Patient Stories

I’m grateful for my care team at Texas Center for Proton Therapy – chatting with the radiation staff was the highlight of every visit. Thank you, Dr. Mangona, for your care, compassion, and expertise.

If I had to do it all over again, hands down this team and center would be my top choice.

Proton therapy gave me and my family hope of healing without pain during treatment.

I chose proton therapy to protect my heart and lungs.

“We are extremely grateful for Texas Center for Proton Therapy. From start to finish, it was a true delight being there with the nurses and radiation therapy staff – the care that we received and the compassion that was extended to my wife was unparalleled.” (Jeff Schiefelbein, father of Benny)

"Texas Center for Proton Therapy gave me and my husband hope that I can beat this."

"We’re so grateful to Texas Center for Proton Therapy, the staff is wonderful and great with kids! We just wanted to see him run around and play like he used to – and we’re so glad he’s back to being his energetic self." (Nancy Sanchez, mother of Mateo)

I’m so grateful for the proton center and spent each day on that treatment table reflecting on all of the wonderful opportunities afforded to me.

A car wreck saved my life – would you believe it?

We researched proton therapy and once we learned more about this advanced form of radiation, it was a no-brainer for us.

"We did a lot of research trying to understand the differences between the types of radiation therapy. The benefits of proton therapy for prostate cancer stood out to me as the ideal option for my specific cancer.”

"I know proton therapy is helping me. I can now do more things like play at recess with my friends. I would tell other kids like me that as time goes on, you’ll start to feel better."

The only time he cried was at the possibility that he wouldn’t get to go back to school.

The best person to advocate for you is you.

Skip the research and go straight to proton therapy.

Keep your mind open to options and hold onto hope that things are going to get better.

After this experience, I learned that God has helped me through everything. I want to thank all my nurses and doctors for everything they’ve done for me. I’m finally starting to feel like myself again.

Cancer fights hard, so we have to fight harder.

I would say ‘check the proton center first.

“When you hear a story of someone else’s success it helps you build your courage and strength. I think it is important to share August’s story because he deserves to have his story told.” (Erica Johansen, mother of August)

“Everyone at Texas Center for Proton Therapy was a knowledgeable professional who did their work in a true spirit of service to their patients.”

“On my final day with Dr. Lee, I made sure I was going to mention to him that I was very impressed. And started off by telling him ‘I don’t impress easily, but you guys have blown me out of the water.”

“Dr. Lee — the entire staff — gave 110% effort in terms of treating the cancer and in terms of treating me.”

“From the very first day, I knew that these were people who I could entrust with my health and my body.”

"I think every morning that I get up and embrace life is to say thank you for giving me this opportunity."

“When I found out I had cancer, I promised myself that I would spread the word that screening is so important.”

“I had never seen any place like Texas Center for Proton Therapy. At the end, I was actually sad to leave.”

“Dr. Mangona was hands down the best aspect of this entire experience. He walked me through all my scans in great detail, explained how everything worked and gave me a high level of confidence walking into my first appointment. I still had plenty of fears – who wouldn’t? – but he made the whole process that much better.”