
Optimal living for 120 years and beyond is now within reach. While the exact number of years may be uncertain, the outcome is clear, more than ever we can position ourselves for getting the most out of a longer life. Follow this blog to see how it can be done! This is not so much about longevity, it's about a longer HEALTHSPAN: healthy, meaningful, vigorous living!
An Invitation to my 120th Birthday Celebration.
Monday, May 12, 2025
Monday, March 31, 2025
RADIATION TREATMENT JOURNAL CONTINUED
I meet Richard this morning, the assistant Medical Physicist on my prostate cancer care team. He was part of the collaborative team (along with Dr. Kim, Joann, and (ask for others on the treatment planning team) that conducted my simulation CT scan, the crucial step in planning my detailed radiation treatment plan.
In preparation for the simulation I had followed instructions to empty my rectum and arrive with a full bladder (and I almost forgot, no gas.) for the CT scan to insure accurate positioning for the upcoming 30 radiation treatments.Richard worked the radiation dose calculation using today's CT images of my prostate volume and surrounding area which establishes the duration of treatment.
The door to the treatment vault is two feet thick and weighs over 100,000 pounds due to its lead brick shielding. The rest of the vault is radiation proofed using think concrete walls.
I will work to get a video of one of my linear accelerator treatments. I think I'll be able to post it here soon. Check back in a week to see it.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Our Exemplary Cancer Care Team
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Friday, March 14, 2025
Radiation Treatment: Prostate Cancer (An unexpected yet interesting story.)
I ask Ramin, the Radiation administrator if this is a $3.1 million dollar accelerator? He replies: $3.5 million. I feel fortunate that this technology has developed so quickly and is in place. This accelerator has been here 12 years.
Following therapy I join my tai chi group for our regular weekly practice. Like other Fridays, we enjoy our Salon gathering after tai chi to engage in our ongoing interactive discussions and sharing of ideas and intellectual stimulation. Today we begin with: "Toby, how is your treatment going." I respond by mentioning that I realized on my drive home that my 120 and Beyond plan was very fragile.

We arrive early for my 7am appointment only to discover that they are experiencing technical difficulties with the linear accelerator. We are rescheduled for tomorrow at 12:30 pm. I'm disappointed and Patricia is upset because we've been living in a stew of delays, mostly my fault for taking so long to make the decision to go with surgery or radiation treatment. We've learned that I can drive to these sessions. Treatments will not interfere with my ability to drive. This is a big relief as Patricia won't have to take time away from school for the six weeks of treatment.
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2:36 pm. Stopped to see my Rapport Community friends Jay, Caroline, and Molly. Rapport Coffee and Roasters is a great coffee shop down the hill from our home. It's a new addition to the neighborhood and a place that just seems to be bright and lively each time I stop for a latte. Jay wasn't there but Molly and Caroline (wonderful baristas) hit me with a happy greeting as I entered. Since the beginning of my radiation treatments, I haven't made time in my day for that cup of matcha or my Rapport friends. I see now that that was a mistake because my time with Caroline and Molly was astonishingly up lifting. I didn't realize that a month ago I was in a downward spiral. It wasn't a sadness that I was feeling as much as it was... well I don't know what it was. Suffice it to say I didn't want to go and that was not in my best interest. You see it's the people in our lives that either put us down or lift us up. I just realized that the moments with my tai chi friends and my Community at Rapport Cafe are important to keep close to the vest so to speak. Today having been with both groups leaves me feeling that I can do anything. It's like Daniel's quote from Monday at the gym:
Scroll down to October 16 for previous posts to this story.
Click HERE for a 9 minute patient education video
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
FOOD SAFETY AND 120 AND BEYOND
Better to be safe: Cooking with black plastic is something we should avoid as heat energizes harmful plastic compounds that migrate into our food.
"People with the highest blood levels of PBDEs, a class of flame retardants found in black plastic, had about a 300 percent increase in their risk of dying from cancer compared with people who had the lowest levels, according to a study released this year."
Black plastic food containers may be safe but how do we know if they contain flame retardants some of which are endocrine disruptors that disturb the body's hormone system, and may be associated with thyroid disease, diabetes, and cancer.
“When you’re using black plastic items, there’s going to be a risk that they could be contaminated,” Megan Liu, the science and policy manager at Toxic-Free Future."
This includes black plastic food trays, and children's toys.