch or bite

WOW, if you read through this entire list you must really be dead set on getting to the bottom of things and I admire you.  I posted this entire list to show the reader that doctors have their work cut our for them in trying to pinpoint the root cause of a symptom.

My symptoms listed in the title pointed my Oncologist in the direction of performing extra tests on my Thyroid which then indicated that I had high levels.  To fix this symptom, I will be taking the lowest dosage of a drug for 90 days to see if there has been any changes in my levels.  If not the dosage will be increased for another 90 days and rechecked.  I will go through this process until my Thyroid levels out...   and, hopefully will not be dramatically influenced by the continue treatment of Opdivo for my Metastatic Melanoma.

While at Home

How to clean and sterilize your homemade face mask

By Jenny McGrath April 14, 2020

In early April, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started recommending people wear face masks in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, commonly known as the coronavirus. In order to save surgical masks and medical masks for health care workers, the CDC said the general public should use cloth face coverings made out of household items.

“That’s the most important thing to keep in mind — that the purpose of the mask is not to protect the wearer,” Dr. Dean Winslow, an infectious disease specialist at the Stanford University Medical Center, told Digital Trends. “It’s to protect others, in case [the wearer is] asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic but shedding the virus.” The masks are useful for places like the drugstore, where it may be difficult to stay six feet away from someone else.

Coughing, exhaling, and talking all release droplets into the air that can infect others. In other words, the mask isn’t protecting you from the world; it’s protecting the world from you. That’s why it’s important to wear one, even if you don’t have any symptoms. You can still spread the disease before you start coughing or if you’re infected but never get very sick. Winslow also wants to remind people that masks aren’t a substitute for more effective measures, like staying six feet away from others. “Shelter in place and social distancing are, in the big scheme of things, much, much more important than the wearing masks are, in my opinion,” he said.  SOURCE:  Digital Trends

Last updated April 23 at 2 p.m. ET.

Since the novel coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in the U.S. on Jan. 20, it has spread to at least 847,985 people in the country.

Of the reported cases in the U.S., at least 46,972 people have died as a result of the virus, with 19,453 of those deaths reported in New York, 5,150 in New Jersey, 2,813 in Michigan, 2,182 in Massachusetts and 1,440 related deaths reported in California. Worldwide, more than 2.67 million cases have been reported and 186,372 related deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins virus dashboard.

To Read Entire Article...

UV Light

Ultraviolet (UV) is electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10 nm (with a corresponding frequency of approximately 30 PHz) to 400 nm (750 THz), shorter than that of visible light but longer than X-rays. UV radiation is present in sunlight, and constitutes about 10% of the total electromagnetic radiation output from the Sun.  Consequently, the chemical and biological effects of UV are greater than simple heating effects, and many practical applications of UV radiation derive from its interactions with organic molecules.  Short-wave ultraviolet light damages DNA and sterilizes surfaces with which it comes into contact.  Source:  Wikipedia

UV Light and COVID-19

Mainlining disinfectants. Blasting the body with ultraviolet light—from the inside. President Donald Trump turned again Thursday to pushing tenuous findings during the coronavirus pandemic, touting an “emerging result” from the Department of Homeland Security that suggested sunlight and heat can weaken the spread of coronavirus.

But by the end of Thursday’s coronavirus task force briefing, questions over the findings had caused Trump to lash out at a reporter and go on the defensive after he suggested a range of bizarre—and downright dangerous—possible treatments based off the announcement.

Bill Bryan, who leads the science and technology directorate at the Department of Homeland Security, presented an “emerging result” from departmental research that suggested UV light, heat and humidity are detrimental to COVID-19.  Source:  Daily Beast

Despite the fact that the mainstream media is against President Trump, more and more healthcare providers and physicians from the CDC are claiming that higher temperatures and sunlight do seem to have a NEGATIVE AFFECT on Covid-19...

