Jim Davis

Of all my travels in the United States to many clinics and doctors’ offices,
I can truly say that the staff at Florida Regional Cancer Centers is the best that I have ever encountered.  Dr. Rao is not only a talented physician, but a gentleman that has his patients’ welfare at heart, and has a bedside manner that surpasses anyone that I have ever known.  My experience with the radiation technicians, the nurse, and other staff members has always been pleasant and professional.  I am so glad that under these circumstances you all were there for me.

Thanks to all of you,

My Angels:  Sandie, Lorri, Missy, Tammy, Dianna, and Helen

 

Lloyd R. Cooper, Jr.

Having recently completed radiation treatment for prostate cancer, I wanted to share a few of my thoughts with you as to my experience.

Beginning with the initial consultation, every aspect of the treatment – the planning, the treatment and the follow-up – was accomplished in a very professional manner.  I was most favorably impressed with the care and concern expressed by Dr. G. J. Rao and the staff during the entire process.  Without a doubt, this approach tends to alleviate the apprehension of a newly diagnosed cancer patient undergoing radiation therapy.  With the execution of such a comprehensive game plan, the patient’s psyche is engendered with a most positive attitude which contributes to a successful treatment.

I just wanted to express my thanks to you and your staff for providing the outstanding support needed during and after my radiation treatment.

Bob and Geri

Within days of learning that I had colorectal cancer, I was introduced to the Cancer Treatment Center, which I have since learned must be a house for God’s Angels.  I must admit that I was a little apprehensive when I first walked into the building expecting to find a cold face belonging to a receptionist.  The first words I expected to hear would be like telling me to sign in, sit down, and the Doctor will be with you in a moment or two.  But instead my ears were filled the beautiful sounds of a welcoming voice.  Before me were the friendliest faces with words that welcomed me as a friend from way back when.  Here were people who were welcoming me as a lost friend and offering kindness and love, a love as God loves me with, even if it might mean a sad heart for them in short amount of time.  These people, to my surprise, were not about to treat me as a man ready to die with that horrible disease known as cancer.  They seemed to be anxiously waiting for me so that they might lead me down a path towards a goal of wellness.  I felt like I was an important person whom they were going to walk with, and as a team they would lead me through some sensational experiences of healing by way of kindness, joy, and happiness.  Oh how I was blown away that day. Certainly I was not in a real doctor’s office, for my past experiences were
telling me that doctors and their employees avoid creating any
attachment to the patients.

Five days a week for five weeks was the course I would follow in receiving my radiation treatments.  These events were certainly not something I would ever look forward to, or did I know if I could deal with such a schedule in a positive way, but how quickly I learned the strength of love and a positive attitude.  After my first visit for radiation treatment, I found myself looking forward to each trip to the Center, with my wife, to visit with the earthly Angels.  The heck with the Cancer, I had some new friends and that is what counted.  What a lift they were, and a joy to get to know.  My wife discovered lots of wonderful, loving support, friendship, and understanding being offered while I was receiving my treatments.  As I look back, I am convinced that they were giving my wife and me a spoon full of sugar with each visit.  Oh, how true it is Mary Poppins, a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down in the most delightful way.

Without the fantastic doctors, and the Angels’ caring and supportive attitude, I am sure that I would not be where I am today – cancer free as indicated by all tests that have been performed up to this time.

When the last day of my radiation treatments arrived, I must admit that while there was joy to having completed the treatments, I was very sad to be saying farewell to such wonderful people that I had been connected with at the Center.

My sadness lasted only for a short amount of time for I received a marvelous surprise – The Cancer Center conducts a Cancer support group that holds meetings monthly, and I was invited to their meeting.  Happy days were going to return.  I did not need to say farewell to my newly acquired friends.  Now a year has passed, and I can honestly say this support group has turned out to be a gift from Heaven.  What beautiful people I have been privileged to meet.  What valuable things I have learned about some of the different cancers that people have had to endure.  What tremendous acts of courage I have been able to learn about.

I have never in my 70 years had such a wonderful experience in a doctor’s office as I have had at the Cancer Treatment Center.  Dr. Rao, and his staff are very special, exceptional, and very qualified individuals who are not only trying to help one to overcome a cancer, but to do it in a way that produces joy and hope for the patient, and their families without leading anyone astray.  If you are looking for a place to have radiation treatments, I suggest, from the bottom of my heart, that you visit the Cancer Treatment Center of the Nature Coast.  You have nothing to loose, but all to gain.

