DClog

Second Opinion

Pulmonary Specialist: The specialist does NOT agree that there are signs of COPD (chronic obtrusive pulmonary disease) in my chest X-ray. He feels that due to my size (6' 2") and extremely good physical condition, the shape and condition of my lungs may not be all that abnormal.

The doctor also thinks I've had enough antibiotics recently to cure a horse! So he is taking a guess at "exercise induced asthma" and gave an inhaler to use for the next 2 weeks, although he didn't sound very sure about that either. In late January I am scheduled to go to the Gwinnett hospital pulmonary section for further testing.

I know it's got to be hard for this doctor to imagine that I am suffering at all, because his waiting room had patients who were coughing, wheezing, and on oxygen. Compared to them I positively radiate good health, however a constant pain in my chest and 10 weeks of coughing and congestion tells me there is something wrong.

2003 Personal Data

Graphs and Charts: I've been collecting personal data and creating graphs and charts since August 1990, including Weight, Resting Heart rate, Rising Heart Rate, Hours Slept, detailed workout logs, and even a complete diet/food log.

Click on the thumbnail to view the 2003 Weight and Resting Heart Rate graph. It clearly indicates the season ending illness and the brief bout with it just prior to the State Time Trial Championships, which I won :-)

First Diagnosis

CT Scan Results: The word from the CT Scan of my sinuses is that everything appears fairly normal, and there is nothing unusual to report.

Chest X-ray Results: The report came back saying: COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema which damages the lungs, and can damage the heart.

I am looking at the X-ray images now and there is obviously something abnormal about the lower right lung. Tomorrow morning I meet with a pulmonary specialist and show him the X-rays and find out where we go from here.

Emphysema doesn't develop suddenly, it comes on very gradually, and is usually caused by years of constant exposure to cigarette smoke or possibly environmental pollution.

TREATMENT FOR EMPHYSEMA

Antibiotics: if you have a bacterial infection, such as pneumococcal pneumonia.

Lung transplantation: This is a major procedure, which can be effective.

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) is a surgical procedure in which the most severely diseases portions of the lung are removed to allow the remaining lung and breathing muscles to work better. The short term results are promising but those with severe forms are at higher risk of death.

PREVENTION OF EMPHYSEMA

DON'T SMOKE. The majority of those who get emphysema are smokers. Continued smoking makes emphysema worse, especially for those who have AAT deficiency, the inherited form of emphysema.

Maintain overall good health habits, which include proper nutrition, adequate sleep,and regular exercise to build up your stamina and resistance to infections.

Reduce your exposure to air pollution, which may aggravate symptoms of emphysema. Refer to radio or television weather reports or your local newspaper for information about air quality. On days when the ozone (smog) level is unhealthy, restrict your activity to early morning or evening. When pollution levels are dangerous, remain indoors and stay as comfortable as possible.

Consult your doctor at the start of any cold or respiratory infection because infection can make your emphysema symptoms worse. Ask about getting vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia.

Pursuit of Health

First I went to get an X-ray of my chest. After taking a front and side view, the technician looked at the film and asked me do it again. She had never seen lungs so wide and so long they wouldn't all fit in the picture.

Next was a stop at the doctor's office where he gave me a shot in the arm of an antibiotic. He then listened to my lungs and decided it wasn't all that bad. The reports from the X-ray technician will be delayed until tomorrow afternoon due to a digitizing error of some sort. Finally he investigated my ears, nose, and throat and sent me down the road to get a CT Scan of my sinuses.

The technician at the MRI/CT place was unable to see the images she took because the computer messed up somehow and was rebooting (apparently it takes a long time).

Bottom line: I'll call the doctor tomorrow afternoon and hopefully get the reports from the X-ray and the CT Scan.

Meanwhile: I struggle to keep my jobs from evaporating around me. Moxie has another guitarist standing in the wings in case I can't go to Jackson, MS with them this Saturday. I asked Axtell Productions to send someone else to the Plantation Grill (Lake Oconee) tomorrow night. When most folks get sick, they get a leave of absence with sick pay. Musicians do not get paid, risk losing the job forever, and likely have no insurance to pay the medical bills. It's a tough row to hoe.

