I am a surgeon who was diagnosed with malignant melanoma under my thumbnail on July 21, 2021. For those of you who have been following my cancer journey, you know that my life changed suddenly at that time. I underwent amputation of half of my dominant right-hand thumb, underwent a sentinel node biopsy, and now am receiving a year of infusions of a drug called Keytruda.

I underwent my 9^th out of 10 planned infusions of Keytruda on May 19, 2022. I am nearing the finish line! For the melanoma cancer patients following along, I have begun to experience more side effects from the Keytruda than in the past, but overall, I continue to tolerate treatment well without any major complications. I have more fatigue, more gastrointestinal side effects, elevated blood pressure, and some skin sensitivity. The drug which I am receiving has a “half-life” of 22 days, which is a medical term that us doctors know means that it is slowly building up in my system over a year and will take 3-4 months to get completely out of my system when I am finished. I am continuing to perform my work as an ENT surgeon without any issues, albeit with a slightly reduced patient load. Finally, as my life has gotten back to some normalcy, I continue to rest in my faith in God…that He has a purpose and plan for my life. Spending time reflecting on Him is a task that required me to be more intentional as my schedule has gotten busy again.  I do not want to forget my mindset early in my treatment plan when I was trusting in Him only and just living each day in the moment.

I continue to strive toward my goal of the healthiest lifestyle I can achieve to boost my immune system and decrease inflammation in my body. Despite the fatigue associated with my Keytruda infusions, I strive to exercise 6 days a week. My passions are walking/jogging, bicycling, strength training, Pilates, and golf! I would like to share with you some of the benefits of exercise.   Then I will close this blog out with some personal updates.

Cancer outcomes in general are greatly improved by daily exercise, as are many diseases. The National Cancer Institute (branch of the NIH) notes that exercise lowers levels of hormones and growth factors that have been associated with cancer development and progression, prevents high levels of insulin, reduces inflammation, improves immune system function, and helps to prevent obesity (a major risk factor for many types of cancer). A study in 2019 reviewed 45 reports comprising hundreds of epidemiologic studies with millions of participants. It revealed that there was strong evidence for an association between higher levels of physical activity and reduced risks for bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal, kidney, and stomach cancers. The same study found that there were also moderate associations between greater amounts of physical activity and decreased mortality rates in people with a diagnosis of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer, with relative risk reductions ranging from 40-50 percent! (Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2019 Jun;51(6);1252-1261, lead author out of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA)

 From the book “Anti Cancer, a New Way of Life” by David Servan-Schreiber, MD, PhD, the author describes the body in motion: “There are many different ways to tell our body it matters, that it is loved and respected, and to get it to sense its own desire to live. The best way is to let it practice what it is designed for: movement and physical activity. Several studies have demonstrated that the regulation and defense mechanisms that contribute to fighting cancer can be directly stimulated by exercise.” So get out there and move folks!

Personally, Kellee and I have had a couple a happy life events this Spring. Our son, Gray, got married to his new bride, Molly, on April 23, 2022. Then, on Monday, May 9, 2022, both Molly and Gray graduated from medical school at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. They are now Dr. Gray Bryant and Dr. Molly Hanna Bryant.  Gray will be training in Internal Medicine and is interested in specializing in Oncology. Molly will be training in Pediatrics and has for many years felt the calling to care for the health and well-being of children.  Kellee and I also have had the opportunity to spend a couple of vacations with our daughter Alex, son-in-law Brad, and grandsons, Bradley and Jack. My happiest time on earth is spending time with my family.

I have my last Keytruda infusion on June 30, 2022, followed by my one-year imaging studies (CT scans of my right upper extremity, chest, abdomen, and pelvis) on July 8, 2022.  Thanks to all of you for following my journey.  We have become a community, and I have had lots of feedback from others following this blog on their cancer journey, some with grateful highs and some with disappointing lows. I will continue to pray for you guys. I continue to be blessed with the love and support of my family and friends.