When Will It End?

COVID Never Left

For 3 months, the US economy was, for all intents and purposes, was closed down and only essential services remained opened...  then, in June, many States around the USA reopened and allowed businesses and restaurants and beaches to serve its customers...  a small amount of Americans followed the rules maintaining social distancing and wearing face masks; however, a large amount of Americans did not obey the rules and these actions resulted in a rising of the number of people who were contracting this disease.  Consequently, many States have HALTED their reopening process over the July 4, 2020 holiday and there is no telling how long this new CLOSING DOWN will last...  there is a good possibility that it will last for the entire summer including the months of JULY and AUGUST...
         

Against the backdrop of the COVID 19 Pandemic, many cities as well as STATES have set about defunding their police departments thinking that less money will force them to be less violent especially towards blacks...  it is highly unlikely that less money will correct racism in American, but more important is this PANDEMIC and the number of people that are getting sick and dying...

Since I am 72 and with several health concerns, the least of which is a low immune system, it is important, at least for me, to remain at home as often as I can...  only leaving when it is important and not just to go out to dinner or visit the MALLS.

Snoopy Knows Best

Raise Your Hand if...

The Coronavirus or  COVID-19 has turned our country and the world upside down and while there is a tendency among many of us to blame CHINA and then President Trump, the reality of the situation is that we have nobody to blame but ourselves...

VERY FEW AMERICANS are willing to take responsibility for their own actions...  and this, quite frankly, is what I am tired of...

These kinds of actions and behaviors are not good for our MENTAL HEALTH...  and one day...  hopefully...  we will realize this and do something about it...  but until then we will continue to blame others and take no actions to change ourselves...

Vacation Autopsy

Ever since 1993 (or for 27 years), my wife and I have traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC once or twice sometimes thrice for a week to 10 days...  For the last 5 years, our trips to Myrtle Beach, SC have been modified from the standpoint that I either wear long UV pants and shirt or heavily rub the highest rated screen lotion all over parts of my exposed body:  face, arms, and legs...  and, seldom get out from under the umbrella except to go to the restroom or to spend about 30 minutes in the water which is not that enjoyable because my body is no longer as stable as it was before so I cannot body surf.

And...  while my wife and I went out to dinner every night like we always did, I remained in the car while she visited a few shops and stores but most of her shopping was curtailed because of the virus...  in essence, she had been forced to give up more on vacation than I was...  which is a same because that part of our vacation she really enjoys.

Living with cancer limits me in so many ways...  I kinda look forward to our annual vacations just so I can feel like I am a little normal and like everyone else who doesn't have cancer...  especially since my cancers (non Hodgkin's Lymphoma and Melanoma) could change over night and within weeks I am DEAD...  that is a threat that NORMAL people do not have to live with...  and few appreciate what they have.

Time to Read and THINK

Returning Home

One of the pitfalls, at least for me, of going to Myrtle Beach is that my ankles swell and what makes it worse is that a few years ago, I have 3 lymph nodes removed from my groin which caused lymphedema to settle into my left leg so when it swells, it does so more than it normally would...  this is bad because at some point-in-time, summer heat at Myrtle Beach could not just make my lymphedema worse but could result in my being put into a situation where I constantly have to keep my foot elevated.

If my wife did not like coming down to Myrtle Beach so desperately, I would not be here...  and, sending her down here with someone else defeats the whole point of being married...

Men's Sun Protective Apparel Clothing by COOLIBAR...

What you need to know about how we test our Sun Protective Apparel, SPF clothes and Sun Hats

All of our Men's Sun Protective Apparel is tested and labeled for sun protection effectiveness. In 2001, a published analysis of UV protection provided by mens SPF clothes concluded that more than 50% offered less protection than a SPF 30 sunscreen.

We independently test our sun protective clothing fabrics for UPF using current national test protocols. Australians pioneered use of a "Ultraviolet Protection Factor" more than a decade ago and now apply it to nearly 3 million sun protection garments a year, including mens SPF clothing, men's sun hats and sun protective swimwear. Using standards defined in this country by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, and the American Society for Testing and Materials, all of our sunblock clothing fabrics are rigorously examined.

