merwether, I did my proton radiation treatments at University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute (UFPTI). I finished 30 rounds of radiation on July 5th. If you plan on doing it there and want some feedback I can help with information.

I had my MRI with a contrast and probe at Mayo Jacksonville. It showed suspicious areas. I then had MRI/Fusion biopsies which confirmed prostrate cancer. I was listed as intermediate risk as highest biopsy was 3+4. But I had a test called Decipher (much more precise) and came back low risk. Those were done a Jacksonville Mayo along with a bone scan which was negative.

Jacksonville Mayo does not have proton radiations but have an excellent photon radiation treatment. Proton radiation cited less radiation damage to surrounding tissues and organs so I went with UFPTI.

UFPTI is excellent. It is a massive institution with 5 gantry treatment rooms. Each patient is assigned a team (permanent) and treatment gantry based on what you radiologist/oncologist and the Physics team comes up with. My radiologist/oncologist there ordered a PET scan also and it was negative for any cancer outside of prostrate.

I can tell you UFPTI has a massive reception room with coffee and water bar. Very comfortable to wait. When your reservation time comes you are brought back to private changing rooms and bathroom. You do not go back for treatments until your scheduled time (and they will work with you on that) so it is very private. There are 5 different gantry treatment rooms identified by colors and numbers. You will have same color/gantry and techs each time. It got so that after I finished treatment (only bout 10 minutes) would say when they handed me my check in card (you check in using a electronic recording that lets your team know when you are there) I finished each day with, "Same Bat Time, Same Bat Place, Same Bat Gantry." Let me know if you want any additional information. They do have an excellent handout with books and guidance.

I think the hormone treatment is standard option now if risk in intermediate or above. With low risk, and confined to prostrate, I did not have to have it. But even when my first risk was intermediate UFPTI did not recommend hormone treatments as I have heart failure. I also have a ICD/Pacemaker and being able to have the pencil beam proton radiation allowed little risk of radiation interference to ICD/Pacemaker.