Chemo-Man Battles Anemia

My biggest fight right now seems to be anemia, a low red blood cell count. For males the normal range for hemoglobin is 14 to 18g/dL. For the last couple of weeks mine has been coming in at 10.0 and I have noticed the effects on my running and other physical activities. During running I become winded very easily and need to keep my running speed relatively slow to make long distances. However, I am still able to run. I’ve been running 6 miles almost every day this week and plan to make a 16 mile run on Saturday. Even though the running is harder with the anemia, I believe my running is greatly helping me not feel the adverse effects of anemia during normal activity, such as fatigue, weakness, dizziness and headaches.

The science is well understood on how aerobic activity, such as running, makes the cardiovascular system much more efficient getting oxygen through out the body. The amount of hemoglobin (a protein complex in red blood cells) is of course very important. However, there are many other factors that can help counter the effects of anemia. Endurance training spawns the growth of new capillaries that improve blood flow to tissues. Blood vessels are made more elastic which improves blood flow with each heartbeat. Even the heart is strengthened with endurance training. A stronger heart can pump more volume of blood per heartbeat. Endurance training also triggers the body to make more mitochondria, tiny structures that act as power plants within all cells. Mitochondria combine oxygen with fuels from food to allow cells to perform work, such as muscle contraction. It seems logical that if all these factors are improved though endurance training, then one can counter the effects of anemia.

I truly believe endurance training has greatly countered the ravaging effects of chemo therapy. I have not suffered the extreme fatigue and weakness reported by so many chemo patients. Just think how exercise can help you.

Hairless Chemo-Man

Alright, some of you have been wondering what chemo-man looks like now without any hair. Well here you go, but don’t look for too long, the shine from my head might burn out your eyes. Notice some resemblance with Uncle Fester of the Adams Family?

Here is a shot with my harley biker wife, Renee. I couldn’t convince her to shave her head to make us look like twinsies. Some biker woman, huh.

Chemo-Man Kicks Butt Against Cancer

Today I received excellent news. The PET scan I took last week shows my tumors are gone after four chemo treatments. This is the best response to chemo that one can hope for. I’m not totally out of the woods yet. The scan showed some residual metabolic activity in the area where my large tumor was. I don’t fully understand what that means. I’ll know more in three weeks when I meet with my oncologist. I could possibly be done with chemo after six treatments. I’ll have another PET scan after my sixth treatment to determine if I’m done or need two more. There was no guarantee that the chemo would be effective. Some people’s tumors don’t respond to chemo treatment. Other’s respond, but only partially. Receiving this news has relieved a tremendous load off my wife and me. I don’t recall ever weeping with joy, but today I did.

Running went well last week. I finished with a 13 mile long run and 45 total miles for the week. Things are looking up for Grandma’s marathon.

Chemo-Man Back to Running

It took a full two weeks for me to get over the stomach flu. I could only muster up 3 miles last week. But I’m feeling very good this week and the running has gone well. I have accumulated 32 miles already this week and tomorrow plan to top it off with a 12 mile run. Last Wednesday I had a PET scan. Comparing the recent scan to one I took before starting chemo will show how the chemo treatments are reducing my tumor. I’ll find out the results next Tuesday. Next Wednesday will be my fifth chemo treatment. This one should go much better than the fourth because I don’t have the stomach flu and I’ll be hitting the chemo treatment running, literally. On previous chemo treatment days I did not run. For this one I plan to run in the morning before going to treatment. When I run in the morning the rest of my day is always better. We’ll see how that works.

Minor Setback

Last Sunday I was planning an outdoor 16 mile run but instead caught the flu. I opted not to run and get plenty of rest before my Chemo treatment on Wednesday. The chemo combined with some residual flu was not a good mix. I was able to muster up 4 miles on Friday, but probably shouldn’t have. I decided to rest and not run until the flu symptoms are gone. Today things appear to be turning around for the better. I may be running again by Monday or Tuesday. Having setbacks in 18 to 22 weeks of marathon training is common. This one is minor compared to what I have experienced before with leg and back injuries. Fortunately I’ve been way ahead in my training program and have plenty of time to catch up.