Exercise and cancer survivorship

Recently, I received and email from a reader of my blog, David Haas, who is a cancer patient advocate who believes in the power of exercise in helping folks through their treatment plan.  David asked if I would publish his article to my blog which I have done below. 

This year, I had the pleasure of meeting Shannon Carney through 24 Hours of Booty.  Shannon is a cancer survivor, who like David, believes in the power of exercise in getting through cancer treatment and through the recovery process.  Shannon started Wind River Cancer Wellness Retreats and Programs to help cancer survivors through their experience in a peaceful mountain setting.  Learn more about Shannon's program here:  Wind River

David Haas Article:

Exercise makes a difference in the battle with cancer

Did you know that exercise while battling cancer has proven to have numerous positive effects on our bodies and our minds? The depression and anxiety that accompanies a cancer diagnosis can be hard to work through on your own. Exercise releases endorphins to the brain which helps produce feelings of well being. Getting exercise is also a means of getting your mind off of your cancer diagnosis and just makes you feel a little more normal.

Fatigue is a very common feeling among cancer patients. Surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can be exhausting. You can help battle the tiredness with light aerobic exercises that improve energy and stamina. Exercise improves circulation and lessens the symptoms of nausea, which is the most common side effect of chemotherapy.

In certain cancers that reduce lung function such as mesothelioma, exercise can be helpful in building up lung capacity. Common cancer treatments such as chemo and radiation put stress on the heart. The benefits to your cardiovascular system from exercise help lessen that stress. Taking care of you cardiovascular system through activity also reduces the chances for dangerous blood clots that can form when blood flow to the legs is decreased.

A study by the National Cancer Institute (www.cancer.gov) indicates that physical activity after breast cancer diagnosis increases improved survival rates compared to those women who had a sedentary lifestyle. Exercise is also key to managing lymphedema. Lymphedema, which affects many cancer patients, especially those with breast cancer, causes painful swelling in the limbs. By keeping the arms and legs active with exercise, patients are able to cut these painful occurrences of lymphedema in half.

Weight gain often accompanies cancer treatment, keeping your weight down with exercise helps keep that in check. Treatment for certain cancers such as prostate, cancers of the head and neck as well as stomach cancers, can lead to weight loss and decreased muscle mass. Exercises plays a vital role in that as well by keeping the muscles strong and maintaining their tone.

The benefits of exercise while undergoing treatment for cancer are exciting. They don't have to be as strenuous as running a marathon or climbing mountains. Start off with a nice walk or bike ride. Find something that you enjoy and are physically able to do. Talk with your doctor to see about an exercise program that is right for you and get moving!

Ride for the Roses Article

Okay, so last month I had the experience of a lifetime...riding if only for a few minutes with Lance Armstrong.  Our local paper, the Charlotte Observer, did an awesome article covering my experience during the 2011 Ride for the Roses event in Austin.  ARTICLE.

I am now in the planning stages for 2012 fundraising.  I can't wait to get started and have some great events planned so feel free to come out and join us as I post the event dates/times.

Thanks again to Marjorie Dana from the Charlotte Observer for the interview and article!!

Cancer screening....To do it or not do it?

Okay, I am not a doctor and I don't play one on television but I read this article with just a bit of skepticism.  Is this a symptom of trying to reign in medical costs or is the medical profession dealing with cancers that much improved.

To me, the key line comes early in the piece:  "Some tumors are too slow-growing to ever threaten your life. Some are so aggressive that finding them early doesn't make much difference."  The article goes on to call out several well known early detection test: PSA test for men and mammograms for women.  At what age should these test begin and do they really help in saving lives...is the gist of the article.

Either way; as I said, I am not a doctor...simply someone who has lost someone to breast cancer and have had my own run in with skin cancer.  I know how I feel about early testing...you decide for yourself with you medical professional!! 

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/health/2011/11/08/hit-reset-on-cancer-screening-tests-not-perfect/#ixzz1d85GTRul

Encouraging research!!!

This is seriously very encouraging news about melanoma treatment options.  http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/10/111010173011.htm

Believe in Brendan!!!

Imagine my anger when I figured out what all of the green ribbons popping up around my neighborhood meant....Brendan Rodrigues a bright and energetic 10 year old was diagnosed with Burkitt's Lymphoma while I was in Austin at the 2011 Ride for the Roses!  I was instantly brought back to the reality of why we had been in Austin...raising money for cancer advocacy and support services.  Luckily, when I contacted the neighbor in charge of organizing our neighborhood's support I was told that the family has already been to the LiveSTRONG Navigation Services tab and registered Brendan.

If you want to follow Brendan's story I have a couple of different ways to do so.  One is through his CaringBridge account at:  Believe in Brendan or if you would like you can LIKE his page on Facebook.

This little man is way too young to have to be worried about running out of time!  Visit one of his pages, make a donation on his behalf, and keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. 

2011 LiveSTRONG Challenge and Ride for the Roses Weekend

It has been quite some time since my last post but I promise never to let that happen again.  I will probably move on to a new blog but haven't settled on a catchy all encompassing title yet...so stay tuned.

