Treated 2006 · Posted 2014

"I had a few minor side effects for about two weeks after treatment, and since then, I have to really pause to remember that I ever had cancer."

I was treated for my prostate cancer with proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center in 2006 at age 66. My PSA has been at my pre-cancer baseline for many years.

I had very minor side effects for about two weeks following my proton treatment, and since then, I have to really pause to remember that I ever had cancer.

My wife and I had a wonderful experience at Loma Linda. They have such a caring staff and their holistic approach to dealing with patients is remarkable.

My daughter gets credit for telling me about proton and encouraging me to seriously investigate it. She learned about proton therapy from a friend of hers who had a friend who was treated with proton therapy for his prostate cancer. He had a great experience and highly recommended it. I don't know anything else about him, but it is one of those coincidences that I consider a "God moment."

At the time of my diagnosis, I talked to a number of men about their experience with a whole range of radiation and surgical treatment options. All had varying degrees of bad news to share. So the follow-up calls that I made through the Brotherhood of the Balloon were a great relief. Those conversations reinforced my decision to NOT take my urologist's recommendation but to go the route of the ones who had "been there" and "done that."

Also, I have a background in the nuclear navy so the theory of proton treatment was a flashback to my classroom at nuclear power school. I am a 1963 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, selected for the nuclear program and after graduation entered nuclear and submarine training. My first boat was USS Chivo (SS-341) a conventionally powered submarine for qualification and then in USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), a nuclear powered missile submarine for the rest of my active duty. I remember discussions of the Bragg Peak from the classroom so the theory of proton treatment made sense to me.

In the past eight years, I have encouraged several people to undergo proton therapy at Loma Linda University Medical Center. My wife and I are very active in the local community and love to travel. Last year, we visited the Great Wall.

Here is a photo of John and his wife visiting the Great Wall of China last year.

Proton Therapy Testimonial

"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.