Originally Posted by Sky Writer

I'm a FDX pilot and an avid reader of the forum. I realize this is not an aviation subject, but it's extremely important in MHO. I lost an uncle from prostate cancer a few years ago, my father-in-law has it, my mother-in-law's husband has it, my cousin had it, and my father has it. My uncle, father-in-law, and mother-in-law's husband had the usual treatments of Rad seeds, chemo, and surgery. All these options have bad side effects (sex problems, depends wearing, hair loss, weight gain/loss). From what little knowledge I know, these options are necessary if cancer has progressed beyond a certain point. My cousin just finished a new proton treatment. He is cancer free and with NO side effects. My father is going thru this treatment now. This treatment method just started a few years ago. Currently there is only 5 places in the USA that does this because it cost around $110 million to build the facility. The treatment itself costs around $165,000. In my fathers case Blue Cross/ Blue Shield along with medicare is picking up around 95% of costs. My father is 75 yrs old. He has gone thru 6 treatments in the lasts 2 weeks and with no side effects. He has been told there will be none. The drawbacks are you will need to live (rent an apt. or hotel rm) in the area where the hospital is for around 2-2.5 months. The treatment is usually 5 days a week. Each session is about 45 min waiting for treatment and then the actual treatment is about 30 min. I know there is a location at Univ. of Fla. @ Jacksonville, Fla., Loma Linda, Calif, Either Dallas or Houston, I also think there is one in Boston, and Chicago. Most Urologist won't tell you about this option. This is not one of those fruit and vitemin and hope all goes well treatments. This is the real deal and if you, a friend, or a loved has prostate cancer, please check into this. Get on the internet and research it. Just google Proton Treatment for prostate cancer. I have no financial interest in this treatment. My only interest is in keeping my fellow pilot and family friends around longer. It took my Dad about 1.5 months on the waiting lists to get in. You should apply to all 5 of the hospitals and go to which ever lets you in first. Jacksonville is the newest and is where my Dad is. If you want to ask him any questions, feel free to PM me and I can get you in touch with him.
Thanks for you time and I hope this helps someone.