Ron's Rec Room

Greetings from Hamilton County, Tennessee

2010-08-06T10:01:00.001-04:00

Foggy Mountain Breakdown!

2010-07-21T12:09:00.000-04:00

God is Faithful...

2010-03-25T16:26:00.000-04:00

The Nickel Plate Railroad...

2010-03-22T14:22:00.000-04:00

Two-year Cancer Checkup

2010-03-04T17:24:00.003-05:00

In late January, Anita and I headed out the door for Florida and a follow-on examination for the Proton Therapy I had back in 2007-08 for my prostate cancer. We'd decided to make a trip of it, so we started by visiting Vince and Legare in Birmingham, Alabama on our way down to Niceville. Was great to see them again, likewise the folks in Niceville amongst whom we'd lived for eight wonderful years. After three days there, we drove over to Daytona Beach and took a condo on the beach for a couple more great days. Then on to Kissimmee for a couple more days, on south to Pompano Beach for three (church and lunch with Chattanooga friends Everett and Gayle there), then back up to Orlando. We were able to spend one evening with some of Anita's cousins David and Stacy (and their four kids, including newly-born triplets) in Lakeland. The next evening we drove to Wildwood for dinner with Steve and Laurie and their beautiful daughters. Finally on February 4th we highballed for Jacksonville and had my checkup. I passed with flying colors so we're very happy about that. We were also glad that friends Gary and Patty from Lewiston, Idaho were there at the same time, so we could enjoy some time catching up. BTW, whenever you go to JAX, try to stop at Clark's Fishcamp; they have the best catfish you'll ever eat ;-) I should add that we stayed at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra - a very nice place for a reasonable price if you use PriceLine.com.

Best wishes...

Awaken, O America

2010-02-09T11:17:00.000-05:00

Navy Drill Team in Norway

2010-01-19T16:54:00.000-05:00

Hard-Workin' Railroad Man

2010-01-12T11:34:00.000-05:00

Lord of the Dance

2010-01-03T15:05:00.001-05:00

the Belfast Polka

2010-01-02T22:22:00.001-05:00

Celtic Violins

2010-01-02T22:15:00.005-05:00

Badgers? We don't need...

2009-09-16T22:55:00.002-04:00

You may be familiar with the 1948 movie, Treasure of the Sierra Madre, starring Humphrey Bogart. You may also be familiar with the 1974 movie, Blazing Saddles, made by Mel Brooks.

This particular clip is dedicated to all my friends from Wisconsin. Check the links above for the original and the first parody, then watch this parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic in the 1989 movie UHF.

Best wishes...

Year-and-a-half Cancer Check-up

2009-08-08T17:52:00.002-04:00

Anita and I returned Friday from a trip to Jacksonville where we enjoyed the beauty of the Florida Atlantic coast and also spent a few hours at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute for my 18-month checkup. Thanks and praise to God, all is well. My PSA was/is now at 0.4, so I'm a happy camper. We stayed out in Ponta Vedra at the Marriott...a very nice place.

Sudbury Saturday Night

2009-07-22T00:53:00.001-04:00

New Residents!

2009-07-19T21:21:00.000-04:00

Suspicions Confirmed

2009-06-11T07:41:00.001-04:00

Beautiful Saviour

2009-06-09T12:02:00.001-04:00

Wintley Phipps -Amazing Grace

2009-06-08T17:36:00.002-04:00

Mr Wintley Phipps shares the origin of the famous spiritual, Amazing Grace...

Thanks to friend Curt who had this YouTube video on his blog, Coffee with Curt.

H. Allen Smith, humourist

2009-06-07T21:29:00.003-04:00

One of my favourite authors is (was, actually) a guy named H. Allen Smith. This particular Smith was born in Illinois, grew up there and in Ohio, and became a youthful newspaperman in Indiana. He became well-known when he published a book of personal anecdotes called Low Man on a Totem Pole. It was published in 1941, before I was born.

I first heard of Smith when I lived in Texas. Smith had moved from New York to Texas some six years before I did, and wound up in the western climes of that great state. I lived near Austin, and became a habitue of the many used book stores in and around the University of Texas where I found Smith's books in the special editions that were published during WWII.

Smith participated in the first ever Chili cookoff, held in Terlingua, Texas in October of 1967. He was a fanatic in the manufacture of Chili, the National Dish of Texas, and wrote some strong words on the subject. I have to tell you that I have some differences with Mr. Smith in regards to the proper preparation of Chili, but I'm not alone in that regard. And I don't let our culinary differences interfere with my appreciation for the way he had with the written language.

If you, my gentle reader, have a sense of humor and want to laugh yourself silly, visit your local used book store and search out the work of Mr. H. Allen Smith. In his time he was known as 'the Screwball's Boswell' for his ability to turn an interview into a hilareous newspaper column. He was known to write up curious encounters as short articles, store them in a cheesebox until he had enough for a book, and then craft them into a work of art. I commend Smith and his books to your attention.

