Don't Fear The Big Dogs | Proton Treatment for Prostate Cancer

Bill,

I've been reading your book. What a tremendous read! I started it the other night and just about finished it all in one sitting. I got from the beginning to your second night in San Francisco. I'll finish the last bit tonight. I've been recommending it to a lot of people! You are a very gifted writer.

One of my favorite books is John Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie. I used to teach a class on it when I taught in Germany. He provided a poignant snapshot of America in the 60s and a marvelous vehicle for examining an era of change. Your book has the same quality; it chronicles a trip with a special purpose and transformation.

Ken L., Philadelphia, PA

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Dear Bill,

As patient no. 11 at the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute, I found your book very enjoyable and in many ways, reminiscent of my own experiences, in terms of the treatment issues.

I have been asked to serve as a resource to men who are contemplating proton therapy for their prostate cancer and I get a lot of requests for help from the patient intake coordinator at the UFPTI. Along with Bob Marckini's book, I plan to recommend your reassuring book to anyone who is faced with the need to decide which approach to choose when contemplating the various options for curing their prostate cancer. Thank you very much for taking the time to write the book.

I hope you and your daughter have many, many pleasant excursions together in the future! She sounds like a wonderful girl!

Sincerely,

Pat G., Ph.D.

Tallahassee, FL
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Hi Bill,

I've just finished my 8th session here in Jacksonville, and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your book about your experience at Loma Linda. While I had made my choice before I read it, it did offer comfort and confirm that decision.

Although I am a Texan - and will return to Texas in a few months - I met my new wife here last fall when I came here to Florida to get away from the West Texas winter. Had thought I would go back and go to MD Anderson, but when we decided to get married, I thought I might as well come here and get started. I expect MDA would also have been a good choice, but I am very pleased with UFPBI.

All best wishes for you and Tori Lou,

George - Texas
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Dear Mr. Vancil:

Recently I received the enclosed letter from one of our patients, Dr. Bernard H.* Thank you for what you've done to exemplify our institutional mission of "extending the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus Christ." It is always a pleasure to receive letters such as this, and I am most grateful to you for your wonderful support of our proton patients and your loyalty and commitment to our proton program.

B. Lyn Behrens

President, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center

(*Editor's note: In his letter, Dr. H. praised his proton treatment at Loma Linda and explained that reading "Don't Fear the Big Dogs" played a part in his decision to choose proton treatment )

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Bill, Who says there isn’t a higher power than fate or chance? I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in February, 2006. I was given the usual remedial choices by my urologist; conventional radiation, seeding, surgery, or watchful waiting. Too bad he knew nothing about Proton Beam Therapy! I didn’t like the odds for full recovery on any of these choices, but I knew of no other options.

Then, one day in March, it happened . My wife turned on her car radio and she immediately caught a few remarks about some kind of new cancer treatment and a book signing by some guy named Bill Vancil.

The next day, we attended your book signing at a local book store. Now, I will forever be indebted to you, Mr. Vancil. For the better part of two hours or more, at both the book store and at a private reception in your honor, you were kind enough to give my wife and me your undivided attention to tell us all about your own success story in beating prostate cancer with Proton Beam Cancer Therapy at Loma Linda Hospital in California. For this considerate giving of your time to share your experiences I cannot thank you enough. In addition, the Web Sites you gave us supplied me with tons of information on Proton Cancer Therapy at Loma Linda, University of Indiana Hospitals and Mass General in Boston. Armed with all this information, I then visited the new Proton Cancer Therapy Center at Shands University of Florida Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. Although the facility was not yet in operation it was scheduled to open in August, 2006, and Mr. Gerry Troy, the Director of Patient Services gave me a tour through the facility. What a wonderful place! He also introduce me to Dr. Carlos Vargas, Chief Oncologist, who discussed Proton therapy with me, explaining in great detail how it works and why it is so much better than anything else available today. At the end of that day, I knew where I needed to go and the treatment I needed to get to fight my prostate cancer.

I began therapy treatment at the new University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute on August 28, 2006. I am patient No. 3, and I have just finished my seventh week of daily treatments, with just one more week to go. My experience has been nothing short of phenomenal. The treatments are short, lasting less than one hour, total time. I have had little or no pain or no discomfort during or after any of my treatments. I have had no side affects, or adverse conditions or reactions of any kind. I would highly recommend Proton Cancer Therapy to anyone with prostate cancer.

