UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology Issue 4 - Flipbook - Page 33
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
After consulting with Dr. Kishan, we felt that
the best course of treatment was five sessions of
radiation with ADT (orgavyxx and casodex) for
six months, which was fortunately offered as a
trial with Dr. Kishan.
Their professional expertise is unrivaled in my
experience.
My wife and I live in Colorado, and we met
with Dr. Kishan online after he reviewed my
medical history and my current health. I had my
first meeting, and I came away with a sense of
confidence that Dr. Kishan was in fact the best in
the field. I have had the privilege of consulting
with many of the country’s finest doctors and
facilities, and I can without any reservation
say that UCLA and Dr. Kishan and his team are
far and away the finest health care team in the
nation.
When my dates were set in July to begin
treatment, we were contacted by UCLA
Radiation Oncology's hospitality team who
gave us information about the area and lodging
options, which helped us find the condo we
rented during our stay. It was a five-minute
walk to your campus in Westwood and worked
perfectly.
From my first contact all the way through
treatment, I had a sense of safety and wellbeing, which was created by the competence
and professionalism of Dr. Kishan and his team
in the Radiation Oncology Dept.
Kevin Cazares and Emil Hightower were my
contacts who scheduled my preliminary tests
and kept in touch throughout the treatment with
answers to my questions. The speed and quality
of responses to my questions was exceptional.
I began my radiation sessions with technicians,
Dana, Miguel, Nam, and Hussen, who made
me feel like I was part of the team and, by the
end of treatment, part of the UCLA family. They
were patient and caring, gave me an overview
of what my treatments would be like, and made
my experience much better than I expected.
Knowing the process and being able to discuss
my treatment made me less apprehensive and
more comfortable with the radiation process.
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During my journey with prostate cancer there
have been many uncertain and confusing
times. Some were created by the amount of
information about conflicting options and
statistics on outcomes, and some were created
by a less than optimal health care experience,
even in the exceptional facilities I consulted.
Because of this I feel I have a unique overview
of what is offered in Radiation Oncology today,
and I know I found the best team in the country
and beyond. I completed my five treatments
with very little discomfort and no long-term
side effects, and I left UCLA in August 2021 with
confidence that not only did I get the best allaround care, but that I was fortunate to have
participated in Dr. Kishan’s trial. I completed
my ADT treatment in December of 2021 and
have had several PSA tests that show my PSA
serum numbers are undetectable. Dr. Kishan’s
recommendation to go with Orgovyx instead of
Lupron for my ADT treatment was brilliant and
effective.
I know there is much uncertainty with cancer
outcomes long-term, but my wife and I have
no uncertainty that UCLA’s exceptional and
professional care has restored our confidence
in health care. It is hard to put into words the
difference Dr. Kishan and UCLA has made in our
state of mind. ☐ Contributed by: Keith W. Payne