The Good Old Hockey Game

2009-06-04T23:04:00.004-04:00

In honor of the Pittsburgh Penguins tying the series at 2-2, here's Stompin' Tom Connors doing The Good Old Hockey Game and Sudbury Saturday Night.

GO PENGUINS!!

American Pie - Don McLean

2009-05-30T11:23:00.003-04:00

Wednesday evening a group of folks got together at First Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, to hear a presentation by Ken Campbell about his experience of Proton Therapy at Loma Linda, California. Two of those present had been through treatment at the University of Florida (UFPTI) about fifteen months ago, and two others had just returned from their treatment.

Ken mentioned that someone at Loma Linda had written new lyrics about proton therapy, set to the tune of Don McLean's 1971 Rock-n-Roll hit "American Pie." The video below will remind you of the original tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper...

We're gonna have to learn those new lyrics, eh?

Mississippi Squirrel Revival

2009-05-06T08:52:00.000-04:00

Haliaeetus leucocephalus (Look it Up)

2009-03-03T23:02:00.005-05:00

This morning we left our overnight lodgings at the Riverdale Inn, on the north shore of the St. John's River, and went to the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute for my one-year checkup of the treatment I had for my prostate cancer. After my checkup (a good report, thank you very much) we headed north for Amelia Island. On the way we spotted a flock of buzzards in a swamp alongside. I came to a quick stop when I spotted the white heads and tails of two Bald Eagles in amongst the buzzards. Strangest thing I ever saw.

As we stopped it appeared they were all gathered around something dead, and apparently fighting over whatever it was. Naturally I had to change to my longer lens, so a minute or so was wasted giving one of the Eagles a moment to jump up to a tall tree stump.

The second Eagle stayed on the ground near the dead beastie that they'd been fighting over. No way that I know to tell whether this was a mate to the other Eagle or just a hunting companion.

The first Eagle left his perch, jumping down and grabbing the dead beast while the Buzzards whirled around him.

He jumped back onto the tree stump, catching his breath before taking off again, trailing his lunch from his talons.

He swooped around, gathering altitude in a long sweeping circle until he reached another, higher tree. It was farther away and I couldn't make him out with my 200mm lens. The Buzzards finally decided they weren't going to get their lunch away from the Eagles and left the area, too.

We continued up the coast, taking lunch at Amelia Island and having a short (given the cold breeze) walk around Fernandina Beach before heading north to Savannah. Dinner at the Moon River brewpub near the waterfront, but we didn't spend much time strolling around town since the icy wind was still blowing a gale. Tomorrow we'll head for Atlanta and a couple of meetings before returning to Chattanooga.

While the encounter with the Eagles was the highlight of the day, finding that my PSA has stabalized at 0.4 and my prostate is in good condition a year after the cancer treatment came in a close second. We thank God for his goodness to us.

Back Home on the Gulf Coast

2009-02-28T00:00:00.003-05:00

We are in Destin, Florida today, staying on the second floor in one of a group of two-apartment beach houses. Stepping out on the balcony, I noticed a pair of ring-necked Turtle Doves in the rain gutter next door. One had left by the time I got my camera out, but here's the other, sitting on her eggs...

After breakfast I headed for the beach. The wind was blowing pretty good, but not too hard for the tourists. Here's a view up the beach, toward the east...

Lots of interesting critters -- I mean other than the tourists. Here's one of several of these guys who were digging for breakfast in the rising tide... Check the foreground of the pic above; those two butts are two more of these guys ;-)

Sea gulls are always interesting. Some, like these, like to hang around in groups...

Others haven't had their lunch yet and are taking a more pro-active course toward finding it...

Another shot of this guy...

OK, this is positively the last Gull shot (for today)...

Posted to Ron's Rec Room

Finasteride

2009-02-25T10:41:00.001-05:00

An Article today in the Washington Post suggests that men taking Finasteride (AKA Proscar, Propecia) have a 25% lower incidence of prostate cancer. But reading further, we find that this is a reevaluation of a study completed in 2003 that concluded taking the drug might lead to more lethal forms of cancer. And down toward the end there's the following paragraph:

"About 71 men would have to take finasteride for seven years to prevent one case of prostate cancer. Kramer said a quick call to his Bethesda pharmacy showed that generic finasteride costs about $3 a day or around $1,080 a year, meaning that it could cost about half a million dollars to head off each case of prostate cancer -- while exposing dozens of men to unnecessary treatment and potential side effects, including incontinence and impotence. A small number of men taking finasteride also experience sexual side effects, such as a decrease in libido."

Interesting, eh? What's next? I expect whenever Congress puts a Socialized Medicine plan into effect, there'll be a lot more of the calculations such as are in the paragraph above, being made by some faceless and unaccountable bureaucracy on our behalf.

As for me, I leave for Florida on Thursday, for my one-year checkup after Proton Thereapy. Will let y'all know how that goes.

Three Months Later...