GTC Saturday AM

Bike Ride: A little over 50 miles with GTC. About 13 riders gathered for the bi-weekly "Harbins Winter Ride". The weather was cool but sunny and calm, just the way I like it. I rode with the group for about 30 miles or so. Marshall and I had spent a good bit of time at the front maintaining the pace. Shortly after the store stop I rolled off the front of the pack and settled into a steady tempo, about 10-15 below Lactate Threshold. After 10 minutes of that I sat up and pedaled at recovery pace, but the group never caught up to me - they must've stopped again.

Back at the parking lot Bill Bennett asked me about coaching his 14-year-old son, Charlie, this coming season. I would love to work with this kid because he has displayed some great potential and seems like a really good guy. He's primarily into mountain bike racing, but will do a few road races too.

Holiday Spirit

Christmas eve we gathered at Dave's house with all the brother's families, Dad and Shirley, plus some boyfriends and girlfriends of the older kids. I played several seasonal songs on the guitar and some of my musically-inclined nephews and nieces chimed in. It was a purely innocent and spontaneous moment that needed no critiques or comparisons.
Christmas Eve Photos

Christmas morning started with coffee and breakfast pastries as the girls and I gathered around a tremendous stack of gifts that had been growing for the past several weeks. Clothes, jewelry, sweets, and treasures of all sort were given and received. A fun time was had by all.
Christmas Day Photos

Mid-afternoon we all gathered around the dinner table where Ruth had prepared and served us a delicious meal. These are the moments I will miss the most when they are gone. Not Christmas dinner, per se, but anytime all of my children are sitting around the table with me. No matter if we are arguing, debating, laughing, or even silent, this is my favorite family time.

Health Research

Respiratory Viral Infections:

Influenza is a viral infection that attacks your respiratory system, including your nose, throat, bronchial tubes and lungs.

Antibiotics are intended for bacterial infections, not for viral infections such as colds, coughs or the flu.

My doctor has prescribed antibiotics three times now in the past 8 weeks, with the last prescription being a powerful (and expensive) broad-spectrum antibiotic. He suggested if this doesn't clear it up in 2 weeks the next step would be an MRI of my sinuses. I think he suspects something like polyps. Of course I'm not a doctor, but my sinuses don't bother me like my lungs do, I wonder if a chest X-ray might be more appropriate.

Pulmonary Edema:

Your lungs contain millions of small, elastic air sacs called alveoli. With each breath, these air sacs take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide, a waste product of metabolism. Normally, the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place without problems. But sometimes increased pressure in the blood vessels in your lungs forces fluid into the air sacs, filling your lungs with fluid and preventing them from absorbing oxygen — a condition called pulmonary edema.

In most cases, heart problems are the cause of pulmonary edema. But fluid can accumulate in your lungs for other reasons, including lung problems such as pneumonia, exposure to certain toxins and medications, and climbing or living at high altitudes

Noncardiac pulmonary edema

Not all pulmonary edema is the result of heart disease. Fluid may also leak from the capillaries in your lungs' air sacs because the capillaries themselves become more permeable or leaky, even without the buildup of back pressure from your heart. In that case, the condition is known as noncardiac pulmonary edema because your heart isn't the cause of the problem. Some factors that can cause increased capillary permeability leading to noncardiac pulmonary edema are:

• Lung infections. When pulmonary edema results from lung infections, such as pneumonia, the edema occurs only in the part of your lung that's inflamed.
  
• Exposure to certain toxins. These include toxins you inhale — such as chlorine, ammonia or nitrogen dioxide — as well as those that may circulate within your body. For example, women giving birth may develop pulmonary edema when amniotic fluid reaches the lungs through the veins of the uterus (amniotic fluid embolism).
  
• Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). You can have serious allergic reactions to some medications as well as to certain foods and insect venom.
  
• Smoke inhalation. Children and older adults are especially vulnerable to lung damage caused by breathing harmful vapors and gases in smoke from structural fires. The smoke from these fires often contains chemicals that irritate the lining of the lungs, causing the tiny blood vessels to leak.
  