So, this past week was an incredibly emotionally charged week culminating in a short 20 mile bike ride out in Texas hill country with 2000 other cycling enthusiast who hate cancer as much as I do.  Thanks to all of the people who donate to my favorite cause, 24 Hours of Booty, here in Charlotte I qualified to attend this year's Ride for the Roses.  So, let me see if I can adequately cover how the week played itself out for everyone.

Thursday October 13th marked the 8th anniversary of my Mom ran out of time waiting on an effective treatment for breast cancer.  You will understand the "ran out of time" comment as you continue to read.  It was also the day I picked up my bike from The Spirited Cyclist here is Mooresville all boxed up in a Thule bike case for the trip to Austin, TX.  I was both saddened and excited at the same time.  As mentioned in earlier post on this blog I love my Mom and miss her every day.  My Mom was a wonderful person who  never met someone she did not like and did not like her!

Friday October 14th started bright and early with a 7:05 am flight out to Texas.  I felt like a little kid again waiting from my birthday or Christmas to arrive...simply giddy about what I was going to experience during the weekend.  I arrived in Austin around 10:40 am and was greeted by a LiveSTRONG Challenge volunteer as I entered the baggage claim area and I must admit it was pretty cool seeing someone holding a board with your name on it just waiting for you to arrive.  The area was awash with the light blue t-shirts of the volunteers and yellow and black balloons were all over baggage claim. 

 Thanks to Jamie for taking this picture!  As I was waiting on my bike to show up I began meeting people who were also there for the Ride for the Roses Weekend and started making new friends.  The Thule bike case finally arrived and after a quick stop at the registration table it was on to the bus for transport to the Downtown Austin Hyatt.  At the hotel, once I got checked in with the hotel it was off to officially sign in for the weekend and drop off my bike.  The staff in the registration room made you feel welcome, even a newbie as myself.  What I found remarkable was that several of the folks in front of me were called by name by the staff.  This is an obviously very tight knit family.  Once I dropped my bike off at the bike room to be assembled and transported to all of the rides it was off to the room for a couple of hours to unpack, take a shower, and relax before going over to a private tour of the headquarters of the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

That afternoon is when the truly powerful weekend really kicked in to gear.  First I met up with the other 24 Hours of Booty riders who earned this experience through their fundraising efforts:  Bryan McMillan from the Krased Marauders out of Columbia, MD; John Manser and Kelly Wiggins from Team Pirate Treasure out of Atlanta, GA and made friends for life instantly.  Then we loaded the bus for the short drive over to the LAF headquarters.  As we rolled up, we got our first glimpse of the new mural that was commissioned to world renowned tattoo and graffiti artist Mister Cartoon. 

Note, the bottom right hand corner is an empty ribbon...later that afternoon when had been introduced and spoke for a few minutes about his own work and the meaning of the symbols in the mural we were honored to watch him actually "tag" his work.  The great thing about Mister Cartoon is that he takes in young kids who want to be artist and forces them to not use Photoshop or any other graphic programs until they prove themselves by drawing/painting by hand.  Isn't it amazing what can be done with spray paint!!!  After getting Mister Cartoon's autograph on the poster he designed for the weekend it was back on the bus to get prepared for the evening's private dinner at a super secret location....which turned out to Lance Armstrong's back yard. 

That night, with about 400 other cancer warriors, we were treated to a great meal, got to meet Ethan Suplee (to me Louie Lastik from Remember the Titans), and were serenaded by Lance's favorite party band, The Gypsy Queens all the way from Nice, France.  We heard powerful stories about survivorship, such as a 30 something young man fighting testicular cancer who was told on the day he was to begin chemo was told it would be postponed because of a shortage of a key medicine needed, the story of Movember, USA, and finally watching a rather embarrassed Dad, Lance himself, try to wrangle his overtired and running on pure nervous energy 3 year old son.

Saturday morning October 15th...I was up bright and early remarkably refreshed ready to take on the LiveSTRONG Challenge 5K.  Met up with all of friends from 24 HoB and headed out to the start line.  Talk about a sea of yellow....it was everywhere.  Over 2200 people had signed up for the 5K and it was impressive.  Again, you could not help but be moved as they announced that the pedicabs carrying young kids from the local Austin area fighting cancer right now were allowed to lead the procession.  I couldn't see them from my vantage point but John Manser said it was indeed inspiring.  Out on the 5K there were folks walking, running, and jogging.  There were colorful team jersey's such as:

• Team 1 Nut....you guessed it...for a father fighting testicular cancer
• Papa's Peeps
• A group of women walking with a shirt blazoned with the saying "bladder cancer pisses me off"
• and many, many more