2008-05-12T21:13:00.023-04:00

I've determined that I'm not very good at this blogging thing. I promised these pictures way back when my treatment was completed, but it took this long to get around to it. Here they are, at long last -- thanks for dropping by to take a look.

Before showing you the pictures, Let me give you an update on my PSA levels. Just prior to the start of proton therapy on December 5, my PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) was 4.4. On the last day of treatment my PSA was 3.3, a significant reduction. Three months after the end of treatment, on May 2, I again had blood drawn. My PSA is now at 0.2 and I couldn't be happier. You can find more information about PSA at Cancer.gov

Back to the last day of treatment, February 1, 2008...

We gathered with friends after I had an early treatment (my 40th) for a celebratory dinner. From the left, Forrest, Paul, myself, and Paul (Gene didn't get in the picture). In late afternoon we left the party for my last treatment. Anita had determined to make some photos of the process, so she borrowed Linda's camera and brought it into the treatment room.

Yours truly posing with the "Yellow" gantry in which I received my last treatment. Of the three, the Yellow is devoted to prostate treatments, while the others ("Blue" and "Red") handle patients with a variety of conditions treatable by proton therapy. All of my treatments except this last were in the "Blue" gantry.

After I climb onto the bed, the saline solution is introduced and a preliminary alignment is done by laser LEDs using the targets marked on my hips. The bed will then be rotated 180 degrees and for the preliminary x-ray and treatment.

The device on the right is the x-ray machine. Prior to each treatment an x-ray is made and evaluated to be sure that the target (my cancerous prostate) is in the proper position to be zapped. The device on the left delivers the proton beam the the victim -- I mean, the subject -- on the platform. Notice the brass ring in the lower-left of the picture: this is a part of the focusing device used to ensure proper application of the treatment.

As we were leaving, Gary Barlow was interviewing a new radiation technician. We got a picture of them. Gary was very helpful, always doing what he could to make sure our treatment was on time and handled in good order. Gary has become a very good friend.

Kristi was my case worker. Kristi helped us get our records together, scheduled the various tests needed for evaluation, and organized our time at the center. Each week she would gather medical data for my appointment with Dr. Henderson.

After receiving my last treatment, we came back to Paul and Marilyn's house to show off my graduation certificate, and one of the proton beam diffusers that had been used for the two months.

We're Done!!

2008-02-01T21:37:00.000-05:00

Up early this morning, off to the Proton Institute for my 40th treatment. Traffic wasn't bad, the radiation technicians were up to speed, and by shortly after 8:00 AM we were meeting with Gary Barlow, Administrator of Technical Services, for our Exit Interview. Next came a short meeting with Dr. Henderson which included getting scripts for blood work and an appointment for my six-month checkup in September. Back to the house where we spent some time getting our belongings together. Off to Quest Diagnostics for blood work, then we went to the home of Paul and Marilyn for a celebratory lunch with Paul and Patti, Gene and Linda, and Forrest and Glenda. About 4:30 we interupted the party to go back to the Institute for my 41st and last treatment. Spent a few minutes with Gerry Troy, then back to the gantry. With my treatment concluded, I was given a Certificate of Graduation signed by many of the technicians who had been working with me. Very nice, and I also got the diffuser that was part of my treatment regimen.

Anita also came with, and took some pix of my last treatment. I'll post them in the near future. Right now, we're gonna get ready to leave for Tennessee early in the morning. Thanks to all who have been praying for us; we feel very blessed in this entire process.

The Dash for the Finish...

2008-01-31T16:08:00.000-05:00

We're down to the wire! Today I had my 39th treatment (of 41), and tomorrow, Friday, I will have my 40th at 8:00 AM and then my last one at 9:20 PM. We've been gathering our belongings, getting ready to load the Jeep and head for home. It's been a long, draining time away and both Anita and I are ready to get back to Tennessee.

5/6 completed

2008-01-27T17:10:00.001-05:00

On Friday I had my 35th Proton treatment. I had been anticipating 42 treatments, which would have given the 5/6 fraction mentioned above. But on Tuesday, my oncologist said that 41 treatments will do the job. Six left and we'll be on our way back to Tennessee. We are certainly ready to get back home.

Worst part of this past week has been a bad cold I picked up on Wednesday. It still lingers, but I'm feeling a bit better today. I guess I'll have to blame it on "the bug going around" and not the therapy; lots of folks at church were affected, and even one of the staff at the Institute. I hope to be "out and about" tomorrow or the next day. Fortunately treatment is not affected; I do have to hold still and not sneeze, however.

I haven't described what the treatment is like, so let me do that. Tomorrow I'm scheduled for a 7:40 AM. We'll get up shortly after six and try to get on the road by 6:40. It takes about 20-25 minutes to drive to the Institute. I will check in, drink my water, then chat with other patients until I'm called to the back. Once there, I change into a hospital gown and proceed into the treatment gantry. I get onto the platform, the radiation technicians align my body using targets drawn on my hips, and I am placed into the correct position for the treatment. Before they "shoot me" with the Proton beam, X-rays are made to ensure that the target -- the cancer in my prostate -- is aligned properly. Two weeks before my treatment regimen started, three gold seeds were implanted in my prostate, for use with the x-rays in determining the exact spot where the proton beam needs to deliver its dose.