• Near-drowning and drowning.
  
• Drug overdose. Drugs ranging from narcotics, such as heroin, to aspirin can cause noncardiac pulmonary edema. Aspirin-induced pulmonary edema can occur in people who take increasingly large doses of aspirin to relieve pain or other symptoms. For reasons that aren't clear, smokers who use aspirin are at greater risk.
  
• Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This serious disorder, which affects hundreds of thousands of people every year, occurs when your lungs suddenly become unable to take in enough oxygen. More than 30 conditions can cause ARDS, including severe injuries (trauma), systemic infection (sepsis), pneumonia or shock. ARDS sometimes also develops after extensive surgery. Symptoms usually appear within 24 to 72 hours after the original illness or trauma.
  
• High altitudes. Mountain climbers and people who live in or travel to high-altitude locations run the risk of developing high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE). This condition — which typically occurs at elevations above 8,000 feet — can also affect skiers who start exercising at higher altitudes without first becoming acclimated. But even people who have hiked or skied at high altitudes in the past aren't immune. Although the exact mechanism isn't completely understood, HAPE seems to develop as a result of increased pressure from constriction of the pulmonary capillaries. Symptoms include headaches, insomnia, fluid retention, cough and shortness of breath. Without appropriate care, HAPE can be fatal.
  

This interests me because while reading Ned Overend's book "Mountain Bike Like a Champion", he warns about pulmonary edema. My illness began following the October 26th mountain bike race in Farmington. I've never competed at high altitude, but I wonder if the over-50 athlete in a 2-hour mountain bike race in a cold and wet climate might create a similar form of respiratory distress or damage the pulmonary capillaries in some way.

This article also mentions Asprin-induced pulmonary edema, while I only take a normal dose before a race, I often take a No-doz, coffee, or caffinated gel prior to the event. Can this combination cause a health risk?

It's Looking Like A Good Day

Jazz Musicians: This week has been great for me, musically, because I've had the pleasure of sharing the stage with a bunch of great musicians. This past Wednesday Mack and I did another Christmas concert and this time we had Eric South (sax & flute), Keith Runfola (drums), and Octavia Jones (vocals) on a big stage with a good sound system and sound crew. Last night the Duo had everybody in the holiday spirit at Violette, and the tip jar reflected it. Tomorrow Mack and I will perform with Sam Skelton (sax) at another Holiday concert in Covington, it's sure to be excellent.

Health and Fitness: Went to the doctor again yesterday and got some stronger antibiotics, Avelox 400MG tablets. I hope it works! I've stayed off the bike, no physical activity, for 8 days straight now and the bathroom scales are not happy about it. I plan to go ride with GTC tomorrow for a ~50 mile spin from Bethlehem to Fairplay and back.

Rachel's Birthday: Yesterday we celebrated Rachel's 17th. It was a brief get-together at lunch time with some Chinese food, cake, and ice cream. There were some cards and gifts, the big one was a new sewing machine. Unfortunately, she is coming down with the flu that everyone has and then had to go to work all night, then get up and take an exam at school this morning.

Movies: Ruth and I went to watch Lord Of The Rings (part III) the other day, great movie, long (3+ hrs), but good.

Right Now: I am out of coffe here at the house, so I think I'll drag Ruthie up to Starbucks with me. Can't hardly start the day without a cup o' Joe.

A Special Christmas Effort

Jazz: This morning at 9:00 AM I performed with a great group of musicians for special needs kids. This is the 4th year I've participated in this show and it is one of the most rewarding each year. This morning Mack and I were accompanied by Gwen Hughes (vocals), Paul Fallat (drums), and Eric South (sax), and of course, Rudolph and Santa made an appearance.

At The Computer: I wrapped up some coaching stuff, athletes going away for the holidays for a week, wife won't let them bring a bike, "what should I do?" type-situations -- ever hear of cross-training? Running, basketball, tennis, aerobics, push-ups, crunches, squats, thrusts, and on-and-on. Just don't consider running from the fridge to the couch as interval training!

