Flushing Zebra Fund Raiser - Thank You

As you know by now the PRRT treatments are not covered by medical insurance even though I have Medicare and a good Supplemental Policy, so with that in mind our children have all pitched in to help us.

One of the greatest things was the Flushing Zebra Bash Fund Raiser. This turned out to be a fantastic event raising close to $40,000 with a turnout of over 400 people.  This group of  fantastic folks, friends, family, business peers, and friends of friends just show how great a place we live in.

Thanks to you all! 

Connie and I wish to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts to everyone that donated in any way to the fund raiser.  The money raised will go to pay the existing costs of the 1st treatment with enough left to cover most of the 2nd and 3rd treatments.

Without your sincere help we would not have been able to get into this treatment program.

To my family with love:

Connie
Sandy & Mike
Jeremy & Alana
Chris & Erin
Kari & Shawn
Shanon & Kelly
Kimberly

Always and Forever,

Dad 

Connie and I at the Flushing Zebra Bash ...

Back from first PRRT in Basel

The first treatment in Basel Switzerland went well, just as the doctors said it would.  I haven't blogged before now, because the side effects lasted longer than I thought they would. I have been weak and tired with a lot of enlargement to my liver. 

I spoke with Dr. O'Dorisio last week and he said the enlargement of the liver was to be expected because my liver was heavily burdened with tumors. He increased my Octritide injections to help control the Carcinoid Syndrome. 

The treatment itself was painless and only took about 15 minutes.  I  spent a total of 2.5 days in the hospital, rested at the hotel a couple of days and flew home.  (8 days total)  The cost of the first treatment with lodging, airfare, hospital, & misc.$14,400us. 

The worst part of the entire time was the flight over and back.  About 15 hours each way, 8 of it over the ocean with not much room to try to be comfortable. 

If you are planning this trip I suggest the following:

1. Pay for the upgraded seating on the long part of the flight (we went Delta)
2. If you are weak or short of breath ask for wheel chair assist all the way 
3. Try to plan enough time between plane changes as some of the air ports are large and getting from one flight to another can take longer than you think. 

Overall everything was good, the folks overseas were helpful when we needed it and most of the airport experience was good.  The University of Basel Hospital was excellent from beginning to end.

My next treatment is October 3rd so we'll be on our way again in a couple of weeks.

My grandson (Patrick Rath) and my son-in-law (Shawn Rath) seeing me off at the airport in Kansas City.