After all this alignment, the actual radiation is anti-climatic. The technicians go out to the control room, the beam is started, and a few minutes later they're back. Mission accomplished, I get my appointment time for the next treatment, get back into street clothes, and am on my way out the door. Total time: as little as 30 minutes, but it can take longer if there happen to be any equipment or scheduling problems. I think I've mentioned before that the staff here is wonderful, and that these people, being treated for cancer, are the most "up-beat" cancer patients you'll see anywhere. This whole experience has been eye-opening for us, and I'm hopeful that more folks will be able to take advantage of Proton Therapy.

Another week gone by...

2008-01-18T00:19:00.001-05:00

On our way back from treatment Thursday afternoon -- it was, by the way, my 30th -- we found an intermodal train stopped at Milepost 648, near St. John's Avenue. We waited until the north-bound Amtrak Silver Meteor train came past, then got this shot of 5372 pulling for Orlando.

CSX had a problem last night with the crossing gates at Timuquana and spent all day today working on them. Slow orders for all trains made for some short-tempered motorists and a few delays, but we all got where we were going even if it took a bit longer. Sometimes it's good to be a railfan; we enjoy being stopped by trains.

Thursday evening we went out with our fellow Proton Patients for dinner. We really enjoy the friends we've made here. Met some folks yesterday who, like Anita and I, grew up in Wisconsin. Like us, they're looking forward to the Championship game Sunday between the Green Bay Packers and the New York Gnomes..er, Giants. If you're not too busy, and live nearby, I understand they need folks to shovel snow off of Lambeau field. FYI, no snow in Jacksonville.

One of the great things about Proton Therapy for prostate cancer is that it isn't debilitating. Those of us undergoing treatment are able to do all the things we were before (I still can't play the piano) and have been able, in most cases, to behave as though this whole thing is a vacation. Anita and I continue to thank God that He led us to the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute.

The View from the Beach...

2008-01-10T09:16:00.000-05:00

After my treatment on Tuesday, we went to downtown Jacksonville and caught their elevated railway. We rode the entire line, stopping south of the river to see the spectacular Treaty Oak tree. It is massive, estimated to be over two centuries old, and is located in Jesse Ball DuPont Park. More information can be found at the web site, http://www.jaxfountain.com/Original/oak.htm.

On our way back to our temporary home, we took the scenic route along Riverside Drive. The next picture, of Jacksonville's skyline above the St. John's River, was made from another City Park along the way.

I had an early treatment on Wednesday, so afterwards we decided to go over to the beach since the day was so nice. In addition to several fisherman with their lines in the surf, we watched this shrimper doing his thing off-shore. It was a beautiful day, and we really enjoyed wandering up and down the beach. Anita got a ton of sea shells.

Then last evening we joined some friends from Ortega Presbyterian Church for a study of the Patience of God, using a short monograph by A. W. Pink entitled The Attributes of God. Some of Pink's writings may be found on-line at http://www.pbministries.org/books/pink/pinks_archive.htm; I recommend the above title as well as The Sovereignty of God. We had a grand time, and continue to thank God for our new friends here.

Half-way home...

2008-01-04T16:25:00.000-05:00

Today I had my 21st Proton Treatment. I'm now half-way through the course prescribed by the team of doctors here at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute (http://www.floridaproton.org/). I would encourage anyone who is diagnosed with prostate cancer to learn about this non-surgical alternative. Do a Google search on "Proton Therapy" and check it out.

New friends from Chattanooga, Paul and Patti, drove down on New Years Eve for Paul's three-day workup. We got together for dinner at the Stonewood Grille and got to know one another; had a grand evening. The next day we watched Tennessee beat Wisconsin before driving to the (temporary) home of Paul and Marilyn to join them and Gene and Linda for a wonderful traditional Southern lunch. A blessing of God, who works all things to the good of those who love Him, is the many Christian friends He brings into our lives.

Here in Jacksonville, the Institute staff organize a weekly "Restaurant Tour." To this point my treatment schedule have precluded our taking part, but last evening we joined the group at Bourbon Bayou, a New Orleans-style eating place at Jacksonville Landing. We enjoyed an evening of good food and fellowship with our fellow Proton Pilgrims. Thanks to Gerry and Katie for setting it up.

We've been enjoying, as best we can, our time here in Jacksonville. December weather has been wonderful, right up to the last days of the year. Yesterday was quite cool, with a cold wind blowing. I even got to use the old jacket I brought along. Today was nicer, and the radio promises mid-seventies once again by Sunday. Anita and I wish you all the best in the New Year. God Bless us, every one.

Canadian Interlopers...