As we approached the finish line, the ladies of 24 HoB made sure that I walked into the survivor lane to be recognized as such...even though I was still struggling with that title...but more on that later.  I received a yellow rose and a lot of hugs from the team...for those of you who know me can probably guess that I was very emotional, or as John Manser says, "I have weak tear ducts".  We stuck around awhile and watched some of the other folks coming in and got to see Team 1 Nut finishing the course with an ever exuberant little girl, probably a dyed in the wool Daddy's girl go walking up the bridge screaming "team 1 nut, team 1 nut" at the top of her lungs!  It was then off to the room to get geared up for our chance to ride with Lance.  We loaded up the buses and headed out to a place called The Driveway where our bikes were waiting.  After a group picture with Lance we jumped on our bikes and hit the course with a professional photography crew riding at the front of the pack.  One by one we were marshaled up to ride with Lance for 1-2 minutes all the while the professional photographers were snapping away.  What do you say to someone of Lance's status in the cancer fighting world...other than Thanks for everything he has done for the cause.  Boy was I surprised when he looked at me and said, "no Thank you for being on the front lines of the fight.." I was instantly taken by him humility in that statement. It was not said in some rote fashion...I could tell he truly meant it!  After our group all had their time riding with Lance we boarded the buses and it was back to LAF headquarters for a private lunch.  During that luncheon we learned that .81 cents of every dollar donated to LAF goes right back into programs and services.  Anything above .75 cents is fantastic stewardship and they are striving to get to .84 to .85 cents as quickly as possible.  We heard about the new Navigation Services and how the initial budget for 2011 was to serve 300 people and as of the day prior they had served their 1000th person...how awesome is that?  We dropped off our bikes and boarded the buses back to the hotel.  After a quick trip to Mellow Johnny's it was time to get cleaned up for the night's awards dinner back at LAF headquarters.

Now, for that "ran out of time" comment earlier in the post.  Lance came up on stage to talk cancer advocacy and support.  During his talk he mentioned an article he had just written about Steve Jobs and his impact on the sports community.  Lance said that Steve Jobs didn't lose his battle with cancer he simply "ran out of time" waiting for a better treatment option for his type of cancer.  Lance went on to say that we have to stop referring to our loved ones as losing that battle because they didn't lose...they simply ran out of time.  During the awards, 24 Hours of Booty and its Founder Spencer Lueders was recognized for top fundraising among "partnered events" and a large cheer was offered up by the Booty crew in attendance.  The event ended with this VIDEO.  When the video ended, you could hear a pin drop as the silence was deafening even though we were outside.  After a few seconds of everyone collecting their thoughts and wiping tears from their eyes the dinner was over and we headed back to hotel for a nightcap and then off to bed.   

Sunday morning October 16th: bright and early start...on the bus at 5:15 for the drive out to Dripping Springs, TX.  Under a sky still glistening with a few stars we stepped off of the bus and were directed toward the tent with the yellow dome as our guide to grab some breakfast, get our bikes, and get ready for the Ride for the Roses.  We were guided to the front of the starting area and wound up right beside the announcers booth to watch as Lance Armstrong received a check from Radio Shack for $829,000 dollars making their 3 year donation total nearly $10 million dollars.  After a stirring version of the National Anthem, some safety advice from Lance himself, and a roaring countdown from the assembled 2000 plus riders we were off.  We had been warned of some slick areas right out of the gate and they weren't kidding....several cyclist fishtailed a bit when tapping their brakes...luckily no one went down.  I haven't been riding a lot so trying to keep up with John, Kelly, Bryan, and Basil Lyberg, the Executive Director of 24 Hours of Booty, was a bit of a mistake.  At mile 3 we rounded a left hander to look at a rather short but incredibly steep little climb.  Many riders were off and walking but I made it up the hill. At that point, realizing I had been dropped like a bad habit, I settled in to my own comfortable rhythm and mentally confirmed that there was not a chance that I would attempt to do the 45 mile loop.  We had also been warned of and given instructions on how to cross the numerous cattle guards on these roads.  If you can imagine what it would be like to be riding a jack hammer...you can imagine what is was like rolling over those things. Out on the course, it was nice talking to folks as we rode.  It is all about the stories and many were shared on the road.  At the 10 mile mark, the course split and I took the left hand road for the 20 mile loop.  It was then that I found my solace...riding alone with a rider visible in front of me and the occasional whirring of a chain approaching from behind.  I was able to really reflect on my Mom, my friends who have had family members run out of time like: Stephanie Brown's Dad or little Camden Kibler from Orlando, FL who was only here with his family for a little over 5 months.  I met his parents and little sister through 24 Hours of Booty and was instantly moved by his story.  You can read about Camden's journey HERE.  As I approached the finish line knowing that there would be another survivor lane I tried to prepare myself for the wave of emotions to no avail. As soon as I hit the first marker separating the lanes a wave of honor, accomplishment, and loss all overwhelmed me, as this picture will attest.

  I went back to our assigned area, turned in my bike, and then took in the rest of the day.  I mentioned earlier a wonderful conversation with Doug Ulman, cancer survivor, founder of the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, and current CEO of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, so let me now highlight that conversation.  Doug was in our Ride for the Roses area speaking with people as they finished and I summoned up the courage that I couldn't summon while riding with Lance and walked up and asked if I could ask him a question.  I was remarkably calm and was able to control my emotions as I told him of my struggle with calling myself a survivor.  I told him that I knew his story and that of the testicular cancer survivor from Friday night's dinner and I didn't feel right calling myself a survivor.  I went on to relate how my cancer was non life threatening and the treatment lasted all of 4 weeks.  When I finished, he looked me in the eye and said "you are a survivor" and went on to explain that we could not compare ourselves to other cancer survivors.  He asked me if a doctor told me that I had cancer and it my medical records contain a diagnosis of cancer, of course the answer to that is yes.  He said to not be ashamed or to struggle with being a survivor any more.  That clarity was a relief.  It has reignited the passion I had earlier in this blog to drive awareness of all types of skin cancer both melanoma and non melanoma alike.  After watching my fellow booty riders return, having a great lunch, hearing stories from the ride, and walking through the expo I headed back to the hotel to get packed and ready for a final night in Austin.  After dinner a ZTejas, where the foundations of the Lance Armstrong Foundation were put in place 15 years ago and a quick walk to Six Lounge, Lance's bar in downtown Austin, it was back to the hotel.

