Letter to the Editor—My Heart is Overflowing with Gratitude
Dear Editor,
Well, it’s been 2.7 years since I completed my proton therapy.
I'm still here.
I'm still cancer free.
My heart is still overflowing with gratitude.
As a UF Health Proton Therapy Institute ambassador, the most challenging things for me to convey are the intangibles... the things that make the Institute so very special.
Things that escape the five senses.
That can only be felt and experienced.
When we came up for my initial consultation, we parked in the thoughtfully placed parking lot. Greeted with a big, warm smile from security, we entered the building. The atmosphere enveloped us like a big, warm hug—we both felt it and exchanged knowing glances that this was it. This was the place. It just got better from there. Mary at the front desk was wonderful and made us feel more like family coming to visit and less like a patient.
The tour was amazing, fascinating and informative.
And this feeling extended to the nurses’ station and beyond.
Everyone genuinely cared, and that came across so loud and clear. It was so unlike any medical facility anywhere.
No matter what time my gantry time was on Tuesday, I would get there early, stay after or come back later, as the case might be, for the deeply healing Hand Pan sound bath.
Despite my treatments occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Institute’s social programs being suspended, I still managed to make some lifelong friends.
I was fortunate enough to receive a grant to stay at Riverton Towers (formally Jones College); the residents there were very welcoming and supportive and lasting friendships forged.
It is a pity the new owners of Riverton Towers have discontinued short-term stays.
My time and treatments, which I expected to seem like an eternity, flew by in the blink of an eye. It was the oddest thing, to find myself dreading the end of my treatments and having to leave this magical place.
Having to leave this whole team of amazing, compassionate, caring professionals who all had a part, regardless of how great or small, for it’s all integral, in literally saving my life, and I’d come to think of them as extended family.
It is such a bittersweet situation.
Congratulations to Dr. Mendenhall on her much-deserved recognition.
I look forward to my follow-ups and seeing everyone again.
P.S.
I have a theory about the atmosphere at the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute:
It's my hypothesis that, since energy can't be destroyed, the "spent" protons hang about and have accumulated over time, each giving off positive vibes that permeate everything they touch, resonating a palpable field of positive vibes.
Seems logical, right?
Best regards,
Perry Cusmano