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 ProtonPals Newsletter
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 | | "Training at Kinex Fitness Studios" |
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Friday, January 31, 2014 Houston Texas
Greetings!
This month's newsletter is focused on physical fitness. I hope you don't mind that I've taken this tack. I've done it primarily because I've been working with a trainer for about a year and it's really made some differences in my life, stamina and recovery. Primarily in the speed I can recover.
 Allen Mizell, the trainer who has me under his tutelage is in his mid 30s, is from my home state of Louisiana and is very aware of all types of health conditions especially mine that need consideration when training and muscle building. We work with a heart rate monitor so he's got a dial into how hard I'm working. In December Allen was recruited by an entrepreneur, Matt, who's had much success at his young age and is building fitness training studios, in Illinois and in the Houston area. Hence is why you see the logo in the banner. I hope you don't mind the commercial but Kinex, it's principals and training staff is an outfit I would strongly recommend. We've done very little advertising in the ProtonPals if you overlook what we've said about MD Anderson, Texas, Houston and Blue Bell Ice Cream. Samantha McCue, VP of Operations, is an aerospace engineer in her day job and as you can tell is a trainer. She wrote an editorial for us about the importance of physical fitness and I've interspersed her article with other pieces from MD Anderson articles that I hope you'll find motivating and useful. Following the articles on physical fitness and health is an article about a book I just heard about. It's one you can get free if you act on it before tomorrow. If you miss the promotion period you'll be able to get it for less than a latte as a Kindle electronic book from Amazon. Thanks to the author Thomas Liev, PhD for making this promotion available to us. The last article is about imaging and the important developments that continue to drive the advancement in the treatment of prostate cancer. For without CT scanning and low level X ray imaging how could proton therapy work? The more recent imaging development being incorporated in some of the procedures of prostate cancer treatment is a technique called MultiParametric MRI. or mpMRI.
There's free coupon for those of you who are in the range of the fitness center or if you're living in Houston while undergoing treatment.
We are having our annual meeting on February 20th where we'll review 2013 and make plans for the next one year. We'll have Dr. Andrew K. Lee join us (Ban, Peter, Dave, Drew and me); and hopefully be able to schedule the new director of the Proton Center, Dr. Steven Frank. We'll review and consider how we can be more effective and would gladly receive any recommendations from you in that area. We'll also consider how to include other tumor site types, like lung or head and neck in the support of this group. It will be steep hill to climb unless we find a volunteer who would specialize in one or more of these areas.
If you're not a member of ProtonPals, I'd like to urge you to join; and if you're a member I'd like to urge you to get your friends to sign up to the ProtonPals. It doesn't cost anything and brings you benefits of sharing information with a community that you can reach out to. Plus you will get offers, free books, training sessions and support and without a lot of begging for funds.
When you read the article about the renovation in the pediatric recovery area and feel moved to help, please contribute to our Children's fund by going to this site give a donation or writing to Mail me. As we follow proper procedures, in all cases you will get a receipt from the MD Anderson development office or from the Treasurer of the ProtonPals organization when you donate to the ProtonPals. In Gratitude, Joe Landry ProtonPals, Ltd. 832 335 0353 |
Physical Fitness and Survival
| New Year's Resolutions
Physical activity is an essential element of human life. For years medical professionals have preached about the  | | "Sam" McCue Kinex VP of Operations |
importance of exercise, however, until recently, they have not stressed how crucial it can be during cancer treatment. Research shows that physical activity before, during and after treatment not only improves your physical self, but also your emotional well-being and overall quality of life. As with many chronic illnesses, the body becomes fatigued easily, muscles weaken, and range of motion decreases. Fortunately, all of these problems can be overcome with a tailored exercise plan. The first step in creating an exercise plan is to evaluate where you are right now. Do you currently have an exercise routine? Do you have any physical limitations? What type and stage of cancer do you have? What treatments are you undergoing? Does your doctor approve of exercise? These questions might sound trivial but, the key is to begin at a level that is comfortable for YOU. If you are someone that exercised regularly before treatment, you will want to lower the intensity of your workouts during treatment but maintain your fitness schedule. Preserving your daily routine will do wonders for your emotional health. If you were very inactive prior to treatment, you may need to start with short, low-intensity