2007-12-30T18:29:00.000-05:00

We arrived home from church this afternoon to find an armada of Canadian Geese paddling around in our back yard. I counted 38 of them, the most we've yet seen around here. As I stepped outside with the camera, they all swam toward me, looking for a handout. Since there was no Molson or LaBatt's in the house, Anita scrounged around and managed to find a few old biscuits for them.

Friday I will have my 21st Proton treatment, which will mean we're half done. They say that time flies when you're having fun; it seems that as we grow older, it flies even without the fun.

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and we pray God's eternal blessings to you and yours in this New Year.

One-third of the way...

2007-12-27T10:46:00.001-05:00

Last evening (Wednesday) I had my 14th Proton treatment, which leaves only 28 to go. Hopefully these will go by as quickly as did the first 14.

Each week I meet with my doctor to review progress of the treatment. Side effects have been minimal and tolerable to this point. My vitals have been pretty constant, except for my weight being up a couple pounds last evening. I guess I have to blame that on Al and Elaine Fricke and on Clive and Hyacinth Stephenson, whose generous hospitality we enjoyed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Anita and I give thanks to God for the bringing new friends into our lives. We've gotten to know a lot of other patients at UF Proton Therapy Institute, folks from all around the country. We've been worshipping with the folks at Ortega Presbyterian Church and have enjoyed a wonderful fellowship with them. Reminds me of Pauls words in the Epistle to the Romans, chapter 8:28: "..we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are the called according to His purpose." Surely it is a very good thing to find new brothers and sisters in Christ.

We will complete my course of treatment, God willing, near the end of January. We'll return home for a time and depending on how soon my routine returns to normal, will be planning a visit to Wisconsin to see my mother. She still has a feeding tube but is responsive to stimulii and we have hopes for recovery from her stroke. We understand that she enjoyed Christmas worship with my sister and her family; for that we give thanks. Your continuing prayers on her behalf are very much appreciated.

As mentioned above, we had a sweet time of fellowship over the Christmas Holiday with some of our new friends. we shared greetings with many old friends, and we greet those of you who are reading this. "May the Peace of God, which transcends all understanding, guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen."

Ten more Days...

2007-12-23T08:58:00.000-05:00

I'm not as good as I should be at updating this thing. It's ten days since my last post and I've now completed 13 (of 42) of my treatments -- over 1/4 of the way through now. I've been doing a lot of reading and found an excellent used bookstore nearby.
I mentioned before that we live near the Naval Air Station here in Jacksonville. They fly a lot of these aircraft -- P-3 Orions -- around this area and evenings apparently are their times of choice to do their practice landings. I stepped out the back door the other evening and made this photograph of one turning final. I should mention that often, instead of doing the normal "downwind leg - base leg - final approach" to the runway, they will make what some know as a "Carrier Approach" in which they come downwind and then make a sweeping turn to short final. It's neat to watch.

Mimi and Bert tell me the bird pictured below is some variation of Muscovy Duck, and I happily defer to their superior knowledge. Thanks, friends. There are a lot of Canadian Geese around here, but they prefer the river to the parking lots.

Anita spoke with a cousin last evening, and found out that he too has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Seems to be a lot of that going around, but I suspect it's being discovered more often now with modern diagnostics and blood tests. We'll be praying for Dennis, that he too finds the best course of treatment for him. I've put up some on my web site, at http://kohlin.com/Proton.htm; please take a look.

Jacksonville Residents...

2007-12-13T16:28:00.000-05:00

I pulled into a strip mall parking lot today and found this guy taking a bath in a puddle there. He acted like he owned the place, not moving even when a car approached. Once he finished drying his wings he strolled off to a nearby drainage ditch. If you know what breed of bird this is, let me know. He's certainly not one of the most attractive of God's creatures, but makes up for it with his attitude.

Life in Jacksonville...

2007-12-09T21:24:00.000-05:00

Psalm 136 closes the "Great Hallel" and contains the refrain, after each of its 26 verses, "for His Mercy Endures Forever." I feel amazingly blessed by Him as I go through treatment for the cancer that He, in His infinite wisdom, has seen fit to allow into my life. What could be more amazing than that He would lead us to Proton Therapy -- http://kohlin.com/Proton.htm -- when even my urologist didn't tell me about such treatment.

Some of you may remember that I like trains. God used Christian friends to lead us to a place to stay here in Jacksonville that is close to a busy rail line. I can listen all day (and night) to train horns at the nearby grade crossing. What could be better than that?

Let me tell you. God also gave us a place to stay that is close to a PCA church filled with caring people, people who understand the meaning of prayer, and Christian Fellowship, and what it means to be children of our Heavenly Father. We have found amazing connections with the people of Ortega Presbyterian Church -- http://www.ortegapres.org/ -- and are looking forward to worshipping and praying with them during our stay here. Surely "..His Mercy Endures Forever."

