A Letter of Thanks-A Proton Patient Takes The Time to Thank Loma Linda
Friday, June 01, 2001
How can I communicate even a portion of what I received?" his letter reads. "It will be difficult, but I will try."
The letter is addressed to B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS, president and CEO of Loma Linda University Medical Center. The hospital's Proton Treatment Center provides proton therapy for about 140 patients a day. It isn't every day that a patient takes the time to thank the Center's dedicated staff in such a profound way.
Gerald "Jerry" Klein, PhD, completed two months of proton treatment for prostate cancer on December 29, 2000.
"I want to thank you and your staff for making proton therapy available," he writes. "What a wonderful gift!"
Dr. Klein continues, "But even more wonderful is the marvelous and skilled staff you have put together."
A resident of Issaquah, Washington, Dr. Klein received a preview of what his experience at Loma Linda might entail from a fellow scientist who completed proton therapy for prostate cancer in January, 2000.
"But the reality of the experience greatly exceeded his ability to communicate the dimensions of the ‘Loma Linda' experience," Dr. Klein describes. "I came away knowing that I had received the best available treatment for prostate cancer (by far!), but I got so much more."
Born in Seattle in 1939, Dr. Klein attended Seattle Pacific University, from which he graduated with a bachelor of science degree in 1960. He completed his PhD in physical organic chemistry from Yale University in 1964. Following that, he spent a year as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
Dr. Klein's career has followed an interesting path. From 1965 to 1969, he served as a professor of chemistry at the University of Wyoming.
"I taught undergraduate and graduate courses in chemistry and directed the research of graduate students in the areas of chemical dynamics and mass spectrometry," he explains. "My research was funded by the Research Corporation and the National Science Foundation."
He spent the following year as a visiting professor at Columbia University. "I carried out research in artificial enzymes and biometrics supported by the National Institutes of Health," he recalls.
From 1970 to 1992, he was a research scientist for Eastman Kodak Laboratories, Rochester, New York.
"My work at Eastman Kodak spanned the following--design of synthetic polymeric vehicles for photographic films and automated biological testing; design of polymeric mordants for image transfer systems; design and construction of novel photographic systems--Ektaflex, for example; materials design for electronic circuit design and production; materials design for electronic packaging; advanced photographic system design; and digital photographic system design," he shares.
From 1992 to 1994, Dr. Klein was co-owner of a company called Argentum Photo & Digital Imaging, headquartered in Seattle, where he designed and managed the digital production operations, producing advertising and artistic displays for Microsoft, Nordstrom, Costco, Eddie Bauer, and many other local and national companies and individuals.
Following that, he served as publishing industry liason for DeskStation Technology (1994 to 1995) and Digital Equipment Corporation (1995 to 1996).
"At DeskStation and DEC," he relates, "I performed liaison work between the publishing industry, Microsoft, and a wide variety of software companies, promoting the migration and design of production and networking software for the Windows NT operating system."
From 1995 to 1998, he was president and CEO of Cybertouch Foundation, an organization which provided funding, design, and computer support for nonprofit organizations in the United States and abroad.
From 1998 to the present, he has served as vice president and director of research for Pitching Technology Foundation/World Baseball Foundation. The first organization focuses on the dynamics and mechanics of pitching baseball, while the latter brings baseball to disadvantaged areas in the United States and abroad.
Dr. Klein has had a lifelong interest in photography and, since 1993, has also been involved with graphic design. He maintains his own website, <www.tigerimaging.com>, where, among other photographs, he has published photos of his experience at Loma Linda.
"My interest in photography goes back to my youth," he details, "when I was given a camera by my older brother."
By the age of 10, he had constructed his own darkroom in the family home. He took his first photography course in high school and his passion for it "has only increased over the years."
Other interests and hobbies include mountain climbing, backpacking, travel, skiing, and gardening.
"I'm a past member of the American Rhododendron Society and the American Holly Society," he comments.
Dr. Klein remains active in a support group for those individuals who have received proton therapy at Loma Linda for prostate cancer. The group, Brotherhood of the Balloon--or BOB--meets regularly and keeps in contact via the Internet.
His letter to Dr. Behrens reads on, "First, there was the experience of dealing with my insurance company. Your staff provided everything [the company] asked for and their persistent help got the necessary approval."
Dr. Klein flew down to Loma Linda to meet with radiation oncologist Rodney Jabola, MD, and radiation therapist Nancy Cooper. "He and Nancy are wonderful," he notes. "Dr. Jabola explained everything in just the right detail and gave me all the time I needed to ask questions."
While at Loma Linda, Dr. Klein also met with social worker Gerry Troy, MSW. "He provided a thorough rundown on what to expect and how to live during my two-month stay," Dr. Klein remembers. "Gerry followed that up with a wonderful tour of the Proton Treatment Center."
Returning home, Dr. Klein reported to his wife, Cindy, a real estate agent in the Seattle area, that his day "had been a delight."