exercises, such as a walk. Most importantly, keep your body moving! Treatment affects all people in different ways and at different times. Adjust your exercise plan accordingly. Some days that might mean walking to the kitchen and other days that might mean running around the block. Exercise, whether done with or without cancer, needs to be a priority everyday. So what happens to my exercise plan when treatment is over? While many of the side effects are alleviated within a few weeks after treatment ends, there are some that remain or emerge later. It is normal to begin at your treatment-level exercise intensity and work your way up to moderate and intense activity. Your pre-treatment physical ability will not reappear overnight. Nevertheless, with a customized exercise plan, designed by a personal trainer or health professional, you will see WEEKLY improvements. Exercise has been shown to improve fatigue, anxiety, depression, self-  | | Samanatha McCue |
esteem, happiness, and several quality of life factors in cancer survivors. In fact, the American Cancer Society recommends that cancer survivors follow these guidelines: - Take part in regular physical activity
- Avoid inactivity and return to normal daily activities as soon as possible after diagnosis
- Aim to exercise at least 150 minutes per week
- Include strength training exercises at least 2 days per week
These are almost exactly the same guidelines we give our clients everyday at Kinex Fitness Studios, regardless of their age, pre-existing conditions or physical ability! Exercise is important. Have I said that enough? Guest Editor - Samantha McCue, Kinex Fitness Studio VP of Operations and Rocket Scientist |
| Physical Activity and Cancer | National Cancer Institute Factsheet. Key Points
- Physical activity is a critical component of energy balance, the term researchers use to describe how weight, diet, and physical activity influence health.
- There is strong evidence that physical activity is associated with reduced risk of cancers of the colon and breast.
- Several studies have also reported links between physical activity and reduced risk of endometrial (lining of the uterus), lung, and prostate cancers.
- Current National Cancer Institute-funded studies are exploring the role of physical activity in cancer survivorship and quality of life, cancer risk, and the needs of populations at increased risk.
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| Workout Classes for Guys |
 | | Allen Mizzel and his "right punch.". |
Exercise Classes Aren't Just for Women These Days
More and more men are signing up and trying group classes at their gym or specialized fitness studios.
Many keep returning - and for good reason. Group fitness classes can improve your strength conditioning, get your heart pumping, help cut belly fat that can up your cancer risks and teach you new exercises, with instructors or trainers suggesting adjustments for your fitness and skill level. Plus, working out in a group may give you the motivation to keep exercising so your body can fight off diseases like cancer.
Are you new to group fitness, or just want to mix things up? Take one or several of these classes for a test drive.
(these highlights were taken from an MD Anderson article promoting physical fitness.. Focused on Health).
1. Kickboxing
What it is:
An intense cardio workout that blends aspects of boxing, martial arts and aerobics.
Why it's good for you: Repeating quick boxing drills boosts your heart rate, burns fat, and improves strength, flexibility and stamina.
Bring: Water and cross-training shoes (not running shoes) that allow you to move side-to-side easily.
Take note: Haven't exercised lately? Take a basic aerobics class before trying kickboxing.
2. Strength Classes
What it is: A group workout using weights - and sometimes cross-training - to build up different muscle groups. 
Why it's good for you:
Strength training can prevent muscle loss, build bone mass and help burn calories so you maintain a healthy weight.
Take note:
Stretch your arms, back and leg muscles before and after class. This will prevent aches, muscle tears and injury.
3. Boot Camp
What it is:
An intense cross-training workout combining running, interval training and strength exercises.
Why it's good for you:
Boot camp burns body fat, builds strength and enhances your overall fitness and cardiovascular efficiency. 
Bring: Water (available at Kinex my fitness center) and sturdy cross-training shoes (not running shoes) that allow you to run and move quickly and easily.
Take note: Many boot camp programs last four to six weeks. In these programs, the drill sergeant-like instructor will test your fitness level on the first and last days.
No matter which of these workouts you choose, start with an evaluation with a certified trainer at a facility like Kinex Fitness Studios and start a class that matches your level of fitness. You'll get more out of your workout, reduce your risk of injury and boost your odds of returning for more.
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| "Life Does Not End with a Cancer Diagnosis" |  From Cancerwise - an MD Anderson Publication
MD Anderson has a large number of publications like Cancerwise in the area of fitness, nutrition and health; and are available to the public at no cost. Cancerwise's tagline is "Support, inspiration and insight for your cancer journey." S ubscrib
e here.