Finally the Georgia cross season is over. I didn't really mind working on the website nearly as much as I minded NOT being able to participate in the racing at all this year - that was torture!

More Holiday Jazz: This evening I will be driving through the holiday lights on lake Lanier's Pine Isle, on my way to perform with Moxie at the Pine Isle Resort. I've been told we will play a lot of jazz and Christmas songs tonight as well as the usual party/dance stuff. Being a musician is basically a pretty fun job.

A Wintry Weekend

Climate: Now it's beginning to look like winter here in Georgia, the temperature is dropping, the sky is darkening, and the rain is coming soon. This weather affects the regional cyclist, the WBL modified and shortened their planned ride for this morning (I didn't go). The Georgia Cross folks are holding the Series Final in Athens tomorrow and they will finally get some real 'cross weather (probably won't go to that either).

Health & Fitness: After several weeks of antibiotics, and now several days without them, my health is spiraling back downward. Whatever this illness is that has been haunting me since about October 27-28 is relentless. It is an upper respiratory infection with sinus drainage and coughing. After the past seven weeks of reduced or non-training and I am feeling over-weight, out of shape, and absolutely irritable. I've been to the doctor twice but I think it's time for another opinion.

Web Work: I started getting the preliminary layout together for the Aerus site, but I'm in a "holding pattern" until they give some content. Arerus Composites [under construction]

Coaching: I have accepted another elite road cyclist for the upcoming 2004 season, that makes 10 athletes I'm working with full-time currently. Still researching and considering the Wenzel Coaching option, I like the thought of having some business things taken care of for me and being part of a large organization, but I don't like the thought of relinquishing my independence.

Brain Drain

Yesterday: After hours of web site work I spent several concentrated hours researching expert coaching data, then spent the evening on stage being a guitarist and band leader at Carbo's Cafe. I was fortunate to have a very talented group of musicians with me, so even though it was demanding, it was really fun.

This Morning: I feel tired and it's hard to stay motivated. For several hours I was monitoring my athletes and interviewing a new one, then I worked on some website updates - the Georgia Cross Series site is getting to be a pain because the promoter keeps changing the results everyday. You would think someone who has done this series for several years now would have a system or some methodology. Well at least he is consistent - consistently repeating his mistakes!

Maybe if I get on my bike for a little while I'll feel better. I look forward to this evening when Mack and I return to Violette for a couple hours of jazz and dinner. dancoy.com/duo

Up To Speed

Cycling: This afternoon Doug and I repeated the ride we did on Sunday, but this time there was a good bit more enthusiasm in the pedaling. The wind was at our backs for the first hour or so helping us maintain a 20+ mph avg speed. There were a couple of practice sprints along the way, and we took turns at the front keeping the tempo up. All in all, a decent little training ride.

Coaching: I received the info from Wenzel Coaching, and they offer administrative support, marketing, coach development, liability insurance, and more. I meet all their listed requirements as a coach. If I proceed there will be waivers and contracts to be signed and an initial interview with Kendra and/or Rene, probably in Oregon.

Jazz Duo: Time now for me to cleanup, pack my gear, and hit the road. Mack and I are performing at Reynolds Plantation, Lake Oconee, tonight. It takes me almost 2 hours to drive there so I better get moving now. www.dancoy.com/duo

Sunny Day

Another B'day: Brother Doug was celebrating his 51st today so we decided to do a 51 mile bike ride. About an hour and half later the enthusiasm was waning so we took an alternate route and settled for a 37 mile ride. There was some sprinting for county line signs and that lit things up a bit. We also were joined by GTC rider, Steve Wiley, briefly as he was heading out for a ride while we were heading home. Steve works for Cannondale bikes so I told him how much I have been enjoying my new one.

Precious Puppy: A friend that works with Rachel at REI found a box with four puppies in it. They look like Border Collies and had been abandoned in North Georgia on the side of the road. Ruth, Rachel, and I wanted to take one, but Bev said "No".