I Like Vanilla Cappuccino

Sometime around 2000 +/-, our father was hospitalized at the VA Hospital in Norfolk, VA after eating a variety of shell fish on the Outer Banks of NC.  When my wife and I visited him, my brother asked me if I wanted to leave the room and get a cup of coffee, especially since our father was sleeping.  When we got to the lobby, there was a Starbucks and my brother suggested that I try a Vanilla Cappuccino.  I agree...  and, the rest is history.

I used to drink my coffee black and regular, then I shifted to black and decaf, then I shifted to decaf with  2-teaspoons of Sugar Free Cappuccino Mix.  I also stop at Starbucks but not as much since it is rather expensive (at least for me) and recently McDonald's has been offering Vanilla Cappuccino which is about as pricey as Starbucks.

Yesterday, when I return back to our community from getting my OPDIVO treatment, I decided to reward myself with McD's Vanilla Cappuccino and instead of just getting one, I splurged and purchased 2 cups...

Sometimes, one just has to reward one's self...  but this time it was justified because I had an excellent PET scan report.

Still, I wonder how long these good reports will last.  I don't think about that often but it is always in the back of my mind...  and perhaps, I will never get one and simply die of old age.

Once you get cancer and live for more than another decade and realize this could go on forever, it is important to appreciate EVERYTHING around you and reward yourself every once in a while, simply because it is the right thing to do at the time.

Changing Behaviors

Thyroid Issues Now

During my visit with my Oncologist, I mentioned that my body was heating up (not hot flashes) in the morning and afternoons and that in the morning I noticed a light sweat all over my upper body that smelled really bad.  My Oncologist said that some thyroid tests would be done just to make sure that there were no problems.

Unknown to me but known to the Oncologist was the fact that Opdivo can/may cause thyroid problems, especially over a long period of usage and the treatment today was my 34th of just Opdivo alone with the knowledge that I had previously had about 6 treatments of Opdivo along with Yervoy before having radiation.

The Oncologist called the house while I was driving back from the hospital and told my wife that my thyroid levels were too high and that some medicine was being called into our pharmacy.  Armed with this new knowledge, I must now go through the slow process of trying to regulate my thyroid which can be a pain-in-the-ass sometimes.

PET Scan Results

I met with my Oncologist this morning before my treatment and was informed that my PET Scan no growth with my cancers which is good news, but bad news in that there was NO REDUCTION either which is what I wanted to see;  however, my Oncologist says while a reduction is preferred that he will take a no growth result.  I suppose that he is right...  but...
results showed

What I also discovered after mentioning hot flashes and stinky sweats and more tests were performed that I have a malfunctioning thyroid which was totally caused and a typical side effect of OPDIVO...

This is one of the big drawbacks of getting just about any type of cancer and that is the fact that treatment for one cancer can cause another cancer or it can cause other problems to develop inside the cancer patient's body.

Chemo Day Again

Up at 5:00 am to have coffee and wake up before showering, dressing, and applying the numbing creme to my port and off I go to Knoxville to have blood drawn, see the Oncologist, and receive my monthly dosage of Opdivo to keep the Melanoma from growing and/or spreading.  My Oncologist will also share the results of my recent PET scan...  which I hope indicates no activity.

This is the 4th time I have been out-of-the-house since March, and I really do not want to go anywhere but I have to.

My fellow Americans do not really take precautions because they always seem to think that they know best...  and, really want the decision the screw themselves so that they can blame someone else for not making them OBEY...

Fitness

Buying Groceries

My wife decided that she needed to do a little shopping this morning and like always she does her shopping at Walmart's Super Center which is located less than 2 miles from our house.  Where we live in East TN, there has only been about 14-16 cases of COVID-19 reported with 1 death and while those numbers are still relatively low, my wife no only wears a face mask but disposable gloves as well...

Why is this important?

Because, no one else in Walmart was wearing a face mask and no one was wearing gloves, not even there workers at the cash register...  which was of alarm to her...   and left her with higher concerns that the virus could be easily spread.