Monday morning October 17th: back to reality...but a reality with a renewed passion for driving awareness of skin cancers, getting ready to kick off fundraising for the 2012 24 Hours of Booty ride in Charlotte, and spreading the message of the LAF and LiveSTRONG!

That's it for now.  I have more stories to tell and will do so over the next few days about little Ella a cancer survivor who rode the 20 mile course, Ben M from Boston a 10 year old who raised $10k on his own, and about a crazy picture of me and Spencer Lueders....! Stay tuned and thanks for reading!

24 Hours of Booty and the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Helmet of Hope Grant!!!

Okay, so you should know by now that I am on a mission every year to raise money for 24 Hours of Booty and if you haven't...well now you know.  If you would like to help me in the fight against cancer you have two choices:
1. Visit my fundraising page and make a small donation...any amount helps!!
2. Join Team Carpe Diem next Saturday night July 9th for BBQ For Booty at Mac's Speed Shop in Cornelius, NC.  You can get your tickets to the fundraiser HERE.  Tickets are $20 with $13 of that going directly to 24 Hours of Booty...there will also be door prizes and a silent auction.  Come join us!!!

Now the really exciting news, each year the Jimmie Johnson Foundation holds an annual giving campaign called the Helmet of Hope.  This campaign takes entries from media members and racing fans nominating their favorite charities and places them in to weekly drawings for a grant from the foundation.  Being a huge JJ fan, I entered 24 Hours of Booty the day the campaign was announced.  Well, apparently getting your entry in early is a good thing as the first week of this year's campaign my entry was drawn by Jimmie....YES...that means that 24 Hours of Booty will receive a $10,000 grant this year!!!  Here is the news release from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation website announcing the winners for the week!!  Many thanks to Jimmie and Chandra for this awesome way to give back!!

Very good news about treating melanoma

It has been a few weeks since my last post and I couldn't be more excited about this one tonight!!!  While looking through my regular news sites, I stumbled across this article on CNN:  New melanoma treatment

By Miriam Falco, CNN   June 5, 2011 4:23 p.m. EDT

 

While this is good news but that still doesn't mean stop using your sunscreen because melanoma is still very, very dangerous. 

 

Stay tuned for more updates!

Second Opinion day

Tomorrow morning I am visiting a new dermatology practice in Charlotte that has a specialist in skin cancer.  I am going for several reasons but primarily to get a 2nd opinion on the DSAP diagnosis on my legs.  I am going to take in my original pathology reports and ask lots of questions.  There will be a really good post tomorrow!!

May is melanoma Awareness Month...

It is interesting that May is melanoma awareness month.  Why is it interesting....well you see...no one wants to raise awareness of the non-melanoma cancers...at least from what I can find on the web.  Granted there are some really awesome web sites dedicated to basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma but they are not as widely read as sites dealing with melanoma.  I get it...melanoma is one of the most deadliest forms of cancer around and I must admit that I was relieved when my doctor told me that I had non-melanoma skin cancer but when nearly 2,000,000 people a year (and those numbers are truly best guesses according to the most recent American Cancer Society statistics) are diagnosed with bcc or scc shouldn't we be doing more to raise awareness of these two cancers as well.  You see, the numbers are a best guess because no one (not even the ACS) requires reporting of bcc/scc cases annually.  Some dermatologist do report their cases but there are not any official statistics anywhere.

I am certain that I have people throwing things at their monitors right about now because it would seem that I am casually tossing aside the seriousness of melanoma.....that COULD NOT BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH! I was a cancer warrior long before my diagnosis with bcc and will continue to be a cancer warrior for anyone who has any type of cancer.  As noted in an earlier post, I lost my Mother to breast cancer in 2003 just when she should be enjoying life with watching her grandsons mature in to awesome young men....she missed a baseball state championship, she missed a high school graduation, she missed the first full year of high school marching band (and how she loved marching bands).....and so on.  I get it and I will do everything I can to help fight cancer. I just think there should be more awareness out there for the non-melanoma cancers.

So, instead of complaining about it I am going to use this blog to raise awareness starting today.  Did you know that once you have a diagnosis of bcc or scc you are at an increased risk of developing melanoma?  The National Cancer Institute has an interesting page on melanoma at this LINK.  The page was last updated in 2008 but a lot of the information still seems relevant.  I am going to be even more diligent about checking and tracking any moles on my body now that I have had bcc. 

Tune in here for more current and up to date information on basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.  If I have to become a one man campaign to raise awareness I certainly will!!

If you would like to help me fight cancer, please donate to my ride by visiting my fundraising page:  Terry's Fundraising Page

Jeans & Jewels Charlotte

If you are looking for something to do on this wet and rainy Saturday....you should buy a ticket and come to a fantastic fundraising gala for 24 Hours of Booty....Jeans and Jewels "Bling Your Booty".  This is a combination fashion show and semi formal affair with all proceeds benefiting 24 Hours of Booty.  I am very excited to be going tonight and will also be one of the models for the evening...yes my large oversize body will be strutting the runway in some Giordana Cycling Gear!!  This should be fun....maybe! 

