A day of mixed emotions

Friday has been a day of mixed emotions for us. We arrived at proton very early (an hour or so before Josh's appointment) as we had been invited to join Brandon (our friend from Reading) in celebrating him graduating from treatment at proton! Brandon had endured 28 treatments for a brain tumor and was finally finished and able to fly home! Although we are delighted that he has finished treatment we will be very sad to see him and his family go home.
The proton institute purchased a cake of Brandon's choice and several presents for him. It occurred to us chatting with his parents that in no way is the hard part over when you leave America. It's still not a cure, so you still return home with all of the same fears that you had before - if not more as you are still on the look out for the side effects! There are also lots of potential longer term side effects that will only become apparent after treatment such as secondary tumor and tissue damage. Brandon has a very mature attitude to all of this which is something we all admire!


Josh's treatment went well today. He is still suffering with a lot of pain on his back (which seems to be getting redder by the day.) but he lay very still which meant he was rewarded with another prize from the toy cupboard!
Today Josh chose a remote controlled car. (Lightening McQueen from Disney's Cars) 


Afterwards Lonnie & Rachel took in some of the sites in downtown Jacksonville, we enjoyed a trip on the monorail as well as a trip on the river taxi.


We are looking forward to a weekend relaxing in the sun and a 4 day week next week as everyone is off for 4th July!

Brandon's cake

Rachel on the river taxi

Downtown Jacksonville