BOB members who have completed proton treatment documented the story of their diagnosis, their search for the best prostate cancer treatment option, and their experience of proton therapy – all for the benefit of others who are considering proton treatment. We have almost 120 members' stories posted. These include three written by men who chose proton therapy for salvage prostate cancer treatment when cancer returned following radical prostatectomy. They are Michael Hecker, David Leighton, Charlie Rubin and Bob Young.

Terry Wepsic, M.D. (California)

Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2009
Dr. Wepsic is a physician/pathologist with a specialty in cancer biology and tumor immunology. When a cancer researcher chooses proton therapy, it speaks volumes about the efficacy of this treatment option.
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Treated – 1993 • Posted – 2001 • Updated – 2008
Fifteen years have passed since exposure to the penetrating power of the proton and the superb medical skills of Dr. Rossi and the 'beam team.'”
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Treated – 2010 • Posted – 2011
"After being a patient at LLUMC, I gained back my respect for the medical profession."
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Treated – 1998 • Posted – 2002 • Updated – 2008
"My doctor started the conversation with, 'You have cancer and have one to three years to live (PSA 61, Gleason 10). Go home and get your house in order!'"
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Dan Fitzgerald (California)

Treated – 2010 • Posted – 2010
"I called about 60 men from the list [of past proton therapy patients] ...and found each man to be cured and with virtually NO quality of life issues.  I was convinced."
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Treated – 1991 • Posted – 2004 • Updated – 2006, 2008 & 2010
Harold has been cancer free for 13 years and with no long term side effects.
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Dale Martin (California)

Treated – 2008 • Posted – 2011
"It’s a great blessing to know that God directed me to Loma Linda and I love to share my story with all. "
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Michael Hecker (Ohio)

Treated – 2009 • Posted – 2010 • Updated– 2010
"My proton beam experience was more like a vacation in comparison to my other treatment options."
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Treated – 2009 • Posted – 2011
When David's radical prostatectomy failed, he chose proton treatment to go after the cancer cells the surgery had missed.
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Tony Wagoner (Florida)

Treated – 2011 • Posted – 2011
"...it was a "no brainer" as to which treatment I would have - proton therapy of course!"
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Dennis Spurling (New Hampshire)

Treated – 2009 • Posted – 2011
"Two years later my PSA is about .50 and holding."
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Don Oberlin (Michigan)

Treated – 2009 • Posted – 2010
"Since my proton treatment, I have done far better than I could have possibly hoped."
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Treated – 2008 • Posted – 2010
"I had absolutely no pain during the 41 treatments of proton — in fact, I played golf and swam at the beach during my treatment."
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Treated – 2004 • Posted – 2005 • Updated – 2008
Dr. Hillis is a surgeon. On September 19, 2005, The Florida Daily News did a feature story on his diagnosis and treatment at Loma Linda.
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Treated – 2007 • Posted – 2010
"Prostate cancer is in my rear view mirror as my wife and I head out on another 'skiing safari' and other adventures this year and for many years to come."
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Treated – 2007 • Posted – 2010 • Updated– 2010
"...It is no wonder that we are all so eager to guide others to this best of all prostate cancer therapies."    
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Treated – 2006 • Posted – 2010
"When I hear of the unbelievable problems that so many others experience, I am so thankful that I chose protons." 
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002 • Updated – 2008
"LLUMC and proton therapy is, in my opinion, the finest, most thorough and comfortable/convenient treatment available for prostate cancer treatment/cure".
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2003
"My wife and I had never met with such a professional, yet caring, group of individuals - we were heading to LLUMC!"
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Treated – 1994 • Posted – 2004 • Updated – 2009
Treated 16 years ago, Jimmie had a PSA of 101.6 plus other complications.
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Howard Glenn (California)

Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2008
Howard is a physicist. Here is his response to an individual who made an inquiry about proton therapy
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Treated – 2007 • Posted – 2008
“I told my nephrologist about the IMRT decision. She was concerned about potential side effects and warned that a urethral stricture could occur and cause serious consequences (dialysis) in my case. Then she added, 'Would you rather live 8 years of a good life or 10 years of a miserable life?' Good question!”
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Treated – 1998 • Posted – 2011
“Last month I had a follow-up with my radiation oncologist. He said, 'Bill, as much as I enjoy seeing you, I don't need to see you medically again. It's as though you never had cancer!'”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2006 • Updated– 2009
“I have never had any side affects, unless feeling great is a side affect.”
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Leigh Miller (Kentucky)

Treated – 2005 • Posted – 2006 • Updated– 2009
“...I had witnessed three friends who had undergone surgical procedures, two of whom were in diapers and impotent. It occurred to me that there might be something worse than dying.”
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Bernard Hindman, M.D. (California)

