Post Treatment

I guess its about time I added another entry.  I was in Las Vegas for a wedding March 1.  When I git back Monday, March 3, I found that my gantry - G3 - was out of commission.  So I hit the phones and offices lobbying and getting the paperwork in place for two treatments on Tuesday.  y flight was leaving Tuesday at midnight for arrival Wednesday morning back in Syracuse.  God was good (isn't He always!) and it worked out.  I had a treatment at 7 a.m., finished packing, then went back to get another treatment at 2:30 p.m.

Randy, Lenita and Danny got together for super at The Cheesecake Factory at Victoria Gardens Mall.  They also took me to drop off my car and then drop me at Ontario Airport.  The flight went well.  I got into JFK, got off the plane, walked to the other gate and got right on the Syracuse bound plane!

I've been home now for about a month.  Everything is going well.  Flow restriction has eased.  Ther is occasional burning.  The biggest thing is that I need to get to bed earlier than I used to, otherwise I feel fatigued.  I really didn't feel it while I was at LLUMC.  Not sure why it is hitting me like this at home.  Beth thinks it is the after effects of the treatments.

I have my four month checkup scheduled - July 1, Canada Day.  Then its every six months for five years, then once a year.

I may add stuff here periodically. But, since I'm not much of a diary/journalling type, it will probably be at just at checkup times.

God bless all.

Hi All,

It was really good to have Beth down this past weekend.  She arrived at John Wayne airport this time.  It gave a more direct flight fro Syracuse, but she missed getting good Texas BBQ brisket at the Dallas-Fort Worth airport.

Friday morning after my treatment, we were able to get together with a long time friend -John Obenaus.  We hadn't seen each other in about 20 years.  It was good to see him and catch up.  He also just become a double grandfather.

We then headed down to Palm Springs for one night at the Palm Springs Hyatt Regency Suites.  Its a good thing that the rates were VERY reasonable as it was showing some wear-and-tear.

For supper, we went to a wonderful Austrian place called "Johannes". Exquisitely outstanding food!  Sabbath morning, we were dragged out of bed  before sunrise so we could have a sunrise/Valentines Day/Birthday hot air balloon ride.  The photos below are from the balloon ride.  From left to right and top to bottom - an olive grove with an olive press in the middle.  There are 2 rows of orange trees around the perimeter; looking back at the other balloon with the shadow of our balloon; In the basket with the balloon up before takeoff; after the flight with the pilot.

After the flight, we asked the pilot where to get breakfast.  He dropped us off at Sherman's New York Kosher Style Delicatesen and Bakery where we enjoyed a marvelous breakfast.

It was a wonderful weekend. Thank you Beth.

Nethercutt Museum

Hi All,

Here is a sampling of cars seen at the Nethercutt museum in Los Angeles - '05 Franklin, hood ornament from a '25 Franklin, a '31 Bugatti Coupe, a '33 Franklin Club Broughm, a '36 Duesenburg Supercharged Coupe, a '37 Talbot Lago (France). An incredible collection.  This Thursday we'll go to see the Nethercutt Collection. We were lucky to get an appointment.

Treatments are going well. No equipment breakdowns lately (hope I haven't jinxed it!:).  Had treatment #35 today, so I'm well on the down slope.  I'll have to come back to Loma Linda after Erin Allred's wedding in Las Vegas, so I'll  not be able to go home with Beth and the girls.  We're all disappointed.

God bless,

Fred

Graphic Medical Instruments

Hi All,

LAst week was a bit of a wash.  Missed two treatment as a result of equipment breakdown.  The low dose X-ray used for body alignment was at the core of the problem and had to be completely rebuilt.  I went on the behind-the-scenes tour and have an even greater appreciation for the complexity and sophistication of the equipment used.  In the research lab, a team from NASA and LLU are looking for ways to protect the astronauts in the space station, in their EV suits and eventually on the moon and Mars from proton radiation in Space.  This radiation come from solar flares from the sun. So, the was for the American space travel to the moon and later to MArs will pass thru LLUMC Proton Center!

Alright, to the pictures:

#1: This is photo of the balloon apparatus that I look forward to each morning!:)  At the business end is a pediatric enema "Needle".  This is wrapped with a rubber sonography cover - the balloon.  A plastic tube leads back to a 60 cc (60 ml) syringe filled with water. This is used to inject into and withdraw the water from the balloon.

#2: this is at one of the Wdnesday eveing support meetings.  On the left is Dr.Lynn Martel looking on while while his assistant, Patty, makes some announcements.

#3: P-40N Warhawk WW II fighter/bomber used extensively in the Far East

#4: P-38L WW II fighter - one of very few twin engined models. This one was modified for recon

#5: Fokker Dr.1 Driedecker (Fokker triplane)  German WW I fighter made famous by the "Red Baron", Baron Manfred Von Richthofen.

