We're Going To CTCA, asap

After so much research my head might never stop spinning, we have decided where we are going to go for Ryan's treatment: Cancer Treatment Centers of America. We decided to go to them because they specialize in caring for patients with rare, advanced stage cancer, and have for 30 years. That is as close as we are going to get to an actual expert. We will be going to the hospital located in Zion, Illinois. Our insurance has already approved care there, and the woman I've been speaking with said they want Ryan out there as soon as he gets his surgical release, which should be tomorrow.

There is a complete team that will work with him throughout his treatment: 5 different types of Oncologists, homeopathic doctors, nutritionists, dieticians, spiritual support, mind/body therapy, pain management, chemo rehab when initial chemotherapy options are complete, chiropractic care, acupuncture...the list goes on and on. They offer a type of chemotherapy called HIPEC, which was explained to me as being heated chemotherapy that is delivered directly to and restricted to the abdomen. It is reported as very effective, and Ryan might be a candidate for it based on the location of his tumor and the growths which we know still remain.

The initial consultation appointment is 3-5 days. During that time we will meet with every member of his care team, and we will have an hour long appointment with each of them. CTCA is insistent that we do not leave them with a single question unanswered, which is incredible and wonderful and overwhelming all at the same time. I don't know yet what kind of arrangements I will be able to make for the kids. We have wonderful family and friends who want to help Ryan and I, and who I know will love our babies while we aren't here to. We've never been away from them for more than 1 night though, so this is going to be hard on everyone.

Traveling for his care is obviously going to be necessary. I will get to go with him to this first visit, and all others he will go to alone. He will be ok with that...I'm the one who will suffer through seperation anxiety like a 3 year old being dropped at preschool the first day. The sobbing gal whose face is plastered to the window overlooking the runway, waving like she's trying to shake her arm out of socket...that'll be me. But I know this is where he needs to be. I know this is THE best place for Ryan to get THE best care. So whatever it takes to get him there, I'm totaly up for it.