Treated 2013 · Posted 2016
My proton therapy experience at LLUCC can be described as follows: thorough, comfortable, special comraderie among patients and staff, spiritual, educational, and even fun (due to the gatherings and meetings for patients and their families).
I was diagnosed 11/7/12 with TC1, Gleason 6 prostate cancer. I was shocked at the diagnosis, even though my PSA had risen to 7.9 (over 5 years). I had always been pretty healthy. I blamed my PSA rise on my enlarged prostate (and hoping it was).
My urologist lightly brushed upon a general radiation option among others, but talked more about operating to remove my prostate. Wanting more options, I called a friend who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer five years before. He said he was pleased with the treatment and results he received at Loma Linda University Cancer Center in California. He had a non-invasive treatment called proton therapy. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of the Balloon!
My wife and I discussed this option, along with many other options. We had gathered a lot of information and decided to contact and request information from LLUCC. We read about proton therapy, watched a video that they sent to us, and also read Bob Marckini's book, "You Can Beat Prostate Cancer: And You Don't Need Surgery To Do It." The book gave us a step by step understanding of Bob's personal experience as a patient, and how proton treatment works.
After a visit to LLUCC, I knew this was the treatment for me.
My experience at LLUCC can be described as follows: thorough, comfortable, special comraderie among patients and staff, spiritual, educational, and even fun (due to the gatherings and meetings for patients and their families).
I had some minor side effects: urinary frequency, reduced urine flow and some fatigue with my last few treatments (45 in total). But, I was able to work full time during my treatment as a musical entertainer. I even performed for my fellow patients! I also exercised, which was recommended to me by my doctor. Six months following treatment, I had some minor rectal bleeding, but it cleared up with a high fiber diet.
Today, I'm happy to report, after a PSA or over 8 at my first treatment on 1/14/13, my numbers went from 4 to 3 to 2 to 1, and as of January, 2016, my PSA was 0.7.
I am semi-retired; I feel GREAT; and my wife and I are enjoying longer vacations, getting more golf in, and fun times with family.
I'd like to give a very special THANK YOU to the LLUCC staff, the Brotherhood of the Balloon, Clyde Marsh (former LLUCC proton patient) and his blog, and my supportive wife of 37 years.
I don't hesitate to recommend proton therapy and LLUCC to newly men diagnosed with prostate cancer as well as others who may benefit from proton treatment who have other types of cancer. Thank you to the dedication of Dr. James Slater and Dr. Jerry Slater!
Life is GREAT!
Dan Damon
P.S. The more we support LLUCC and their proton treatment program, the greater the future will be for others!