Jeans and Jewels

If you can't make it out tonight but still would like to help me fight cancer, you can always visit my fundraising page and make a donation!!  Thanks.  Terry's Fundraising Page

What the heck is DSAP?????

I have now had a couple of days to digest my most recent visit to the dermatologist for the c&d procedure and getting the information on disseminated superficial actinic porokeratosis (DSAP) on my legs.  I am still not sure what DSAP really is....but here is what I've been able to find on my own...

DSAP is a very rare skin disease that is both hereditary and brought out by sun exposure and exacerbated tanning beds.  It is such a rare disorder that most doctors and dermatologist have never even seen it.  It primarily effects women but is diagnosed in men....me included...!  It is most often misdiagnosed as regular actinic keratosis.  It shows up as reddish brown spots (little circles really) and then as it progresses the outer circle  becomes hard and dark while the center atrophies a bit.  The spots can sometimes develop worrisome changes such as scaling and scaling and should be biopsied.  As rare as DSAP is it is even more rare for it to progress to cancer; however, there have been documented cases of DSAP becoming full on skin cancer.

Treatment options are limited, based on what I have read so far, to medicated creams/gels.  So far, no one other than the pharmacuetical companies think the medicated gels work.  I have already had a negative experience with one of them: Solaraze and I am still waiting to hear back from the dermatologist to get back with me for a 2nd option. 

So, at this point I have many more questions and will be continue to do my own research.  I am currently looking for another dermatologist just to get a 2nd opinion and explore my options. 

By the way, for those of you who don't know...I ride in the annual 24 Hours of Booty event in Charlotte, NC and am trying to raise money to fight cancer!  Please support me in my ride!!
24 Hours of Booty

C & D Procedure and More Questions

It has been a couple of days since my last update so I have a lot to get caught up on....so let's get started.

April 28, 8:00 a.m. arrive at dermatologist office for the curettage and destruction (C&D) procedure and am promptly called back to the exam room.  The nurse comes in and ask me to remove my shirt and if I wanted to stay sitting up or lie down...I decide to stay sitting up so I can turn my head and watch....yes I said watch.

8:05 a.m. the PA that is treating me walks in and says that the nurse told her I have some questions about my legs to which I reply, yes, and show her the big round place at the bottom of my calf.  She very casually says, "oh that is more of the same thing we already biopsied...porokeratosis"...to which I replied what is the difference between that and what's on my arm and why are we treating them differently.  At first she looked puzzled and pulled up my chart on the computer..."We did treat your arms...that is simple actinic keratosis and we froze those off."  I must have had quite the perplexed look on my face because she continued, "freezing is not recommended for your legs...it typically doesn't work and since you had the allergic reaction to the Solaraze I haven't had a chance to confer with Dr. (name withheld as to not identify the practice) yet....he left for a conference and vacation and I have been out sick.  But, I will call him and get a recommendation and call you today".  I asked if we should biopsy the spot on my calf because to me it looked much different than the other spot that came back "almost cancer" according to the pathology report" to which I was told there was no need because she was 100% sure it was the same thing.  I then asked about a full body mapping....to which she replies..."we did that on the 11th didn't we?"  I reminded her that we had missed the spots on the back of my leg and that she did not look at my scalp and hairline as was recommended by my LiveSTRONG nurse.  The PA looked at me and said, "you've got too much hair to worry about your scalp" and very quickly ran her fingers through my hair and replied, "yeah your good...we will just have to watch your part as it has exposed skin".   I can't tell you just how frustrating that was and maybe, just maybe, I am blowing this way out of proportion but it just seemed a little too casual.  Then again, basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. 

8:18 a.m. the nurse comes back in to numb up the spot for the C&D...and after two complete little vials of whatever it was they were using I could finally answer, "can you feel this..." with a definitive no.  The nurse was very concerned that I not be able to feel even the slightest little needle prick, which I was very grateful for once the PA started the procedure.

8:20 a.m. the PA comes in and asks if I am ready as she rolls the tray around to my right side..."of course" was my reply. As she picked up the little electrical device I turned to look which caught her quite by surprise and said you will probably smell this...and started carving a circle around the original biopsy scar with the electrical device....and yes I did smell it.  She then picked up what I can only describe as something similar to a melon baller (for those of you that do not know your way around a kitchen that is the little device that chefs use to make fancy little fruit balls out of melons, fruits, etc) and began scraping over the entire area inside the circle she just burnt.  "We are going to do this 3 or 4 times....the procedure states 3 but I like adding that extra one to ensure that I get all of the cancerous cells".  So, we did this same procedure 3 more times and it was over.  She places a active flex type band aid over the area and says she is going to pull up some information on my legs because, "while I've seen it a few times before it is rare and can progress to skin cancer but I don't know much more than that...."  The nurse comes in with the wound care instructions, the check out sheet, and a photocopied page  for DISSEMINATED SUPERFICIAL ACTINIC POROKERATOSIS (DSAP) which is what she says is on my legs.  The nurse reiterates the PA's comment that she is going to confer with the Dr and call me with treatment options later that day.

8:50 a.m. arrive back home, take some ibuprofen, and just guide of doze on the couch the remainder of the day since I didn't sleep well the night before.

