Week 38 - feeling the effects!

As warned by Dr. O'Reilly, the week after treatment ends is usually the worst for side effects. Dale has been having some difficulty swallowing this week and is using Xyloxylin with good results. He's a bit tired this week, but trying to keep his activity level the same. His "sunburn" on his left arm is a bit blistered, but Aquaphor appears to be giving him relief.

Emily will escort Dale and Jackie to San Antonio this weekend, (on their way to Marble Falls) to see their new great-grandson, James. 'Giddy' best describes their voices on the phone, when talking about him! James' middle name is Richard. Dale's pretty honored by that!

And then #37 was done!

Dale, Jackie and all the Boedekers travelled to the Proton Center today to witness Dale's Gong Ceremony and thank all of the fine people for their care and concern over the past 37 treatments.

It was a tearful goodbye to new friends for Dale. It was a great day for those patients who are just starting their Proton Therapy journey. Some visited with Dale and his story was very reassuring to them!

Dale and Jackie are back in Victoria tonight and wondering what to do tomorrow....a Thursday without a treatment or doctor's appointment! WOW!

Dale will have his follow up appointment with Dr. O'Reilly on July 28th. He'll have a CT Scan on July 27th prior to seeing the doctor...but until then - it's PARTY TIME!

Day 36 Proton Therapy

Down to ONE!

Dale had his 36th treatment today and then had his last "weekly see" with Dr. O'Reilly.

Dr. O'Reilly will not see Dale again until late July. The usual 6 week checkup will be postponed. That checkup is usually to see if side effects have dissipated. Since Dale didn't really have any side effects, he doesn't need that visit.

Dale had his pictures taken with several staff members today. A new photo album to fill!

Plans are underway for Dale's final treatment reception. A trip to Sam's and Walmart and we're ready to celebrate!

Day 35 Proton Therapy

Dale and Jackie drove to Houston in time for Dale 35th treatment at the Proton Center.
Dale is still virtually symptom free, with the exception of a fist-sized sunburn under his left arm.

Tomorrow will be Dale's last "weekly see" visit with Dr. O'Reilly. He will see Dr. O'Reilly late in June for a followup check to his treatment.

Plans are underway for refreshments to serve at Wednesday's Gong Ceremony.

If you're free Wednesday at 1pm, please join us at the Proton Center on Old Spanish Trail for the celebration of Dale's 37th and final treatment! You'll be amazed at how great he looks!

I still catch myself looking at Dale and shaking my head in disbelief that a man nearly 80 years old can take this much stress/strain medically and show no side effects or symptoms! Amazing!

Day 34 Proton Therapy

Dale and Jackie loaded up the car and headed to Proton Center around 10am this morning. They listened to "Ben's" gong ring! Ben, a new 11 year old friend, battling brain cancer, finished his proton therapy today. He'll take two weeks off and then start chemo! Dale and Jackie have watched Ben go from a full head of hair to a "Mr. Clean" man hairdo.

Dale let another gentleman cut in line for treatment today...the gentleman wasn't feeling or looking too well, so he wanted to be treated quickly.

Jackie and Dale left Houston around noon and headed home to Victoria for their last weekend of commuting!

Can I get a "HELL YES!" on the 3 more treatments that remain?

A little tiny list!

For those of you that have been following the recent chapter in Dale's fight against Lung Cancer..you realize that it's been weeks of daily treatments. MD Anderson does a great job of connecting their patients to the hospital's system of appointments, treatments, reports and status. At Dale's "mymdanderson.org" page, he is able to view lots of information. Appointments are listed on the appointment page....and on Mar. 24th he had a long page of appointments. 37 appointments listed! Today, his appointment page looks like this:


Date / Time Description Location Status
05/07/2009 1:00 PM Rehabilitation Services Proton Therapy Center
Proton Therapy Center is located in the East of Fannin near 1840 OST.

05/08/2009 1:00 PM Rehabilitation Services Proton Therapy Center
Proton Therapy Center is located in the East of Fannin near 1840 OST.

05/11/2009 1:00 PM Rehabilitation Services Proton Therapy Center
Proton Therapy Center is located in the East of Fannin near 1840 OST.

05/12/2009 1:00 PM Rehabilitation Services Proton Therapy Center
Proton Therapy Center is located in the East of Fannin near 1840 OST.

05/13/2009 1:00 PM Rehabilitation Services Proton Therapy Center
Proton Therapy Center is located in the East of Fannin near 1840 OST.

A wee tiny list! A visual reminder that Dale continues to Fight the Fight! All of our fears about side effects and the stress and strain of 37 treatments has vanished. Smiles all around...laughter at the storm he's weathered so well!

Day 32 Proton Therapy

Down to 5!

Dale and Jackie made the all too familiar trip to the Proton Center today for their 32nd treatment.

I'm headed to Lubbock for the weekend for Emily's graduation from Texas Tech! Jackie and Dale will finish out their week here in Pearland and then head home to Victoria for their last weekend of commuting!

Day 31 Proton Therapy

Can you say "SIX MORE TREATMENTS"?

Dale had his 31st treatment and then his weekly see with Dr. O'Reilly. An area under his left arm about the size of his fist is red but not irritated. Dr. O'Reilly showed us Dale's treatment plan on his computer. He showed us the CT Scan with the treatment plan overlayed on the scan. Each area is outlined in a different colored line depicting the strength of treatment to a specific area. The "pink" line (strongest) follows a path directly under Dale's left arm! Hence the red area. Dr. O'Reilly also showed us the Xray image of Dale's chest with a super-imposed "Aperture" placed on the xray. The aperture has a cut out in it exactly the size of Dale's tumor. Dale is getting 74 CGE's of radiation (2 CGE/treatment). Had Dale used Photon radiation that number would have been decreased to 60-66, because Photo radiation has to be administered at a lower level.

Dale thinks his energy level has wained a bit, but he put together a BBQ pit this morning - so I'm not sure he's all that tired!

Day 30 Proton Therapy

Jackie and Dale arrived at the Proton Center and Dale was immediately taken back for treatment. They are in Pearland for their last full week of treatments! Dale is still feeling fine and polished off almost an entire plate of Mexican food tonight at Gringo's. So much for lack of appetite or issues with swallowing!

Tomorrow will be his "weekly see" with Dr. O'Reilly and then another treatment at 1pm.

Hard to believe he's so close to the end and still waiting on a serious side effect!

Day 29 Proton Therapy

Dale and Jackie went to Proton Center today and after Dale's treatment they headed to Victoria. Dad has 8 more treatments! They will be back Monday for treatment at 1:00pm and then head back to Pearland for their last full week of treatments!