Keeping fit

Now after several weeks of fatigue, which happens to be a unique type of fatigue. This fatigue seems to come about quickly and is unrelenting until you give in and rest. It does not seem to be related to lack of food, one may just have eaten and 30 minutes later you feel wiped out. Exercise seems to be not in the equation for helping your stamina, or is it.

I found a nest of articles that are turning my ways to exercise and eating differently. Here is one that is influencing me at the moment
Dimeo, F. C. (2001). Effects of exercise on cancer‐related fatigue. Cancer,92(S6), 1689-1693.

Fatigue is probably the most common complaint experienced by cancer patients. Not only is fatigue a complaint but a necessary instrument for physiologic self-regulation. Fatigue tells you to sit and rest because you are tired. Thus balancing the body. The fatigue I am talking about is coming from a mixture of mechanisms, pain, electrolyte and fluid disturbances, anemia, impaired nutritional status, weight loss, chemo drugs, interaction from the tumor and the host defense mechanisms and sleep disturbances. As you can see fatigue in this case is complicated and will strike in a moments notice.
As example, I was shooting pics and the Kentucky/Missouri game last night and I had to stop at half time because of being pooped out.

Because of prolonged bed rest I am experiencing impaired muscle function and mass. There is, from studies, a well documented loss of plasma vol. and a reduction in cardiac output thus further impairment in work capacity. I would like to exercise but I do not want to promote ill effects. Several studies have reported that exercise can prevent the manifestation and reduce the intensity of fatigue. Helping muscle mass and increasing plasma vol., improve lung ventilation/perfusion and increase cardiac reserve and a higher level of oxidative muscle enzymes should reduce these untoward and unwanted feelings of fatigue. The recumbent bike is now a daily routine, also as per the studies mentioned above, and many more throughout the literature.

Here is a little entertainment from last nights close game with Missouri.

 15 Willie Cauley-Stein F 7-0 244 FR Olathe, KS

 Bobby, director of the 101 blue men at Rupp. A great friend. Tammy Brown, keeps a watchful eye on me.

 10 Archie Goodwin G 6-4 198 FR Little Rock, AR

 12 Ryan Harrow G 6-2 170 SO Marietta, GA

The UK cheerleaders. A great group of students and athletes!
The remainder of the photos are on meister17@smugmug.com

God Bless all of you for prayer and helping me hold my head up high
Call or write anytime
Bo

Shooting the game

I have now finished two weeks of oral 5FU and one round of Oxalaplatin. There is one full week of vacation, no meds. Today is the first day since beginning that there is no N/V. Energy is better, even to the point of riding the recumbent bike for a few miles while listening to Rascal Flatts.

The family remains a stable force in my life. Daily discussions, good and bad are recognized. I appreciate their candor and great concern. I have relaxed knowing that the battle is the Lords and I must present myself ready for the chemo and remain anabolic.

Friends! Great Friends are visiting, writing and sending cards regularly. This is the hidden strength I never have recognized. I appreciate everyone so much and I have regular boo-hoo sessions when someone says they love me and my family and wish the very best. Thank you!

Wednesday nights game was fun. Great to be back in Rupp arena with all the great coaches, great photographers, writers and newsmen. A wonderful family to be associated with. Ill share several pic with you.

Bo and Tammy Brown. An award winning photographer.

10 Archie Goodwin Guard6-4.5 198 FRLittle Rock, Ark. (Sylvan Hills)
An excellent layup from a premiere player.

Thanks to all of you
God Bless
Bo Morris

Back to shooting

Fatigue is my enemy. just dancing around the house with my Grand daughter wears me out. Small amounts of exercise counteracts the cytokines the cancer puts out, I hope. Here is a list I think about when fatigue arrives.

Your cancer. Your cancer can cause changes to your body that can lead to fatigue. For instance, some cancers release proteins called cytokines, which are thought to cause fatigue. Other cancers can increase your body's need for energy, weaken your muscles or alter your body's hormones, all of which may contribute to fatigue.

Cancer treatment. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, bone marrow transplantation and biological therapy may all cause fatigue. You may experience fatigue when chemotherapy or radiation therapy destroys healthy cells in addition to the targeted cancer cells. Fatigue may occur as your body tries to repair the damage to healthy cells and tissue. Some treatment side effects — such as anemia, nausea, vomiting, pain, insomnia and changes in mood — also may cause fatigue.

Anemia. You might develop anemia if your treatment destroys too many healthy red blood cells. You can also develop anemia if the cancer has spread to your bone marrow and interferes with blood cell production or causes you to lose blood.

Pain. If you experience chronic pain, you may be less active, eat less, sleep less and become depressed, all of which may add to your fatigue.

Emotions. Anxiety, stress or depression associated with your cancer diagnosis also may lead to fatigue.

Lack of sleep. If you're sleeping less at night or if your sleep is frequently interrupted, you may experience fatigue

• Poor nutrition. In order to work efficiently, you need the energy that a healthy diet provides. When you have cancer, changes can occur in your need for and ability to process nutrients. These changes can lead to poor nutrition, resulting in fatigue. For example, you may need more nutrients than usual or you may not be able to process nutrients adequately. You may also take in fewer nutrients if your appetite wanes or if treatment side effects, such as nausea and vomiting, make it difficult to eat.

This Wed, I will attempt to shoot the UK game against Vandy at home. The sports photographers around the state have been incredibly supportive and brought me to tears many times with the kind sayings. Dwayne Peavey and John have also been  wonderfully thoughtful. I look forward to seeing everyone wed. Look forward to the SEC coming up. The CATS can do it!

