Proton Experience

Saturday, January 28, 2006

Clubhouse Turn


The week ended on a high note as treatment number 40 was completed right on schedule. The technical staff had worked very hard Thursday night to make all the necessary repairs. Everybody, patients and staff, seemed relieved to have the machine up and a weekend in sight. There are only 4 treatments remaining, if everything goes well we will be done Thursday morning. The side effects so far have been very mild, most noticeable are small round "sunburn" marks on both hips. They are not painful, but a gentle reminder that this is the homestretch as most patients don't see these until the last week. We have been going out to nice dinners with a number of patients that are finishing at the same time. These dinners are very festive as we are all glad to be going home. After we get home from dinner I do have some melancholy moments as these people have become good friends, I will miss the daily contact. They have led amazing lives, and more importantly have a forward looking outlook that is an inspiration for me.

We headed to Encinitas on Friday for the day with the family. Piper continues to grow before our eyes, the time we have spent with her and her parents have been one of the blessings of this adventure. Speaking of adventure, on our late evening drive back to Redlands we made a wrong turn and were headed to Mexico on I-15. We were listening to a book on tape, and I failed as the copilot as I had dozed off just as we were making the exit. I woke up a bit later and saw we were on a 6 lane highway, with another another 2 under construction. Through the post cat-nap fog we were able to turn around and make it home. We have decided that we are going to do a bit more pre-flight planning for the trip home. We have also decided that if we need me to be copilot that there will be a ban on the books on tape. Those babies put me down, and quickly.

We are beginning to pack and prepare for the trip home. We were able to cram everything in the car on the way down, I am not sure it will all fit, we may have to figure out what Brown can do for us.

2 Comments:

  • Mexico bound! Co-pilot, I seem to have similar side effects with books on tapes so I feel your pain. Looking forward to a successful last week of treatment and a safe trip home.

    Love you lots!
    Karen

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2:42 PM  

  • Hi, Randy. What great news to read that you're on the final leg of your proton journey. While you indicate that you'll miss your Proton buddies, I will personally miss your regular reports. You have become quite the prolific writer! But, more importantly, it will be nice to have you and Ruth home - and comforting in the knowledge that someone else is having to endure the "gray ugly," otherwise known as winter in the Northwest. Lots of "fuel" has been piling up in the mountains in recent days. In fact, I-90 over Snoqualmie was closed for a time Saturday due to an avalanche. Best wishes in your final week of treatment. Have a safe journey home! Blessings, brother!

    Jeff

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4:17 PM  

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