Just a couple of comments on Rick's message (Thanks Rick!)

MPRI seems to have followed the Loma Linda model pretty closely except
for having both left and right treatments on the same day (each had to
be at a level of 0.9 Gy to provide the total 1.8 Gy per day fraction).
This is what I meant in my previous post about the individual centers
establishing their own variations in the treatment and preparation
protocols.

To correct one thing about the modulator wheel: As it was explained
to me, the wheel rpm does not vary to "determine the speed of the
beam." At Loma Linda, I was told that the modulator wheel rpm is
constant, and the wheel physical characteristics are individually
changed to match requirements of the patient. Of course, this may be
another variation at MPRI.

Loma Linda's Glossary page says: "Modulator Wheel - A spinning,
polycarbide wheel with vanes of variable depth. In proton radiation
therapy, protons passing through the thinner vanes travel farther into
the body than those passing through the thicker sections. Different
wheels, with different vanes, can be used to shift the peak energy
(the Bragg peak) to different depths of the tumor."

See: http://www.protons.com/glossary.html for this glossary.

Thus the modulator wheel is the mechanism by which the Bragg Peak is
spread to envelop the entire prostate gland, and along with the other
individual devices, an aperture block and a depth conforming "bolus,"
provide the means to individually match the treatment to the contours
and shape of the patient's gland.

The speed or velocity of the beam is actually the energy of the proton
beam, controlled by the computer system and synchrotron. The velocity
of the beam is what controls the primary depth of penetration, and at
Loma Linda is approximately 225 MeV, or about 2/3 the speed of light.

No need to get technical here, the point is that the beam is precisely
controlled, and the physics of the proton and Bragg Peak are what
deposits most of the energy directly into the prostate and keeps the
radiation to a minimum in non-target areas.

Ricks experience parallels mine; I was very active during and
following the process, and went to the gym at least three times a
week. The physical exercise during radiation is a factor in mitigating
the fatigue that may set in about half way through the treatments.

Fuller

--- In protoninfo@yahoogroups.com, "Rick Otey" <ricksdetailing@...> wrote:
>
> 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
>