God bless to all,

Fred

Redlands Country Club

Hi All,

What a gorgeous day today. Sorry to those of you in Syracuse with all those gray days. 

I got together with several other Proton guys and went over to the Redlands Country Club where they are members. It was a great day for being outdoors.  As usual, there were sufficient good swings to keep one going from hole to hole.

Unfortunately, G3 was down again today. It was on the X-Ray side.  The X-Ray is to help align the body with the beam. So I missed another treatment today.  That makes 3 treatments missed in the past 5 treatment days.  It is quite frustrating.

To the photos(from left tot right):

#1 - I'm on the 10th tee;

#2 - view from the 8th green;

#3 - Dave from PA teeing off;

#4 - teeing off on 4th hole - not the best form.

God bless,

Fred

Cars

Hi All,

Well, this morning was interesting.  I had my treatment appointment at 8:00 am. Didn't get in until 11:00.  Equipment failure.  I am just glad that I didn't get cancelled again.

Played racketball yesterday.  My goodness! by the time the second game ended, I was so winded I about passed out.  I'm stiff and sore all over.

About the photos:

The first one is of a 1957 BMW Isseta.  This is a very small car!  It is classed as a micro car.  The front of the car is also the door.

The second photo is of a 1927 Model 10C Franklin.  This is a car that was built right in SYracuse, NY.

The third is a mockup of McQueen of the movie, "CARS".

The fourth is of a Norton Manx, a 500cc vertical twin that was and is often used for racing.

God bless,

Fred

Rain, Rain, Rain

Hi All,

What a month January has been!  We had 3" more rain than Seattle, Washington!  The area has been parched for several years and really needs the moisture. Of course, when it rains in the valleys, it snows in the mountains, especially above 4000 ft. (1,233 M).  The area is now 122% above normal, which is also a good thing for the coming summer.  However, the area homeowners are still asked to reduce or eliminate lawn sprinkler usage.

I finally got around to doing one of the "other" things on my list.  A couple from Calgary, Alberta and I went into Los Angeles yesterday to take in the Peterson Automotive Museum. Peterson is the man who began the automotive, truck and motorcycle magazine publishing empire here in LA.

Our treatment gantry (G3) had technical difficulties, so we didn't get away as soon as we would have liked, so when we got into town, we were hungry.  And what better place to take care of that hunger than Marie Callender's restaraunt on Wiltshire Ave. It was warm enought o sit out front in the sunshine.  A bonus, was that he Le Brea Tar Pits were directly across the street. So we went over and checked it out.  There is museum on site that has many of the skeletal remains including Saber-Toothed cats, Mastedons, Dire Wolves, Lions,  and others.  We didn't go in because we were there to see CARS!

And we were not disappointed.  Right before the entry was Art Arfons "Green Monster" (now no longer green, but red) that held the world speed record three different time, the last two times for only eight days each time.  The last record was 650 MPH (1040 KPH).

I as going to tell of some of the other cars here too, but the photo uploading feature is refusing to work, so I'll do that next time.

I completed treatment # 26 today.  I was canceled earlier this week.  G3 had gone down( the X-ray software was malfunctioning).  My appointment was for 7:45.  By 10:00 am I was still waiting.  When they get that backed up, then they begin to cancel patients because they don't want to pass a backlog on to the next shift (3:00 pm). I figured that I would cal back in the afternoon about 4:00 pm to see if they could fit me in.  WELL, I called and the software was malfunctioning again and they were already 1.5 hrs. behind and would be running until 11:00 pm, an hr. after they normally stopped.  I have virtually no side effects - a little burning at urination, but other wise I'm good.  Hit a bucket of balls this morning, back a little sore.  But the swing is slooowly improving.  Just needs to be lot more consistent.

I wish a HAPPY SABBATH to all.

Fred

Tigger - the cat!

Greetings from rainy, overcast California,

Sabbath has arrived again.  What  blessing it is to have a day where we can set aside the daily grind and concentrate on our relation with God and with each other.

Just came back from hearing Dr. George Knight give the historical context of the publishing of the book - Questions and Answers on Doctrine. It was very informative for me and cleared up for me the origin of some of the theological debate that still takes place with Adventism.

Monday will hump day - be my 23rd treatment.  That will put me on the last 1/2.  Time has really flown!

A great big THANK YOU to everyone for the cards, letters, phone calls, and care packages. They are welcome and lift the spirits.