I've completed three treatments (Wed, Thu, and Fri) and have had the weekend "off." Yesterday Anita and I went up to Amelia Island. It was a perfect Florida day, sunny and warm, and we found a lovely restaurant for lunch, a lonely beach to wander on while collecting sea shells, an historic town (Fernandina) to wander through, and last but not least, a train to chase as we left town. Psalm 23 comes to mind: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Amen and Amen!

Here's the Prince of Amelia Island.

Forty-One to Go...

2007-12-05T16:33:00.000-05:00

I just got back from my first Proton Treatment, the first of a total of forty-two.

Prostate cancer is a funny thing. If your doctor ever tells you you have it, get all the details, do some research, and then go off and get a second opinion. I did, and am I ever glad.

(Technical stuff follows; feel free to ignore if you're a girl or if you haven't been diagnosed positive) My initial diagnosis was "3 of 10 biopsy samples positive for cancer, Gleason 3 + 3, T-1-C". When I found out about Proton Therapy, I came down here and had a major "second opinion" which included a battery of tests including a bone scan, CT scan, MRI scan, another biopsy (this one was mapped, with twelve rather than ten samples), and evaluation by my urologist and six of his collegues. Today I found out that only 2 of the 12 samples were positive, but that my Gleason score was placed at "4 + 5." This places me into a "high-risk" catagory, as opposed to what was hoped for based on the initial diagnosis All scans were normal, and verified that the cancer had not spread beyond the prostate; that is a definite positive. I guess the rest is, as well: I will need to have 42 treatments (the initial biopsy led me to hope for a lesser number), each treatment will be a higher intensity, and after the proton treatments end, I will need to have some hormone treatments as well, to ensure that they get "the whole enchilada."

Anyway, I must say that I'm pretty happy with all of that. Also happy with the place we found to stay while we're here. We're having problems with our computers (the power supply in Anita's CPU died en-route to JAX, and the display on my laptop has developed a problem) but the former will be fixed soon under warranty, and the latter doesn't keep me from necessary duties. Did I mention that we're happy with our new digs? Thanks, Randy Stair, for your suggestion.

Back home again...

2007-11-27T22:30:00.000-05:00

Anita and I got home late this afternoon from our trip to Wisconsin (we left Tennessee on Tuesday, Nov. 20), where we visited with my mother (as best we could ) and Anita's father. Mom has developed a blood clot in her leg, in addition to the one that caused the stroke, and that has become an ongoing concern. Blood thinners will take time to reduce it, and so she must remain in bed. We spoke late this afternoon with her faithful daughter, my sister Rita, who lives nearby and has been such a help to her over the years. Mom is set to go from the hospital to a nursing home tomorrow (Wednesday). There she will get the ongoing care she needs as the long recovery (God willing) continues. On Sunday we went to her church (where Anita and I were married 39 years ago) and all her friends expressed their concern. It was wonderful to be with them again.

On the way to church, I got a picture of these geese (Chinese Geese, according to their owner) walking on the ice-covered pond at the former Tom Tobola farm. My Dad did a lot of business with Mr. Tobola over the years; he owned the local Ford dealership. The new owner has a lot of exotic livestock, and intends to get a camel this summer.
Over the next several days Anita and I will be preparing for our eight-week sojourn in Jacksonville, Florida, where I will undergo treatment for my prostate cancer. We'll drive down on December 4 and begin treatment the following day. Thank you all for your prayers, both for me and for my mother.

Another Prayer Request

2007-11-18T23:22:00.000-05:00

My sister in Wisconsin called this evening to tell me that our mother had suffered a stroke. She was given a CT scan that was inconclusive, and will undergo further tests on Monday. Presently she appears to be resting comfortably, and the doctors say she is stable. But she can't communicate and has weakness in her right side.

She had just celebrated her 88th birthday on November 10; a birthday that she shared with Martin Luther. Please pray that, if it be His will, God would lay his healing hand upon her and give her many more years with her family.

In 2003 my wife organized a surprise birthday party for me, and Mom, my siblings and their families came to help celebrate. Above is my Mom and her children. From the left, baby sister Roxanne, myself, sister Rita LaNou, Mom, and brother Rod.
This is our extended family. From the left, my son Jeff and Amy Kohlin, John and Roxanne Sule, myself, Rita and Jim LaNou, our mother Harriet Kohlin, Rod and Jill Kohlin.

Home away from Home

2007-11-17T10:06:00.000-05:00

We completed our preparations for the course of treatment on Wednesday and Thursday. Because the samples taken in my September biopsy had not been mapped, I had to undergo another on Wednesday morning. I was mightily impressed with the young doctor who conducted the procedure, and with his nurse. They made what could have been an ordeal almost pleasant. He also implanted the three target markers that will be used to guide the proton beam to the correct location. Wednesday afternoon I underwent a diagnostic MRI scan. Those things sure are noisy.

Thursday morning was spent at the Proton Center going through CT and MRI simulations. This involved going through the same steps that we'll take during actual treatment, so that the patient knows and understands what is involved. We were done well before noon, and given an appointment for our first treatment: Wednesday, December 5, at 1:20 PM. Between now and then our doctors will complete plans for the course of treatment, review them, and construct the specialized focusing lenses that allows the proton beam to treat only the cancer.