At one point, I decide to come in and do my own research on DSAP and start doing internet searches and will save all of that for subsequent post.  Needless to say, I am driving myself crazy so I don't know if this whole having tons of information, commentary, and people's personal thoughts readily available on the web is a good thing. But then again, here I am posting about it...just a little irony in that statement....you think!

So, at this point I have to go back every 6 months, the PA "thinks" she got all of the bcc cells, and I am left with more questions than answers about DSAP.  Oh yeah, the original reason I went to the dermatologist to begin with...the place on my hand, the mole on my back (that still itches like crazy), and all of the bothersome skin tags....all still there. 

Random thoughts from the day....

It is absolutely amazing going through one's daily routine and realize there are so many people that either have cancer, have a family member with cancer, or have a close friend who is dealing with cancer.  I say this because we had 24 Hours of Booty out at my job today to educate and solicit volunteers for the July 29th - 30th event this year.  Several of the people who stopped by, once they got passed the name, relayed stories of family, friends, or themselves dealing with cancer.  We only got one volunteer to sign up today...but the event is still 3 months out and folks just don't plan that far in advance any more.

As Thursday approaches, I am getting a bit more trepidation about the day.  While I know that all they will be doing is, in the words of the nurse who called and scheduled it, "cutting, burning, and scooping" until they feel confident that they have removed all of the cancerous cells.  I was told to expect a scar from the procedure...duh...they are cutting on me so what else would I expect?  My real concern is the place that I found on the back of my right leg last week.  I am going to insist on that spot being biopsied as well....stay tuned.

On an separate note, have I mentioned that I am doing a bike ride to fight cancer.....?  If not, let me tell you again so you can go out and make a donation to my ride.  You will be providing a tax deductible donation to the official 24 hour cycling event of the Lance Armstrong Foundation with 50% of the funds raised staying in the local community.  Please make a small donation.

I know I promised information on how to do a self exam for today's post....but....you know what...there is ample information out there and I am just too tired right now to do it justice.  I have now worked out and/or rode my bike three days in a row so I am a bit tired.  So, until we meet again here on my blog....good night and farewell!!!

Protecting yourself from skin cancer

When I was a kid growing up on a small family farm in Tennessee; skin care and protecting myself from skin cancer was the farthest thing on my mind.  I was more concerned about having that deep, dark, bronze tan and usually spent most of the summer in shorts and sneakers without a shirt whenever I was outside.  I would spend hours cutting, raking, and baling hay for the small herd of cattle that we kept to sell and use for beef and if I didn't think I was getting a dark enough tan would use tanning oils or baby oil to enhance the effect.  I was never told about these risk factors for skin cancer: my comments in parentheses

• Having fair skin, red or blond hair (not me)
• Having light-colored eyes (green eyes)
• Sunburning easily (didn't burn easily as a child....literally tanned in the sun but did have some bad burns)
• Having many moles, freckles or birthmarks (covered in freckles as a little boy)
• Working or playing outside (duh....working on a farm, marching in high school and college band)
• Being in the sun a lot as a child (again grew up on a farm...hay, vegetable gardens, yada, yada, yada)
• Having had a serious sunburn (one or two bad burns over the course of my life)
• Having had skin cancer, or having family members who have had skin cancer (not until recently)
• Tanning in the sun or with a sunlamp (did that a lot in the past 10 years....)

What is that old adage, "hindsight is 20/20". Well in my case it certainly is just that 20/20.  Would I have done anything differently?  Probably not, but who knows at this point.  All I do know is that I have been diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and will be having two more spots biopsied Thursday of this week after the doctor digs around in my shoulder for a few minutes until she is comfortable that she has removed all of the bad cells at that location.

Can you prevent or minimize your chances of getting skin cancer?  ABSOLUTELY!!!  Here are some of the best known ways to reduce your risk:

• Stay our of the sun if you can, especially from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• STOP using tanning booths or sunlamps...while they make you feel good they are destroying your skin!
• Put on protective clothing and a hat whenever you go outside. Keep those hands and arms protected while driving!  Keep some sunscreen in your car for those long trips or wear long sleeves.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap and are rated to block at least 99% of UVA sunlight.
• Do a complete body map and check your skin every month for signs of skin cancer. Check back tomorrow for a guide to self exams.
• Do not be afraid to ask your doctor if something looks different or a new place appears! 
• USE SUN SCREEN OF 15 SPF OR  HIGHER ALL OF THE TIME!

So, even though it is fun to get a deep dark tan and it gives us all a great sense of self worth it can potentially be bad for you.  In my case, I guess it really was bad for me.  If you have one or more of the risk factors listed above then please consider taking some of the precautions listed.

Come back tomorrow for quick and easy self exam methods and then later this week for some reviews of popular sun screen products.

Thanks for reading!

Back on my bike again

Okay, so after an 8th month layoff of not riding and not working out I got back on my bike today.  I refuse to let skin cancer force me to give up one of my favorite things to do.  Yes, I will have to be more careful with my skin care but I will still ride.

