Back on the On Ramp: Week 12

Week 12: Dec. 6-12 “Home Sweet Home”

Saturday, December 5th we began our northward trek with the idea of stopping off in the Reno, Nevada area to visit family. The clouds of uncertainty surrounding the weather predicted for the area added to the drama of our trip. Below zero temperatures and snow were lurking on the horizon. Even at home in the northwest, temperatures in the single digits were expected. After spending the day in the sun in 70 degree weather in Loma Linda last Friday, our bodies were in for a shock. The scenery surrounding our trip up the east side of the Sierra Nevada mountain range on Saturday was spectacular.

Early Saturday evening we arrived ahead of the storms in Verdi, Nevada. We were faced with the dilemma of cutting our visit short and heading out the next morning before the onslaught of the snowstorm or waiting it out. This was one of the “no clear cut answer” situations with both scenarios not looking too favorable. Two added elements weighing in on the decision included a retirement party for Diane’s sister set for Sunday night and getting back home in time to see off our middle daughter’s family for a month long stay in Arizona. It did not help matters that we had not seen them or our new little granddaughter in 10 weeks.

The urge to head home ahead of the storm seemed prudent even though I did not feel all that comfortable with the decision. Regardless, we headed out from Verdi Sunday morning. That’s when the fun began. About twenty miles out we encountered a huge traffic tie up. Later we learned there had been an accident ahead of us that closed the freeway for three hours. While sitting on the freeway going nowhere I thought back to the night before when I had prayed for some direction on the timing of the remainder of our trip. The answer was not apparent when we left that morning but sitting stuck in traffic it now was staring me in the face: “Central Truckee Exit Ahead.” I first thought we might as well pull off and wait this mess out but then it soon became obvious this storm was just kicking into gear and the brunt of the bad weather was still ahead. With this new direction we whipped around and headed back to Verdi with thoughts of enjoying the comforts of a warm home.

The snow continued to fall throughout the day but it did not deter us from heading out for the retirement party for Diane’s sister Sunday night. The family connection in Reno circled around a big table at Macaroni Grill was a lot better than driving in a blizzard and wading through the numerous accidents that snarled the freeway throughout the day. The storm did not loosen its grip on the area until Monday evening. The forecast showed clear skies for Tuesday, yet still with sub freezing temperatures awaiting us for our next opportunity to continue our trip north to Vancouver. Monday night found us shoveling and plowing a foot of snow off the sidewalk and driveway to clear the way for our departure.

Tuesday was indeed a beautiful bone-chilling day. With our hugs and goodbyes all in order, off we headed riding on the security of our four-wheel drive Toyota and a favorable forecast. Even though the trip took an additional two hours the scenery made it worthwhile. Once we made it to Mt. Shasta it was clear sailing the rest of the way home. Upon our arrival, it was still uncharacteristically cold, but we were home!

Getting reconnected with our family was first on the order, with the remainder of the week getting caught up with being away for two and a half months. It is good to be home!

Off Ramp Loma Linda: Week 11

Week 11: Nov. 30-Dec. 4

This week ends a huge chapter in our lives. Friday is my last treatment and we will be on the road Saturday heading for home. As things wrap up for us here at LLUMC it also ushers in the next phase. After all, this will be a continuing story. With treatment for prostate cancer I will be monitored for the rest of my life for the slim chance of recurrence. It is one of those “things” that marks you for life.

This final chapter began Sunday in Seal Beach as we wrapped up a long Thanksgiving weekend with family. This whole story has been one full of thanksgiving so it was a fitting way to set the tone for our last week. Monday afternoon found us back at our little cottage in Loma Linda for the last 5 days of treatment.

While I have been here there has been plenty of time to ponder life and life purposes. There have been two significant revelations of sorts that have come to me in my pondering. One has to do with the cure and one about life.

The cure became a numbers game for me.
Follow along with this one.

