Treated 2002 • Posted 2002 

“I would tell every one to make every effort to go Loma Linda if you want the best way to treat your cancer.”

In September of 2000 I went to see a urologist about a kidney stone problem. For the first time I was the victim of a DRE and PSA test. The PSA at that time was 4. After being treated for the kidney stone the doctor kept talking about having a biopsy of my prostate gland. I told him “no” but agreed to another PSA which now was 5. At this time because of advice from friends I tried Saw Palmetto. After a few days I quit taking those pills. Again I asked for another PSA test. The doctor agreed, but told me that we were not playing bingo that I needed to have a prostate biopsy. The last PSA came back a 7.

At this time I decided to change urologists, waited several months and then went to see another doctor. When he did the DRE he said that he found the right side was enlarged. So I agreed for him to do a biopsy. This came back positive with a Gleason score of 6. At his suggestion I agreed to take a Lupron injection. I will never forget that date - it was October 15, 2001. This doctor gave me a four month injection of Lupron and started to set up a date in February 2002 to operate and remove the prostate gland. When I asked if there were other ways to treat the prostate he gave me a book that explained three ways or methods of treatment - operate, seed implants or do nothing. I returned his book telling him I had not decided what I wanted to do.

Just about one month later on a Sunday morning I heard a radio advertisement for treating the prostate at Loma Linda University Hospital - something called Proton. I did not write down the phone number because I was driving in a lot of traffic, but I thought that it would be easy for me to remember. Big mistake. I tried many phone numbers and late at night I decided to look up Loma Linda Hospital on the Internet and was then able to research the information about Proton treatment. About December I called asking for more information and started to use the Internet to research other methods of treatment. I found none that appealed to me more than coming to LomaLinda for treatment.

I found that the doctor here in Portland, Oregon took a long time to forward my records to Loma Linda Hospital but I started treatment on March 21, 2002 and finished May 14,2002 (40 treatments). The only side effect that I had from the radiation was some pain in urinating. This stopped after a few days. I found that every one connected to the Proton treatment center were very special people. It’s like having one big happy family. I would tell everyone to make every effort to go Loma Linda if you want the best way to treat your cancer.

Richard D. Whalen - Gresham, Oregon
Email: herald.2@juno.com

"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.

Watch the video.


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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