Treated 2011 · Posted 2012 · Updated 2016

"Two thirds of the way through my nine week [proton] treatment, I had so much confidence in the future that I booked myself on a 14-day tour of Argentina and the Antarctic."

In April 2010, at the age of 71, I was told I had prostate cancer. My knee jerk reaction was to tell the urologist I wanted surgery to get rid of it. But I immediately began researching prostate cancer on the Internet. It didn't take long to learn that following prostate surgery, there is a very good chance the patient will suffer some level of incontinence and some level of impotence. By some level I mean, those conditions might be temporary or they might be permanent

A ray of hope appeared in the form of a book by Robert Marckini titled You Can Beat Prostate Cancer and You Don't Need Surgery to Do It. Let me tell you something; when a man learns of the potential for those bad side effects from surgery and then reads a title like that, it will get his attention. That was my introduction to proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT). The book was also the reason I changed my mind from surgery to PBRT.

My treatment began in December of 2010 at Loma Linda University Medical Center when my PSA was 7.0. and my Gleason score was 3+3. My final radiation treatment was February 9, 2011. I was told that if the treatment was a success, I could expect my PSA to be cut in half by my first follow up exam four months later. It should be about 3.5 by then. It was better than that; my PSA was 1.4. In September of 2012, a follow-up exam indicated my PSA was 0.49.

At no time during or since my treatment did I have any discomfort or bad side effects. In fact, two thirds of the way through my nine week treatment, I had so much confidence in the future that I booked myself on a 14-day tour of Argentina and the Antarctic. That confidence was not misplaced. I still feel wonderful today. The Antarctic trip was terrific. I now have the bragging rights of having set foot on all seven continents on earth.

Today at 73 I continue to enjoy travel. I recently returned from a trip to Singapore with a side trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia where I help support an elementary school. As I write this I am looking forward to a tour of Myanmar (formerly Burma) in three months. Two months later I will take a boat cruise on the Danube River from Budapest, Hungary to the Black Sea; passing through Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Romania. It is my intention that the river cruise will not be the end of my travels.

Life is good; in part because of my experience in overcoming prostate cancer. Yes, I consider myself a prostate cancer survivor. I would be glad to share my PBRT experience with anyone at any time: skyforb@comcast.net.

Update: June 2016

I am 77 years old. My latest PSA is 0.7. Life is still good.

I’m always anxious to talk to people who are considering proton treatment. After all, it was Bob Marckini's experience and his book that made the decision to have proton treatment easy for me. I will forever be grateful. 

Below is a photo of Bill during one of his many trips. This photo was taken at Neko Harbor on the Antarctic Peninsula on Andvord Bay.

Bill Forbes

"I have not spent one dollar on medicines or follow-up procedures in my 20 years post-proton treatment."
- Wayne Swartz, BOB Member
"You owe it to yourself and to those who love you to safeguard your quality of life. Surgery will not do that ... proton therapy can."
- Jeannie Chase, Spouse
- Warren Johns, BOB member
"15 years have passed since exposure to the penetrating power of the proton and the superb medical skills of the 'beam team.'”
"The procedure was a breeze. It has been 10 years and I feel GREAT.”
- Tom Wright, BOB member
"As long as I live, I will do everything I can to spread the word about proton treatment.”
- Jim Tuggey, BOB member
"I am celebrating 8 years post-treatment with no recurrence, no side effects, and not one more penny for medications."
Robert T. Gore, M.D. F.A.C.O.G.

 


The Purcell's fairy tale life came to a halt when the doctor diagnosed Pat with prostate cancer. 

Little did they know that 25 years earlier, a doctor 1,200 miles away risked his entire career to pioneer proton treatment with virtually no side effects. “Against All Odds” follows a couple’s desire to fight cancer and unveils the historical account of a doctor’s passion to discover a better treatment option.

Watch the video.


Questions? Ask us anything.

Proton Therapy Advantages:

· Less damage to healthy tissue
· Non-invasive, painless

· Outpatient setting
· No recovery time
· Lower chance of recurrence
· Few, if any, side effects

Want to talk to former proton patients? Just ask.


You Can Beat Prostate Cancer — NEW Edition Available

Written by former proton therapy patient and BOB founder, Robert Marckini

Buy it on Amazon.