This has been the procedure for the 45 treatments. Drink my 18 oz. water (almost 26 qts overall), walk 675 steps from our cottage to the proton center elevator, show up at the Level B waiting room, get changed into my oh so chic hospital gown, walk down the hall to Gantry 3, climb into my pod, receive my balloon with a smile on my face (4 more ounces of water-almost 6 quarts total), get 2 x-rays, count off 30 beeps from the Geiger counter indicating protons are being delivered, and then climb out and walk another 675 steps back to our temporary home away from home. The final total for steps towards the cure can be broken down like this:

1,350 steps for consultation & planning;
60,750 steps for treatments;
12,150 steps for weekly doctor appointments;
10,800 men only support group meetings;
This comes to a grand total of 85,050 steps which equates to about 50 miles which translates to a little over 3 ½ hours of walking towards the cure for cancer and the healing process.

As I have stated before, each delivery of protons lasts about 1 minute and 45 seconds which for the 45 treatments adds up to 78 ¾ minutes. For round numbers, let’s say, 1 hour and 19 minutes is all the time it took towards this cure for cancer.

The second “ponderable” has to do with the present. I posted this thought on my other blog the day it came to me: “Each day we are given is a gift. Unfortunately too many people fail to open the present.” Obviously the “present” has an intended two-fold meaning.

It reminds me of an old Peanuts comic strip where an uninterested Charlie Brown is sitting beside an unwrapped present. Lucy of course in her own special way wants to change the situation with a series of questions aimed at getting Charlie Brown to open his gift. To the best of my memory the gist of the dialog is something like this:

“Why don’t you open your present?” Lucy asks.
“It’s probably just a shirt,” Charlie replies
“Don’t you want to find out what color it is?” Lucy responds
To that Charlie Brown states, “It’s probably not my size.”
Lucy, getting a little exasperated follows, “You can at least open it an find out what size it is.”
And finally Charlie Brown comes back with the clincher, “It probably has pins in it.”
In disgust Lucy picks up the present and smashes the box over his head.

What excuses do we come up with for not opening up the gift of each day?

For me, being here at LLUMC has been a gift. It was a package we had no idea what impact it would have on us. We could have said: “It’s not comfortable being here out of my element,” or “I don’t even know anyone,” or “I have cancer and just want to get this over as soon as possible.” With proton treatment there is no such thing as “soon.” For most of us here 45 treatments and 11 weeks away from home can seem like an unwelcome present. As you have been following along over these past 10 weeks you have seen a glimpse into what we have found inside this unlikely present.

I would hope each of you opens the gift of each day with the same excitement as a child looking for the treasures in the present set before him or her. New friends, new experiences, and new opportunities for growth are waiting to be unwrapped each day.

Off Ramp Loma Linda: Week 10

Week 10: Nov. 22-Nov. 28

The final countdown begins. 40 treatments down and 5 to go! This is a great milestone for which to be thankful. This Thanksgiving week was one that we had not anticipated a year ago, but this season we are still full of thanks for the many blessings and experiences that have come our way: new friends, special times with family & friends in Southern California, and a big step forwards completing prostate cancer treatment.

This was a short week for treatments as the proton center was closed Thursday through Sunday for the holiday. Our week began with our last visit to Trinity Church in Redlands where once again we were nourished in the teaching of God’s word. Finding Trinity was another aspect of this adventure for which we are truly thankful.

Sunday afternoon we paid a visit to Kimberly Crest Mansion for a tour of the house and grounds. It is a beautiful home which can be found in the California Registry of Historical Landmarks. The house has been described as being “an excellent example of Chateauesque architecture.” It was constructed in 1897 with many modern conveniences not readily available for the time period. We are going to miss the beauty and variety this area has to offer (not to mention the mild weather to which we have grown accustomed).

We spent the remainder of the week in Seal Beach, Long Beach and Oceanside with family to complete this Thanksgiving week. We missed our family back home in Vancouver, Washington, but our house up north was still the site for the local family get together as our daughters and their families joined there for food and fun. We do indeed have much for which we are thankful.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 9

Week 9: Nov. 15-Nov. 21

Once again we started the day off Sunday by attending the early service at Trinity Church where we have really felt at home. Later that morning we had the privilege of attending the annual “BOB Brunch” held here at LLUMC. Bob Marckini hosted the morning’s activities which included messages from past proton patients and LLUMC dignitaries. Dr. Jerry Slater (Chair, Radiation Medicine) presented some of the exciting developments with protons and Dr. Richard Hart (president of the university) likewise with the medical school. Dr. Slater’s father, Dr. James Slater, pioneered proton beam therapy at Loma Linda. This was another one of those reminders of being in the right place at the right time.

