Guest Blogger: Hugh A.
From: A, Hugh H.
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2009 2:54 AM
To: H, Perry H.
Cc: Swinford, Don G.
Subject: Where’s Hugh?
Hi Perry and Don
So sorry for being so delinquent in writing you both. I have had incredible computer issues about a week after I got here. I think they are now resolved (I hope). It led to temporary frustration and a real dislike of the high tech world we live in at times!!!
Today, I do treatment number 18…getting close to halfway. I have been attending the Tuesday night pot luck dinner for proton radiation patients and spouses, the Wednesday afternoon PC support Group meetings. Carol Davis who runs them does a great job running them and is very knowledgeable about the subject of proton radiation treatment. I also attend the Wednesday evening proton/prostate cancer education/support meeting, which is hosted by Dr. Lynn Martell.
Perry, as you know, the Tuesday pot-luck dinners require a number of volunteers to make it a success. With the constant rotation of old patients leaving and new ones arriving there is a “constant changing of the guard” for volunteers, so I felt compelled (at the “strong” urging some of the many other patients I have met) to “step up to the plate” and volunteer for the entertainment chairman for the next 5 weeks. I don’t sing, nor play a musical instrument, tell jokes etc, so it should work out just fine. I just need to coerce the talent from the other attendees. It’ll work out fine I’m sure.
I think I am now settling into the morning treatments regularly (I hope) now so I can schedule my day a bit better particularly with the computer issues resolved and do some of my work by RASing into the company’s network. I am getting down to the Drayson (athletic center) regularly now to swim my 1/4 miles and am riding my bike daily now (Only a mile or two. I’m trying to convince my 13 year old daughter to do it with me when she comes out next week to stay with her old man for two weeks. My wife will stay the first week with us. I have had a couple of folks say they are traveling to California in July, so they may drop in for a bit
I have toured around the area and know Redlands and parts of San Bernardino pretty well. I was down in San Diego and La Jolla visiting friends and to the LA area to watch the horse racing at Hollywood Park in past weekends.
The overall experience at Loma Linda has been very encouraging and uplifting. The folks in Gantry 3 are great and you develop a comfortable rapport with them as time goes by. I have been to see the nutritionist bi-weekly for some “help” with my diet, although I am eating much healthier than previously. I have had very little so far as side effects. A bit of discomfort last week and fatigue, but nothing that Advil and getting proper rest didn’t fix. I have developed many friendships with other patients and their spouses. It is a collegiate type atmosphere, of friendship, camaraderie, care and concern as well as having some fun. I think that all of this collectively, is what validates Loma Linda’s motto “Making Man Whole”, physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
I will keep you posted as I move along here in my journey.
Best regards
Hugh
