Treated 1992 • Posted 2003

Don wrote this 11 years after his proton treatment. At the time of writing, he said "I feel great; I haven't experienced any side effects, and at age 81, I play golf several times a week."

Since my diagnosis was way back in 1991, I had forgotten my Gleason number. People always talked about PSA, which was 18.6 back then. I have checked with Loma Linda about what my Gleason number was and it only says, well differentiated. The number 5 is pretty close to what I remember was the figure.

We were living in Clarkston, Washington at the time when my Urologist found that I had Prostate Cancer. I had friends in Loma Linda who urged me to come down for the Proton treatment. I had already started the process of storing my own blood supply for surgery and after talking to representatives of the Proton programs regarding incontinence, impotence and success rate. It was easy to choose the Proton program.

First I was required to take a nodes test to make sure the cancer had not spread. When that was found negative, I began Proton treatment. After 3 weeks someone decided that my Gleason number was higher than reported by my Clarkston doctor and so they stopped the Proton treatment, and for another 5 weeks, I was given regular, photon radiation treatment.

During the time of treatment, I played golf often, always walking and carrying my own bag and was never tired until the last few days of the 8 weeks of radiation. I never experienced any side effects then or since.

Next month I will be 81, playing golf several times a week and feel very grateful for the program at the Loma Linda hospital.

Don Lake - Cherry Valley, California

"I have not spent one dollar on medicines or follow-up procedures in my 20 years post-proton treatment."
- Wayne Swartz, BOB Member
"You owe it to yourself and to those who love you to safeguard your quality of life. Surgery will not do that ... proton therapy can."
- Jeannie Chase, Spouse
- Warren Johns, BOB member
"15 years have passed since exposure to the penetrating power of the proton and the superb medical skills of the 'beam team.'”
"The procedure was a breeze. It has been 10 years and I feel GREAT.”
- Tom Wright, BOB member
"As long as I live, I will do everything I can to spread the word about proton treatment.”
- Jim Tuggey, BOB member
"I am celebrating 8 years post-treatment with no recurrence, no side effects, and not one more penny for medications."
Robert T. Gore, M.D. F.A.C.O.G.

 


The Purcell's fairy tale life came to a halt when the doctor diagnosed Pat with prostate cancer. 

Little did they know that 25 years earlier, a doctor 1,200 miles away risked his entire career to pioneer proton treatment with virtually no side effects. “Against All Odds” follows a couple’s desire to fight cancer and unveils the historical account of a doctor’s passion to discover a better treatment option.

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Questions? Ask us anything.

Proton Therapy Advantages:

· Less damage to healthy tissue
· Non-invasive, painless

· Outpatient setting
· No recovery time
· Lower chance of recurrence
· Few, if any, side effects

Want to talk to former proton patients? Just ask.


You Can Beat Prostate Cancer — NEW Edition Available

Written by former proton therapy patient and BOB founder, Robert Marckini

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