Saying good-bye to new friends was a theme that unfolded this week. Each week a number of people “graduate” from their treatment, but now is the time we are beginning to bid adieu to those who started their treatment close to when we did ours. I am down to eight to go after Friday’s treatment and then I will have my turn at graduating.

A surprise friendship that developed while we were here was with the young mother with a brain tumor we mentioned in an earlier post—a surprise in the fact that all of our other friendships have come from the ranks of the prostate cancer patients. There are not many patients here in the proton program with a “zero” PSA. Well, Mary is one of them. We enjoyed a hike with her husband, Brian, Tuesday afternoon as well as a couple of meals with them during the rest of the week. The last we heard they were heading down the old Route 66 on their way home to Nebraska.

Friendships are not necessarily part of the cure, but they are part of the healing process. The protons and the staff here at LLUMC are taking care of the cure; relationships provide venues for healing to take place. We are thankful for friends new and old that have shared in this experience and enriched out lives throughout our stay.

Saturdays typically provide us with the opportunity for new experiences. This time it was an outing to downtown Riverside and a visit to the Mission Inn which is a national historic landmark hotel and spa. After Thanksgiving begins their festival of lights in celebration of the Christmas season so we anticipate another visit there before we leave. Saturday evening we took advantage of our proton discount and enjoyed another performance by the San Bernardino Symphony. This time Robert Schumann’s finale symphonic work was featured along with the talents of young piano virtuoso Kyle Shafiee.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 8

Week 8: Nov. 8 - Nov.14

Sunday the week started out for us with a jaunt to Trinity Church in Redlands for the early service and then it was off to Martha Green (café) for brunch with our good friends visiting from Orlando. In the afternoon all four of us headed to Irvine where we spent the rest of the day celebrating with family and friends at my sister’s wedding. A fun by-product to the weekend was being introduced to a new game to us called Bananagrams. It’s a game similar to Speed Scrabble.

Treatments 28 through 32 went off without a hitch and moved us closer to the magic number of 45. Presently I am on track to be finished on December 4th. Until then the routine remains about the same: drink my 16 ounces of water, show up at the Level B waiting room, get changed into my oh so chic hospital gown, walk down the hall to Gantry 3, climb into my pod, receive my balloon, get two x-rays, count off 30 beeps from the Geiger counter indicating protons are being delivered, and then climb out and head back to my temporary home away from home.

Our self guided Boot Camp style workouts began this week now that we our on our own. The membership to the Dayson Center has proven to be a great asset for us.

At the Wednesday evening proton meeting we were privileged to have Bob Marckini as our guest speaker. His book “You Can Beat Cancer and You Don’t Need Surgery to Do It” was very influential in my decision to choose proton therapy. He is also the founder of the Brotherhood of the Balloon (BOB). This is an organization that provides support to prostate cancer patients around the world. Yes I am a BOB member. We are looking forward to attending the BOB Brunch this coming Sunday here at LLUMC.

Saturday we worked in an excursion to the Joshua Tree National Park. It is a little over an hour to the south. It is a beautiful high desert park and a favorite to rock climbers. We finally got a chance to wear some of our fall attire as the temperatures hovered in the upper 50’s. We wrapped up the evening with dinner at Citrone Restaurant and Bar, which is one of many great restaurants in the area. The best I can describe it is Californian influenced Italian cuisine.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 7

Week 7: Nov. 1 - Nov.7

The weeks are flying by with 27 treatments under my belt. This week can be summed up as “relational.” It seems like all week long friends new and old crossed our paths. Sunday we started out by taking a trip down to Seal Beach for Diane to attend a wedding shower for my sister and for me to hang out with my Dad. It was a great day at the beach.

