Ruth L. Shares How Proton Therapy “Basically Saved My Life”
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“When you first get diagnosed, of course you think the grimmest and I had myself six feet under. But everyone really helped me through the whole process not only my family and friends but the doctors and the therapists there they really care about their patients and it really made me feel so good being there.”
Speaker Rich Jones
We leave you with good news on this Friday. Ruth Levins was first introduced to the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute when she was diagnosed in November 2024. She had a 5 centimeter tumor in her brain, roughly the size of a lime. It had probably been there for decades.
Speaker Ruth Levins
Because of what this tumor is wrapped around and what it involved, it was not a safe option for me to do surgery. So he recommended just sticking with the proton therapy.
Speaker Rich Jones
She knew proton therapy was a more precise treatment and learned a whole lot more upon first visiting.
Speaker Ruth Levins
If anyone has to go through anything like that, that's the place to go. The doctors have been amazing. The nurses were amazing.
Speaker Rich Jones
She did 5 1/2 weeks, Monday through Friday of treatment. She had to wear a mask each time, keeping her head so isolated and still for the tumor and the treatment. After she was done, Ruth wanted to turn a negative into a positive.
Speaker Ruth Levins
Think about a full-blown hockey mask, and I convert it into what I like to call my disco mummy or a disco ball head. I have to thank my brother, believe it or not, because he's the one that helped me come up with the idea. And then my boyfriend also assisted me in making sure everything was glued on properly. So it was a combo job.
Speaker Rich Jones
She says the symbol of the success of her journey is now on display proudly in her home. And when she completed treatment, Ruth rang Aud’s Chime.
Speaker Ruth Levins
[chimes ringing] When it was my turn, I went to go ring it and I didn't realize how heavy it was to ring. I actually had to do it like a second time because it was so strong, but the feeling and the emotions you get, and I had my therapist team there and everybody else that's waiting for their appointment with that, everybody starts clapping, and it's just an amazing feeling.
Speaker Rich Jones
The tumor will always be there and Ruth will be monitored for the rest of her life, but she says her outlook today is extraordinarily positive.
Speaker Ruth Levins
It basically saved my life, the way I look at it. You know, when you first get diagnosed, of course, you think the grimmest. And I had myself 6 feet under. But everyone really helped me through the whole process, not only my family and friends, but the doctors and the therapists there. They really care about their patients, and it really made me feel so good being there.
