It's been almost a year since I have updated my blog, but that doesn't mean that I've been sitting idly by.
I have talked to many people this year who are navigating through this maze of prostate cancer to come to the best decision for themsleves and their families.
I have been working on another book and should have it available sometime in the next month or so.
I am still amazed at the number of people I talk to that have no idea about all of their options, including Proton Beam Therapy.
I have also heard horror stories from men who have not done their due diligence and are reaping horrible side effects from the treat they chose.
It breaks my heart to hear from parents of children with cancer who are going through chemo treatment and conventional radiation and are angry when they learn that protons offers a much less invasive course for their child.
Evidence of this is that St. Jude Children's Research Hosptial in Memphis, TN. is building a proton center to be used to treat children with all inds of tumors. Plans are for the center to be open and treating by 2015 or 2016.
Well, that's enough for today. I'll try to be better about updating this blog.
Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
MY TRIP TO WARRENVILLE, IL. AND CENTRAL DUPAGE PROTON CENTER
I traveled with my friend (Al Sanders, a proton alumni of Loma Linda 2006) to Warrenville, Illinois on March 11th to tour the newest proton center at Central Dupage Proton Center. ProCure built the facility and they are currently pursuing the building of facilities in New Jersey and Washington state.
Steve Tompkins, Director of Clinical Partnerships, greeted us at the front door and invited us to tour the facility. It is very inviting to patients coming there for treatment. It doesn't even look like a place that would conger up feeling of fear or apprehension. They have made good use of the natural sunlight and it is very welcoming.
Because of patients being treated that morning, we were only able to view the fixed beam room. In that particular room sat a gurney with an anesthesia outfit on one end of it. Steve explained that it was used for young children to allow for them to remain still for the treatment. He told us a story of a mother who asked her son what he would tell one of his friends if they had to go to the center for treatment. He said that he would tell them that his mommy plays with him in the toy room, he gets tired and takes a nap; then wakes up and plays some more and then goes home. That's a pretty good experience for a kid being treated for cancer, isn't it? What he doesn't know is that after he gets tired in the toy room, they put him on the gurney and put him under, treat him, and return him to the toy room before he wakes up. I think that is pretty amazing.
They are doing great work there in Warrenville and many people will be helped as the years go by.
Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick
Steve Tompkins, Director of Clinical Partnerships, greeted us at the front door and invited us to tour the facility. It is very inviting to patients coming there for treatment. It doesn't even look like a place that would conger up feeling of fear or apprehension. They have made good use of the natural sunlight and it is very welcoming.
Because of patients being treated that morning, we were only able to view the fixed beam room. In that particular room sat a gurney with an anesthesia outfit on one end of it. Steve explained that it was used for young children to allow for them to remain still for the treatment. He told us a story of a mother who asked her son what he would tell one of his friends if they had to go to the center for treatment. He said that he would tell them that his mommy plays with him in the toy room, he gets tired and takes a nap; then wakes up and plays some more and then goes home. That's a pretty good experience for a kid being treated for cancer, isn't it? What he doesn't know is that after he gets tired in the toy room, they put him on the gurney and put him under, treat him, and return him to the toy room before he wakes up. I think that is pretty amazing.
They are doing great work there in Warrenville and many people will be helped as the years go by.
Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Protons For Pancreatic Cancer
I have learned that The University of Hampton Proton Center in Hampton, Virginia can now treat pancreatic cancer with Proton Beam Therapy. I believe that they are the only Proton Center doing that.
The word needs to get out also that Proton Beam Therapy can also treat breast cancer as well.
Have a good Saturday.
Blessings,
Rick
The word needs to get out also that Proton Beam Therapy can also treat breast cancer as well.
Have a good Saturday.
Blessings,
Rick
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
List of Proton Beam Centers
Thought I'd give an update on the current and new proton centers that are coming online.