It was a bit bittersweet to wrap up Boot Camp this week. The main reason for the sense of sadness was mostly relational. Charles and Courtney have been great and we consider it a privilege to call them our friends. Our Boot Camp partner, Calvin, will be wrapping up his medical treatment soon so it was probably our last time to see him. We were able to spend some quality time with him Thursday afternoon sharing the “bonus” blessings from each of our times here at Loma Linda. It is obvious that we are each here for more than protons. We are determined to keep up our workouts and also maintain our connections with our Boot Camp troop. The sweet part about wrapping up Boot Camp is knowing we made it through it.

We also had the privilege of being blessed by a visit from some dear friends of ours from Orlando, Florida. Friday I was able to have them join me in Gantry 3 where Brian, the technician, introduced them to protons. Like all who see this firsthand, they were truly impressed with this technology.

Saturday it was off to Palm Springs for another day in the sun just hanging out with our good friends from Florida. Each day is a gift and we did unwrap the present.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 6

Week 6: Oct. 25 - Oct. 31

Almost halfway there … at week's ends I am about halfway through the treatments. Next Monday is “hump day” and we will begin the home stretch. The daily treatment schedule pretty much goes on with little in the way to report. The treatment is exactly the same every day with the same proton dosage being administered. The only difference is the left side is done one day and the right side the next. The actual treatment time lasts about a minute and a half with 45 total sessions in the Gantry. So I guess it is safe to say the cancer curing process here takes only a little over an hour (1.5 x 45 = 67.5 minutes). The tech team in Gantry 3 is great. They are easy to get along with and very accommodating. The only time I see the doctor is every Thursday around 11:30 AM. Each time we see him he reassures us that all is going along per plan.

This was a week of “firsts” for us down here in beautiful Loma Linda. About mid-week the temperature actually pushed down to the chilly end of the thermometer. The winds picked up and the jackets came out. Wednesday was the first time I wore jeans. Up till now it has been all shorts weather. Wednesday night was the first night we used the heater in the Toyota; Thursday morning the gas heater kicked in for the first time; and we moved Boot Camp indoors for once. But not to worry … it is heading back up into the mid 80’s by the end of the week. The hummingbirds, sparrows and finches are still frequenting our feeders. We hear the constant reminders from the helicopters taking off and landing at the hospital that help is on the way.

There was a full slate of activities at LLUMC as the school of medicine celebrates its centennial this week. Friday night we joined in the celebration by attending an evening with Tim Zimmerman and The King’s Brass and enjoying a challenging message from Lee Strobel. We were also reminded of the mission of the school and medical center “to continue the healing and teaching ministry of Jesus Christ, ‘to make man whole.’”

Saturday morning we decided to continue in our participation of the centennial celebration by attending the Loma Linda University Church’s worship service. Were we in for a treat (without any of the tricks, of course). We were blessed by the music and the message beyond measure. A full orchestra and chorus consisting of current students and alumni contributed joyously and skillfully to the worship. Pastor Randy Roberts presented the truth of God’s word with the exhortation to embrace the vision of Christ in preaching, teaching and healing in our daily walk. Later in the afternoon we ventured back to the church to attend a service commemorating the legacy of Baby Fae. It was 25 years ago that her battle for life gripped the attention of the nation. Words cannot express the emotion and hope that filled the auditorium.

On a side note, as we look back at the “coincidences” we have encountered along the way a couple from Saturday stand out. At the Saturday morning worship service in a packed out auditorium we ended up sitting next to the nurse for the head of the proton department at the medical center. Following the service I shared my revelation regarding the actual treatment time for proton therapy in a small group. One of the former deans of the medical school chimed in that "we should to get that in next year's program." That afternoon, in an equally packed house, we sat next to a urologist who graduated from the medical school in the 60’s. He was very encouraging regarding our choice of proton treatment. It seems with each day we get a reminder or two that we are at “the right place at the right time.”

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 5

Week 5: Oct. 18th-Oct. 24th


After four weeks routines are starting to develop. Like the trips to Trader Joe’s that remind us of home. Or finding a place to fellowship that we can call our “church away from church.” Sunday we visited Trinity Church in Redlands after exhausting the various online search engines. It is as close to being at Glenwood as we have found so far. Good solid Bible teaching; friendly atmosphere; with uplifting music and worship. I am sure we will return.