1 Day Ago

Interestingly, our Federal Government is talking about lifting the Stay-at-Home Orders on May 1 and letting the economy start to grow again after a 90-day slow down. 

OUR/My concerns are that if we open-up our economy too soon and Americans decide that they are above the law or rules that we will have a relapse...

A Happy Life

T-cells on NHL

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Photos

Seven Viruses That Cause Cancer

How do viruses cause cancer?

Viruses are very small organisms. They are made up of genes – DNA or RNA – surrounded by a protein coating. There are several oncoviruses, or viruses that causes cancer:

1.  Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpes virus that’s spread through saliva. EBV infection increases the risk of Burkitt lymphoma, some types of Hodgkin’s and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and stomach cancer. There is currently no vaccine for Epstein-Barr virus.

2.  Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is spread through infected blood, semen and other body fluids. Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer. The hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for all children and adults. If you are not sure if you’ve been vaccinated, talk to your doctor.

3.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread through infected blood. Hepatitis C is a leading cause of liver cancer, and can cause non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There is no vaccine against hepatitis C, but it is highly treatable.

4.  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk. While it does not cause cancer directly, researchers believe it increases the risk of cancer by damaging the immune system, which reduces the body’s defenses against other oncoviruses. It can enable other oncoviruses to cause cancer. HIV-associated cancers include Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cervical cancer, and cancers of the anus, liver, mouth and throat and lung. There is no vaccine against HIV.

5.  Human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8) is related to Kaposi sarcoma in people who have a weakened immune system. That includes patients with HIV.

6.  Human papillomavirus (HPV) has at least 12 strains that can cause cancer in men and women, including anal, cervical, penile, throat, vaginal and vulvar cancer. Boys and girls age 11-12 should get the HPV vaccine. It’s available for patient from age 9-26.

7.  Human T-cell leukemia virus type, also called human T-lymphotrophic virus (HTLV-1) is linked to adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma. It is spread through infected semen, vaginal fluids, blood and breast milk. The infection is rarely found in the United States.

The effects of these viruses on cancer development is highly complicated. Experts don’t fully understand how most known oncoviruses cause cancer. What is known is that viruses highjack cells and insert their own DNA or RNA into the host cell. This can cause the host cells to become cancerous.

SOURCE:  MD ANDERSON CANCER CENTER

Exercising

Last week I was not experiencing as much fatigue as I had been experiencing so I decided that I needed to get back to exercising.  I began riding the stationary bike and walking on the treadmill.  During that first week, I rode the bike for 20 minutes each day and walked on the treadmill at a speed of 3.0 for 1/4 mile.

Yesterday, I started my second week and increased from 20 to 30 minutes on the bike and from 1/4 to 1/2 mile on the treadmill.

My plans are as follows:

• Week 3 -  Bike 40 minutes, treadmill 3/4 mile @ 3.0
• Week 4 -  Bike 50 minutes, treadmill 1 mile @ 3.2
• Week 5 -  Bike 60 minutes, treadmill 1.25 miles @ 3.4
• Week 6 -  Bike 70 minutes, treadmill 1.5 miles @ 3.6
• Week 7 -  Bike 80 minutes, treadmill 1.75 miles @ 3.8
• Week 8 -  Bike 90 minutes, treadmill 2.0 miles @ 4.0
• Thereafter - MAINTAIN

Total time spent by Week 8 is Bike - 90 minutes, Treadmill - 30 minutes  or 2 hours

What is important here is the fact that I am gradually building up my time/distance/speed rather that start off fast and hurt my muscles and tendons that have been inactive for several weeks.

NOTE:  this entire exercise routine presupposes that my fatigue will continue to be non-existent.

Meditation

Smoking

In 1987 when I was 40 years old,  I quit smoking from my 2 packs a day habit...


Why did I want to do this?




Basically, I did not want cigarettes controlling my life anymore, in fact, I did not want ANYTHING controlling my life which is not that easy to accomplish so smoking was the easiest first target/goal.

I quit COLD TURKEY...

How did I do that?

