Hello! I’m happy to report that I made it through my week of Proton Beam Therapy for ocular melanoma! It was uncomfortable, but painless. And now it’s over! I can’t even begin to describe how happy I am!
My husband and I stayed in a hotel that was about 1/2 mile from the treatment center, so we walked there every day.
What wonderful walks we had! UC Davis has a lovely campus. Paved walkways meander through a lush landscape of native California plants and trees. Ducks swim lazily in Putah creek, squirrels scurry up and down trees, and turkeys strut around gobbling.
And, of course, there were students rushing to class, looking…..well, studious! Where San Francisco’s quantity of homeless people made me feel despair for humanity, UC Davis’s students made me feel hopeful and reassured.
Aside from having the treatments, our week was like a relaxing vacation! We took lots of naps, wandered around the campus, and ate lots of snacks! We didn’t try to do anything else.
If you want to know about the treatments, keep on reading. If you don’t, please stop here and I’ll catch you next time! I totally get it! And I hope I never have to write about my eyes again!!
The treatments were a surreal experience. The treatment center was like an industrial warehouse with electronic equipment everywhere. I won’t go into all the scientific details, but if you want to know more, you can read about it here. Cyclotron – Crocker Nuclear Laboratory :: Home (ucdavis.edu)
Each day, some numbing drops were put into my eye. I’d sit in a hard metal chair and a special custom-made mask would be attached to my head. It was seriously confining, making it impossible to move my head at all. That was the worst part of the treatment. I felt bolted down tight, unable to move. And then, an eyelid retractor was placed to hold my eyelids open.
It was upsetting and I cried the first day.
The Proton Beam Dream Team was so reassuring and kind, talking to me the entire time, telling me I was doing a god job and everything was OK.
I’d stare at a red light for a few minutes while the doctor told me when I was 1/4 done, half done, 3/4 done, and done. Then I’d be released from the mask and sent on my way!
There was no pain at all. My eye would be a bit dry and tender from being held open, but that didn’t last very long. Isn’t that amazing?
I did the same thing each day for 4 days. After the first day, being put into the mask didn’t upset me as much, and there were no more tears.
I’m so happy to have this behind me! So happy to be home sweet home! I’ll have some follow up checkups, of course, and I’m sure those will always be stressful. But I made it through and I’m celebrating!
Oh I am so glad to hear that the treatment is done and went well dispute the uncomfortableness of it all. Not pleasant at all and I can only imagine…
It’s so good that you still got to enjoy the surroundings and the lovely campus. So beautiful. Also how wonderful that you husband is with you all the way. It’s not a common thing.
Thank you so much, Tobia! It was a difficult thing to go through, but now I can reflect on all the good things about the trip. I feel so grateful for so many things!
I’m sorry I read blogs later.
I’m sure it was hard before and during the treatment, I’m very happy that you were able to do it. I’m also very greatful to yous husband for being there for you.
If there was a door anywhere, I could be there for you. I’m really sorry I couldn’t do that.
I’ve been to San Francisco once, and it’s famous for its clam chowder, right ?
Have you tried it ?
I’m thinking of you from Japan.
Hi Yumiko! It’s so wonderful to see your comment here! Thank you so much for your kind words of support, they mean so much to me! I didn’t have clam chowder in San Francisco – but I will try to get some next time. I like good clam chowder! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I’m thinking of you too!
Oh Michelle – so thankful it is all done, all went well and you are feeling good. Looks like a beautiful place where you were too!
Take care of yourself. Glad you managed to get in a few days of relaxation and snacks! That always makes things a bit better. Rest up xx
Hi Rebel!! How wonderful of you to stop by my blog! You brightened my day! The UC Davis Campus is a beautiful place, and we made the best of it – and I’m so glad it’s done! I’m ready to get back to fun doodles and sewing projects!
Michelle, I’m so glad this is behind you! I’m sending you big hugs as you celebrate! 💕😘
That campus is absolutely beautiful. It looks like a botanical garden!
Thank you so much, Kari! You’ve been such a great support during this whole process, and I really appreciate you! I enjoyed the beautiful campus – it is like a botanical garden!
That sounds so scary! Did you have anything to distract you during the time your eye was open – music or something? But I’m glad the rest of your time was relaxing and you got to take naps and enjoy the lovely campus!
Thank you, NGS! I had the reassuring voices of the team telling me I was doing great. They were very good to me. Yes, we made the most of our time in Davis and it was lovely!
Oh what a relief this is for you and your family, Michelle! And a blessing that there is such incredible treatment for the eyes in the time we live in. It is no wonder you want to get back to life without this worry casting it’s shadow, and with a deepened appreciation for all the amazing little things we sometimes don’t notice. I can’t wait to see more beautiful, happy and hopeful art right here, soon. Big hugs and congratulations!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jodi! Yes, it’s a wonderful feeling to have that weight off my shoulders. I’m ready for art and dolls and all the fun things!
I’m delighted the week is behind you and things went so smoothly. I’m also happy you focussed on rest and enjoying the natural surroundings.
This is such joyous news. You’ve had such a hard road with your eyes lately and good news and a successful treatment is a ray of sunshine <3
Thank you so much, Elisabeth! I really appreciate your kindness and thoughtfulness during this whole process!
Congratulations! This is wonderful news and I’m happy for you. Now onward to many days of celebrations.
Thank you so much, Ally! I sure appreciate your kind words throughout the process. I’m ready to celebrate every moment!
Oh, SUCH great news! I am so glad it went well and now it’s in the rearview mirror. It sounds really strange and uncomfortable to go through, and I’m so glad it’s over! Also that campus is beautiful, and I’m so happy you had a week to just focus on yourself and your health. Yayyyy! May this be the end of that!
Thank you so much, Nicole! I have appreciated all your support and kind words throughout the process. It really means a lot to me. And now on to better things! Yay!!!
So glad to hear it went well Michelle and the worst part is over, sounds like you dealt with it amazingly. What a beautiful university campus! Puts the campus universities I’ve seen here in the UK to shame. Glad you and your husband managed to find some peaceful moments during your treatment. Have a restful weekend.
Thank you so much for all your kinds words and support, Rae! It means a lot to me! The university is beautiful, but there’s no place like home! I’m so happy to be home again!
I am so glad that you are done with that and that in the end it was not completely horrible. What happens next? Do you have to do more treatment or could this be the extent of it? I hope it is over! Davis is nice, isn’t it? I had some friends who went to school there and we used to love walking around the campus, eating tacos and hanging out. Also there are a lot of bike friendly areas, which is nice too. I remember they were also one of the first ones I had heard of who disallowed smoking near buildings back in the day.
Thank you so much for your kind words and support, Kyria! My next step is just to have my eye monitored regularly. Hopefully, this treatment will take care of it for good! Davis was beautiful and so bike friendly! In fact, the first thing the hotel gave us was a bike map of the campus and Davis. We also saw lots of students on electric scooters, and that looked like fun! But we just walked, which was lovely.
Yes, celebrate by all means. You’ve been through a lot and came out the other side to tell the story. Way to go! Enjoy being home.
Thank you so much, Judy! Your kind words mean so much to me! I am so happy to be home and to have that behind me!