He grants, "When I moved to Loma Linda and treatments began, I quickly learned that things would only get better."
Dr. Klein received his treatment in gantry 3 (known as G-3), operated by Edward Schultz, RTT supervisor, and his team, which included radiation therapist Mark Peabody, radiation tech assistant Nicolas Wilder, and radiation therapist Tim Holmes.
"I cannot give the G-3 team anything but the highest praise," the letter indicates.
While in Loma Linda, Dr. Klein became involved with the Brotherhood of the Balloon support group. "The support group meetings and the dinner group were so very valuable," he assures. "What a wonderful time of sharing...and so much more. And I can keep up with the latest news when I receive the summary distributed via e-mail to BOB members."
Dr. Klein was fortunate to be in Loma Linda for the 10th anniversary celebration of the Proton Treatment Center, held on Sunday, November 12, 2000. The event was attended by more than 500 people, many of whom are among the more than 6,000 people who have received treatment at the Center since October, 1990.
"The 10th anniversary celebration was an unexpected, but very special event that I thoroughly enjoyed," Dr. Klein reveals.
"I hope I can join you for your 15th, 20th, and 25th anniversary celebrations."
When one learns he or she has cancer, family support plays a vital role in dealing with the emotional turmoil that often follows. In Dr. Klein's case, his family has also been able to share in the joy of finding a treatment such as proton therapy that offers such hope and promise.
In 1958, Dr. Klein married his childhood sweetheart, Ann Wennergren. By 1966, their family included three sons--Peter, Eric, and Hans. In 1987, Ann died of cancer just before completing her thesis for a doctor of divinity degree from Seattle Pacific University.
In 1988, Dr. Klein married Cindy Pernsteiner, who earned her bachelor's degree in interior design, has taught skiing, done acrobatic skiing, and is currently a real estate agent in the Seattle area.
His oldest son, Peter, is now married and lives in Issaquah, Washington.
Eric, his middle son, lives in Rochester, New York. Hans, his youngest son, is currently at the State University of New York, Brockport, where he is studying computer science.
During his two-month stay in Loma Linda, Dr. Klein continued to pursue some of his interests and hobbies, including mountain climbing.
While hiking in the San Bernardino Mountain range, he met someone from Loma Linda.
"I met Lynn Martell on Vivian Creek Trail in the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area on November 10," he remembers. "I was headed up, he was headed down, and it was cold with light snow falling."
J. Lynn Martell, DMin, vice president for advancement at the Medical Center, struck up a conversation with Dr. Klein.
"Imagine our surprise when I told him I was a patient at Loma Linda and he told me he was on the staff," exclaims Dr. Klein. "We hiked together after that and reached the summit of San Gorgonio on December 16."
A warm friendship developed between the two men.
"Lynn encouraged me to get lots of exercise during my treatment," he recounts, "and I did--a factor that undoubtedly played a role in the virtual disappearance of symptoms after the first two weeks of treatment."
Dr. Martell's advice, he feels, played an important role in his recovery.
"But even more remarkable and special," Dr. Klein suggests, "was that he invited me and other proton patients to Christmas dinner at his and Karen's home."
Being away from home during the holidays can be particularly difficult.
"At the BOB support group on December 27," he reminisces, "one of the wives broke into tears as she described what it meant to them to be invited into the Martell home on such a special holiday when they were so far from home."
He marvels, "How such a busy, talented man has time to do so many things well can only be known to him and God!"
Dr. Klein's kind words of praise extend to everyone he met while receiving proton therapy. "My experience at Loma Linda was wonderful from start to finish," he attests, "and I compliment you and your staff for providing such wonderful services and hiring such special staff members. Your faith and trust in Jesus Christ are central to your success, of course."
He concludes, "My wife and I have counseled friends, relatives, and neighbors about the wonderful services Loma Linda provides and we will continue to do this. Loma Linda is in our daily prayers and we continue to thank God for the opportunity I had to receive such special care. Sincerely, Jerry Klein."
Proton therapy milestones
- 1988 In April, ground is broken for the Proton Treatment Center
- 1988 Congress appropriates close to $20 million for the Center
- 1989 Loma Linda University Medical Center synchotron is commissioned at Fermilab
- 1990 The first patient is treated
- 1990 A second beam line is commissioned for treating patients with brain tumors and cancers of the head and neck
- 1991 First of three gantries begins clinical operation
- 1994 Second and third gantries begin clinical operation
- 1996 The 2,000th patient is treated with protons at Loma Linda University Medical Center
- 1998 The department of radiation medicine reports treating 100 proton therapy patients in a
single day - 1998 The 4,000th patient is treated by year's end
- 1999 New clinical trials target lung cancer patients and age-related macular degeneration
- 2000 The 5,000th patient is treated
- 2000 The 10th anniversary of the Proton Treatment Center takes place on November 12
- 2001 Approximately 140 patients are treated each day