It was all mental with determination, focus, and discipline.

The morning of my 40th birthday, I woke up with 7 cigarettes in the pack and knew that I could not wasteful and simply throw them away...  so, after they were smoked, I STOPPED.

In 6 months or so, I had gained 30 pounds and since I did not have the extra cash to buy new clothes, I did some research and discovered a way to lose weight by counting my daily intact of FAT GRAMS.

I about another 6-9 months, I had lost my 30 pounds without exercise...

I have been SMOKE FREE for 32 years now...

Fighting Cancer Globally

Have I Shared This With YOU?

One of the side effects of taking immunotherapy drugs is the fact that they encourage the growth of squamous carcinomas.

What is a squamous carcinoma?

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is a common form of skin cancer that develops in the squamous cells that make up the middle and outer layers of the skin.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is usually not life-threatening, though it can be aggressive. Untreated, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin can grow large or spread to other parts of your body, causing serious complications.


Most squamous cell carcinomas of the skin result from prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, either from sunlight or from tanning beds or lamps. Avoiding UV light helps reduce your risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and other forms of skin cancer.

Squamous cells are found in many places in your body, and squamous cell carcinoma can occur anywhere squamous cells are found. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin refers to cancer that forms in the squamous cells found in the skin.

Since 2007/2008, I have had several Squamous Carcinomas surgically removed from my body, like:

• the top of my head
• my forearm
• my jaw

WUHAN, China Recovers

PROTESTING: Stay-at Home-Orders

The last time I really paid attention to a group of people PROTESTING,  I was personally involved in the process and we were protesting the Vietnam War.  And, while our protesting had virtually no impact on what the Government wanted to do, I believe that this NEW PROTESTING about the Stay-at-Home Orders will have some impact on what the Government wants to do.

WHY?

When the Vietnam War protesting was taking place (let's say 1966) I was 18 years old and had just graduated from high school, returning to the USA after living in Cairo, Egypt for 4 years...

Today, people are protesting during the GLOBAL COVID-19 PANDEMIC and the year is 2020 and I am 72 years old...

I think the protests ARE WRONG...

Why?

Because there are URGENT and very legitimate health concerns here and people are actually DYING as a result of those concerns.

Staying-at-Home is the only way to BEAT THIS PANDEMIC...  anything short of that is STUPID...

US May Reopen by MAY

Unemployment Claims Increase

A Recent Flight

THE CHINA VIRUS

Cancer Patients Beware!

Diabetes Patients Beware!

Lung Patients Beware!

Low Immunity Patients Beware!

*********************************************************************************
What do we do now?

Is China going to be PUNISHED?

How many Americans have to die?


Since I have cancer, I seldom leave the house unless I have to go to a pre-scheduled medical appointment.  In March, I left the house 3 times.  In April, I left the house twice, and in May, I will leave the house once;  however, I have 4 appointments set for June which I will reschedule if I need to...

I have no problems staying at home and I have no problem wearing a face mask when I am out in the public...
*********************************************************************************

WHEN/HOW WILL CHINA BE PUNISHED???

A Week From Today

On April 23, 2020, I am scheduled for and will not miss an appointment with my Oncologist along with monthly lab work and an Opdivo Infusion for my Melanoma.  This next appointment is important to me.

Why?

I will get the results of my PET scan and I will be able to tell my Oncologist that for the first time in my 12+ year journey, my nausea has all but disappeared and my fatigue has become intermittent instead of daily.  Constant daily fatigue is what has been keeping me from exercising because it has been hard for me to simply push through.

Yesterday, I started my exercise routine again by riding on the stationary bicycle for 20 minutes and walking 1/4 mile on the treadmill at a speed of 3.0 and while that does not seem like much...  a gradual buildup is what needs to be done giving my body a chance to adjust to what I am inflicting upon it.

The week of my appointment I will increase my bike exercise to 30 minutes and increase the treadmill to 1/2 mile.  Then, all things remaining ok, I will increase my treadmill each week until I am walking 2 miles and I will gradually increase my peddling speed until I feel like I am racing.

