Kelly sent me a PM which I responded to just a few minutes ago. I need to clarify that Carol did not have Proton Therapy but also went the route of IMRT. All radiation treatments are done at the UF Proton Institute Bldg at Shands-Jacksonville. From my understanding there are 6 Proton facilities in the US and Shands-Jacksonville is the best and state-of-the-art. Shands has 3 Proton machines, number of IMRT's I'm not sure of.

The use of Proton Therapy for OC patients, IMO, would be a definite advantage as they would be able to more aggressively attack the tumor itself without destroying the nearby healthy area. Which would increase the patients survival rate and the recovery process. I read somewhere Shands-Jacksonville was doing a clinical trial on certain OC patients using Proton Therapy, but Carol didn't meet the criteria.

They use Proton here for prostate patients, but any other types of cancer they use Proton for I don't know. I can tell you that there are too many prostate cancer patients. A few families have traveled over the "pond" to have their kids treated here.

I'm sure the cost of Proton can be prohibitive too. If your insurance would pay for it, would using IMRT be more "cost effective", etc.

I also need to participate more on this forum but Carol's needs are my primary focus. Received a letter from Florida Medicaid last Friday stating Carol's Medicaid ends 6/30 due to Medicaid "not hearing from you regarding your re-determination." We have done everything as required, via mail, re-certification via internet, etc. Someone has dropped the ball, big time, now we have to learn the appeal process.

Boatswife - I still miss the roar of jet engines and the whirl of helicopters..I was in the aviation side of the Navy... When I hear planes in the air I follow them until they're out of sight. LOL

Linda