I was living in Spain shortly after completing my 24 years in the active US Army. My decision was a solo decision meaning no assistance from any doctors or other. Just with several months of research and alittle luck made the decision final. 10 weeks or 50 morning visits. I believe knowing much more about proton radiation therapy, two options it seems. More radiation over a shorter amount of time..or less radiation over a long period in time. The later seems to validate the less damage to any tissue.
I can recall one morning. A child was awaiting proton radiation therapy as I passed by the child's waiting room. No parents were there..the child was about two or three years of age. I don't know the gender. The child's entire skull was affixed lines about 1/8 of an inch apart. I assumed then the child "diagram" on the head was intended to better target the cancer. Actually, Loma Linda...was called Loma Linda Children's Hospital and one entered through that gateway. I stayed at March AFB quarters and played racquetball almost every day at lunch with several Air Force officers learning how to "fly" an unmanned aircraft. Having done a number of deployments to include Afghanistan and Iraq, I would tease them on how they could go home each night after a day of "combat". As an infantry officer, they seemed to play harder when I mentioned the aforementioned "dig" at their profession. Keep in mind, the expense for those not able to drive or other to these proton facilities. TriCare for Life paid for everything..I paid for housing, meals and car rental. Glad to hear Medicare pays for this care, in hopes it remains so...