With our little tutu-mobile loaded to the gills, we made it down here fine despite two big-rig mishaps on the freeways. After an immediate visit to Costco to get stocked up, we got settled into our home away from home, a condo in an adult community in Loma Linda, California, with a nice view of the adjacent San Bernardino Mountains where Lake Arrowhead, Mt. Baldy and Big Bear are located. This area is known as the Inland Empire as it is only 40 miles from Palm Springs and the desert to the east.
Loma Linda is basically a small town surrounding the University hospital which is run by the Seven Day Adventist Church with Redlands next door. Our place backs up to the Loma Linda Hills which afford some great running trails. Loma Linda Springs, where we're staying, has a couple of pools, a work-out room, and a club house with beautifully landscaped grounds.
The proton radiation treatment is five days a week for 9 weeks with the actual zapping taking less than a minute, but I'm usually in the pod for about 15 min. with setup. Actually, there are approximately 160 patients from all over the US and Canada going through treatment between 5 AM and 11PM Monday-Friday. The main attributes of this kind of radiation therapy is that it is very specific in targeting the actual cancer in the prostate with the protons dumping their load in the cancer cells and not upon entry into the body so the surrounding tissue is not harmed which results in fewer post-therapeutic side effects. This has certainly been confirmed by the testimonials of former patients and the ones we've talked to here. One of the things that is really impressive is the support given to you here in the way of social interaction, as we're all in the same boat. I have never met such a friendly group of people with bad prostates. They even have a "prostate potluck" here at Loma Linda Springs every Tuesday with a huge turnout and an informal Wednesday night get-together with a featured speaker.
We're already into a routine here, up at 6 with an AM run in the hills followed by a gym workout as they have an excellent facility here. Loma Linda belives in "making man whole" which involves both body and spirit. However, at the present, my spirit is in better shape than my body, so I'm focusing on the latter! Incidentally, we have been blessed with spring like weather with temperatures in the mid 80's during the first week so I have been able to fit in some pool time, as well. I even got my tomato seeds planted in pots for transplanting when we get back to Belmont towards the end of March.
They gave us a lot of info on the area and we're looking forward to seeing some of the sights starting this weekend as it's hard to get away during the week days with the treatment, keeping in mind that's why we're here.
Wishing you all the best with your treatment Paul.
ReplyDeleteNick
Paul and Marianne, thanks to Marianne's help I was able to finally get on your blog. Good coverage of the area as well as the treatment. I too, have never met a nicer bunch of guys with bad prostates. Don
ReplyDeleteHi Paul and Marianne,
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting on our blog (jamesb.123.blogspot.com). We pray Paul's treatments are very successful, and that you can continue to enjoy your time together in CA during this time.
I left a msg for you in response to your post, but I am sure you are very busy with Paul's treatments.Here is the pasted reply in hopes that you might help us as we want to try very hard to make a decision more speedily:
"Thank you so much for your input. We think we are leaning toward Proton Beam therapy. We also have checked out the link to protonbob. Thank you for that also. We have read so much as I am certain you did also.
Did you know anything about IMRT (radiation therapy)? The radiation oncologist declared that it was just as safe on healthy tissue as proton therapy with "virtually" as few side effects. It would be much more convenient to have IMRT, but that is not the decision-maker of course.
There is a "waiting list" as you know for Proton therapy, so right now, I think Jim is looking at late April or early May for his. I don't like waiting that long...even if the doctors say it's ok! We live in NH, so coming out to CA is difficult. I suppose everyone has a long wait, but it seems Boston has longer than many.
By the way, would you mind letting us know how you found our blog? I also looked at your pictures, and they are incredible! I am an amateur photographer, and I love taking pics of birds and nature also...
Thanks again for your insightful post and PRAYERS.
In His Grip...Hanging On,
Diane
February 2, 2009 2:03 PM "