Another Sunny Saturday

Christmas Festivities: I performed last night at the 11th Annual Childkind Holiday House, held at an amazing historic home known as Glenridge Hall, in Sandy Springs. [related AJC article] I would like to learn more about this house, so I e-mailed the owner requesting for more info. Here's the link he sent me www.glenridgehall.com

The band I was playing with was Susan Taylor & The Paragons. It was a good show with a lot of creativity and inspired playing and singing from everyone on stage.

Cycling: This morning came too soon, but I got my act together and made to Athens, GA for the first event of the Winter Bike League. I think there was about 200 of the best cyclist in the region all enthusiastic and eager to to get the "other" season underway. It was about a 75 mile route, and we motored along at about a 20 mph avg speed, enjoying the sunshine, brisk air, and camaraderie.

Click on the thumbnail for a look at the speeds, altitudes, and heart rates from the WBL "David Martin Classic" ride. I rode the red Cannondale, and I gotta tell ya, I really like that bike - I may have to get another one!

It Sure Was A Long B'Day

"Moxie" Band Photo: The disc with the digital photography arrived in the mail this morning. Here is the new line up which includes Tina, from New Orleans, as the new drummer since Rich has moved to the front of the stage to sing and dance with Kathy.

Christmas Party Jazz: Mack and I played at the Country Club of the South and there was a huge crowd. Lots of nice folks and they enjoyed the duo dancoy.com/duo.

Web Development: I finally got the proposal done for the new TBRA web site, I might be too generous with my cycling brethren. Here is a new logo idea that is nice and clean, I hope they like it.

All Done: My pillow is calling me... goodnight.

Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire...

AM Dental Appointment: I haven't had a dental problem in decades, and the dentist said they should last me another 50 years. He didn't even know tomorrow is my 50th birthday.

Christmas Carols: This afternoon I was playing the seasonal songs on my guitar for an hour or so. My favorite one is "Christmas Time Is Here" by Vince Guaraldi, from A Charlie Brown Christmas www.vinceguaraldi.com

Coaching Cyclist: Spent several hours discussing weight lifting, dieting, supplements, injuries, wattage, drag coefficient, overreaching, peaking -- the average lay-person in the USA would be totally baffled, because they see the bicycle as a toy. With over a hundred years of development, bicycle racing and training is a science and an art to the serious athlete.

PM Activities: Clean-up and go to V's to play some jazz and eat a salad with my friend and musical partner, Mack.

Tortillas La Guadalupana / FFCC

2004 racing team roster:

Jon Atkins, Clay Parks, Marc Kebbekus, Tony Scott, Gaston Vega, Scott Patterson, Roy Simmons, Barry Brown, Dan Coy, John Robertson, Jake Brindle, Andreas Castro, Blain Foley

For those of us that have been around the Atlanta cycling scene for more than a little while, you should remember the great cyclist, Art Piraquive, from Columbia, South America. He created the Condor Cycling Club and was a race promoter around Atlanta in the 1980's. You know, the little climber-type guy who lead the Brookhaven ride for many, many years and never wore a helmet. Tortillas La Guadalupana is one of several successful businesses he owns.

Vamonos!

Low Pressure

Low Pressure: I'm not sure I understand it, but that's what the weatherman said, and it has been another great day outside. After spending most of the AM taking care of my coaching clients and practicing my guitar re-learning a bunch of Christmas songs, I took the new bike out for a spin.

Click on the thumbnail picture and get a full image of the Heart Rate/Speed/Altimeter graph from my bike ride. I really took it easy and stayed in the Zone 1 (the dark blue color) for 90% of the ride. You can see I spiked it a little into Zone 3 for a minute while I was trying to avoid some traffic. Now if this had been a Championship Time Trial the HR would stay in Zone 5 the entire time (I never got close in this ride).

Coaching: I have been talking to most of my athletes today, and nearly all of them are having to be reigned back in. I guess the holiday and more free time than usual had them doing too much, leaving some of them sore and injured.

I responded to a post on a message board the other day, and got the following response this afternoon. If you know who Kendra Wenzel is, then you know this is a big opportunity.

Hi Dan,

Thanks for contacting Wenzel Coaching. We would be very interested in speaking with you. I will be able to get back to you later this week with qualifications and to set up some interview times.

Talk soon,
Kendra Wenzel