The cat has made peace with me.  Tigger - a very large male cat has hissed at from the day I have arrived.  I don't really blame him.  I sleep in His bed in HIS room! So on Wed. I just grabbed him and hugged him, scratched his ears, head and neck.  That  night he opened the door to the bedroom (it has lever handle and no lock) and bounded into bed.  Woke me up! Not good.  But I let him stay anyway.  Didn't work out.  Whenever he moved, I'd wake.  If I turned over, he was in the way.  I finally evicted him.  He just proceeded to open the door and come back in. Evicted him again; back in again, evicted again - put heavy object in front of door -went to sleep.  Now, whenever I come into the house he come right along for a rub, scratch and a litle chat.

I pray that you all have a blessed Sabbath day.

Fred

Food, Fun, and Fellowship

Hi All,

Thought that I would give you a description of a typical week here at LLMC.

I'm usually up 6-6:30 am for a 7:45 am treatment.  The first thing I need to do is get a cup of water to begin hydrating in preparation for my treatment. I like to leave the house by 7 am to avoid the worst traffic and get there 1/2 hour early to continue hydrating.  Sometimes, one can get called in early, so it pays to get there early.  Other times, like last Thurs. and this morning, Gantry #3 (G3) will have a malfunction and then we have to wait & wait & wait ..... 2 1/2 hrs this morning and 3 hrs. last Thurs.  However, so far I have not had my treatment time cancelled, so I'm on track.  After treatment on M, T, Th, &F, I head over to the Drayson Center, the health club and work out. I work on a bike for 200 cal (~25 min) and various strength and flexibility exercises. On Wed mornings, I head up one floor to level A to sign up for my weekly Doctor visit with Dr. Rossi. Then I head for the Drayson Center.

After working out, LUNCHTIME:)!!!!

After lunch, there are several options - a round of golf after 1 pm (the rate drops to $13 walking), or hit a bucket (150-200) of balls to practice, or off sightseeing (which I haven't done a lot of yet. On Tuesday's, I have a golf lesson at noon.

On Tuesday evening, there is a patient organized pot luck. This is a time for fellowship, food and fun.  We have a new patient who turned out to be a singer/songwriter from Hawaii who also had roles in Hawaii 5-0 and Magnum, PI.  He sang a few songs for us.  There is happy 1/2 hr. before supper. Many bring a bottle of wine, I bring a sparking juice.

On Wed evening, there is a cancer patient support group with sandwiches.  This is lead by Dr. Lyn Martell, VP for Patient Services.  Here new parents are introduced, "graduates" can say good bye, jokes are told and everyone laughs and fellowships together.

On Thurs. evenings, we sample different restaurants.  Tomorrow nite it is the Miller Cattle Co.

Before you know it, another week is over, 5 more treatments are behind (#20 today) me and that much closer to coming home. Altho it is fun here and the company is great I miss you all.

God bless,

Fred

PS Pictures are of Steve Green at the LLU Church

33% Solution

Greetings to all.  Sorry for taking such a long hiatus. Things got a little busy for a while.

 

Had my 19th treatment, s a little over 1/3 (33%) of the way. To date, I have not missed any treatments (knocking vigorously on wood!!), but have been delayed up to 2 hrs because of equipment isues.

I am am now staying with friends - Randy and Lenita Skoretz -just outside Loma Linda.  Lenita was in Japan with me during my second year in Japan - I was in Tokyo and she was in Chiba.  The Adventist University in Japan is located near Chiba.  It is great to be able to stay in a regular household.

Before I came out, I was talking to JB Allred.  He suggested - strongly - that I should lean something new or take on a project, ...  Well, the first thing I thought of was to take a motorcycle course on a track.  The California Speedway is less the 15 min from here and several "Superbike Schools" have courses there. BUT, a higher authority nixed that plan! :)  So to plan "B".  I just had my second golf lesson today at the San Bernardino Public Golf Course with Ron Stockton.  He played on the PGA tour and his Father is Dave Stockton who still played on the Campions (Senoir) Tour.  I am learning so much from him.  Putting it into practice tho, is another story.  I get out and practice with a large bucket of balls almost every day and get in 2-3 rounds each week. Hopefully this will lead to an improvement in my game so that I can contribute to our Campmeeting Golf Team!

It was great having Beth out here this past weekend.  She arrived Thursday afternoon.  I was there early to meet too - IN THE WRONG TERMINAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Things got better from there.  We had been having a Week Of Spiritual Devotions At LLU Church.  The Senior Pastors from our Colleges and Universities in the NAD were the speakers.  A different one each morning and evening.  There were musical guests that performed each morning and evening.  They would do 3-4 pieces in the morning service (11 am) and then a 35-40 min concert in the evening (7 pm).  The musical guests included Wintley Phipps, Denver and the Mile High Orchestra (modern swing band with lead singer), Steve Green, Selah, Kings Heralds, ...  So, Thursday Evening, Beth and I went to the meeting and heard Selah.  They were fabulous!  Supper had been at "Hello Sushi", a great Japanese restaurant in Redlands. Speakers during the week included Randy Roberts, LLU Church; Hyveth Williams, Loma Linda Campus Hill Church; Dan Smith, La Sierra University Church; Patrick Morrison, AUC Church; Karl Hafner, Kettering Medical Center Church; John McVay, and others.

