When seconds matter - A radiation oncology patient story
Suddenly faced with a cancer diagnosis, Orlando native Denise Dagot turned to Sarah Cannon Radiation Oncology at UCF Lake Nona Hospital to get the help she needed.
Some journeys take years, while others seem to happen in the blink of an eye. Denise Dagot’s recent cancer battle was the later, beginning and ending over the course of just a few months, and culminating in five rounds of radiation brachytherapy treatment at Sarah Cannon Radiation Oncology at UCF Lake Nona Hospital.
Her first mild symptom presented in April, prompting Denise to get into her OB/Gyn to find out what was going on. Tests showed adenocarcinoma of the endometrium, or uterine cancer. Surgery was scheduled for May and she would need follow-up radiation brachytherapy.
Denise’s situation was time sensitive, and it was critically important she receive radiation treatment quickly.
“I was recommended to go to Dr. Raj Rajpara, in Lake Nona, and everyone told me how much I would like him, and how wonderful he and his staff are. Once I met him I realized that’s an understatement,” she said.
“Everyone there and in his office was just so incredible. They got me in immediately. I mean immediately. I’m on the phone one minute with the scheduler and next I’m like ‘I’m in the car, I’m on my way!’”
“I walked in and saw it, and said, ‘yes, this is where I’m supposed to be!’ The facility is beautiful, the staff is amazing and the technology beyond anything remotely close to it in Central Florida.”
Dr. Rajpara told Denise everything that was going to happen and explained the process of brachytherapy. The team quickly became familiar to Denise and they worked together to progress her treatments.
“I walk through the door and they call me by my first name. I felt so comfortable and like I was in the best hands, and they all felt like family to me.”
After wrapping up treatment Denise got to ring the bell and has a follow-up appointment in six months with Dr. Rajpara.
“I cannot say enough good about the entire experience: The equipment, the rooms, the professionalism, the genuine care, I received at (Sarah Cannon Radiation Oncology at UCF Lake Nona Hospital) was extraordinary.”
“I feel great; I don’t feel like I’ve gone through anything to be honest.”