I started riding back in 2004 when a co-worker who lost her Dad to brain cancer convinced me to give it a try.  Now, like most of us I had a bike as a kid and rode it quite a lot.  I remember having my first 10 speed and riding the 1.5 miles to the base of the mountain we lived near in Tennessee and always turning around.  Back then, Breaking Away was a hit movie and Greg LeMond was becoming a household name by being the first American to win the Tour de France.  I always thought someday I would tackle climbing the 4.5 miles up to the top but never did.....life got in the way.  After college and a stint in the Army we moved back to Tennessee and I looked at bikes but never bought one....then I started moving with my career.  In 1999, I became interested in cycling again, as did a great many Americans, watching Lance Armstrong reclaim his life and his stature as a truly competitive cyclist by winning the first of 7 consecutive Tours de France.  I bought a hybrid bike and rode a little but still didn't put a lot into riding.

As mentioned in an earlier post, I wasn't around to help Mom through her cancer and that is why I took the challenge from my co-worker to get a bike and ride in the 24 Hours of Booty. I bought a bike off of the community bulletin board at work which was 4 cm too small, even with the seat post elevated as far as it would go, and I only managed to ride 30 miles.  What was embarrassing was having to get off and walk the bike up the little incline on the back side of the course after 10 miles. I missed the 2005 and 2006 rides.  In 2005, I chose to focus on training for and riding in the MS 150 and decided to go back to Tennessee the weekend of the ride.  In 2006, I just didn't ride.

By 2007, I had found the miracle that is Facebook and had reconnected with many of my old high school band mates.  Unfortunately, reconnecting with these friends brought me closer to cancer, again.  Two of my good friends passed away from pancreas cancer between 2007 and 2008 so I was determined at that point to never again miss another opportunity to rasie money for cancer research and support by riding in the 24 Hours of Booty. 

Fast forward to now.....I am on my 2nd year volunteering my time for the Booty Organizing committee, helping ensure that this event is truly world class and riding!  As long as I can swing a leg over a bike and keep my balance I will ride a bike.

Strike Out Cancer Night

Last night was the third annual Wildcats Strike Out Cancer night at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville, NC. The event raises money for 24 Hours of Booty, a 24 hour cycling event in Charlotte, NC that raises money for cancer research and support activities and is the official 24 hour cycling event of the Lane Armstrong Foundation.

The head coach is a cancer survivor and we have special jerseys representing different cancer support colors that the team wears during the game. The jerseys are then auctioned off during the game with all proceeds going to 24 Hours of Booty.
It is a great event for the players because afterwards they are asked to autograph their jersey for the winning bidder.

I have ridden in this event for 6 of the 10 years. If you would like to donate to the ride and help me fight cancer, both my own and everyone else fighting, check out my fundraising page link. You can also get more information about 24 Hours of Booty through my fundraising page. Thanks for reading and helping strike out cancer!

Cancer Statistics - Skin Cancer is on the rise!!

If you need some light reading before you go to bed tonight you can check out the link with this post.  It is the complete breakdown of the most recent full cancer statistics published through The American Cancer Society. 

The study is through 2010 and while basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are not required to be reported to cancer registries more than 2 million people were treated for these two cancers in 2006.  They are the most easily treated cancers (basal cell more so than squamous cell) but the incidents are on the rise. If you love the sun as much as I did/still do then you are at risk for developing skin cancer.  I didn't listen to my parnets when they told me to put on sun screen...quite the contrary. I would use tanning oils to accelerate my tan.  I can't count the number of times that I got seriously burned working on the farm, laying out by a pool, or at high school/college band camps.  When you couple this with the fact that I also have a fair complexion and green eyes puts me very much at risk.

Basal cell carcinomas typically does not spread and are typically treated by excising them completely. I have my next appointment on April 28th to finish excising my shoulder. I will have two other spots on my leg examined as well.

My purpose for blogging about my skin cancer is to educate.  I hope this is a good first start!

Solaraze and aspirin allergies

I promised in an earlier post that I would discuss my experience with Solaraze, so presented now for your reading pleasure...

As my dermatologist was casually looking over my arms and legs and dropping subtle little hints that I probably have, at a minimum basal cell carcinoma, she talked about using a medicated gel to treat the precancerous places on my legs.  Of course I was immediately perplexed because she said that we would only use it on my legs but would just monitor my arms???  Go figure. So after all the numbing, scraping, and shave biopsy action she handed me a sample bag, discount card, and a prescription for Solaraze 5% topical solution.  She asked, in passing if I could take/use NSAIDs to which I replied "yes" because I have taken them before.  Even though her nurse had documented my allergies (note I am allergic to aspirin) she didn't notice or ask about said allergies.

Well, I show up at my local CVS for my prescription and nearly fall out from the price tag for this 100 ml tube of 5% Solaraze....even with my insurance benefit it was going to be north of $150. Luckily, the handy little discount card from the pharmaceutical company allowed me to pay a whopping $20 for this same tube.....was I a happy camper or what? 