The fabrics for our sun protective hats and clothing are electronically tested for both UVA and UVB, laundered 40 times, exposed to 100 units of simulated sunlight, then retested. Our men's swim shirts and swimwear fabrics are also exposed to chlorinated water before retesting. Garment ratings are the lower of the initial test and the retest. We only market uv clothing rated from UPF 30 to UPF 50+. Our Coolibar hangtags accurately inform you of each garment's sun protection rating.

Coolibar's sun protection for men includes sun protective clothing (also called sunblock clothing), sun hats, and swimwear. Choices include mens clothing such as our popular everyday button-down shirt and polos, mens sun hats in many styles, colors and materials, and SPF swimwear like rashguard shirts.

Opening the Sinuses

Two to three times a year, my wife and I visit Myrtle Beach, SC for 5-7 days at a time...  why 5 to 7 days you may be thinking...  well, Monday through Friday, the rates are cheaper at the motels and when we go to Myrtle, we always leave the day before and stay close to the beach that night so we can have a FULL DAY our first day even though we cannot get into our room until 3:00 or 4:00 that afternoon...  so, 5 full days in the sun is really enough for people at our age.  Plus, traffic is less when one travels on Sunday...

Staying more than 5 days, depends on the rate that we can arrange at the resort we like to stay at and we always get an ocean facing room, at least on the 3rd floor or higher...  and...  we typically pay $1200 for 6 days or $200/night and use that structure as a guide.

This time, my sinuses were congested when we got down here and after 2 days of playing in the ocean water at least once a day for about an hour, my sinuses have cleaned themselves out naturally and when that happens, at least to me, it is amazing how much better I feel.

It is more enjoyable to visit the beach and use the salt water of the ocean to clean one's sinuses rather than making up a salt solution at home to achieve the same results.

Coffee Lovers and Cancer

According to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY...  

Most Americans drink at least 1 cup of coffee a day, and many feel like they can’t face the morning without it. So wouldn’t it be great if our beloved beverage helped protect us from cancer? There is, in fact, some reason to believe it could. Coffee is brewed from beans that contain antioxidants, which are thought to have a protective effect against cancer.

Researchers have conducted more than 1,000 studies looking at this question, with mixed results. Some early studies seemed to show that coffee might increase risk of some cancer types. Since then, however, larger and better designed studies have weakened those conclusions. And many of the newer studies link coffee drinking to a lowered risk of some types of cancer, including prostate cancer, liver cancer, endometrial cancer, and some cancers of the mouth and throat.

But in some of these studies, the benefit was found in people who drank 4 to 6 cups of coffee a day, which is a lot. Too much caffeine can interfere with sleep, trigger migraines, and cause digestive problems. And if you take your coffee with cream and sugar, the added fat and calories can contribute to weight gain – which increases the risk for many types of cancer. According to Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, American Cancer Society managing director of nutrition and physical activity, the surest steps any of us can take to lower cancer risk are: don’t smoke, eat well, and be physically active.

And if you want to consume more antioxidants, consider adding more vegetables and fruits to your diet. Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of antioxidants, and studies show that people who eat more of them may be helping to lower their cancer risk.

Covid-19 at South Myrtle Beach

For the last 20 years, my wife and I have vacationed at South Myrtle Beach, SC at least twice each summer until this year when the WORLD was confronted with COVID-19 and economies were quickly SHUT DOWN.  Myrtle Beach and in particular South Myrtle Beach (where we are staying) is open but everywhere we have gone, EVERYONE is being careful and social distancing.  At the

Motel where we are staying  all the workers are wearing face masks.  On the beach, all visitors are keeping their distance.  When we go shopping or out to eat, people are wearing face masks and all workers, dealing with the public EVERYWHERE are wearing face masks...  However, there is no way of knowing, as far as I know, to monitor if people are washing their hands...  other than my wife and I.

