Evans Brothers - “Grateful for The Care”

Carnell & Oscar Evans, Oxford, NC

The Evans brothers, Carnell, 58, and Oscar, 66, live in Oxford, NC. Both were diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2001 after routine tests showed high levels of PSA (prostate specific antigen) in their blood. So their doctors referred them to cancer specialists at UNC.

“They explained the various treatment options to me, and I chose to have the operation,” Carnell says. “I could have had them try to take just the spot of cancer on the prostate, but I decided to go ahead and have the whole prostate removed so I wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Carnell’s doctor performed laparoscopic surgery, with a smaller incision and shorter recovery time than with traditional surgery. It wasn’t long before he was back in action, working as a special education teacher at J.F. Webb High School.

At the same time, Oscar Evans’ team of UNC doctors decided that his prostate cancer required both radiation treatment and surgery. “They told me what they thought should be done, but gave me the options,” he says. “I figured they knew best.”

Oscar recovered quickly, and today he is feeling fine. Although he is retired, he stays busy working around the house and in the yard. He also looks after his grandchildren during the day. “They run me to death,” he says with a chuckle.

Both Evans brothers are grateful for the care they received at UNC and for the compassion shown by all of the doctors and nurses. “They were very kind, gentle, and thorough, and always told me everything that was going on,” Carnell says. “I enjoyed my stay at UNC as much as you can enjoy any hospital stay. And I consider myself very fortunate.”