As Texas Center for Proton Therapy celebrates 10 years of serving patients across Texas and beyond, its 6,000th patient reflects on a treatment journey defined by determination, movement, and the people who supported her along the way.
IRVING, Texas— Movement has always shaped Antuanette Parram’s life. A group fitness instructor and member of her church’s wellness team, she has built much of her life around fitness, family, and encouraging others to care for their well-being.
When Antuanette was suddenly diagnosed with a meningioma, she knew cancer treatment would eventually become part of her life. But she wasn’t willing to let it slow her down. Her journey brought her to Texas Center for Proton Therapy in Irving, Texas, where she met Steven Montalvo, M.D., and the care team who would walk alongside her throughout her 42 days of treatment. Her arrival marked a very meaningful moment in the center’s 10-year history: Antuanette was its 6,000th patient, adding her story to the thousands of patients who came before her.
Antuanette’s own story quickly became one marked with strength and perseverance.
After her first treatment, fatigue became her greatest challenge. She remembers feeling so tired after each session that she wanted to fall asleep on the ride home. But as someone whose life has long revolved around fitness and movement, Antuanette decided she would continue being active in whatever way her body allowed.
She set herself a goal: to push past the fatigue and walk every day throughout her treatment.
Some days, she walked farther. Other days, she slowed down and gave herself the rest she needed. She walked through heat and rain, adjusting when necessary but continuing to put one foot in front of the other.
Soon, what began as a personal goal grew into something larger. Members of her community began joining her walking challenge, both by her side and from a distance. The miles became an opportunity to connect with those around her, each person cheering her on as she worked her way towards the finish line.
Outside of her walking challenge, Antuanette found that friends, family, and people from different chapters of her life were also stepping forward. Some offered their time and help. Others reached out simply to remind her they were keeping her in their prayers.
“My village kicked in,” Antuanette says.
After years of being the person others could rely on, she found an overwhelming amount of support when she needed it the most.
Antuanette also felt that same spirit of support at Texas Center for Proton Therapy, where the people caring for her became an important part of her journey.
“There were times in the beginning when I questioned if I could do it, but after feeling the support of Dr. Montalvo and my care team, who took the time to answer my questions and acknowledge my fears, I found myself knowing I could do it after all,” Antuanette recalls.
That reassurance helped Antuanette navigate an unfamiliar experience with greater confidence—and continue moving forward.
By the end of her 42-day treatment, Antuanette had walked approximately 182 miles—and never a step alone.
Today, she is already looking ahead to what comes next. Antuanette plans to pursue her Pilates certification, building on her fitness background and her desire to help others stay active. She hopes to eventually use what she learns to help older adults find ways to keep moving as their bodies change. She especially hopes to share that next chapter with her mother.
“I remember a time when my mother was always moving and dancing, but as she ages, it’s getting harder for her to do so. I wanted to find something that could help her continue dancing so we could keep moving together,” Antuanette says.
Antuanette’s story is one of thousands that have shaped the first decade of Texas Center for Proton Therapy. Six thousand patients represent 6,000 individual journeys—and 6,000 opportunities to help patients through their own treatment journey.
As Texas Center for Proton Therapy marks 10 years of care, Antuanette’s journey reflects what those milestones truly represent: a team dedicated care, a community that shows up and the strength to keep moving forward—one step at a time.
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About Texas Center for Proton Therapy
Celebrating 10 years of service, Texas Center for Proton Therapy opened it’s doors in November 2015 as the first proton therapy center in North Texas. Located in Irving, Texas, the center provides proton therapy for a range of cancers and serves patients throughout Texas and beyond. Texas Center for Proton Therapy is a collaboration of Texas Oncology,
The US Oncology Network, McKesson Specialty Health and Baylor Scott & White Health. For more information, visit www.TexasCenterForProtonTherapy.com or call 469-513-5500.