Currently there are centers in Loma Linda, Ca., Boston, Mass., Bloominton, IN., Houston, TX., Philadelphia, PA., Jacksonville, Fl., Oklahoma City, OK., Hampton, Va., Warrensville, Il. Opening soon are Somerset, NJ., Seattle, Wa., Boca Raton, Fl., and Detroit, Mi.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Rick
Currently there are centers in Loma Linda, Ca., Boston, Mass., Bloominton, IN., Houston, TX., Philadelphia, PA., Jacksonville, Fl., Oklahoma City, OK., Hampton, Va., Warrensville, Il. Opening soon are Somerset, NJ., Seattle, Wa., Boca Raton, Fl., and Detroit, Mi.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Rick
Monday, December 13, 2010
Successes at Loma Linda
I received a DVD copy of the festivities that were held in October at Loma Linda to honor the 20th anniversary of the proton center there.
During the remarks, a woman from Tennessee spoke about her experience with breast cancer. She had gone through surgery to remove a lump in her breast and was facing 2 months of chemo, 6 months of conventional radiation and 5 years of medications. After contacting Loma Linda, she was able to receive 10 proton treatments and she is now cancer free.
A man spoke of his experience with protons 12 years ago. He had a PSA of 61 and a Gleason score of 10. His urologist told him there was nothing he could do. He contacted Loma Linda and after 44 proton treatments, he is cancer free.
Another man was recognized for having the highest PSA of anyone in the Brotherhood of the Balloon. 10 years ago he presented with a 436 PSA and today after proton beam therapy it is 0.04.
Truly amazing treatment.
Have a good Monday.
Blessings,
Rick
During the remarks, a woman from Tennessee spoke about her experience with breast cancer. She had gone through surgery to remove a lump in her breast and was facing 2 months of chemo, 6 months of conventional radiation and 5 years of medications. After contacting Loma Linda, she was able to receive 10 proton treatments and she is now cancer free.
A man spoke of his experience with protons 12 years ago. He had a PSA of 61 and a Gleason score of 10. His urologist told him there was nothing he could do. He contacted Loma Linda and after 44 proton treatments, he is cancer free.
Another man was recognized for having the highest PSA of anyone in the Brotherhood of the Balloon. 10 years ago he presented with a 436 PSA and today after proton beam therapy it is 0.04.
Truly amazing treatment.
Have a good Monday.
Blessings,
Rick
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
First Grandchild Born to Proton Patient
About a year ago a family contacted me after finding my blog. Their father had gone through surgery to treat his prostate cancer 6 months previous. The cancer had come back and they were looking for options for him. They had real desperation in their voice. I was able to put them in contact with my doctor and the gentleman was treated with proton beam therapy this past summer.
I received word and pictures last week of his first grandson. This was such a God story that I am rejoicing with the family as they now have hope. God has a way of taking hopeless situations and making good out of them.
Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick
I received word and pictures last week of his first grandson. This was such a God story that I am rejoicing with the family as they now have hope. God has a way of taking hopeless situations and making good out of them.
Have a good Wednesday.
Blessings,
Rick
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Mayo Clinic To Build Two Proton Centers
That’s right – two proton centers, one in Rochester, Minnesota and one in Phoenix, Arizona. Each facility will have four treatment rooms. The cost for both centers is $370 million and the funding is already in place. Construction on both centers will begin soon, and the first treatment rooms are expected to be open by late 2014 or early 2015.
The significance of a premier cancer center like Mayo Clinic embracing proton beam radiation therapy 10 cannot be overstated. Perhaps this will help silence those who claim proton therapy is “experimental.”
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TO BUILD PROTON CANCER TREATMENT CENTER
The University of Maryland recently announced they will be building a $200 million proton cancer treatment center at BioPark in West Baltimore.
Slated for completion in 2014, the new therapy center will provide outpatient treatment for a variety of cancers, and plans are to treat 2,000 patients a year.
Blessings,
Rick
The significance of a premier cancer center like Mayo Clinic embracing proton beam radiation therapy 10 cannot be overstated. Perhaps this will help silence those who claim proton therapy is “experimental.”
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND TO BUILD PROTON CANCER TREATMENT CENTER
The University of Maryland recently announced they will be building a $200 million proton cancer treatment center at BioPark in West Baltimore.
Slated for completion in 2014, the new therapy center will provide outpatient treatment for a variety of cancers, and plans are to treat 2,000 patients a year.
Blessings,
Rick
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