Cynthia Smith, brain tumor (meningioma) survivor

Cynthia Smith gets ready for her treatment with the IU Health Proton Therapy Center team in the fixed-beam line room – the centers first treatment room. Cynthia was the 188th cancer patient to be treated in this room.

"I think proton therapy will become the treatment of the century." -- Cynthia Smith

Meningioma of the left orbit, diagnosed in 2001 at the age of 44

Cynthia turned to proton treatment "out of sheer desperation," when her non-cancerous brain tumor grew back after surgery. When she initially contacted MPRI, her first question was, "Is my tumor even treatable?" Because she had received "Nos" and "Maybes" from other facilities, she was surprised to hear the voice on the line say, "Definitely!"

Proton therapy was easier on her physically and emotionally than her past brain surgery, which took a year to recover from. "With proton therapy, there was no pain, no shots, no IV tubes," she says. "For me, it was a pretty easy choice."

Cynthia lived with a meningioma (a non–cancerous brain tumor) for several years. In 2001, she had it surgically removed; and then, in 2003, the tumor recurred. To add to her challenges, Cynthia lives in a rural area of Missouri, and there were no physicians in her area who could treat her condition. Cynthia contacted many out-of-state facilities, including the Mayo Clinic, but she did not get the answers she hoped for.

Cynthia's tumor, though non-cancerous, was very close to the carotid artery. Removing it completely could have caused a massive stroke. Surgeries could have safely removed part of it, but it would probably have grown back. Cynthia considered treatment by Gamma Knife®, but was advised that it could penetrate the optic nerve and cause blindness.

Finally, Cynthia sent her MRIs to a consortium of physicians in California. There, a technician suggested that she consider proton therapy. After researching it on the Web, Cynthia called MPRI because it was the closest proton facility to her home. She was stunned to hear that proton therapy was a strong possibility. However, Cynthia put off making an appointment because the people she knew in the medical community were unfamiliar with proton treatment. "No one recommends it to you, so you think it is experimental," she says.

A few months later, Cynthia finally took the plunge. She came to Bloomington with her husband, Bob, to talk to meet with the MPRI medical team. The couple became convinced that proton therapy was the way to go. “Dr. Thornton explained the pros and cons of treatment in simple terms that we could understand,” says Cynthia. ”I left the appointment with the assurance that proton therapy was the option for me."

When she began treatment, Cynthia was a bit nervous. "The first treatment I had, my knees were weak," she recalls. But after almost eight weeks of daily treatments, the 20 to 30 minute treatments became very routine. Cynthia adds, "I did not feel anything; there was no pain; and the MPRI staff were wonderful."

As for side effects, Cynthia had some fatigue, a slight burning sensation on her face, and minor hair loss. But she feels these side effects were minor in comparison with the long recovery time after her brain surgery.

After treatment, Cynthia and Bob enjoyed exploring Bloomington, although at first it seemed like a big city compared to their quiet farm in Missouri. HoosiersCare helped them find a place to stay. MPRI staff members provided maps and pamphlets; neighbors asked them to dinner; and they discovered fishing at Griffy Lake. They also enjoyed the IU Art Museum, free YMCA membership (a perk for MPRI patients and their caregivers), and walks around town. "It was great therapy to explore Bloomington," she says.

Most of all, Cynthia appreciates the relationships she built with staff members and patients. "Through 30 treatments, the MPRI staff and people that you meet become like a family," she says.

After completing her eight-week course of treatment in 2006, Cynthia remains cancer free. "If I sat down to write a thank you note to all the people I'm grateful to, it would take forever," she says. “Our hearts will never be far from our Bloomington relationships.”

“Bob and I feel like we have closed a chapter in our lives, thanks to MPRI and this lifesaving treatment,” says, Cynthia. “We are so thankful to be able to say that MPRI helped us through our journey, and we know there are many more who could say the same. We are proud to be a part of such hope and pray that each life they touch will be as blessed as ours have been.”