Dr. Joseph Robert Hartman, MD

I am a cancer survivor and consider Dr. Hartman as one of those wonderful people who saved my life. It has been several years since I became cancer-free as a result of his treatment. I do not remember whether I thanked him. Dr. Hartman´s professionalism, confidence and gentle ways were extremely comforting to me at the time.

During 1.3 years of treatment for stage 4 brain cancer, my time with Dr. Hartman was probably the low point. He strongly recommended 1 month of whole brain radiation. We had heard by chance from a friend about gamma knife as an effective alternative with much less side effects. Dr. Hartman gave an elaborate explanation of why I was not a candidate. He then told me with my dad and my wife in the reom, "You know, this cancer WILL kill you." How do you answer that? He was the only doctor to say that. We did get a second opinion and they told me I was an "excellent" candidate for gamma knife. I'm still alive 5 years later with NO evidence of disease. Get a second and third opinion. Don't let the specter of cancer make you rush into a potentially crippling or killing treatment. Check proton therapy as well (Loma Linda, et al). You may save money AND your life. Oh, one more thing, trust God with the results. He is able and He is good.