Friday, May 13, 2022

16 Years Cancer Free contributed to Proton Beam Therapy Treatment!

 16 Years Cancer Free!


Me Today May 2022
 My latest PSA results last month hold a nadir of .8.   No change since my forty-two (42) sessions over 3
month period of external-beam proton radiation therapy in 2008 (almost 14 years ago today).  My reflection today is that several decades ago the chance of a cancer survivor enjoying long-term survival was limited. Not all celebrate so many years of cancer free duration and I am sensitive to that.  For me, and others its a "transitional cancer survivorship" reflecting the transition from active treatment to careful observation and the emotional, social, and medical adaptations that occur.  Selecting proton therapy was a hard choice in 2007-2008 since there was only three centers operational.  The support of my spouse Tracy made it happen as I was away for many months.  Today there are so many here in the US and internationally.   I appreciate the fact that I can grow older (was 53 when diagnosed and now 67).  Milestones can trigger a range of emotions, from gratitude and relief to pain and sadness to fear of cancer recurrence, even after years have passed. One of the best ways to recognize milestones and emotions is to take ownership of them. Choose how you want to reflect on the changes in your life.  For me as I stated in 2007 "November 1 2007 my life changed with diagnoses of prostate cancer at the age of 53. Life’s clock starts to tick at a different pace. It was time to wake up and really live. The cancer odyssey never stops but it does change priorities and brings new dreams. What was important before seems foolish now." The journey continues!

One of my 42 treatment sessions at Loma Linda 2008.

My daily entry to treatment in 2008

Loma Linda a sanctuary of healing



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