Last week Diane met a young mother being treated with protons for a non-cancerous brain tumor. She is out here alone while her husband holds down the fort with their two boys back home in Nebraska. Tuesday we thought it would be a good idea to introduce her to Trader Joe’s. After all, T. J.’s is foreign to her part of the country. Thursday her family came out to join her for a few days. She is one of many stories we find here of strength and courage as well as modeling the value of a Christian faith in the face of adversity.

Treatments have settled in to more of a routine with my appointments around 7:30 each night. It has been interesting how relationships are also becoming part of the routines. With the various offerings for the patients, interaction with others is happening on a regular basis. I have been involved with a “Men Only” support group on Wednesday afternoons to share in the experiences of the other men going through this treatment. Conversations have been quite open and frank which can be very helpful. The Wednesday evening meeting is more of a fellowship and education time open for wives and caregivers to join in.

We are still surviving “Boot Camp” with the constant encouragement of Charles and Courtney. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM we don our workout gear and head off to sweat, grunt, and groan. I hope to maintain this commitment to exercise when I am finished with my treatment. Diane had a great head start on me in this category as she came here in great shape. Maybe that is why I experienced a slight hamstring pull on Thursday. Hopefully it will not hinder my graduation at the end of next week.

Aerobics anyone? Get a load of some of these offerings at the Drayson Center: “Tone & Moan” with Romy; “B.A.T.s (Buns, Abs, & Thighs) with Gail; or “Salsa Aerobics” with Lydia. These seem to suit Diane just fine as she headed out to “Total Body Workout” with Rachel Friday morning. I am still holding out for “50 Something Aerobics for Idiots” with Wilbur or maybe the self guided “Aerobics While You Sleep.” I’ll give these a little thought while I am out at the pool.

We wrapped up the week Saturday with a trip to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. This allowed us to use up some passes we had from a previous visit to the Magic Kingdom in Orlando. The last time we visited the Anaheim theme park the current sites of Downtown Disney and California Adventure were the old parking lot. On a sad note, The Country Bear Jamboree has been replaced by some other bear named “Pooh” and his many adventures. At least Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride continues to hold it’s own in spite of competition from the likes of Hannah Montana. Just another 80 something degree day in Southern California.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 4

Week 4: October 11th-October 17th

Here we are in week four already. Sunday morning we visited the Calvary Chapel in San Bernardino. We enjoyed the morning in worship and in the study of God’s word. In the afternoon we took part in a guided tour of the inner workings of the proton facility. We were walked through the journey each proton takes in reaching its intended target. This is truly incredible technology. It is a perfect marriage between physics and medicine. NASA maintains on ongoing relationship with LLUMC within the research departments involving proton technology. This research is enabling NASA to explore ways to protect astronauts from space radiation.

Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday mornings it was off to “Boot Camp” once again. I’m sore in places I didn’t even know I had. It also rained a little down here early in the week. The precipitation in this region gets about as much attention as when it snows in the Portland Metro area. Even so, it is still shorts weather with the forecast for the weekend expecting temperatures back in the upper 80’s.

This week included treatments eight through twelve. After the twelfth treatment I got to promote myself to the sophomore class. The final treatment is considered a “graduation” hence the classifications of freshman through senior. We have different colors of “balloons” for our name tags to designate our current standing. Through the week I wore my green balloon proudly. The next step is yellow, then blue and then finally red. Upon my return to Vancouver you can ask me about the significance of the balloons and about “The Brotherhood of the Balloon.”

Tuesday night there was a small electrical fire in the proton center that created a little stir, but all returned to normal rather quickly. It gave the hospital a chance to evaluate their fire drill protocol. The rest of the week’s treatments went along without incidence. Friday night I picked up my yellow “balloon” to add to my name tag. Of course Diane gets to add one to her name tag as well. She faithfully accompanies me on each trek to Level B at the Proton Center.