With our prep work completed, we continued our search for a place to stay for the two month period of treatment. After looking at several more places, we finally decided to take the place on the Ortega River. Actually, it's on a canal just off the river, and is quite close to the Naval Air station (which is on the St. John's River). It had a lot of attractions, not the least of which was being in a gated community with off-street parking. There is plenty of shopping not far away, it's not too far from the Proton Center, and it has a spare bedroom and bath should we have overnight company. Here's a picture of the canal-side of the place - our unit will be the one just left of center, on the first floor, with the lawn furniture.

Once we had a place to stay lined up, we were able to relax a bit. Every Thursday evening the folks at the Proton Center lead a restaurant excursion for patients and spouses. We joined them at a wonderful little Italian place in the downtown area and got to know some of them - lots of fun. Folks on proton therapy sure enjoy themselves. No loss of energy or hair, unlike some of the people I've known who opt for surgery and/or radiation.

Friday morning, both Anita and I were awake early so we decided to head for Chattanooga. We were on the road by 7:00 AM, heading west on Interstate 10 then north on I-75. We got home about 3:30 PM after 490 miles of boredom (only a few seconds of sheer terror ;-). Now we're back in the "wait state" and making a list of all the things we can't do without for two months.

Prep Work

2007-11-13T20:38:00.000-05:00

Anita and I drove from Tennessee to Jacksonville yesterday, and today I began the preparation for my up-coming treatment for prostate cancer. I had a bone scan and a chest x-ray today; tomorrow morning I will have a biopsy taken, and they will implant target seeds for the proton beam. In the afternoon I will have an MRI scan.

Thursday morning will be spent in "CT and MRI simulations." I'm not sure what all that entails, but I do know that when we get done, I'll know when my course of treatment will begin and how long it will last.

Today we had lunch with some of the folks in the program, guys being treated and their wives. They come here from all parts of the country, each with a different story. It was a pleasure to meet them, and we look forward to getting to know more of them as we go through the program.

Anita has been looking for a place for us to stay for the estimated eight-weeks required for treatment. We looked at a pretty nice place this afternoon, near the Naval Air Station and just off the Ortega River. We'll see what happens. Our current plan is to return home Friday. Praying for travel mercies.

Workin' on the Railroad...

2007-11-10T22:49:00.000-05:00

I spent today working on the railroad. Well, part of the day, anyway. Got up early and headed east to Etowah, TN to help out with the morning train on the Hiwassee River Rail Adventure. After my tour of duty was over, I headed to Reliance, TN and got this picture of the afternoon train coming across the river. See http://tvrail.com/ for more information.

I got home in time to gather up the wife and head to the home of friends for dinner. One of the great joys of life is good friends, and time spent together with them. Thanks, Mark and Mary, Steve and Mary, and Linda for your prayers and the Christian love we share.

Ron

Onto the Schedule...

2007-11-06T18:25:00.000-05:00

At 6:10 PM EST this evening, we received the long-expected phone call from the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute. We are now scheduled to have the prep work on Tuesday-Thursday, November 13-15. This is an answer to prayer, perhaps to specific prayer, since today was for us a day of prayer and fasting for the ministry of the PCA Foundation. God is good!

Once this prep work is done, we can expect another wait before treatment can begin. We don't know how long it will be, but hope it won't be another month. Once started, the course of treatment will take about eight weeks, five days per week, about 30 minutes each day. Where's that time machine when you need it?

Times of Transitions...

2007-11-04T13:52:00.001-05:00

Our church, First Presbyterian Church of Chattanooga, is doing a new pictorial directory. Our picture will be included; we joined the congregation on November 12, 2006. This morning our Senior Pastor, Dr. Mike Milton, announced that he will be answering a new call from God. He leaves us to become President and professor of Practical Theology at the Charlotte campus of Reformed Theological Seminary. An announcement at http://www.rts.edu/. We pray for God's continued blessings on his ministry, in and through his life.

Last Tuesday, I spent time with friends pursuing Railroad History. I've put up some pictures at http://kohlin.com/20071030/ for those who might be interested in seeing locomotives and passenger cars dating back to the 1950's. Like these, crossing the railroad bridge over the Tennessee River at Chattanooga...

Anita and I are still waiting to be contacted by University of Florida regarding my upcoming treatment for prostate cancer. I've put up a web page with links to various resources, at http://kohlin.com/Proton.htm. May I suggest that any men reading this consider the simple PSA test that will tell you whether or not you might be at risk. It is one of the most common of cancers, but also one of the most treatable.

Best wishes...

Ron

The Wait State...

