Michael D. Says Ringing the Chime He Could Feel A Weight Lifted “Knowing Things Are Moving in the Right Direction”

Speaker Rich Jones:
Good news is celebrated every Friday as we close out Jacksonville's morning news.

Speaker Michael Darby:
Not to have to worry about a silly little thing like cancer.

Speaker Rich Jones:
Michael Darby's journey began in March 2023. He was convinced to see a urologist after experiencing symptoms. He was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

Speaker Michael Darby:
It was a Gleason score 9, if that means anything to you folks out there.

Speaker Rich Jones:
He decided to do a prostatectomy at UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Fast forward 18 months, Michael started experiencing more issues. His levels were increasing. He started researching radiation treatment, eventually landing on the UF Health Proton Therapy Institute in his hometown of Jacksonville.

Speaker Michael Darby:
Dr. Bill Mendenhall was just absolutely fantastic. He's probably the coolest cat on the planet. Just absolutely one. He says, we can fix this. We can absolutely. And to hear somebody after you've experienced already having the cancer and thinking you whooped it once. And to have him come back and tell you, we're going to get this the second time.

Speaker Rich Jones:
After 42 treatments in mid-January, Michael was able to ring Aud’s chime. [Chime ringing]

Speaker Michael Darby:
Like two tons are taken off of your chest and your shoulders and all of that. It was a heck of a relief knowing that things are moving in the right direction.

Speaker Rich Jones:
He'll need to be tested about every three months for the remainder of his life, but Michael says that's a minor inconvenience. And he's now become an ambassador.

Speaker Michael Darby:
I'm on the list when somebody new reaches out and anybody that needs to talk. A lot of the men that have prostate cancer.

Speaker Rich Jones:
And he feels very, very good about the decision he made to choose UF Health Proton Therapy Institute, calling it a new lease on life. Rich Jones, 104.5 WOKV.