Last July Sonia Byrd wrote in her blog about how in 2012 she was diagnosed with breast cancer and had a double mastectomy followed by reconstructive surgery. Somewhere at the start of the treatments she decided she couldn't control cancer but she could control her journey. Here mantra was, "Life does not end with a cancer diagnosis."
This led her to start a body building fitness program and to join a contest where she won 2nd in the over 35 category and 5th overall.
In the early followups after completing treatment she asked her doctors about the fitness body building contest, she was shocked when they said "you should totally do it." She reports how not only did she become stronger but also mentally. Note her camouflage outfit costume signifying she is a survivor. |
| A New Book for You - Free if You Act Fast |  From the Patient's Perspective
Dr. Thomas J. Leih, retired mathematics professor and rocket scientist living in the Austin area, sent us a note via one of the organizations of which I'm a part. I skimmed it when I received it on Friday and thought it might be valuable to you in many areas - even though he's robotic surgery survivor and not external proton radiation. Here's what he closes one section with.
"Dealing with prostate cancer is a process, not an event. Part of this process is determining what to do about the whole thing, from testing and diagnosis through treatment. There are many books out there on prostate cancer written by genuine experts, and I recommend that you get a couple and read them. You'll get some very good information in those books, but you'll miss some of the material that is provided in my book. In fact, even your personal doctor probably will not tell you everything that is in my little book. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to undermine your relationship with your doctor - I'm saying only that this is a disease that requires you to be your own advocate. I can't over-emphasize this point.
With prostate cancer you definitely have to be in the loop."
I agree with that and certainly think his "18 cents worth" of opinions and his Prostate Cancer Check List is applicable in many of cases. Read on. and you can get the check list directly from the website. The Prostate Cancer Checklist JEL
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| Angels Under a Heavenly Blue Sky | 
Ceiling Tile Project
Last fall one of our newest benefactors gave a relatively large contribution for the Pediatric Recovery room renovation. This shows the early stages of the work but one of the most attractive as you can see here with look at the galaxy.
Recovery nurses Kelly Jackson and Yvette Rosenthal are tending to a small patient who's just completed his treatment in Gantry 2. When treating patients with external radiation the wee ones have to be sedated so that they won't move during alignment and treatment. As in all radiation treatments the location of the beam has to be precise within millimeters of the target and the patients must remain still for the complete process.
Once treatment is complete the little patients are brought into the recovery room where the nurses do their magic. We've have written before how moved we are by these angels who are so courageous; needless to say the therapists and nurses are the angels also. When were you sung to sleep prior to a medical treatment?
To view a touching video of a typical proton treatment day of my hero Jacob Ralston, please look in at the Pediatric Proton Foundation site founded by Susan Ralston. Here you'll find home video where Jacob's father narrates one of Jacobs days. Far from the stereotypical hospital environment you'll find Jacob looks forward to his daily visits to the "proton" center and I'm sure you find this very moving. A Typical Day of Pediatric Proton Treatment. As an aside, Jacob and I were at the proton center in 2007 but our timeline was off by a month or so, and I didn't get to meet the family.
If you'd like to buy a tile or two or more, or contribute to the new "Teen Room" and other operations needs, please navigate over to this point on the ProtonPals webpage for instruction ProtonPals Website and to the MDACC webisite Make a Donation to the ProtonPals Children's Toy and Activity Fund As you fill out the form you can make a notation of your special intent. It's possible your employee has a matching program in which case the form is set up to handle this.
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| How to See What You're Looking For |  You Have to do Some Aiming Before You Do Some Shooting Here are some sayings I've gleaned from Dr. James Cox over the history of ProtonPals.
- You got to blast the tumor with as much radiation as you can without damaging the healthy tissue and organs in the vicinity.
- You've got to aim the beam at the precise spot of what you're treating on a daily repeating the procedure over 30 to 40 days or 60 to 80 positioning for treatments.
- Once you've applied the treatment to the tumor you need to stop the beam from going further (remember with Bragg's Peak protons do that).
In the area of imaging there are three techniques that grab the headlines of stories and articles that we're surveying and these are 1) high magnetic field MRI's with iron based nano particles as a contrast agent, 2) positron emission (PET) scans with a short life radioactive contrast agents, Choline C 11 and 3) mpMRI - multiparametric MRI scan, basically 3 scans in one.
Want to know where prostate cancer has recurred?
