Over the Hump!

We are glad to report that Steve is over the half way point in the treatment program. He has received 23 treatments and has 22 left. It seems just like yesterday that we were waiting and waiting for him to get started.

This badge is given to you when you begin treatment. It helps to immediately know who else is in treatment and where they are from. One of the good things about this place is they are always open to ideas for improving and making it better for the patients. A patient came up with the idea of colored stickers which lets you know immediately how far through the program a person is. Since the program consists of 45 treatments it is divided up into quarters. When you receive your blue sticker (which Steve received Wednesay) people know that you have received 23 treatments and half way through. When you begin you have a green sticker. This enables those who are farther along in the program to welcome newcomers and help them feel at ease right from the beginning. The guys usually like to show up for their treatments about 1/2 to 1 hour early just to visit with the each other. This is one of the great bonding tools here.

Loma Linda University Medical Center is all about "making man whole". There may be 4 other hospitals that do proton treatments but this is the only one that has so many support activities going on to get involved with. Monday night is game night at the Drayson Center, Tuesday night is potluck and socializing, Wednesday is the formal support meeting led by Dr. Lynn Martell, and Thursday night is gathering at a local restaurant for dinner. LLUMC gives you free membership to the Drayson Center and constantly encourages visiting the center to stay in shape and help with the healing process.

The Tuesday night potluck is another example of wanting to hear patients suggestions for making their stay here easier. It was started by the patients living in one of the apartment houses just as another way of gathering together and sharing. There is alway plenty of food, stories and song. Doesn't this look like fun!

We currently project our finish date as January 27, barring any further problems with the equipments used. The equipment is used 24 hours a day 7 days a week. When it isn't being used on patients in various ways by the hospital, NASA uses it for "research". Steve has minimal side effects from the treatment. He needs to take a couple of ibuprofen in the morning and evening but other than that you can probably tell by our outings that his life has not been effected by this treatment.

Within 100 miles there is an abundance of things to see and do. We are prioritizing the things we would like to do in the time we have left. We will, of course, keep you up to date on our activities.