Flying by

Now that I will be leaving a week from tomorrow, time seems to be flying by.  Bob has passed his 30th treatment.  He is more tired now than in the beginning but he is still playing golf and tennis.  Exercise is encouraged even on tired days.  He naps every day now and I think he will nap longer when I am not here.  It is hot, in the 90's today and is supposed to be close to 100 this weekend.

So far, it seems that when he finishes his last treatment, he is done.  He will have a PSA test in a few months to verify that the treatment was successful.

They are doing trials with breast cancer and we met a husband and wife who are both being treated, her for breast and he for prostate cancer.  Another couple, from Australia, is paying $80,000 for his prostate treatment.  Thankfully here, medicare pays for it.  Why should one have to have lots of money in order to be treated to noninvasive, successful treatment?

This has been an interesting journey.  I am grateful for all of your encouraging words.  It has not been easy but I feel it has been successful.

Bob will be flying home on June 22 to a quiet house.   He will need a ride home but I am sure when it gets closer, we will get him home. We will be at the lake preparing for the Ironman the following day. My sister, Carol and my friend, Nathan are doing it.  My dad and his wife, my cousin and his wife, and my Waikiki lifeguard brother and his wife will all be there.  Then comes the big celebration!

Vegas

We spent the long weekend in Las Vegas since Bob had 3 days off of treatment.  Vegas is such an interesting place.  We played 5 cent poker machines, saw some interesting shows, and while Bob rested, I read him parts of the Bible.  Really.  I haven't read it in about 30 years so I thought it was time again.  Started with Genesis.   I downloaded it to my kindle and the Koran is next.  Last Thursday I asked my support group leader if she could get a group together to discuss religion.  She thought it was a great idea.  I want to be ready.

We left Vegas this morning and made it back in 3 hours, 15 minutes.  Bob's treatment was at 4:15 and lasted a while since they had to take more x-rays.  Treatment is much more precise these last weeks.  The previous treatments were of a larger area just in case any cancer cells had escaped.  Now they will be "zapping" the cancer cells only.  

BOB

Last night we attended a vegetarian dinner and talk for proton patients at LLUniversity.  The man who started the Brotherhood of the Balloon (BOB) gave an inspiring talk about prostate cancer, patients, survival and brotherhood.  (If you know anyone who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer send them to that site.)  The president of the school talked about the exciting future in health that is ahead for Loma Linda University.  Their focus is not only research but also combining balance in healing through the mind, body and spirit.  I am amazed.  They are now branching out globally with this program and are, of course, looking for donations.

Bob is more tired than usual but in good spirits.  He is still playing tennis and golf.  His ping pong buddy is leaving next week.

Our end plans have been formulated.  I will be leaving on June 8 for the long drive home so I can attend Rashell's elementary school graduation.  Bob's last treatment is June 20 and he will be flying home June 22 just in the midst of the Ironman insanity.  He will be here 2 weeks alone but assures me he will be fine.  I will just need to make sure there is adequate food as the only time he ever pretends to be helpless is in making dinner.  He has gained a few pounds and needs to keep them on.

All is well but we will both be very happy when we are back in Spokane together.

Half Way

Celebrating the half way mark, we spent a fabulous weekend in Redondo Beach.  Bob rested, got some reading done, and took a beach cruiser out and biked around Manhattan Beach while I kayaked next to Carol as she swam for 2 hours in very choppy ocean water.  Then the three of us spent the afternoon touring the Trump Golf Course, walking the beautiful coast in Palos Verde, then drinking wine on the veranda of a beautiful resort, Terranea, as we watched hundreds of dolphins swim by.  It was a very relaxing weekend.

Things are going smoothly.  Bob is now taking Advil 3x a day and feeling better. It doesn't seem quite as overwhelming now that we are beyond the halfway mark.

