Oncology, Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging, Electromagnetism - Radiation, Patient Narratives - General & Miscellaneous

Rae of Hope

Name: Rae of Hope
Author: Howard S. Irons
ISBN: 9781881539018

by Howard S. Irons

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Synopsis

From Booklist

On February 22, 1991, Rae Irons was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and given only a few months to live. This book, completed two and a half years later, tells two stories: that of the life of nurse Rae and physician Howard, her husband, and that of their journey to Japan to have boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Both stories are often strongly emotional. Although retired, Rae and Howard lead active lives (children, grandchildren, tennis, golf, and many friends) and obviously care deeply for each other. The BNCT process, which has received little medical support or funding in the U.S., has apparently served more than 100 patients (8 from the U.S.) of the Japanese doctor Hiroshi Hatanaka quite well. Rae has done well, too, and has successfully kept side effects of the therapy under control. In the book's final third, the Ironses tell of their efforts to obtain funding for BNCT in the U.S. and to generate widespread interest. William Beatty