Sincerely
Your friend
Bo Morris

Days after Chemo

It has been a struggle to find the time to place a new blog. The time is not that there is no time but discovering the time when I am not nauseated or vomiting. The first day of chemo went well. There was no untoward side effect and it certainly gave a false hope of not experiencing the dreaded N/V and stomatitis. Sensitivity to the cold, anything cold has been interesting. oxaliplatin gives this SE quickly. This is a form of neuropathy but goes away as quick as it came when warmed up. VERY PAINFUL!

The BIG boys are coming, according to Dr. Hicks. I am convinced that whether I live or die from this process, it is not left up to me, but how I live and present myself physically now is my job. This door of chemo is the only pathway I have to remission and I will truly give it all. A small price to pay for remission!

My heart goes out to anyone going through chem and cancer, of any type. My internal radar is developing to sense those around me that they are going through this process. So many cancer patients are warriors and can fight off a pak of bengal tigers. Such a great achievement to finally finish chemo and discover that your efforts produce the great word of remission.

An item that has been pulling at me is the lack of support groups in this area. There is a remnant of one but is essentially non-functional. Im sure that the people which have directed the program have brought insight into many cancer sufferers. I have hopes to intercede with the remnants of this program  and attempt to launch a fresh Cancer Prayer Support Group.

The night before

Chemo starts tomorrow, I can't say that I have looked forward to this moment but it is a necessary component to achieving remission. I have such great support from my wife Judy and children Greta and Megan. They are so strong and full of spirit. They will not even let me get down and out for an minute. i hope I will not burden them.

The Port A Cath went well the second day out now and only feels like someone has punched be in the shoulder. I feel assured that it will be well utilized.

How do statistics contribute to predicting a patient’s prognosis?

In estimating a cancer patient’s prognosis, doctors consider the characteristics of the patient’s disease, the available treatment options, and any health problems the patient may have that could affect the course of the disease or its ability to be treated successfully.
The doctor bases the prognosis, in large part, on information researchers have collected over many years about hundreds or even thousands of people with the same type of cancer. When possible, doctors use statistics based on groups of people whose situations are most similar to that of the patient.
Several types of statistics may be used to estimate a cancer patient’s prognosis. The most commonly used statistics are listed below.

• Cancer-specific survival: This statistic calculates the percentage of patients with a specific type and stage of cancer who have survived—that is, not died from—their cancer during a certain period of time (1 year, 2 years, 5 years, etc.) after diagnosis. Cancer-specific survival is also called disease-specific survival. In most cases, cancer-specific survival is based on causes of death in medical records, which may not be accurate. To avoid this inaccuracy, another method used to estimate cancer-specific survival that does not rely on information about the cause of death is relative survival.
• Relative survival: This statistic compares the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer (for example, breast cancer) with the survival of people in the general population who are the same age, race, and sex and who have not been diagnosed with that cancer. It is the percentage of cancer patients who have survived for a certain period of time after diagnosisrelative to people without cancer.
• Overall survival: This statistic is the percentage of patients with a specific type and stage of cancer who are still alive—that is, have not died from any cause—during a certain period of time after diagnosis.
• Disease-free survival: This statistic is the percentage of patients who have no evidence of cancer during a certain period of time after treatment. Other similar terms are recurrence-free or progression-free survival.

Now putting this into real life terms. I am going to place myself into the best position to place this stuff into remission. This very harsh and expensive chemo is the only game plan in town. To me I have a 100% chance  of remission with this regimen or a 0% chance, no in between. God assures us that He is with us through our burdens and is willing to carry the load. I am trusting in the Word through all of this and will allow the battles to be fought by Him.

till tomorrow

Sincerely

Bo

Post Port A Cath

Several days have passed now and the mental anguish is often overwhelming. As a physician I anticipate what is coming with a freshness and an awareness from the next detailed textbook. The stories gained form the books do not end well therefore I have placed them back on the shelf.

My faith is unwavering. I know who fights this battle. This fight is beyond me completly. I do know that through this journey, thus far, that God does not do things in an easily explainable fashion. All cancer patients want to beat the big C and I am no different. My thoughts are extended to keep energy up high enough to let the chemo do its very best. God will do the rest. I have to let him choose the blessing for me. I am assured that God is fighting this fight for me.

Chemo is thur, and will begin as from an earlier blog, with 5Fu an anti metabolite drug. Intravenous  use of oxaliplatin, an anti-DNA or anti- replication drug.

My photographer friends have shown such support. It is better than any pain medication one can take.  I have heard daily from them and it surely gives me hope. I do have credentials for the SEC and anticipate being there.

I'll write again tomorrow
Thanks to everyone
Bo

What's behind the smile

My life long friend Doug Yates, 2012 went through a journey of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
He has expressed many times that he was afraid of the unknown and what happens when Nadir occurs.
Doug plowed through many uncomfortable times, with the support of his steadfast wife Mendy. Today Doug stands tall, in complete remission, and is a missionary for others to understand their place in fighting cancer. I am sincerely grateful for Doug and the many suggestions he has made for me to face the very near future of chemotherapy.

Settling with the thoughts of chemo for awhile. 5FU will be given in pill form 3/day for three weeks then off a week. Blood work performed once a week, because low blood counts are expected with Nadir around 9-14 days and full recovery 21-28 days.

This drug has a myriad of Side effects, many do not get them but about 30% do.

• Mucositis
• Hairloss
• Nail changes
• Hand-foot syndrome, red burning feet and hands.
• Fever
• Nausea/vomiting

Im not spelling things out for the gory details but only to let me see the potential reality of this medication.

I am reminded of the cry David had when facing Goliath--"The battle is the Lords" What a relief!
Even if my own resources were exhausted, the Lords would not be. My strength might be zapped but the Lord could still move mountains. Everything could be changing around me, but He will always be my rock.

Sincerely
Bo Morris