Charles and Marilyn Davidson 

Cancer with the big “C” is the most dreaded word.  Many of us hope and pray that we may never have anything to do with it, until of course, it hits closer to home and then we ask Why me?  Instead of arming ourselves with the knowledge and making the best of what we are dealt.  It happened to me as well as my dear husband.  I am a retired registered nurse and I imagined that I knew enough, perhaps enough to give advice to others, but when you are the patient it is very different.  I was diagnosed with a breast lump, which turned out to be cancerous.  First the mammogram, followed by an ultrasound scan and then the biopsy that only confirmed my worse fears.  I went through the lumpectomy in preference to mastectomy or total removal of the breast; the lymph nodes under my arm were all negative.  Well, I deserved to hear some good news, and I thanked the good Lord for that.  I was sent to see Dr. Jay Rao, M.D. to receive radiation.  I was frightened, but soon felt relaxed and settled comfortably to listen to “everything you need to know regarding Breast Cancer”.  It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience.  In my thirty years as a nurse, I have never encountered anyone so thorough, gentle and compassionate, as the two doctors, Dr. Rao and his associate, Dr. Sandrapaty.  My husband and I decided to proceed with radiation and completed the same with utmost ease.  The teamwork is excellent and that is important in gaining the patients’ confidence and ultimately in curing the disease.

My husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer soon after I completed my treatments.  We did not have to look far or debate on the best course of action, regardless of what the urologist had to say.  Radiation and surgery have the same survival results.  We chose radiation and have no regrets.  Once again we were impressed with the simple yet comprehensive explanation on prostate cancer and the treatment options currently in vogue.  (IMRT and HDR).  We are blessed to live in a small town and still receive the “State of the Art” treatment, in addition to having caring doctors and staff who have the patient’s interest and well being foremost in their heart.  They have won us over and we are happy with our decision and outcome, and I’m certain you will be too.  Your life is in your hands and I urge you to look at all the options open to you.

Clark Mayer

My purpose in writing this is to share with others my experience relative to prostate cancer.

I immediately began to educate myself about cancer and determine the options that were available to me.  The surgeon who performed the biopsy counseled me and in his opinion the best treatment was surgical removal of my prostate.  I have several friends that have been treated for prostate cancer with differing treatments, including surgical removal, implantation of radioactive “seeds”, natural/herbal treatment, “freezing”, “wait and see”, and other approaches.

I discussed with friends the effectiveness, complications and both the positive and negative aftereffects of their treatment.  I learned that urine leakage (incontinence) could result from surgical removal of the prostate and I didn’t relish the thought of embarrassing situations, or having to wear a “bag”, or diaper.  Regarding radiation seed implants, that seemed a better alternative, if it was as effective in curing the cancer, which was the most important aspect.  However, from reading the statistics on treatment effectiveness, I learned that it was not always possible to precisely control the implantation of the early type radioactive seeds that are placed one at a time within the prostate.  Consequently these seeds may not end up where they are most needed.  Placements more random than precise, and also these type of seeds can migrate from the original placement location within the body, via the bloodstream, to the lungs, heart, and other areas.  Not a pleasant thought either.

My fiancé had been treated for breast cancer with excellent results, and recommended that I discuss treatment options with the doctor who had treated her, Dr. Jayanth “Jay” Rao, which I did.  My cancer was given a Gleason score of”6a” (3 plus 3) by the radiologist that evaluated the biopsy tissue.  I had many questions and Dr. Rao very patiently explained in a clear and easy to understand way the options available to me, and the advantage/disadvantages of each.  There were five options.  When I left after the initial meeting with Dr. Rao, I noted that we had spent two and a half hours together!  Something very rare to experience with one of today’s’ busy doctors!  Dr. Rao also gave me a lot of additional information about prostate cancer, which included reports, and medical papers, written by others, and his own, which reported the effectiveness of various treatments, survivability, complications, undesirable effect, etc.

After much thought and careful study, I made the decision to have my cancer treated by Dr. Rao and his staff using Brachytherapy.  It involved a series of daily radiation treatments at Dr. Rao’s facility in Beverly Hills, Florida.

It was refreshing to receive these daily treatments (a total of 35) without the long wait usual to a doctor’s office nowadays.  The technician who provided the daily treatment was always cheerful and pleasant, and the treatments were given at the time scheduled.  There was no pain associated with the treatments, and they took only 15-20 minutes to accomplish.

After the initial series of daily radiation treatments, I was scheduled for two HDR (High Dose Radiation) treatments in the Ocala facility.  I had my choice of getting them in a two part series, with a two week interval between, or receiving them over a two day period, with an overnight stay in an Ocala hospital.  I chose the two day “let’s get it over with” approach.

I feel that Brachytherapy utilizing “real time computer technology” provides a much more precise method of applying radiation exactly where it is needed, in the amount required, with the additional benefit of being withdrawn after treatment so migration of a radiation seed is not a possibility.

It has now been three years since conclusion of my treatment.  There was a short period initially of discomfort upon urination.  However, this passed quickly, and I am pleased there is no incontinence, or departure from other normal activities.

I wish to thank Dr. Rao, and all the members of his staff for their encouraging attitude and the many courtesies extended to me during my treatment and follow up care.  I am always glad to arrive at their office and wish to thank each member of his treatment team for their help and concern.

Dr. Rao has my permission to use this document in whatever manner he deems appropriate.  I hope it will be of value to other men faced with the threat of prostate cancer and the difficult decisions associated with dealing with it.