Thursday afternoon we met with the nutritionist. Her name is Stella and she works with the proton patients in guiding us through what we should and should not eat during our stay. The diet is geared to help protect the vital areas impacted during treatment.

A little surprise this week was the 99° temperature that welcomed us on Friday. We had planned on spending some time at the pool anyway, so this worked out just fine. We decided Saturday would be a good time to head up to Lake Arrowhead to revisit the site of part of our honeymoon 36 years ago. Oktoberfest was in full swing at the lake which added to the charm. With a little extra time we decided on taking a quick jaunt over to Big Bear Lake to round out the day. It was a beautiful day and 20º cooler than the 99º down in Loma Linda.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 3

Week 3: October 4-October 10

Settling in seems to be the phrase the sums up where we are presently. Sunday and Monday we found ourselves familiarizing ourselves with our surroundings as well as establishing some routines. We enjoyed a small adventure into Redlands where we stopped in at the old post office museum and then visited an exquisite Victorian home. From what we were told the museum in the post office is the only one of its kind in the country.

The Morey Mansion in Redlands is considered one of the “Victorian Gems of the West.” Currently it is being run as a bed and breakfast. We could not resist the urge to walk up to see if we could take a look. The owner happened to be working on the grounds and graciously opened her home to us. There are not enough adjectives to describe our experience. My camera got quite a work out.

Diane had a chance to join me in the treatment room that night and saw the inner workings of “Gantry 3.” Needless to say she was very impressed with this technology. The crew was very accommodating in educating her in this procedure. She got to see things I do not get to see because I am confined to my pod. It appears I am slated for the late evening time slots for the time being. Like I mentioned earlier, the newbies end up with the late times. You are given the opportunity to lock in on a preferred time as they become available. The “veterans” usually hone in on the morning slots. Actually, the verdict is still out for me on what time I would prefer.

What were we thinking when we signed up for “Boot Camp?” Even with the constant encouragement of Charles and Courtney (the personal trainers leading the course) we find ourselves looking at each other wondering “what are we doing here with all these twenty-something female students?” After our second session Tuesday evening we learned we were the first “proton patients” to sign up … ever! We discussed the possibilities with Charles of tailoring a session for proton patients. It looks like we’re the guinea pigs.

On Wednesday evening we were back at the Drayson Center for the weekly Proton Group meeting. This week we learned the history of the Loma Linda area and once again connected with fellow patients. Wednesday through Friday I continued with the late evening appointments in “Gantry 3.” I’m sure the treatment reports will remain the same throughout our stay here. The treatments are fast and painless. The actual treatment phase takes between 1 and 2 minutes. Part of our Friday “treatment” was spending time at the pool at the Drayson Center. :)

Saturday evening we had the opportunity to hear the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra perform “GRANDiose” (Franz Schubert Symphony no. 3 in D major, D.200Jean Sibelius Symphony no, 2 in D Major, op.43) at the California Theater of the Performing Arts. This is the theater where Will Rogers made his final stage appearance in June of 1935. Two months later he would be killed in a plane crash in Alaska. Carlo Ponti is the conductor of the symphony and he is the son of Sophia Loren. It was an outstanding performance.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 2

Week 2: September 27-October 3

Sunday morning I winged my way back to Vancouver, WA for a brief but meaningful introduction to my new granddaughter Clara Julianna. After all, the next opportunity to see this little one would not be until after treatment which is two months from now. Those free tickets from Southwest sure came in handy. Over the next two days I was able to see the other 7 grandchildren one more time as well . I am blessed beyond measure. Tuesday evening found us both headed back to our little cottage in Loma Linda.

Wednesday morning at 9:30 we trekked back to the Loma Linda Proton Treatment Center for my introduction to “Gantry 3.” This is truly amazing technology with only better things to come. I marveled at the thought of all the research, development and technological advancements that proceeded this day. That evening during the support group meeting we had the opportunity to listen to one of the doctors involved in research here at LLUMC. As I listened to him speak I was reminded of all of the hours invested behind the scenes developing and improving this technology.

The staff here is wonderful and so personable. You can tell it is genuine and not put on. That’s just the way it is here. Thursday marked my second day in my pod at “Gantry 3” with only 43 more to go. I met with my doctor again at this time. Meeting with my doctor will be a weekly occurrence throughout my treatment.

