TOUR AMERICA, 2021: PARADISE OAKS RV RESORT, BUSHNELL, FLORIDA

Places We Have Called Home In 2020/2021

54 – looking good!

February 5 , 2021

Temperature 71 Degrees

Ms. Naughty

Doing Cancer Research Then Making A Decision

Ah, another early morning since I had an early morning doctor’s appointment.  The temperatures have finally come around.  Yesterday we needed the heat pump.  Now, today by afternoon we might need the A/C!   What a wonderful world.

Before leaving the park we took a short side trip and . . .

guess who we discovered?  Ms. Naughty all decked out standing next to the Mardi Gras tree.  Glad she had her sweater on since it was still just a bit chilly this morning.  I wonder where she will turn up next?

Yesterday I continued my research on. . .

Prostate Cancer and everything one needs to know about it.  I read the book to the right  from cover to cover yesterday afternoon.  I’m part way through the book on the left.  Both are eye opening and very helpful in my understading the disease, the treatments available, and the side effects that are possible.   I’ve already learned so much and in turn feel much more confident that I can beat this and live a full and rewarding life afterward.

Both books were part of a packet of information sent to me at no cost from The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.  The Institue offers a promising alternative to traditional radiation. A lower risk of side effects, more precise treatment capabilities, and an impressive success rate make proton therapy an option for patients with Prostate Cancer.

Today the research continued.  My appointment this morning was at The Advanced Cancer Treatment Center with Dr. Clayton Alonso.  From the moment we met I felt comfortable and at ease with Dr. Alonso.  He was a wealth of information and took the time to answer each and every one of our questions, and addressed our numerous concerns.  At no time duiring our appointment did he try to rush us but rather he was patient and understanding from start to finish.

So what did we learn?

we have some time before we have to start treatment, six months at the most but no more

if we start treatment now we would not be able to leave until sometime in May

without going into a long and boring explanation as to why, I can only have external beam radiation

the question yet to be answered is, what type of external beam radiation?  There is photon and proton.  Each has it own benefits and possible side effects.

deciding which treatment plan I go with will in turn determine where I will receive it

So what are we going to do?  Absolutely nothing until we get a second opinion.  Then we’ll make our decision.  Toward that end we are sending a preliminary application to The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.  Since they are located in Jacksonville if an in-person visit is required, that is doable since we are only a couple of hours away.

So that is where we are now in terms of my Prostate Cancer.

Now how about this?

This is an online jigsaw puzzle that Ms Barbara completed and which is now the background on my computer screen.  This is only one of many puzzles that she has completed.  Honestly, I can’t do them because I simply don’t have either the patience nor the eye to see how different pieces fit together.  She’s really good at them.

That brings us to the end of another day on The Road of Retirement.  It marked the beginning of a long road that will be full of further research which in turn we know will lead to an educated decision of what treatment will be best for me.  What’s the old saying?  A journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step?  Today we took that first step on the journey of beating Prostate Cancer.

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog.  We always appreciate your company, your comments, and your suggestions. Keep safe, keep healthy, live to the fullest the days that God gives you.

These are the voyages of  Elvira and her two intrepid travelers.  Our continuing mission: to explore as many new states as possible, to seek out new acquaintances and make new friends, to boldly go where we have never been before.

See you on down the road!