When it comes to radiation therapy, Randy Hemingway knows a lot more than most people. A former administrative director and dosimetrist in radiation oncology at MedStar Health, he was a proponent of bringing proton beam therapy to the system. Before and after that, he held a variety of positions in the field of radiation oncology, which provided him with a strong background and knowledge of all the innovations in the field.
So, when he was diagnosed with stage 2 colorectal cancer in March 2022, while living in Ohio, Randy knew he wanted to receive the radiation portion of his treatment at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, the first hospital to offer proton therapy in the region and the most experienced delivering this therapy in the Washington, D.C., area. He had worked with Keith Unger, MD, interim chief and clinical director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Service for the Department of Radiation Medicine at MedStar Georgetown and reached out to Dr. Unger for a second opinion.
“I knew the benefits that proton therapy could offer,” Randy says. “It targets and delivers the radiation dose with precision, lowering the risk of complications and damage to surrounding tissues. It also requires a lower dose of radiation than other types of radiation therapy. The major medical system where I was going to have my surgery and chemotherapy back home is a leader in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers, but they do not have proton beam therapy. After consulting with Dr. Unger, I decided to travel to Washington, D.C., to undergo five preoperative proton beam treatments to shrink the tumor before returning home for surgery and chemotherapy.”
“When we see a patient with cancer, we discuss potential treatments as a multidisciplinary team that includes experienced medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and other specialists,” explains Dr. Unger. “We review not only the medical benefits of different treatment options, but also the patient’s goals of care. We look at all available treatment options and recommend the approach that’s right for each individual patient. Randy had a strong interest in a shorter course of radiation, minimizing the effects of treatment, and preserving quality of life after treatment. Proton beam therapy allowed us to meet those goals and effectively treat his cancer.”
Randy and his wife traveled 400 miles to Washington, D.C., staying in a local hotel during his five days of treatment. “I was very satisfied with my experience at MedStar Georgetown,” he says. “Everyone treated me well and made sure I was well informed every step of the way. The doctors at MedStar Georgetown take a personal interest in each patient. At the other hospital, I often felt like a number waiting on a bench. That was never the case with Dr. Unger and his team.”
Randy had no complications or side effects after his proton beam therapy. When he saw his surgeon two and a half weeks later, the tumor had responded well to treatment.
“My surgery and chemo were successful and I’m back to exercising and doing most things I did before my diagnosis,” says Randy. “The easiest part of my treatment was absolutely the proton beam therapy at MedStar Georgetown.”
His advice for others diagnosed with cancer: don’t just accept the first opinion you receive. “Getting a second opinion from experts who treat the type of cancer you’ve been diagnosed with will allow you to explore all your treatment options,” adds Randy. “Take the time to do your homework about all available treatment options and be willing to consider receiving care from a center of excellence that’s not local but that does have expertise and cutting-edge technology to treat your cancer.”
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