The pictures at the top: I'm standing at the desk on LeveL B (2 stories below ground) with Dr. Lyn Martell, VP for Patient Services; Beth and Me beside a plant from the Yucca Family - it flowers once about every 100 yrs.; Me beside a one of those very sharp Yucca Family plants.

Well, that's all for now. See you later.

Fred

10 - 11 January, 2008

Greetings to all.  Today was beautiful and sunny, altho, as the day went on, the smog bank came up the valley from Los Angeles.

Today I'll go thru some of the treatment procedures and equipment.

This is the first time using pictures and it turns out that I needed to load the last picture first so they would be in the correct order. Rather than doing it all over again (I had difficulty uploading due to bandwidth problems), You, the reader will need to adhere to "the last shall be first and the first shall be last".  Therefore the 1st picture is at the bottom right.

In the first picture, you see the "pod" on a 3-axis table that can be very finely adjusted to get me into precisely the correct position relative to the beam.  The pod resembles an 18" diameter tube cut in 1/2 lengthwise. A fresh sheet is draped over the pod each time.  Using the step, I climb into the pod (while wearing one of those wonderful hospital gowns!!). The black object on the other side of the pod is an x-ray machine. Once in  the pod, I roll over onto my left side so that a balloon can be can be inserted into the rectum (thus the "Brotherhood of the Balloon").  This balloon is then filled with water.  The purpose for this is two-fold - it helps to stabilize the prostate and it moves the posterior wall of the rectum away from the proton path.  I will also have drunk 2 - 2 1/2 glasses of water to move the bladder wall from the proton path and to aid in stabilizing the position of the prostate.

Once this is finished, then I roll onto my back and a radiation tech will position me in the pod (2nd Pic).  The pod (with me in it :)) is then moved into position using reference marks on the pod.  The x-ray machine is rotated to a position above me and a picture taken. This is used to accurately refine the pod's position. 

 

The gantry (about 90 tons) is then rotated so that the proton beam controller is at either my right or my left hip (3rd pic). This alternates each day. At this time, the techs then place an aperture (the round metal object on the left in 4th pic) at the front end (the end closest to me). This is custom made for each person and it controls the shape of the proton beam as determined by the shape and position of the prostate and the known prostate cancer site. Then the "Bolus" (the blue object on the right in the 4th pic) is placed in front of that.  This is also custom made for each person.  This determines the proton beam's penetration depth into the body. The other thing that determines the depth at which the proton gives up its energy is the energy of the proton itself which ranges from 175 Mev (Million electron volts) up to 250 Mev.  Those with greater energy will penetrate farther and give up their energy deeper into the prostrate.

There there is also a metal spoked wheel that spins while the proton beam is on. The spokes are about 2 1/2" wide and are tapered lie a knife.  As it spins, it variably attenuates the beam so that the bean will move alternately get longer and shorter.

Well, I've got to get going.  I'll look this over later to see what I may have left out and ad it next time.

God bless  have a happy Sabbath.

08 January, 2008

Hi all,

Had a great Tuesday evening potluck at the Loma Linda Springs retirement Center.  This is an event that is patient driven for us.  There were 28 new patients introduced tonight and several that were "graduating".

Loma Linda promotes total healing of the mind, body, spirit, and soul.  Patients are "Guests" of the Medical Center and we are treated like guests rather than patient "commodities".

Well, enough philosaphizing for today. 

The next time I will describe what a typical treatment for me.

God bless,

Fred

07 January, 2008

Greetings to everyone.  This blog will simply be the story of my journey with prostrate cancer and my proton radiation treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center in Loma Linda, California.

First, I need to thank everyone for your great support - by prayer, calls, cards, etc.  It has been and continues to be a great source of comfort and strength.

Many of you are wondering what Proton Beam Radiation is all about, how it works and why we chose it over other methods of treatment. I'll try to cover that as we go along.

But for now, let me just say that everything is going well. One of the benefits of proton treatment are very few side effects.  Patients can pretty much go on with their daily activities.  Many go golfing, sight-seeing, hiking, skiing, boating, swimming, and local people come for their treatment and then head back to work.

I have my treatment by 8:15 every morning, then come back for breakfast and then head to the gym.  I then head out for the rest of the day.  Tuesday evenings there is a patient sponsored potluck, Wednesday evenings there is a group meeting with food, and Thursday evening there is restuarant night.

God bless each of you.

Fred