So glad you got the call and now things will move quickly. Flying lessons? With that attitude you have won half the battle!
Will remember you in thoughts and prayers and please keep us posted. You have a lot of people who are interested, perfect strangers but still we care. I'll be traveling Oct 15-29, but I'll check here between now and then and as soon as I'm home. One day at a time.....

I'm sorry to hear about your treatments, but I do sincerely hope things work out for the best.

Never been to LL, but was in Redlands last year visiting the University of Redlands. Beautiful campus and school. Their website is very helpful.

For food:
http://www.redlands.edu/x492.xml

About the city:
http://www.redlands.edu/x91.xml

About the region:
http://www.redlands.edu/x92.xml
(this part has links to all the area highlights)

Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.

Nov 12 is a long time away, and I'm surprised that your appointment is 2 months away.

Can I throw another idea in here, The Cancer Center of America has several locations around the country and has an excellent reputation for working with the patient to address the cancer from all possible points of view, including diet and treatment options.

2 months to wait for treatment could make a difference.

If you need locations please let me know, and I will find them for you. I know that there is one in Philadelphia because a friend went there for care.

I am sure that you mean only the best, travelbuff, but I do not believe it is appropriate to second-guess someone's obviously well-considered choice for their own medical treatment.

Loma Linda has one of the vert few proton beam synchrotons for cancer treatment in the USA.

If you are still looking for some housing help, please post your email and I can try to help. I have a friend who is a social worker at Loma Linda University in one of the Transplant units there. Loma Linda has a lot of resources to help you out, so if they have not sent you the details yet, I can try to get some info for you.

I would never presume to second guess, but living in Michigan they may not know about the Cancer Centers and if it were my family I would want to know as many resources as possible, which is why I added the post.

ltr: I am awaiting written confirmation from LL...they have sent me a list of housing options..we are planning on flying out..having the consult...flying home and hopefully driving back..that drive should take 4 days of 8 hour driving per day. That way we can check out housing on the first trip..(with of course preliminary research)...drive so we can take more "stuff" and have our own car while we are out there...any other info you have would be welcome.

[email protected]

You have mail.

We are SOOOOO SOOOO glad we chose this place! It's awesome! Wonderful treatment..the motto is "To Make Man Whole". In addition to no side effects and an excellent quality of life with proton therapy, we have been having a great time meeting lots of wonderful people from all over the world and also exploring Southern California! Two more weeks..and then we will return for follow-up (our choice) in four months as we have fallen in love with the area, and there is still so much to explore...

Retired04, thanks for coming back to update us. And congratulations on the treatment experience!

If you enjoyed SoCal in the fall/winter, you're going to love it in the spring. Here's a nice excursion in April/early May:

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627

And, if you like gardens, here are two that are spectacular in the spring.

http://www.descansogardens.org/site/home.cfm

http://www.huntington.org/

Hi retired04,

I also thank you for reporting back. I had been thinking about you, and am so glad your experience has been positive. I'm sure you have been enjoying the beautiful weather and emailing pictures back to your frozen friends and family back in MI. :D

When you come back, be sure to check this website to see where the wildflowers will be blooming:
www.desertusa.com/wildflo/wildupdates.html

Still wishing you the best of luck and health!

We're home..there's no place like home...but we'll never forget the "Maggic of Loma Linda"...going back in June...thanks to all of you..and any questions..please feel free to ask...we are "apostles" of proton treatment now...

Hi retired04 - glad to hear you're home safe and sound. I bet you're missing all the nice warm weather in SoCal!

hi, retired04: It's wonderful that you have come back to tell us that your trip was a success! That's wonderful news!

Can you tell us a bit more of your trip? I'm certain that many of us would like to know more.

Which hotel did you finally choose? How were the restaurants? Did you have any favorites?

Maybe a trip report?

I'm really happy for you that this trip turned out so well for you! :)

Yes..I promise to be back with more info..but right now..after collecting hugs from one of three kids..and 2 of 5 grandkids..we are having a glass of wine and looking at all of the stuff we have to put away...I can't believe that it all fit in that car!...

Welcome Back! And boy do you have great timing! The weather was so bad just last week and here we are with 60 degrees in NE Indiana tomorrow. I walked around in just a long sleeve shirt in Chicago Saturday.
Congratulations on completing the treatments. I know you'll be spreading the word on it to many who need it.

Retired, glad you are home safe and sound. You are not missing good weather in So CA right now as it is very cold and rainy and windy. It will be lots better when you come back in June. Enjoy seeing your family!!

Back here in SoCal..great results yesterday..DH's PSA is wayyyy down..better than expected! Now we can really enjoy the rest of our stay..we are in LL until tomorrow but aren't flying back to Michigan until the 12th..what to do? what to do? LOL! P.S. If you know anyone diagnosed with prostate cancer...please get the book "You Can Beat Prostate Cancer and you Don't Need Surgery to Do It" by Robert Marckini...No side effects..excellent cure rate and Loma Linda University Medical Center is awesome..