Protons, Along with Positive Attitude and Spirit, Helps
Patient Fight Lung Cancer

His name is Richard Jones. He lives in Sun City, California. But they call him Dick Jones. He is a stage director. His professional life has been devoted to teaching actors and singers, in both popular music and opera, to project, to move, to use gestures and to convey moods and messages. In other words, he teaches body language on stage. He has worked with artists of the New York Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago, among many others. And, he is a funny man. He is also a painter.

In 1995 Dick Jones was diagnosed with lung cancer. When his oncologist told him to get his affairs in order, he fired his oncologist. He decided to fight the disease. And his insurance company for continuing coverage. Today, he is a walking example of how a positive attitude, an active approach to life, a sense of humor, and an enthusiastic spirit can help to overcome an illness.

After numerous bouts with chemotherapy that helped to shrink his three tumors, he heard about proton therapy. He opted for proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center instead of surgery. That was in August of 1997. He received 20 proton treatments in his right lung over a period of a few weeks. Protons minimized damage to the uninvolved portions of his lung. He never experienced any side effects of any kind, he noted. He even questioned his therapist: "Are you sure you're doing this right?" He completed his course of proton therapy in September, 1997. In the spring of 2001, a CT scan revealed a mass in his left lung had begun to grow again (it was previously left untreated because it had not changed). He then received 10 more proton treatments.

During his course of treatments, he shared his good humor and vitality with everyone around him. He was always in good spirits and brought smiles to the faces of the staff and other patients.

Today, he continues to direct and sing. He also sings the praises of proton therapy and suggests the following: "Get second and third opinions ... fight your insurance provider for the care you want ... keep your own set of records ... never give up ... and, never, never stop living your life to the fullest."

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