Apr
20
Felicia rings the bell after completing proton therapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer patient says proton therapy allowed her to ‘go on with life’

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The way Felicia sees it, her cancer journey wasn’t a marathon. It wasn’t even just one race. Instead, it was a series of short courses, each with its own finish line.

And proton therapy was her final finish line. The one that meant the most.

“I took it in chunks. I looked at everything as a finish line,” she says. “Like going through chemo. Just get to that finish line. And proton therapy is my last finish line, so I’m excited!”

The road to that final finish line included mountains of research. She chose to be her own health advocate and made sure she knew each and every one of her treatment options. Ultimately, she took a path that led her to Provision CARES Proton Therapy.

“I still have a lot of life ahead of me. I’ve got things I want to do. Proton therapy makes me feel like my cancer is truly out of me and I’m done. Let’s go on with life. Let’s move forward!”

…CONTINUE READING

Feb
15
James rings the Provision CARES victory bell after completing proton therapy treatment for prostate cancer

Proton therapy a ‘beautiful experience’ for popular Knoxville musician

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The first time James walked through the doors at Provision CARES Proton Therapy, he knew he’d made the right decision. He hadn’t even spoken with a physician yet or stepped foot into a treatment room. He hadn’t even gotten the proton therapy brochure that he’d come to pick up in the first place.

On Day 1, as he stood in the lobby waiting for that brochure – an aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis looming large on his mind – a man approached him. As is often the case in the Provision lobby, the two strangers got to talking. They talked about cancer. They talked about proton therapy. They talked about the weekly lunch and learns at Provision. And the sandwiches. Oh, James remembers the sandwiches!

But above all, one thing stood out to James during that conversation. The man said five memorable words that proved to James he was exactly where he needed to be:

“This place saved my life.”

…CONTINUE READING

Dec
31
Year in review 2020 at Provision CARES Proton Therapy

Year in Review: 2020 at Provision CARES Proton Therapy

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Writing a “Year in Review” blog feels a little different in 2020. We typically think back fondly on the year that was; remembering the moments that made it so great. For most of us though, “great” might not be the first word that comes to mind when we think of 2020.

A global pandemic gripped the world and brought with it fear, anxiety, uncertainty, and unfortunately, tragedy. While we can’t ignore the reality of 2020, we can still choose to look beyond the surface of it. We can choose to find the positive, the admirable, and the inspirational.

Here are some of the highlights from 2020 at Provision CARES Proton Therapy. As you close out this tumultuous year, perhaps a reminder of the good that still came out of it will help lead you into 2021 with a sense of hope and optimism.

…CONTINUE READING

Sep
29
Lymphoma patient Jonathan chose proton therapy so he could have more time with his family

Lymphoma patient says proton therapy gave him chance at long, healthy future

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“We’re not promised tomorrow, but I didn’t want to make the conscious decision to take away tomorrow.”

– Jonathan L. on choosing proton therapy over traditional radiation

When Jonathan was just 32 years old, doctors discovered a large mass surrounding his heart. Being an otherwise healthy young adult, a diagnosis of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma definitely came as a surprise. Thankfully though, his prognosis was good. He had confidence in his treatment plan, a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. As he progressed through treatment, things were going off without a hitch, until one day – a curveball.

“I went in for my consultation for the radiation,” Jonathan remembers. “The doctor told me if I went through traditional radiation, it would likely kill my heart in 10 years.”

…CONTINUE READING

Aug
20
Good self-care is important to overall health and wellness for cancer patients

Wellness for cancer patients: 4 keys to self-care

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Living with cancer comes with a lot of fear, anxiety and uncertainty. Whether you’re recently diagnosed, undergoing treatment, or a survivor, it’s important to practice self-care. By taking steps to address your overall physical and mental health, you’ll be better equipped to cope with the roller coaster of emotions you experience as a cancer patient.

Since August is National Wellness Month, this article will focus on wellness for cancer patients by sharing four components of good self-care.

  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Stress Management
  • Social Support

…CONTINUE READING

Aug
06
Woman showing support for her friend with cancer

5 compassionate ways to support a friend with cancer

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There’s no question it’s tough to hear the news that one of your friends has been diagnosed cancer. Once the initial shock has worn off, many of us have a gut reaction to immediately offer our help and support. However, there are certain “dos” and “don’ts” when it comes to helping cancer patients. In this article, we’ll share five compassionate ways to support a friend with cancer.

  1. Check with them first
  2. Include them
  3. Treat them the same
  4. Offer specific ways to help
  5. Talk about other things

Before you reach out to your friend, make sure you’ve taken time to process your own feelings first. Do some research and learn about their diagnosis. Try to think about things from your friend’s perspective. Understanding their situation and coming to terms with your own emotions will help make things more comfortable for both of you.

…CONTINUE READING

May
21
Male cancer patient using telehealth

Telehealth can help cancer patients during coronavirus pandemic

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Trying to navigate your cancer care journey is challenging enough without the added stress of a global pandemic.  Normally, you would schedule an in-person consultation with a physician to discuss your treatment options. Understandably though, many cancer patients now have reservations about going out in public during the coronavirus pandemic.

Thankfully, telehealth provides a safe way for someone with cancer to continue moving forward with their care in a timely manner.

…CONTINUE READING