2007-11-01T14:17:00.000-04:00

Whenever you're working on a computer, and writing a program for a computer, you deal with and have to account for periods of time in between actions taken by the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Those time periods are known as "Wait States." Usually the computer is waiting for an response from the human user. Other times one program (or part of a program) is waiting for an action to be completed by another program (or part of a program). More rarely, the user is waiting for the program to complete an action, or series of actions. In any case, someone is waiting for someone else to do something, and provide some sort of response so that the party of the first part can go on with their part of the job.

Right now I'm in the situation of the user above. I've done what I need to do in preparation for the next step in treating my cancer. Now I'm in a "Wait State," waiting on the University of Florida Proton Therapy Center to work me into their schedule. When they get down to my number, I will be scheduled for a three-day period of preparation for the eight-week course of treatment. Originally they said "a week to ten days" after our initial visit, but apparently a lot of men are finding the option of Proton Therapy attractive, and when we last talked to them they said, "within a month." It's been two-and-a-half weeks now; I think Anita is more antsy than I am ;-)

At any rate, friends and family have been asking, and now I'll be directing them here. As of today, we're still in a "Wait State." As an old hand at computer programming, I'm aware that they'll get to me whenever they get to me; as Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6, worrying about it won't be of any use. So I've committed everything to His hands, and am trusting that, as Paul tells us in Romans 8, "..all things work to the good of him who loves the Lord." Thanks for your prayers, and thanks (Rita and others) for reminding me to provide the updates. I love each of you who has expressed your concern and offered your prayers. May God bless us, every one...

Changes and Times of Change

2007-10-26T18:01:00.000-04:00

Having a Blog presupposes having something to say. Obviously to this point I haven't had much to say. Sure, there's been a lot going on in my life but until recently, putting it on the web hasn't been a priority. In fact, I'd all but forgotten that I set this thing up nearly two years ago.

But now, I have found something to say. May not be useful or even of interest to most folks, but I've decided this would be a good place to keep a diary of forthcoming events. So, here goes.

On September 19, 2007, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The diagnosis wasn't completely unexpected, since I'd been dealing with an enlarged prostate for some time. However, a biopsy in 2002 came back negative, and my family history (my father had his prostate removed, but it wasn't cancerous, only enlarged) gave me reason to hope.

Anyway, the diagnosis led to my urologist explaining some of the various courses of treatment available to treat the disease. Radical prostatectomy, robot-assisted prostatectomy, lapriscopy, radioactive seed implants, cryogenic treatment, radiation -- all were viable options, alone or in combination. Rather than suggest one over another, he suggested we do research and let him know what we wanted to do. He would do the seed implant or cryogenic options himself if I should choose either, and if I chose another course of treatment he would refer me elsewhere. We came away with lots of options, no recommendations, and concerns about the viability of each possibility.

Over the next week, we scoured the internet for information about each option. In doing so, none seemed more promising than any other. All held the possibility of potential complications and side effects, all would involve either a long period of treatment or a long period of recovery. None was more appealing than the others.

Somewhere along the line Anita came across a course of treatment called Proton Therapy. It's done at Loma Linda University in California, University of Florida in Jacksonville, M.D. Anderson in Houston, at Mass. General Hospital in Boston, and at Indiana University in Bloomington. We sent off for a packet of information; it arrived the next day and I spent the afternoon reading a book they included, written by Robert J. Marckini, titled You Can Beat Prostate Cancer And You Don't Need Surgery to Do It. What an eye-opener! And my urologist hadn't even mentioned that Proton Therapy was a viable alternative.

Long story short, we got back in touch with the folks in Jacksonville, got my medical records and biopsy slides and sent them down for examination, and had blood drawn for another PSA test. After church on October 14, we headed south for a consultation with Dr. Randall Henderson at the UF Proton Therapy Institute. In between and since, we've been dealing with insurance people and looking forward to when we can return to Jacksonville for the required three days of preparation prior to beginning treatment. There's no doubt in our minds, no question that this is the right course of treatment for me.

Holidays and Books...

2006-01-01T10:21:00.000-05:00

I read several interesting books over the last month. The first was by Edith Schaeffer, wife of Dr. Francis Schaeffer. Titled "L'Abri," it's the story of the ministry developed by Dr. and Mrs. Schaeffer in Switzerland.

That book led me to another, "I Am Reminded," by Kennedy Smartt. In this interesting book Mr. Smartt (a presbyterian pastor) tells about the formation of the Presbyterian Church in America in 1973 and the first 25 years of the church's existence.

And the third book, to which I was led by Mr. Smartt, was "The Church Before the Watching World," by Dr. Schaeffer. Mr. Smartt said that this book was very important to the formation of the PCA, in that society's changes in philosophy and world view, away from historic Christianity, forced the Christian who is committed to the inerrent Word of God as given in Scripture is forced to practice "reverse discipline" by withdrawing from the apostate church.

What's going on here?

2005-11-17T23:03:00.000-05:00

Man!

I went into a guy's blog, decided to make a comment, and now I got my own blog. I suppose I'll have to write something in it, but I'm not sure what.

Hang around. We'll figure this thing out together, OK?

Best wishes...
Ron