My exercise routine should last about 60-90 minutes.  Once I am there, I will either exercise every other day or go for 5 days and take two days off...  not sure which approach is best...

Why am I doing this?

• I feel healthier when I exercise.
• It is good for my heart and to improve my ejection fraction.
• It helps my body fight the cancer inside.

It's Healthy To Relax

Inspirational

12 Years, 4 Months, 14 Days, 3 Hours, 8 Minutes

Since I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma...  I was 60 years of age...  and, was Dean of Students at ITT Technical Institute in Knoxville, TN.  Obviously, it was quite a shock to both me and my wife and totally unexpected.  Actually, it was my family doctor that noticed I had lost 30 pounds in 6 weeks and sent me off for further testing that resulted in a liver biopsy and the diagnosis of Lymphoma.  The specialist then referred me to an Oncologist at UT Medical - Cancer Center...  a Dr. Wahid Hanna from Cairo, Egypt which I took as a good omen because I had attended high school in Cairo, Egypt from 1962-1966.

After having my first PET scan, I began a monthly infusion of Rituxan, a chemotheraphy drug that took about 4-6 hours to administer which included pre-meds for nausea and which, over the years had no adverse side-effects on my body which was amazing to me but totally expected by Dr. Hanna.  I continued with the Rituxan treatment since it was keeping my Lymphoma from growing until I relocated to Florence, Kentucky to work as Director of Education at a proprietary school there and my new Oncologist whose name I cannot remember, decided to add Cytoxin and Fludara to my Rituxan infusions that left me violently sick each month.  I still never lost my hair.

After a year, I returned to Knoxville and Dr. Hanna refused to authorize Cytoxin and Fludara with my Rituxan and a few years later was diagnosed with Melanoma on the bottom of my left foot that all my doctors thought was a wart until it kept returning and a biopsy was taken.  The melanoma was surgically removed and four years later moved into my groin with a substantial presence.   Rituxan was replaced with Triandra for Lymphoma 0and Odivo and Yervoy for Melanoma.  Because there was a substantial amount of Melanom, surgery was impossible.  A year later, Yervoy was stopped and I received 6 intense radiation treatments.

A team of Cancer Specialists at UT Medical - Cancer Center wanted Dr. Hanna to focus on the Melanoma and leave the Lymphoma alone because there was no evidence that these drugs for two different cancers would work well together.  Dr. Hanna refused to follow their advice and 6-9 months later, Dr. Hanna was proven to be correct and a PET/CT scan revealed a substantial reduction of both my Lymphoma as well as my Melanoma.

A couple of months later, a bulge appear on the left side of my neck and after several unsuccessful biopsies, it was surgically removed and along with lymph nodes being removed, dead melanoma was also removed...  MY CANCER TREATMENTS HAD WORKED PERFECTLY...

What is a GOOD LIFE?

"We are endowed by our Creator 

with life, liberty, and

the Pursuit of Happiness..."

So, what is the Pursuit of Happiness?

Having the money to go to College...

Having the money to buy a home...

Having the money to get married...

Having the money to raise 3 or more children...

Having the body to be free of disease...

Having a beautiful or handsome face...

Having athletic ability...

Having artistic ability...

Having acting ability...

Having musical ability...

Having dancing ability...

At the very best, all the above is typically going to pertain to only 10-20% of the population and a great majority of that will depend on the genes/DNA that is passed along to the children by their parents....  THIS IS OUT OF ONE'S CONTROL...

We do not choose our parents!!!

We do not choose our birth location!!!

We do not choose our birth financial status!!!

We do not choose our natural abilities!!!

YES, we can change our status but that change only happens to a few and typically there are special conditions that facilitate that change that the average American does not have access to...

According to some:  Living the good life means living a life that sets you free. A life that satisfies and fulfills you, that adds happiness, joy and a sense of purpose to your life. But it also means to live a life that is worthwhile – a life that makes a contribution, instead of being solely self-centered.