Treated – 2007 • Posted – 2007
Dr. Hindman is a man of considerable intellect and accomplishment. His story and his rationale for choosing proton therapy should be of great value to recently diagnosed men.
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Steven Hodgdon (Wisconsin)

Treated – 2006 • Posted – 2006 • Updated– 2009
Like many of our members, Steve’s initial treatment for prostate cancer was surgery. When his cancer returned, he chose proton therapy for salvage treatment.
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Treated – 2006 • Posted – 2006
Dr. Klein is a nuclear medicine physician, biochemist and medical researcher. He chose proton therapy after much research and “based on the elegant physics of protons.”
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Ron Worthington (Arizona)

Treated – 2005 • Posted – 2005
A former proton patient, who is a retired surgeon, recommended proton treatment to Ron, a retired Col. U.S. Air Force.
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Thom Chase (Florida)

Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2004 • Updated – 2010
This is a story written by Thom's wife, Jeannie. Prostate cancer is a couples' disease, and Jeannie does a terrific job sharing the experience of diagnosis and proton treatment from the perspective of the patient’s wife.
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Norton Elder (California)

Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2001
“What a way to be cured of cancer!”
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Ed Holland (California)

Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002 • Updated – 2010
“My younger brother had prostate surgery followed by radiation, so I was well aware of all the unpleasant side effects he endured and is still dealing with.”
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Treated – 1999 • Posted – 1999
This retired Colonel says, “As long as I live, I will do everything I can to spread the word about proton treatment.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2001
“PSA 420 – good heavens!”
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Harry Marshall (Illinois)

Treated – 2005 • Posted – 2008
Surgery at age 57 and the cancer returned. Salvage proton therapy did the job.
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Terry Scott (Texas)

Treated – 2004 • Posted – 2006
Terry had PSA 55, Gleason 9. Today his PSA is non-detectable.
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Treated – 2007 • Posted – 2008
“When I went to Loma Linda I thought I was going out there to be cured of prostate cancer. After I had been there for a few weeks I found that I was there to receive so much more.”
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Treated –2004 • Posted – 2005 • Updated – 2009
“The doctor told me, 'Your PSA is 7.15 …your Gleason score is 8. I recommend surgery; that’s the gold standard.' I chose proton instead and four years later I’m doing great.”
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Lee Cantwell (Utah)

Treated –2004 • Posted – 2005
“I went to the [protonbob.com] website and began reading the testimonials. These were not brief statements, but pages of long descriptions of people’s experiences and heartfelt expressions of their gratitude for having discovered a treatment that allowed them to be treated successfully without destroying the quality of their lives.”
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Judge William M. Auslen (California)

Treated –1997 • Posted – 2004
Judge Auslen's PSA, 7 years after treatment, remains at 0.1. The Judge has the distinction of being the 1,000th BOB member.
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Homer Lamborn (California)

Treated –1996 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2009
“It has now been 12 years since my treatment. My PSA has remained at the 0.3 level and I feel just fine.”
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Jerry Klein (Washington)

Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2009
This testimonial was written by a former patient in response to a prospective patient’s request for information about proton therapy. The individual specifically asked for feedback on side effects.
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Alex Plummer (California)

Treated – 1999 • Posted – 2002
African-Americans, such as Plummer, are 60 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than caucasians.
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Aaron Leno (Washington)

Treated – 1994 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2004, 2009
“It’s been 9 years since proton treatment; my PSA is 0.23; I have no problems urinating and no side effects; the treatment did not render me either impotent or incontinent.”
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Don Lake (California)

Treated – 1992 • Posted – 2003
Don received proton treatment 12 years ago. Today he feels great; he says he hasn’t experienced any side effects, and at age 81, plays golf several times a week.
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Don Naples (Connecticut)

Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2004
“My prostate cancer treatment at Loma Linda University Medical Center was one of the most uplifting periods of my life.”
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Harvey Olson (Idaho)

Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2004
“Bottom line: If I had it to do over I would choose the combination proton/photon treatment in an instant, hands down, over any other option.”
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Ed Solomon (California)

Treated – 1997 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2009
“My current PSA is <0. 1 and has been at that approximate level since completion of treatment almost 7 years ago.”
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Gene Wolter (Iowa)

Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“To me, this information was a blessing and a life-saving message from God.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“Protons are heavy, penetrate without scattering, and dump nearly their entire dose in a small volume of tissue (like the prostate), with almost NO collateral damage. You really don't need to understand anything other than this.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002 • Updated – 2009
“I went into high gear learning all I could about options and outcomes. This involved talking to friends and their friends; reading all the books and articles; researching on the Web; and visiting Memorial Sloan Kettering, Massachusetts General, Johns Hopkins and Columbia Presbyterian.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2002
“Two years later my PSA is 0.4, the size and texture of my prostate is normal, and the roughness is gone. ”
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Treated – 1993 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2009
“July of this year marks the 10th anniversary of success for me. I am pleased to report – no side effects, all systems functioning properly with peace of mind and thanks to God.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2008
“Could I have been led there by God? I think so and thank God I was the chosen one.”
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Treated – 1996 • Posted – 1997 • Updated – 2009
Mr. Browne underwent surgery at the advice of his urologist and was told afterward that his cancer was not confined to the prostate. After meeting with a former proton patient, he elected proton therapy for salvage treatment. “If I had known of it before surgery, I would have opted for that (proton treatment) completely.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003 • Updated – 2009
“One can never be as 'low' as when the oncologist says, 'You've got CANCER.'”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2001
“There are a lot of happy members of the Brotherhood of the Balloon. I'm one of them.”
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Treated – 1999 • Posted – 2000
“I can't even begin to say how great every one at Loma Linda is from the top to the bottom. You have to experience it for yourself – words just can not do them justice.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“I give proton treatment five (*****) stars.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001
A comprehensive analysis of proton treatment for prostate cancer from one patient's perspective.
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“The only side effect has been tiredness when I overdue it.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“...don't let your body take a beating if you don't have to.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2007
“Prostate cancer diagnosis at age 87, PSA 29 and rising rapidly, what do you do? Watchful waiting? Not Charlie Einsiedler. Now in his 93rd year, Charlie is doing just fine, enjoying life and playing golf, six years after proton therapy.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“I wholeheartedly recommend this treatment for everyone.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001
“I decided to go back to the urologist in Yuma and he told me, if you were my Dad... I would send you to Loma Linda.”
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Treated – 1999 • Posted – 2000
“The proton beam did what surgery couldn't do.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“...[Proton treatment] turned out to be an amazingly brief four months... The staff of professionals at Loma Linda were not only attentive and caring, but they had a great sense of humor as well. I just can’t tell you how many times I was able to laugh!”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“I’ve had no side effects whatsoever, and actually feel better physically and mentally than ever.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“Loma Linda and proton treatment – a great place to spend your...honeymoon?”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“...I was sick and you looked after me...”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“When all factors and parameters are taken into account it [proton treatment] is the preferred way to go.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“No other option has this kind of success with treatment and quality of life.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“If any man just diagnosed with prostate cancer and facing the totally bewildering array of treatment options reads this, take seriously not only my testimony but equally those of the many hundreds of other healthy survivors who placed their trust (and their lives) in protons and prayer.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“So, on my final day of treatment, I left LLUMC, drove 1,345 miles in 22 hours, and arrived home on my 75th birthday with energy to spare!”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002 • Updated – 2009
“...I canceled my surgery and essentially left the urologist/surgeon standing with scalpel in hand.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001
“This is an article I wrote, and one that was published twice in radiology trade magazines. The message was personal, yet I hope educational for readers and an attempt to get men to be checked and women to encourage those checks.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001 • Updated – 2010
“Now in 2010 men diagnosed with the dreaded 'prostate cancer' can believe what they read about proton therapy, and all those testimonials in 'BOB' are 100% true and written by us patients and not a paid actor.”
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Treated – 1993 • Posted – 2002
This testomonial is written almost ten years post treatment. “I had 37 proton treatments in early 1993 without any pain, loss of hair, nausea or loss of my manhood. I have never had any pain and all of my plumbing is normal.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“...I had absolutely no side effects whatsoever, except a little “sunburn” on both hips, which I was told to expect. Physically I can do everything after proton that I could do before.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“For the first time in my life, I found a medical facility where people were treated like human beings instead of walking diseases.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“The statistic that caught my eye was that 1% of all RP patients don’t get off the table alive. So, I was fairly certain that I didn't want surgery...”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“Wilmer’s most recent PSA is 0.76, he has had no side effects and all is well so far.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001
“I completed proton treatment in June of 2000. My current PSA is 0.3 and I have experienced no side effects from treatment.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“...life goes on and what a thrill it is to be a part of it.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“I had my last proton treatment Feb.21, 2002 and haven’t stopped smiling since.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“I DO NOT regret choosing Loma Linda and I encourage anyone to explore it to the fullest!!”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001