My wife and I are in the group that really should be careful about COVID-19.

• We are both over 65 years of age
• My wife's cancer is in remission
• I am currently being treated for cancer
• I have heart disease
• My wife and I have low immune systems
• I have anemia

My Oncologist has told me several times that I should just go out and live my life while at the same time being mindful of my environment...  so, that is exactly what I am doing.

First Vacation in NINE months

On Saturday, June 20, 2020, my wife and I left for Myrtle Beach, SC stopping in Conway for the night about 20 miles from Myrtle and first course of action was to put on gloves and a mask and with a bottle of disinfectant sprayed and rubbed down all the surfaces, including door knobs and handles and everything that we thought we might be touching.  We put the TV remote in a zip lock baggy.  The next morning we completed our drive to Myrtle Beach and when we were allowed entry into our efficiency apartment, we repeated the process used in Conway.  Our first night out, we ate at Cracker Barrel and were seated, noticing that every other table was being used.

On the beach itself, everyone was maintaining social distancing and making sure that they respected each other's space...  face masks were worn outside of the beach every where we went especially at Walmart where we did our grocery shopping.  We are still concerned about "did we make the right decision to come here," but at least we see everyone practicing individual security measures.

CT versus PET Scans

   

CT (computed tomography) scans and PET (positron emission tomography) scans are two of the most common radiological imaging procedures in use today, but they are very different procedures. The following list explores the differences between CT scans and PET scans, providing the most important information you need to know about these procedures.

Differences in CT and PET Testing

• CT scans are completed in approximately 5 minutes; PET scans may last up to 35 minutes for the test itself, plus the time it takes to prepare.
• CT scans use X-rays, while PET’s use positrons, which are radioactive tracers
• CT results are two dimensional (2D), while PET results are three dimensional (3D).
• CTs are non-invasive, while PETs require the positrons to be injected.
• CT scans provide clear images of bones and can detect abnormalities in soft tissues; PET scans provide images of biological processes within the body. Think of it as CT scans show the structures, while PET scans show how the organs and tissues within the structures work.
• CT scans can cost anywhere from $1,200 – $3,200, while PET scans generally start at $3,000. Your insurance may cover your CT or PET scan completely, cover a portion of it, or leave you responsible for full payment.

CT and PET Scan Similarities and Uses

Both procedures are typically performed as outpatient procedures, meaning no hospital stay is required. Imaging from CT and PET scans are often used alongside other procedures like X-rays or MRI in order to maximize diagnostic and treatment potential.

CT scans are used to take pictures of internal organs, bones, soft tissue, and blood vessels. They may be ordered for acute injuries and conditions or for chronic vascular conditions. They are also an invaluable tool in determining the exact size and location of tumors and guiding procedures to treat tumors.

PERSONALLY:  My insurance only cover one of the scans every 6 months and since both my cancers are fairly aggressive, I get an alternating scan every 3 months.

Immunotherapy for BRAF Negative Advance Melanoma Patients

  

According to MDPAGETODAY. Com, For the approximately half of advanced melanoma patients who lack BRAF mutations in tumors, immunotherapy with checkpoint inhibitors has become the standard first-line systemic therapy. The cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 inhibitor ipilimumab was the first of the checkpoint inhibitors to be approved by the FDA. Now the PD-1 inhibitors nivolumab and pembrolizumab have also been approved, and data suggest that a combination of nivolumab plus ipilimumab may be a better choice for first-line therapy in these advanced melanoma patients.

Advanced or metastatic Melanoma is Melanoma that returns...  and, my melanoma has returned once maybe twice as it started in the foot, migrated to the groin and was later found again in the neck...  Also, in my case, radiation along with Opdivo, pretty much killed the Melanoma in the groin and for sure killed it in the neck as it was dead tissue when removed.  I am also BRAF negative according to recent tests which makes Opdive (nivolumab) the best choice for me.

