1st Day with Trainer at Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehab Institute July 13 2011

I had my first workout with trainer, Janice Cox, at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehab Institute today, July 13 2011.

Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehab Institute on the University of Northern Colorado Campus, Greeley, Colorado July 13 2011

Janice started out by taking my resting pulse (71), blood pressure (90/70), and pulse oximetry (98). Then, we went for a brisk walk outside taking the finger pulse monitor with us. Managed to get my pulse up to 125 at one point and we slowed down as I was a tad out of breath.

Back at the center, they have every exercise machine known to man, but I asked Janice if she could teach me to do weight bearing exercise with exercise bands since I have a set at home in Mackay, Idaho and I'll be home all of next week unable to train at the Rocky Mountain Cancer Rehab Institute. Janice was immediately able to fulfull my request.

Note that weanie left arm of mine. I fell off a ladder in 2002 and broke the ball of my humerous off and in to 7 pieces. I had major surgery with a metal plate and 9 screws to repair it followed by 18 months of physical therapy. I have almost full range of motion with my arm now, however, it is weak. Here is an x-ray taken about 2 months after the fracture. I still have all that hardware in there.

Janice gave me many different weight bearing exercises to do with the exercise bands and I did 2 sets of 10 today of each.

I did crunches from an exercise ball and back extensions from an exercise ball. While on the ball on my stomach, ALL of a sudden I almost threw up with everything "coming north". I managed to upright myself and I did not throw up, but I sure have heartburn!

We did a couple of the exercise machines for my legs and arms followed by stretching on the mat with rope support to my legs. 1 hour and 15 minutes later I was done. I will return for a second training session tomorrow at 8 AM since I have chemotherapy in the afternoon.

Chest X-Ray June 23 2011

Nancy White and I went over to the Harmony Imaging Center and I got a chest x-ray.

PET Scan (positron emission tomography) Preparation June 8 2011

I'm scheduled for a PET Scan (positron emission tomography) tomorrow at noon. In preparation for the procedure, I was told to eat only protein the night before and avoid carbohydrates. Jani barbecued steaks for dinner and I also had cottage cheese and a cheese stick. I can eat nothing 6 hours prior to the test, but can drink plain water.

The PET Scan test involves injecting a very small dose of a radioactive chemical, called a radiotracer, into the vein of your arm. The tracer travels through the body and is absorbed by the organs and tissues being studied. Next, you lie down on a flat examination table that is moved into the center of a PET scanner—a doughnut-like shaped machine. This machine detects and records the energy given off by the tracer substance and, with the aid of a computer, this energy is converted into three-dimensional pictures. A physician can then look at cross-sectional images of the body organ from any angle in order to detect any functional problems.

Once the radiotracer is injected into a vein, it typically takes 1 hour for the radiotracer to travel throughout the body and be absorbed into the organs or tissues to be examined. The scan itself will take about 30 minutes.  You must remain still for the entire length of the exam, since motion will reduce the quality of the images.

Dr. Moore explained that multiple myeloma can be found in any tissue in the body and not just bones and bone marrow.

And because I have not yet met my insurance deductible, I get to pay 15 percent or $288 for the procedure ~ oh yippee ~

Bone Density Results from test done on May 11 2011

The results of my Bone Density Test done at Skyline in Loveland reveals that I continue to be osteopenic since my last test 2 years ago with no change in my hip bone and some decrease in my spine. Recommendations include to continue Calcium with Vitamin D and weight bearing exercise.

It has been known that I was osteopenic since I broke my left arm in July of 2002. I have been getting screening bone density tests every 2 years since that time. I still have all that hardware in my left arm.

Skeletal Survey X-Ray Results May 24 2011

My skeletal survey x-ray results came back this afternoon - ALL NORMAL! This has to be good news in the sea of bad news.

My skeletal series x-rays were read by Samuel E. Fuller, MD.