Wednesday of last week I start using the gel  twice a day as prescribed choosing first to use the samples I had been provided.  One day down...no issues with the gel. Thursday comes and goes with 2 more applications of this gel with no issues.  Friday morning I begin to notice that I was not feeling like my self....mild headache, a bit nauseated, and a bit of a rash on my legs.  Not to be slowed down, I pressed on through the day because I was doing volunteer work for 24 Hours of Booty, learn more HERE, and for my son's high school band. By the time I got home Friday afternoon I was really out of sorts and just sat on the couch all night.  I got little to no sleep Friday night because of severe stomach cramps.  Saturday was another morning spent fighting off a severe headache so I could go to Columbia, SC and visit my sophomore at USC.  When it came time to leave, I handed my wonderful wife the keys and she knew at that point that I wasn't feeling well.  You see, I don't like giving up the wheel when we travel...I am not a very good passenger.  About 5 minutes in to our drive and I started getting motion sickness.  I am an avid roller coaster enthusiast so I never get motion sick!!  Something wasn't quite right.  Saturday night was a 2nd straight night with severe cramps and many trips to the toilet....

Fast forward to Sunday morning, a little Google research on side effects of Solaraze, and some conversation with my wife and I decide to stop using this stuff and leave a message with my dermatologist's office.  As Sunday progressed I noticed the dizziness, the cramping, and headache started to subside and my appetite slowly came back. Monday morning, I spent a fantastic hour on the phone with a Navigate Cancer Foundation oncology nurse practitioner during which I relayed my experiences from the past week.  Her first question was, "by any chance you would not be allergic to aspirin are you".....  DING, DING, DING, DING we have a potential winner!!! She concurred with my decision to discontinue use and consult with my dermatologist again.  I had already called the office a 2nd time and was waiting on a call back at this point.

So, how does this little novella end you ask? My dermatologist said stop using Solaraze and that we would discuss other options on my next appointment on April 28th. 

Why I hate cancer....

If you are like most Americans, you either know someone who has cancer or you are fighting this horrible disease yourself.  The other reality for most Americans is that you have lost someone special to you to cancer.  I now fall in to both categories:  fighting skin cancer, my Dad has fought skin cancer, and I lost my Mom to breast cancer in October 2003. 

When my Mom was first diagnosed I was already living in North Carolina and was not with her in Tennessee as she battled breast cancer and shortly after her diagnosis I transferred to Washington state.  I missed most of her first fight and the little victory of being declared cancer free.  I transferred back to NC in 2001 and over the course of 2 years went home too few times.  In the summer of 2003 she started feeling bad again...but her doctors told her she just had a summer cold. Well the summer cold turned into a full blown relapse of cancer...this time not only breast but in her lungs....only no one knew it until it was too late.  The last time I saw her alive was labor day weekend when we had gone camping at a state park near my childhood home and stopped by the house for 30 minutes or so on our way back to NC.  By the end of September she had been rushed to Nashville, TN and had several test that revealed the return of cancer I wrote of earlier.  On October 13, 2003 while on my way to my son's baseball practice my phone rang...it was my Aunt (Mom's youngest sister) informing me that Mom had left us.

Mom was 61 at the time...way to young to have lost a battle with cancer.  There is not a day that goes by that I don't miss her!!

So, why do I hate cancer....cancer took my Mom way to young, it has inflicted its curse on my Dad, and now I am dealing with it.....Enough said!

My world has changed....

So, I have had little annoying places on my arms and legs for about 2 years.  I never gave them much thought until I went in for my VA annual physical this year.  The VA doctor recommended that I see a dermatologist, which I must say startled me just a little.  Since we still have good private insurance I called my dermatologist and scheduled an appointment.

So, on Monday April 11, 2011 I went to my dermatologist.  I showed her the spot my VA doctor told me to have looked at and she immediately said that it was harmless and called it, for lack of a better term, an old age spot....me 44, old age spot???  Then she started looking at the annoying places on my arms and asked if I had spent a lot of time in the sun as a kid.  Of course, having grown up on a farm having to work outside throughout the day most of the summer I got burnt and tanned every year.  She told me the places on my are were actinic keratosis, which are pre cancerous cells.  As she checked both arms she came to a spot on my right shoulder and immediately asked if I knew about that particular spot.  I had seen it in the mirror and thought it was a pimple....she took out her marker, circled it, and said "we are going to test that one".... in a very calm, matter of fact tone. She then moved to my legs and found another spot that she circled.... Now, I am getting worried!  The other spots on my legs were deemed to be pre cancerous as well but she was going to treat them with a medicated gel.  The worst spots on my arm were frozen off before the biopsy procedure.

The two spots were subjected to a "shave biopsy" and she gave me a prescription for a Solaraze for the spots on my legs, 16 weeks worth of treatments.  I was told that the biopsy results would take about a week but she (my dermatologist) was 99.9% certain the spot on my shoulder was cancer.  So I went back to work.

The next afternoon, at around 4:15 pm my phone rang and it was the doctor's office....I answered the phone and was told that I had skin cancer!!!  That had to be the hardest thing to hear since I got the call that I had lost my Mom to cancer (we'll save that story for later as I have never really recovered from that day). The only positive to take from this phone call was that the skin cancer I have is basal cell carcinoma. 

This is the most common and easiest to treat of the skin cancers.  The doctor scheduled me for a "d and c" which is dilation and curettage for the place on my shoulder...basically cut and scrape the location until all of the cancer cells are believed to be removed. I picked up the prescription for the Solaraze and started using it on Thursday....that will have to be a separate post as well. 

So, this blog will now chronicle my journey with skin cancer. I have subsequently found two more places on my right leg that look just like the place on my right shoulder. I will have them examined next Thursday when I am scheduled for the d&c procedure.