Voices of Impact

At 79 years old, I've lived a life committed to health. Since the age of 30, I never missed an annual physical. Every year, my exams included a PSA test and a physical prostate check. And every year, the results came back normal. No red flags. No warnings.

Then, in March 2017, my world shifted. My doctor found a nodule on my prostate, despite my PSA still being within normal range. By August, a biopsy revealed the diagnosis no one wants to hear: aggressive prostate cancer. Just two months later, in October, I underwent a prostatectomy. Thankfully, my post-surgery PSA dropped to 0.01: undetectable. It felt like the battle was over.

But cancer doesn’t always follow the rules.

In September 2021, I began experiencing shortness of breath. Lab tests unexpectedly showed a slight rise in my PSA: 0.02. Then came more tests, more questions. A nodule in my lung was found, believed to be from prior bronchitis. But by April 2022, my PSA had climbed to 0.03. My concern deepened.

I reached back out to the surgeon who had performed my prostatectomy. Her words hit hard: “Prostate cancer most commonly metastasizes to the lungs and bones.” Still, the imaging scans were negative. My PSA, now at 0.05, meant something was stirring. I was scared, confused, and unsure who to trust or where to turn next.

By July 2022, a lung biopsy confirmed what I feared - prostate cancer had spread. My oncologist recommended hormonal therapy (Lupron) and radiation. But I felt in my heart there had to be another way.

That’s when SOTERIA entered my life and everything changed.

Through SOTERIA, I was introduced to a team of professionals that became a guiding light in one of my darkest moments. They listened, really listened, and connected me to an oncologist whose approach was thoughtful, thorough, and empowering. I was provided with treatment options, explained every path, and most importantly, was carefully monitored to support taking the next step.

By February 2023, my PSA had dropped back to 0.01. It was non-detectable again. No Lupron. No side effects. Just the right care at the right time, thanks to a team that truly had my back.

Today, I continue with routine scans and lab work. My PSA remains undetectable. I feel healthy. I feel hopeful. And I feel deeply grateful.

SOTERIA gave me more than an informed care pathway - they gave me clarity, compassion, and control over my journey. If you're facing cancer and feel overwhelmed by the noise, remember: you don’t have to face it alone. There is strength in advocacy. There is power in partnership. And there is healing with the right support.

— Grateful Patient, Retired Military/Retired Law Enforcement