For someone who's been treated and experiencing a recurrence you'd want an informed strategy to lead your doctor in your treatment. For example, is the recurrence of the cancer localized or Focal or is it Systemic and metastasized in many places in your body. For this question it looks like the Choline 11 PET Scan is the way to go instead of some of the bone and CT scans currently used. It was approved by the FDA last fall and in use primarily at the Rochester Mayo Clinic where they have the ability to make the short life radioactive agent.
Dr. Eugene Kwon points out this technique will sort things out as to whether it is a Focal recurrence and Systemic recurrence. It's meant to be used only in treated patients (surgery, external radiation and proton therapy) who show signs of recurrence by rising PSAs this very sensitive technique will highlight where it's localized or if it's scattered like dust all over your body. Once you know the category your doctor would treat the two stages very differently and in Focal recurrence you probably would not want to blast your whole body with hormone treatments. Surgery, focal radiation or specific seed radiation may be a better approach. In Dr. Kwon's words - "you don't want to use the thermonuclear device on your whole body when all you have is a spot."
Want to know if your lymph nodes are involved?
A drug named Feraheme (Ferumoxyutol) consisting of nanoparticles of iron oxide is approved by FDA for iron replacement strategies, is being used off label in an imaging center for lymph nodes imaging. When administered, the drug over an 18 to 24 hour period is taken up by normal lymph nodes but rejected by cancerous lymph node tissue. Using a high intensity MRI (3 Tesla) systems images as small as 3-4 mm were detected in a trial at Sand Lake Imaging.
Want to know if you have the aggressive kind of prostate cancer or not? Multiparametric MP-MRI or mpMRI with the proper expertise can lead to a more specific identification of suspicious "neoplasm" up to 95% and can confirm the need for active treatment or support the case for active surveillance. With this imaging technique you can spare the shock of an necessary cancer diagnosis when you have the low grade disease and certainly spare the use of a biopsy or guide one when necessary. It can be used in treated and untreated glands. |
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For a no cost 30 minute professional training session please call 281 299 9225 for an appointment. Please print out this page and mention that you have a coupon from the ProtonPals newsletter. The offer expires on February 28th 2014.
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Free
30 Minute
Professional
Training
Session |
Bring this coupon to your local Kinex Fitness Studios in Houston Texas and receive a free professional traning session.
| | Offer Expires: February 28, 2014 |
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About the ProtonPals Organization
Thanks for subscribing to the newsletter and using the ProtonPals website. We won't sell or give your addresses to anyone. You'll receive one or at most two mailings a month from us. If you're a new subscriber you may want to note that the past newsletters are archived back to May 2009. Newsletter Archives
We're a group who chose proton beam therapy to cure our cancer and were treated at University of Texas MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center in Houston, Texas. The "Pals" formed a network in order to:
Stay up to date with treatment cure resultsProvide support to others and Center activitiesBe informed on any side- effectsPromote proton radiation since it's widely regarded to have a significant advantage over conventional x-rays.Attract and nurture more Pals who support our cause, patient-to-patient and friend-to-friend
Support ProtonPals by letting us know how you're doing. That is so important to newly diagnosed men and their wives and partners. As a former patient we'd all welcome your help in getting the word out about proton radiation and how you're doing. Please donate using the Donate Icon below or mail a check made out to ProtonPals, Ltd.(we're a tax deductible non-profit) at my home address. Read more about it on the website How to Help - Giving
Sincerely,
Joe Landry, Founder
ProtonPals, Ltd.
ProtonPals, Ltd. is a 501 (c) (3) public charity incorporated in Texas.
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DISCLAIMERS ProtonPals is an exclusively patient-sponsored organization with no official relationship with or support by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center or the M.D. Anderson Proton Therapy Center. ProtonPals is simply an information sharing network of patients. ProtonPals hopes to inform, encourage and help patients through shared knowledge. Members are not doctors so more serious concerns should be directed directly to your doctor. ProtonPals also desires to promote the M. D. Anderson Proton Therapy Center as for virtually everyone it has been a very positive if not life saving experience. The ProtonPals web-site, commonly known as the ProtonPals.net weblog, will contain hypertext links to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for your convenience. ProtonPals does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness or completeness of this outside information. Further the inclusion of these links to particular items in hypertext are not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any of these views expressed or products or services offered on these outside sites, or the organization sponsoring the sites.
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