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.