--- In protoninfo@yahoogroups.com, "sharon93_19008" <sfgordon93@...>
wrote:
>
> Thank you, Fuller, for starting this website and for your
answers
> to the questions about the various proton beam sites. And thank
you,
> Laurel, for adding to our information about the balloons. This
group
> is such a wealth of knowledge. Also, thanks Rick for giving us
the
> link to your blog; there's a wealth of knowledge there too.
>
> Don was diagnosed just one month ago. It was his 3rd biopsy
and
> obviously the others (2003 and 2005)were negative. This time,
1/12
> cores was positive, PSA 4.2, 3+3+6, T1C. Don initially explored
> robotic surgery, but we joined several online support groups and
have
> learned about many other alternatives. Don is planning to try to
get
> a consultation at Loma Linda. If this is not possible, he will
> consider the other proton centers; this is why he is asking so
many
> questions about comparisons between them.
>
> Rick, I see from your blog that you had treatment in
Indiana.
> Can you please answer the questions that Fuller answered as they
> pertain to the center in Indiana? Thanks.
>
> Sharon and Don from PA
>
Hi Sharon and Don,

I had my proton therapy at the Midwest Proton Radiotherapy Institute
in Bloomington, IN from July 27 to Sept. 30, 2005. I was diagnosed
Feb. 4th 2005 with a tumor staged as T2b, which means that the
cancer involved more than half of one lobe, but not both sides of
the prostate. My PSA was 4.1, but rose to 5.0 just before
treatment. Currently it's 1.2. At MPRI they make an actual body
mold of the patient from just under the arms to just above the
knees. The balloon is inserted (no big deal at all) and the x-ray
is done to match it up with the master CT scan. The modulation
wheel, which determines the speed of the beam begins to turn. For
me it rotated at 359 rpm. Once the wheel started I knew the beam
was soon to arrive. However, there is no point of reference because
I couldn't feel anything or see anything. No warm spot within me.
Absolutely nothing. I just laid there enjoying the music that they
played in the room. Once the left side was done, the robotic table
spun me around and then the same procedure on the right side. Only
30 minutes out of my day. I am a runner and ran at least 4 miles
everyday during treatment and even participated in a 465 mile leap
frog run from Memphis, TN. to Peoria, Il. between my 9th and 10th
treatments. My 9th was on Friday, my 10th was the following
Monday.
It's been over two years and I can honestly say that I sure don't
feel like a cancer survivor. It's like I never had it at all. I
never experienced any symtoms and to this day don't have any that
would cause me to go to the doctor to get checked out. I do go
annually for my check up.
I spoke with many men on Proton Bob and they all called it a "no
brainer". In deed it was that for me.
I'm not sure what the schedule is like for getting into MPRI, but
it's worth a call. Dr. Thornton and the whole staff are like family
to me.
I've heard too many stories from men who chose a treatment because
their doctor told then what to do. A close friend chose the daVinci
Robotic surgery in May of 2005. He continues to wear pads in his
underwear and is not able to enjoy intimacy with his wife.
I have no problems in those areas and enjoyed my wife every weekend
I came home. That may be more than you care to know. If so, I'm
sorry. It's just indication as to how non-invasive proton therapy
is.
Great to get to know you.
Rick Otey