YES

Yes, our new living situation is so much better.  We have a bedroom door and a dining table!  We can survive here.  It is cooler too-in the 80's.  Bob is busy playing golf and tennis.  He still gets very tired in the evenings after his treatment but is getting his exercise.  They really promote staying as active as possible during the program.  Bob is having his treatment now and then we are going to a talk about spirituality.  I am very interested to see what they say about this.  So far the speakers have advocated a vegan diet, exercise and staying away from sugar.  Yes!

Hot, hot

Bob and Jason spent yesterday fishing.  He came back looking very tired (no fish either).  He went to bed early and said he probably wouldn't play tennis this morning.  (He did set the alarm.)  By 7:30am he was on his way to the courts and played for 2 hours.

I was hoping it would be warm for mother's day.  I took a walk this afternoon to the market.

It was cooler walking back...

!!

Bob saw the doctor today (he is required to see him once a week) and he gained 2 pounds!  Thank you to Carol and Shannon for your suggestions on plant based foods for gaining weight!  As of Saturday we will have a new address for anyone wishing to send us something inspiring:
11171 San Mateo
Loma Linda, CA  92354

Bob just left for treatment #15!  One third of the way through.  Nights are still difficult but he is adjusting.

Learning

Things I have learned so far:


Bob needs his space (I already knew I did)

Loma Linda means "little hill" but it is not little when one tries to run to the top: 8 miles in 1 hour and 45 minutes!

There is a healing Christian community that I could live in.

Going to Loma Linda Market is like having a spiritual experience.

Even the best of relationships can be challenged.

I love the sun!

I would rather go out to dinner than cook every night in a small kitchen with no counter space and a half size stove and no spices and no sharp knives (although I haven't cut myself) and delicious vegan restaurants all around.

Thank goodness for Downton Abbey (although we only have one more DVD to go.)

It is heartwarming when my 2 year old granddaughter opens her door and the first thing she asks is if I brought her some compost for her compost pile.

Bob is amazing (although I think I already knew that).

As a team, we can get through anything.

the top

Proton Tour

Yesterday afternoon we went on a tour of the Proton Center.  It was amazing.  The center has been there for 22 years.  It is located below the children's hospital.  This treatment is continually expanding its uses and updating its technology.  The cost is now over $285,000,000.  It is a wonderful thing for the children's hospital as there is so much less damage to healthy cells.  NASA scientists have been doing research here since the 90's.  Much of what was talked about was over my head.  We could take pictures in the treatment rooms but not when we saw the actual proton "equipment".  All the machines (and there were a lot) had names and started to remind me of something out of Star Trek.  They are able to get the protons moving at 400 million miles per hour.  They have 3 gantry rooms (below) and one horizontal beam room which is where Bob has his treatment.  I am in awe of what they are doing.

I am also encouraged by the chatter among the proton patients about a nutrious vegan diet as an addition to the treatment.  Loma Linda is helping heal the world not only with their technology but also with their view of a balanced, healthy life!  This is a learning experience for me, being in a Christian setting that believes in healing the mind, the body and the spirit in every way possible!  There is no condemnation.  They are inclusive and list all local churches in their info packet.  I could almost join them (except for the fact that they believe in god). :)

#12

Yesterday was #12, only 33 to go!  Bob still gets tired and a bit grumpy.  I am solving the grumpiness by having us move to a new place in one more week.  Yeah!  Today we went to Cabazon.  It's a city about 30 miles east of Loma Linda.  I have driven by these dinosaurs for many years and never stopped.  Today we did.  It was very disappointing.  They have a dinosaur "museum"  run by a religious organization that is trying to pass their beliefs off as scientific fact.  

Then we went to Morongo Casino.  It could be fun if there was no smoking but I don't last long with that in the air.  We did sit in a nonsmoking bar and watch the Kentucky Derby.

We are keeping busy.  It's been hot!

We have a slight problem with Bob losing weight.  He is supposed to remain the same so he fits snugly in the pod.  I'm trying to get him to eat more.