Please feel free to refer anyone you talk to about Proton Beam Therapy to me. I would prefer email correspondence rather than phone contacts. I look forward to seeing you when you come to Florida again.

Ben Morgan, Clearwater, Forida

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Bill, thank you for taking the time to write about your experience with proton therapy. I just finished reading my signed copy of your book and it's delightful!
I'm following in several of your footsteps! I went through basic and AIT at Ft. Ord in March-June 1968. Now I'm at Loma Linda having proton therapy. With my treatment Friday, I'll be half done. My father-in-law, who went through proton therapy for prostate cancer here five years ago, has been friends for many years with Sebastian's human "parents."

Bob H., Mt. Angel, Oregon

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Bill, I finished my last Loma Linda treatment the first week of April and just had my first PSA check - 2.5. My PSA has never been below 6.0 and it had elevated to 11.71 by the time I started treatments. Even though I had researched Loma Linda on my own you were a big influence on my final decision. THANK YOU! The people at the center were the most professional, kind, knowledgeable, helpful and caring group I've ever encountered - especially the people in G-2! If there's any way you have of passing that on to them it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Again,

John N., Costa Mesa, CA

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"Most life journeys become enriched by a variety of philosphical 'guideposts'
that influence our basic character, as well as personal behavior. This book
can serve as one such invaluable guidepost and, in addition, provides a
delightful story to warm the heart! Thanks Bill, for sharing it with us and
providing an extraordinary beacon for all to use in traveling today's world. I
most heartily recommend it everyone."

Bill Rousse (retired Brigadier General and fellow cancer patient)
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Bill ~ I read your book. Very well done. Really enjoyed it. Easy to read and understand. And your interplay with Tori Lou was really dear. Quite an experience for you both and so good you could do it all together. Thanks so much for the time I was able to spend with you and Tori Lou [through your book] - all the way to California and back.

R. R. - LaCrosse, WI

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Hi Bill,
Just recieved your book Friday and read it twice. It was great reading, and what a great journey for you both. It's great when you get our age and be given the opportunity to bond with your child. The book was very inspirational and interesting. I'm an emotional guy so I shed a few tears too. I am 62 and have been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and have looking at Proton Therapy at LLUMC and MGH for a couple of months. Bob Marckini has been very helpful. I have a daughter in Boston and a new grandchild so I'm debating of where to go. Excellent book, Bill!
Paul M. - Pittsburgh, PA
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Bill: Sounds like your trip to Florida was both enjoyable and productive. The "coincidences" portion of your newsletter about the couple from St. Petersburg is eerie. Fate seems to ride shotgun as you tour the country. Good work.

- Rocky Stuffelbeam, Editor, Kewanee Star Courier

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Bill: I finished your book on a flight back from K.C. yesterday. It was a great read and I actually had to pace myself reading it because I didn't want the story to end ... I'm no book reviewer but I really enjoyed the book and the wake up call to get tested with my next physical. The insights into your relationship with Tori are awesome and it confirms the special relationship the two of you have... I also liked the reality at the end of the book when you got home and didn't see her again for two weeks as she got back in the swing. That is the good thing about a strong relationship and bond, you don't have to see or talk to that person daily to know it is there and that it is something that can't be severed easily. Thanks for a wonderful and insightful view into your life.

~ Dave D.,Madison, WI

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Dear Bill, I feel like I have made a tremendous connection with not only you, but Tori Lou as well. Best book I have read in years!

~ Todd H., Orlando, FL

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Bill, Well after a lot of searching the Internet and my soul I've made my decision to do the proton treatment at Loma Linda. All the files from my urologist were faxed yesterday and my slides were fed-ex'd. Once the folks at Loma Linda read all the material they will call me to set a consultation appointment and I can get started. My PSA jumped from 7.74 to 10.5, but my doctor is certain the cancer is still very much localized as both my bone scan and CT scan indicated.

By the way, my daughter's best friend's dad just completed 16 weeks of treatment [at Loma Linda] with no side effects. His cancer was considered to be aggressive. My doctor says mine is microscopic and non-aggressive, but it's up to the doctors at Loma Linda to make the final determination. Anyway, want to say thanks for all the input you gave me. I probably should have started this sooner, but I wanted to really do my research.