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

Places We Have Called Home In 2020/2021

A Different Kind of Summer Again This Year

February 15, 2021

Temperature 83 Degrees

ACCEPTED FOR TREATMENT!

The first piece of the puzzle has fallen into place.

We received a call this afternoon from The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.  They called to inform me that I have been accepted for treatment of my prostate cancer.  Moreover, Medicare will cover the full cost of the treatment which is great since the entire treatment programs costs in the vicinity of $160,000 plus.

Why here?  After my diagnosis of prostate cancer I began to do extensive research regarding possible treatment plans.  In consultation with my urologist, surgery and the implantation of radioactive seeds was immediately ruled out.

That left me with only one choice:  external beam radiation.  This is when I discovered that today there are two types of radiation possible:  photon and proton.  The more research I did, the more uncomfortable I became with standard photon treatment.  There is the possiblity of lasting damage to healthy tissue and a number of possible serious side effects.  That led me to do extenisve research regarding proton radiation and where it was available. This in turn led me to The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.  My initial contact with them in turn resulted in their supplying me with extensive material regarding proton radiation.  And the more I dug into the subject the more I became convinced this was the treatment that I wanted.

But where?  I became convinced that I wanted to receive treatment from The University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute.

This is what I discovered about the Institue:  Since opening its doors, University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute has offered thousands of patients 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 excellenty option for those diagnosed with prostate cancer.

What makes Proton Therapy Different?

Protons can be directed to reach only the areas of the body that are affected by cancer. This leads to more accurate therapy, with less risk that healthy tissue will be exposed to radiation – and this can reduce the risk of complications and side effects.

The type of treatment and who I wanted to do my treatment had now been determined.  Time to get to work.  We contacted the Institue about two weeks ago and they have been fantastic. We submitted my application and Ms Barbara filled out and submitted the multitude of needed forms.  The Institue in turn kept in constant contact with us, infomred us just what they needed to determine if I would be accepted for treatment, and answered our multitue of questions.    Then we waited.

Today, as I stated earlier, the call came I had been witing for:  I’ve been accepted for treatment.  I was over the top with joy!

Now we wait for the next steps to unfold:  intake processing and a face to face consultation with the doctors.  Both should take place sometime within the next couple of weeks.

While waiting I have two more tests I need to take: one will be this week and the second will be next week.

The important thing, though, is I’m on my way to beating this cancer within.

So, sometime within the next month we will probably be moving to Jacksonville, RV park to be determined yet.  So yea, we’ll be back to traveling, sort of.  Then sitting again for another three or four months.  It is what it is.

Thanks again everyone for all your prayers. I’ve said it before and I’ll continue to say it over and over:  we are two of the most blessed and fortunate people on the face of the earth.

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!