(This is what I intended to say, before I got up and forgot half of it)
"Graduation Talk" at Support Group for Loma Linda Proton Patients
March 21, 2007
I'm Dave Krieg. As you may have noticed, Anne & I are the folks whose name cards have the letters "NA" where the rest of you have the initials of your home state. "NA" for Not Applicable, since we don't have a house anywhere - we are full-time travelers in a motorhome. Or, “NA” for North America, since we have traveled over the entire US, Canada and most of Mexico.
I had my 44th slug of protons yesterday. When we first came to Loma Linda in January, to start treatments for my prostate cancer, I also went to a dentist here who did a root-canal job on a tooth that had defied two dentists elsewhere. Excellent job. Now that I have had all my protons, I am also going to have a hernia operation here next week. So, you see, the folks here are taking care of me from Top to Bottom. As a motorhomer, I like to get all my 50,000 mile services at one reliable place.
It is customary at these talks to tell a joke or two, but I'm not very experienced at that, so I decided to stick to serious business.
It is also customary to tell your full medical history, including remarks about the narrow-minded urologists you have met. I have very little to say on that line, but will give a summary. For the past 18 years or so, we've had our annual medical checkups at the U of Washington when we pass through Seattle. My prostate has been enlarged for six years or so but was considered benign. Last summer the PSA was 10, and a biopsy was recommended. Earliest appointment would be a month later but I was eager to get to the Canadian Rockies where we like to spend the summer hiking - so I scheduled it for September. A sense of prioities is important. Anyway, 3 out of 12 cores had cancer cells, Gleason 3 + 3 = 6. Their radiologist said I should have Gamma-radiation and I could start in November. It surprised me to learn it would require nine weeks of daily treatments. I reflected on spending the rainy winter there, driving each day through the traffic of downtown Seattle from a campground resort 25 miles outside the city.
I had read a bit about Loma Linda in an RV-ers magazine article, from a guy who had a prostate job here and liked it. So I asked the Seattle radiology oncologist what he thought about protons and he told me the cure rate was about the same and it was reported to possibly have less side-effects. So I went straight to the medical library and found a couple of articles. Sounded good, so I phoned Loma Linda, and the rest is history.
It is also customary in these talks to report having "No side-effects," but I think it only fair to tell the newbies the gruesome details. So, if they experience something similar they will know they are not the first.
The scientific articles from Loma Linda reported "few significant side effects" but that sounded a bit vague to me and I'm skeptical by nature. So, in my first consult here, I asked my doctor what I should really expect. First thing he said was that my urination might increase in frequency and urgency. Now, like I said earlier, my prostate had been enlarged for quite a while, and I told him I already averaged 4 times a night. He said it might double. Then, when I learned about how, for treatments, we would lie in our little "pod" after drinking a pint of water 15 to 30 minutes before the proton radiation began, I got worried. I envisioned peas in the pod.
I am happy to report that has not happened. Frequency went up only 50 percent and I never lost control. I was also told there might be effects on the bowels. It turned out to be similar. Some increase in frequency and urgency, but no loss of control. Tell your doctor in your weekly consultation here of any and all pertinent experiences you have. Medication was prescribed for me that alleviated my effects.
The most troublesome thing in both excretory functions was never being quite certain when my duties were completed and I could safely close up my pants. I found myself getting up and down repeatedly, something like a prayer meeting in a "high church." Except there you get to keep your pants on.
So that's it. No pain, no strain.
One other thing I feel like mentioning. I mentioned being a skeptic; you might even say a non-believer. I make no apology for that. I had heard that the hospital here was a religious institution. Then they told me to be sure to attend the Wednesday evening convocations. I envisioned sermons, hymns and maybe some heavy proselytizing. The one thing I didn't expect was an MC who was a stand-up comic. (Aside to Dr Mantel: I hope you are not offended by a little teasing; you must admit you are a man of many talents.)
I’m a believer in these weekly gatherings. I especially like the testimonials, even from those of us – like me – who like to show how long we are able to stand on our feet.
Here is my overall conclusion. The doctors here and every member of the staff that I have encountered at the proton center are outstanding, both professionally and as human beings. They display not only complete expertise but also a friendly and caring attitude. Think of it: they take in a people who arrive in fear of their imminent demise or grave debilitation, and turn them into a confident, laughing, comradely community.
I believe that can't be an accident. That quality of Loma Linda must be the result of thoughtful, comprehensive design and nurturing.
I want to thank everyone at the Proton Center, from the bottom of my heart. And all other pertinent organs.
As I turned to sit down, Dr. Martell, put his hand on my arm and told the group, in reference to my scruffy beard, that before I got the protons I was clean-shaven -- and look what they did for him! To which I should have replied, "But at the other end, I have rosy cheeks!"
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A final note: Anne and I maintain a website for those of our relatives and friends who might want to see stories and pictures of our travels. I decided to write an article for it on prostate cancer and protons. It's main point is to encourage the men to have a regular DRE and PSA, and to know something about how wonderful protons are. I mention this in case you want to educate a friend back home, who is not yet ready to read that entire, excellent book from Proton Bob. My article is only about four pages long and they can skip to the sentences in bold face font to get the most pertinent stuff. Feel free to make use of it, if you wish.
The address is http://anneanddavek2.homestead.com/Pro.html
I also listed it as an Internet Explorer "favorite" in the computers in Level B waiting room. Look there for "Dave's Proton." I also listed this graduation talk on those computers.
You may send me an email with any comments or questions, by clicking here.