Diane and I made a trip to the Drayson Center towards the end of the day to sign up for our complimentary membership to this state of the art health and athletic facility. It is quite a complex. Believe it or not, our membership is part of the treatment. I did say “our” because this benefit is extended to spouses and caregivers. We signed up for a session called “Boot Camp” that I am sure will test our physical limitations, not to mention our age. This part of our adventure begins Monday morning at 9 AM. It takes place one hour a day, four days a week for the entire month of October. It will be led by a couple of on-staff personal trainers.

My treatment time for Friday was moved to a 9 PM slot. Typically the newbies end up with the later evening time slots. Treatment times range from 5 AM until about 11 PM. However, about the middle of the afternoon I received word that “Gantry 3” was down for maintenance for the evening. I will resume treatment Monday evening at 9:30 PM. We were warned about the likelihood of this happening ahead of time. When this does occur it simply means you tack those days on at the end of your treatment.

As the weekend rolled around it allowed us a chance to make our new little cottage away from home feel like home. This also gave us a chance to slow down and regroup after going full speed ahead for so long.

Saturday night we ended up visiting a new church. Even though the church has three traditional Sunday morning worship times, we opted for the Saturday evening service this time around. It is uniquely named “The Packinghouse Church” in Redlands, California. The significance in the name appears to be the relationship to a “fruit bearing” life.

Off Ramp: Loma Linda Week 1

Week One: September 20th-September 26th

What an eventful week. It started with us heading south from Vancouver, WA, Sunday September 20th. The unknown at the time revolved around the timing of our daughter’s delivery of little Clara. Initially our September 20th departure date gave us an extra week cushion from her original due date which was September 12th. Needless to say it was unsettling leaving without meeting our new granddaughter. She arrived safely the next day, Monday, September 21st at 8:51 PM. Thanks to “Video Skype” we were able to share in the experience.

Tuesday marked the day for my consultation with the radiation oncologist. With the new blood work and physical performed at this appointment and in conjunction with my medical history, a course of action was presented. The good news at this time was seeing my cholesterol level drop 33 points from my last blood work in April. I moved out of the “Borderline” category into the “Desirable” camp. Diet changes do have an impact and I am still enjoying what I eat. My PSA level was up slightly from April. My first proton treatment in “Gantry 3” is scheduled for next Wednesday, September 30th at 10:00 AM.

Wednesday found me back at the treatment center for my planning phase. This is the stage where I was fitted for my pod and scanned for the designing of my treatment fields. The purpose of the pod is to ensure I am in the same position of each treatment. The CT scan is used to build the templates that will shape the proton beam to hit the target. For those of you interested in understanding proton beam technology you can follow this link. Each Wednesday evening there is a very upbeat and well attended support group meeting for all of the proton patients and their spouses. Many have said this was a highlight of their time at LLUMC.

Diane flew back to Vancouver that afternoon to connect with our new little granddaughter Clara Julianna. I joined them Sunday afternoon. We both will fly back to Loma Linda Tuesday evening. With our Southwest Airlines Rewards the round trip tickets for both of us set us back a mere $12.50.

Each Tuesday & Thursday at 9:30 AM there is a new patient orientation. I was not quite sure what this was all about but I figured I fit the target audience. After all I was new and I am a patient. This was a time of getting familiar with the total experience offered here at Loma Linda. I am impressed with how “complete” the offerings are here. The emphasis is in treating the whole person.

From there it was off to Seal Beach to be with family and join in the festivities surrounding my nephew’s wedding, which was on Saturday.

"Look at the Birds"

I have read that trying to photograph hummingbirds is one of the more challenging tasks in photography. They are extremely quick and they do not stay in one spot very long. It must be that "metabolism of a hummingbird thing." With camera and tripod in hand I set off to capture these little guys in action. The little hummer on the right is one I met outside our door at our little cottage in Loma Linda. There is something therapeutic in visitations from birds. Being drawn to their songs, their chattering and constant activity are reminders of what means to "Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?"