Switched to BEPx3.  I decided that I have enough lung function to spare and will let them take the hit in order to reduce the chance of neuropathy in fingers and toes.  As I am a non-smoker under the age of 50, lung impact is minimal.  Spoke with Dr. Einhorn, famed TC researcher and Lance Armstrong's doctor, he urged me to consider 3xBEP for these reasons.

Me and My Tumors...

Up until today, I've been telling people individually about my cancer diagnosis mostly because we didn't have complete tests run on all aspects of the disease.  As of earlier today, the final (biopsy) results are in and it turns out my seminoma from 2009 and 2011 has returned.  I have three swollen lymph nodes larger than 1 cm.  There are two in my neck I've nicknamed the twins (20mm and 17mm) and one (14mm) in my upper chest just behind my esophagus.  I found the twins and after a CT scan earlier this week and a biopsy last Friday with final results today, the doctors have determined that it's all completely Seminoma (Testicular).  Organ invasion is negative, which means my prognosis is very high.

There are enough successful treatment options for this type of cancer that managing long term side effects become more important in determining the particular course of treatment.  These days, the choices are between BEP and EP.  The 'B' in BEP is Bleomycin, which is known to cause irreversible lung disfunction in a non-insignificant percentage of patients.  As post-chemo lifestyle is important, particularly continuing my athletics, I have opted to avoid the Bleo.  Instead, I'm doing four cycles of EP.  This does increase my lifetime chances of getting a nasty form of leukemia (from 1% to 1.33%), so it too is not without risks.  Everything's a trade off.

Chemotherapy starts April 29th.  Each cycle is three weeks (1 week infusions, 2 weeks rest).  So, that's 10 weeks elapsed with a few months recovery.  Checking the calendar, I'll have Chemo one week in each of the next four months (Apr 29, May 20, Jun 10, Jul 1).  It's so nice of San Francisco to schedule some fireworks the night before my last infusion day.  I'm hoping you all will celebrate with fireworks wherever you are, too.

To whatever extent possible, I will continue to exercise (run and CrossFit) through this period and rest when I can't.  I have plenty to keep me busy, including getting a product launched for the company Rupesh and I are building.

In the meantime, for those of whom I've already told, thank you for your concern, advice and well wishes.  Your support buoys me.  If any of you have any doubt about me fighting through this and winning, I refer you to one of my favorite XKCD comics (yes, I had radiation treatments for my first recurrence in 2011).

Cancer Sing Along Songs

Those fabulous hits you remember so well, reworked to help you through those troubling times all packed into one incredible CD:

1. It's My Cancer and I'll Cry If I Want To
2. Me and my Tumors (melting from the Che-ee-mo)
3. My Cancer's Back (and I'm gonna be in trouble)

Check back here for more tunes.

Pose Running and Forward Thrust

I've been having a debate with some folks about Pose Running and Forward Thrust. The heart of the debate is whether or not there is any forward thrust generated during Post Running. In Pose Running, the forward leg lands and presses upward only into a post (while simultaneously leaning forward). The idea is to minimize bob while stiffening the leg and letting gravitational torque carry the body forward. It is only the forward component of the body's acceleration due to gravity that imparts forward motion. That no backward kick form the leg is necessary, nor even desired. A backward kick is a fault in execution.

I argue that the idea of eliminating the backward kick has created a false hypothesis that during Pose Running, there is no forward thrust (force imparted from the legs against the ground propelling the body forward). In fact, studying the running system, the body must push against the ground to overcome internal joint friction, other internal forms of friction, wind resistance, ground resistance, etc.

To answer this question, first, we should examine the literature and review the running models proposed in Pose Running.  Then, we should review scientific papers looking for data on Ground Reaction Forces.

See list of links for possible info:

1. Running on Ice Video
2. Geometry of Running Paper
3. Scientific Basis of Pose Running
4. Scientific Research & Pose Method
5. Running is a Post Falling
6. Impact Forces at Knee Joint
7. Compare Pose & Heel Running