“If you have prostate cancer, you are doing yourself a GREAT disservice if you don’t check with Loma Linda University Medical Center. They are the best!!!!!”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“By now, the quality of life issues were paramount in my thought process.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“I AM GLAD I TOOK THE CHANCE.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
This is one patient’s account of his first day of proton treatment.
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“Loma Linda’s goal is 'To Make Man Whole' in all respects. I felt emotional peace in their hands and that peace continues!!!”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“Remember that movie saying, 'Life is like a box of chocolates?' This treatment was the best in the box!”
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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.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“Many aspects of this whole story have convinced me that there was Divine intervention. No one is this lucky!”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“I would encourage you to go to LLUMC and relax. They may tell you to take good care of your heart and they will take care of your prostate.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2001
“The big deciding factor for me was a much better quality of life outcome for treatment by protons...”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“From my very first call to Loma Linda I have been very pleased with the information and help I received. From finding housing to all aspects of the treatment, everything was very positive.”
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Treated – 2001 • Posted – 2002
“By then my PSA was 23 and prostate size up to 142gm.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2002
“I'm now 81 years old and thanks to Loma Linda I plan to pull a few more years! I have a sister who is 94! One thing I know for sure – I won't die from or with prostate cancer!”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2002
“I was so excited to phone my urologist, to cancel my surgery date...”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“I was blessed with the best prostate cancer cure in the world.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“Of course the surgeon and radiologist in Annapolis and Georgetown U. in Wash. D.C. were both convinced they could cure my cancer – and they probably could – but at what cost in side effects???”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003
“'I feel this growth. However, I don’t think it is on your prostate. We’ll just continue to watch it for awhile.' ...My primary care physician (PCP).”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“The treatments were so easy one feels guilty fighting cancer with no more effort than that.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003
“Loma Linda has changed me from a cancer victim to a cancer survivor, from a person filled with fear of death to a person joyfully celebrating life – past, present and future...”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“The most important sentence in this letter was: 'WITH RELATIVELY FEW SIDE EFFECTS.' We made the decision to go to Loma Linda.”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“This journey has been incredible on many levels... I appreciate the opportunity to share my story in hopes that it will benefit others.”
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Treated – 2000 • Posted – 2003
“Now, it has been 3 years since the final treatment. I still feel great and I am thankful for it. My recent check showed my PSA at 0.2. I guess you can’t get much better than that.”
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Treated – 1999 • Posted – 2003
“My urologist says my prostate feels like that of a 19 year old!”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“We had one of the best two-month vacations we've have ever had. That minute and 45 seconds out of each day for treatment was a piece of cake...”
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Treated – 2002 • Posted – 2003
“I share my experiences with many, both here at home and away, in hopes that they too may enjoy the positive results of life renewal. I would like to express my appreciation to the BOB and all who so openly share and support each other. LIFE IS GREAT.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003
“I thank God that this is the decision I followed. No doubt, it was the best.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003
“What lies within me at this time and forever will be the caring, understanding, and love from all the Loma Linda Family of which we consider ourselves so much a part.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2003
“The stranger who overheard my conversation with the nurse and told me about Loma Linda and proton treatment was Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, Undersecretary General for the United Nations, former proton patient and member of the BOB!”
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Treated – 1997 • Posted – 2003
“Given my risk profile (PSA: 32, Gleason 4+3, and T2b) I feel pretty fortunate to have gotten by this long (6 + years) without indication of recurrence.”
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Treated – 1999 • Posted – 2003
When Charles was first diagnosed, he chose hormones and cryosurgery. Then his PSA rose to 15. Next came proton. His PSA is 0.02 four years after treatment.
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2004
“Maybe recapping my prostate cancer experience would benefit some of the older guys with aggressive (Gleason 9) cancer.”
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Treated – 2004 • Posted – 2004
This is an article written by Jim’s wife, Donna, for the Battle Lake Review, a local Minnesota newspaper. The article was titled, “The Beauty Of It All, Proton Cancer Therapy.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2004
“...I feel great and I am so thankful that God directed me to the right place for treatment of my prostate cancer.”
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Treated – 2003 • Posted – 2004
“If I have one suggestion it is do your homework. Take some time and do your research. Look at all options and select the one that is best for you.”
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Treated – 1996 • Posted – 2004
“My wife Pearl and I had a terrific ten weeks vacation what with workouts, terrific accommodations, an endless choice of restaurants, warm and welcoming people - both within the hospital and in the community at large...”
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Treated – 1998 • Posted – 2004
Almost seven years after his treatment, Neal says, “Now, I am absolutely convinced that proton radiation was the right choice.”
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Treated – 2006 • Posted – 2007 • Updated – 2009
Allan’s “proton graduation” speech. “Spread the word about protons...Become a ray of hope for those about to hear, 'You’ve got prostate cancer.'”
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