Since I am also being treated for non-Hodgkin's B call Lymphoma there is always concern that the drugs for Lymphoma or Imbruvica with FIGHT AGAINST the Opdivo but that has not yet been the case...  and, since my Thyroid is being regulated with meds, my health has been extraordinarily good given the fact that not too long ago I was experiencing extreme fatigue and nausea.

Being Alone

OPDIVO Infusion Day Again

2007 -  diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's B cell Lymphoma
2008 -  began treatment for Lymphoma
2009 -  experienced heart attack
2009/2010 -  inserted 5 stints into heart arteries
2012 -  diagnosed with Melanoma and it was removed from left foot
2017 -  Melanoma returned aggressively in groin - could operate
         -  started IVIG due to low WBC and RBC
         -  changed from chemotherapy to immunotherapy (Imbruvica, Opdivo, Yervoy)
2018 -  radiation treatments
2019 -  stopped IVIG due to shortage
2020 -  diagnosed with hypothyroidism due to cancer treatments
         -  continue with daily Imbruvica and monthly infusions of Opdivo

So, today is my monthly Opdivo Infusion Day...   and my schedule is typically this:

6>30 am - leave home
7:30 - arrive at UTM Cancer Center
7:30-7:45 - have blood drawn
7:45-8:30 - see doctor (every other month actually)
8:30-10:30- have Opdivo infusion treatment
10:30 - leave UTM Cancer Center
11:30 - arrive home

Note:  when I do not see doctor, I am usually out by 9:30

I'm an INTJ

OPDIVO (Nivolumab) linked to Arthritis

        

Case reports on 13 cancer patients suggest that a small number of cancer patients taking the immunotherapy drugs ipilimumab and nivolumab may be at some higher-than-normal risk of developing autoimmune joint and tissue diseases, including inflammatory arthritis, according to a preliminary study by Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers.

“I don't think anyone is particularly surprised that rheumatologic disorders might be a complication of drugs that boost the immune system,” says study author Laura C. Cappelli, M.D., a rheumatologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. But the new study, however small in sample size, she says, is believed to be the largest published case series of a link between the drugs and the diseases.

The patients described in the new case report make up only about 1.3 percent of the total patients treated with drugs — singly or in combination — at The Johns Hopkins Hospital from 2012 to 2016, Cappelli says, but if further research confirms a cause-and-effect relationship, the rate is likely an underestimation of how common rheumatologic diseases are in patients taking so-called immune checkpoint inhibitors. She notes that patients with only mild joint pain, for instance, or those with already deteriorating health from their cancers may not have been referred to the rheumatology clinic for their symptoms.  READ ENTIRE ARTICLE...

MY CONCERNS:  As a cancer patient who has been and is currently being treated for Melanoma with monthly infusions of OPDIVO, I have been to a orthopedic doctor who tells me that my arthritis is not just getting worse but my X-rays show that my spine (because of the arthritis) should belong to a much older person...  as my lower back problems have worsen during the last year.

Vacation Concerns

This Saturday, my wife and I are leaving East TN for Myrtle Beach, SC for a week of vacation even though being retired we are always on vacation.  Our rental condo starts on Sunday so we will get a motel room Saturday in Conway, SC about 30 minutes from the beach so we can spend the full day under the umbrella even though we will not be able to get into our room until 4:00 pm.  We will sign in at the resort so we can have parking and use the restrooms.

We have already decided that our first order of business on Saturday when we get to our motel room is to wear disposal gloves and clean all surfaces that we think we will come into contact as well as put the TV remote in a zip lock baggy.  We will do the same for the condo on Sunday and request that we receive no daily cleaning but will request that towels be left outside our door.

CONCERN:  MB, SC has been recently increasing in its COVID-19 cases and while we are in a safe situation on the beach, we believe that our meals should all be TAKE OUT...  We are also concerned that if we were to visit any of the shopping tourist areas that we maintain social distancing and if we cannot do that, then we should leave.

NO DOUBT...  this will be a new norm even after they discover a vaccine...  but, we cannot let something like this ruin our chances of going on vacation... 

No Mask