Patient Experiences

Jennifer and Dr. Rajni Sinha

Jennifer met Dr. Sinha after her cancer was caught in her first mammogram after turning 40. It was stage 0 DCIS (noninvasive and had not yet spread) and was the size of a grain of sand. Being so deep in the tissue, and so small, it might not have been discovered at its early stage if screening had waited a few more years. Delaying screening might have resulted in the discovery of a more advanced stage, requiring more aggressive treatment.

Mammograms are the most effective way to detect breast cancer early, when it easiest to treat. Breast cancer is very treatable and can have high survival rates. Jennifer is a true testament to getting those routine scans when your doctor advises you to do so.

"The care that Dr Sinha and team have provided me has made all the difference and I couldn't be more grateful."

Save your life. Get that Mammogram!

William and Dr. Vasily Assikis

Dr. Assikis and Mr. Stancil met over 10 years ago when he was referred to PCI to talk about what to do next for lung cancer that spread to his brain. He had just completed focal radiation therapy to a small brain lesion.

"We talked about how bad prognosis was for a man with Stage IV lung cancer: back then average survival was one year, and he had cancer in the brain which is worse than usual and was an active smoker with COPD which also made things worse" says Assikis.

None of that fazed him. Whatever he was asked to do (tests, treatments) he did, always with a smile and a positive attitude. Everybody in the office knows him and loves him. As the years have gone by, he had his troubles but never gave up. He recently celebrated 10 years! living with Stage IV lung cancer ...and life goes on...

Peggy and Dr. Ha Tran

Peggy fights her breast cancer with a positive outlook. We can't control our circumstances, but we can control our responses to those circumstances. Keep a positive attitude. She recommends getting creative and include your support "people".

• Create a calendar and hang it on your wall. I named mine Kick, Cancer's, A _ _. (K C A)
• Start a prayer Journal: Each chemo treatment I chose a theme from the Bible or a song and entered it into my prayer journal. (Examples: Daniel 3:25, Nothing but the Blood, Victory in Jesus, each week I wrote about one of the twelve disciples)
• If you are told the chemo will cause you to lose your hair, be proactive. Have a hair cutting pizza party.
• Invite family or close friends to come. Choose one of them to have the honor of cutting your hair.

Christina and Dr. Jay Rhee

It's been over six years since Christina went for her regular checkup and a lump was found. A deep tissue lump about 3.5 cm in size. It was Breast Cancer - ER+ Her2 negative. What followed was a lumpectomy and six weeks of radiation. Additional problems began appearing, severe spinal pain, diverticulitis and more which required bone scans, CT scans and MRIs. Testing resulted in the discovery of additional cancers. Stage IV Cancer is an advanced cancer that requires and aggressive treatment, so began her journey.

Christina has been a patient of Dr. Rhee since 2018. She admires his ability to pivot with solutions as they partner together on treatment options. He communicates with other doctors and answers the many questions she has. One of the most challenging aspects with this diagnosis is navigating through all of the doctors and the testing! Christina is still fighting and doing well.

"It really does take a village" Christina says. Her advice to others is to make your caregivers part of your "village". Ask questions, a lot of questions. Speak up when you need something or don't understand something. And, most importantly, go live your life!