Proton Radiation at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston

When Casey relapsed in October 2011, we had no idea that it would lead us to Massachusetts General Hospital. Casey scrambled to complete her final exams, pack, and move to Boston for an eight week course of treatment. This is one of the top places for brain tumor kids to have proton radiation. It's much safer than the standard radiation as it targets the tumor precisely and limits damage to the surrounding areas of the brain.

We were extremely blessed to be able to stay at Christopher's Haven. It's a special place for pediatric cancer patients and their families to stay while they are undergoing treatment at MassGeneral. It occupies the second floor of an apartment building on the hospital campus. There

are seven furnished apartments and we were able to live in one of them the entire time we were in Boston.  It was such a blessing because we were terrified about leaving our support system of family and friends. As soon as we arrived, we quickly bonded with other families who were in the same situation. And as Boston had five blizzards during our stay, it was a double blessing to be so close to our doctors.

Casey completed her treatment on Feb. 23 and we returned to Chicago. She spent the spring and summer recovering and is heading back to college this month. We will not know if the radiation was a success until next year as it continues working in her brain for a year. She will continue with MRI's every 12 weeks to monitor the tumor.

Casey and her mask.

Almost ready.

Pete and Casey at Christopher's Haven.

Everyone rings the Good Luck Bell when their treatment is complete.

Casey finally rings the bell on 2/23/11 wearing a custom made shirt from Aunt Suzanne. We can all go home now!

Getting set up for radiation.

Casey's tech team.

Casey and Cara at Christopher's Haven.

Two of Casey's friends, Summer and Spencer, who helped her ring the bell. They both rang it a few days after Casey.