Exercise Forfeit

Prior to 2011/2012, I was a very active individual, exercising for 60-90 minutes each day, seven days a week.  I was also eating health, no smoking, seldom drinking any alcohol, and getting all the sleep I needed.  In fact, I was so damn healthy that when I had a very serious heart attack that should have killed most people, all I felt was a sudden, but huge jab of pain that brought me to my knees while walking on the treadmill in our basement.  My health body had created literally dozens of tiny arteries (similar to a bypass) to re-route blood around three main heart arteries:  the LAD and two other large arteries on the left side.

After 2011/2012, the fatigue that my body was experiencing was so intense and severe that I just did not have the energy to exercise at all.  Oftentimes, I would awake, make a cup of coffee and while drinking it,  would feel so tired that I thought I might need to return to bed to sleep some more.  It was not unusual for me to take a nap mid morning or mid afternoon or sometimes both.

Making the situation worse was the fact that due to taking steroids for the last 4-5 years, my body had gained more than 30 pounds making me feel sluggish and emotionally distressed since I had never had a "beer belly" in my entire life prior to turning 60 years of age.  Knowing you are over-weight and your pants and shirts no longer fit properly also damages your self-esteem as well as your self-confidence.

What causes my fatigue?

1. Chemotheraphy -  10 years
2. Immunotherapy -   2 years
3. Radiation -   6 intense treatments

I am in my 13th year of treatment for my non-Hodgkin's "B" cell Lymphoma and in my 7th year of treatment for Metastatic Melanoma (foot to groin to neck) and have monthly infusions of OPDIVO for my Melanoma and take 2-140 mg of IMBRUVICA each day for my Lymphoma...  Both these treatments have fatigue as a side effect.

My Cardiologist says I should just PUSH THROUGH my fatigue and exercise anyway and while his comment is logical and should be followed...   that advice is still easier said than done.

MY FAITH

So far during my 12 year cancer ordeal and for the rest of my life fighting my non-Hodgkin's my faith has been an important aspect of my life, my strength, and my survival; however, I do not attend Church services on Sunday for a variety of reasons but my faith is strong in its depth and breath.

Until I graduated from High School, my parents required that I attend Sunday School and the main service every Sunday regardless of weather conditions or being sick unless it was required that I remain in bed.  That exposure to all kinds of biblical stories has remained with me all my life.

I pray for NO ONE, but when I pray, I use The Lord's Prayer only which is how Jesus said we should pray....  "...that God's Will should be done on earth as it is in Heaven..."  And, my religious journey has included me reading the entire Bible, taking notes and asking questions during that process that I keep on a CD.  Also, on that CD all of the comments made by Jesus (typically in red) have been cut and pasted for future reference.

TODAY,
my concern(s) in light of COVID-19 and Stay At Home Orders put into practice by most STATES is the following:

Does the Federal Government have the right or authority given to it by the US Constitution to DEMAND that Churches NOT HOLD "in house" services on Sundays?

This does not include staying in your car on Church grounds listening to the sermon broadcast via a radio station...

...SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE...

SUNDAY'S RITUAL

I use a pill case for my daily pills since I have so many and half are taken in the AM with the other half taken in the PM...  I run out of these pills on Saturday which means Sunday is the day that I refill my pill case for the week.

Why is this important?

I guess it is more of a reminder than anything else for me to take my pills, when to reorder pills and it is more convenient to keep up with the pill bottles...

I take 6 pills in the morning and 6 pills at night before bedtime...

My morning pills are to be taken with food, so I usually end up taking them at noon each day because when I awake around 8:00 am each day, I don't feel hungry until noon...

Is that good/bad?

I don't think it makes any difference as long as I take my pills at the same time (give or take) each morning...  and, to tell you the truth I am not really sure why that is important, but it is.

I typically take my morning pills anywhere from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm each day and my evening pills between 10:00 pm and midnight.

So, there is some consistency.