One of the 100
The Emory Proton Therapy Center treats its 100th patient.
Stephen Brinkman rang the bell signaling the end of proton therapy.
Photo by Ann Watson
Brinkman with his wife Emily, daughters Emma Kate and Zoe, parents Kathy and Mark Brinkman, oncologist Jim Zhong, and radiation therapists Anh Duong and Julia Novotny.
Photo by Ann WatsonThis summer, Winship Cancer Institute celebrated the milestone of having treated more than 100 patients at the Emory Proton Therapy Center since opening in December 2018.
Stephen Brinkman was one of those 100 patients and a good example of why proton therapy is such a valuable tool in treating patients with certain kinds of cancer. Brinkman, a 36-year-old Methodist pastor from Columbus, Georgia, was diagnosed with a low-grade glioma, a type of brain tumor. It was surgically removed in 2010 but when it recurred this year, Brinkman's surgeon referred him to Winship radiation oncologist Jim Zhong.
Proton therapy delivers a high dose of radiation to a tumor with less radiation exposure to healthy tissues. After his first visit with Zhong, Brinkman says he "left with hope that something could be done."
"Mr. Brinkman's tumor is located in a section of the brain next to some very important areas—the temporal lobe, the hippocampus, and the pituitary gland. Those areas are used for memory creation, for speech, and for making hormones," says Zhong. "With X-ray radiation, those areas would get a significant dose of radiation, but using proton we're able to shape the beam to avoid treating those areas and avoid the side effects."
Brinkman traveled back and forth for six weeks to the proton center in midtown Atlanta from his home in Columbus, where he and his wife are raising four children. Although it was a lot of round trip driving, he was determined to get home and be with his family every day.
Brinkman is no stranger to the Atlanta area, having attended Emory's Candler School of Theology for his master's of divinity and the Columbia Seminary in Decatur for his doctorate.
During daily treatments, Brinkman says he didn't feel anything physically, but he spent his time in prayer. "God, here I am. You've done incredible things through medical technology and doctors and research. I'm grateful for the opportunity to have it and then just trusting...whatever it can't do, you do."
Brinkman finished proton therapy on July 15 and is continuing with chemotherapy. He’s feeling well, loving life, and keeping long-term goals in mind. "I look forward to raising our children, being a pastor, maybe one day doing weddings for my kids, all those things I hold tight to."
