Owen Sibert

<< All Prostate Cancer Survivors

Over the years, I had always been a very healthy person so I had a tendency to be a bit over-confident where preventative medicine was concerned. In 1993, after spending a week at a technology conference in Dallas, I became quite ill with some unknown sickness. During the search for the source of my illness, I was referred to an urologist, where I was given a PSA test. The result of that test was a PSA of 16! The doctor was expecting a PSA less than 4.0. (Normal levels usually range from 0 to 4; borderline levels range from 4 to 10; levels over 10 are considered high.) Because of my high PSA, the urologist was excited! I was excited because the urologist was excited! He immediately ordered a biopsy, which not only proved to be negative but also quite painful. (The doctor had assured me that the biopsy would be a piece of cake.)

A series of other PSA tests followed, at intermittent times, each followed by a biopsy and another negative result. Each of these, in turn, was followed by a lecture from the urologist on cutting out the prostate, because prostate cancer was a terrible way to die! If we could just cut out the prostate, the problem would be solved. I balked at his solution. When he started calling me at work urging me to act immediately, I quit going to him! (I forgot to mention that stubbornness is one of my major faults!)

In December 1999, I was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. I was devastated! I had seen the tremors, the Parkinson's gait, and the impaired speech that seemed to have affected Muhammad Ali, Pope John, and Michael J. Fox. Slowly and painfully, I worked my way through all five stages of grief before finally reaching acceptance.

On March 15, 2002, I went to my internist for a routine checkup. He said it had been forever since I had a PSA test, so he ordered one for me. A few days later, I received a call from his nurse, who said the doctor wanted to see me right away. I said, "It's about the PSA, isn't it?" "Yes." "Don't worry about it. It always runs high." "How high?" "I don't know, 13 or 16!" "Try 67.5!!! Get your body in here now!"

It had finally dawned on me that I did not automatically have to go to the urologist recommended by the family doctor. An empowered patient has the right to choose his own doctor. After a few false starts trying to find an urologist that I felt I could trust, I located one in Indianapolis. He did another biopsy and found that I did indeed have prostate cancer! The test showed a PSA of 67.5 and a greatly enlarged prostate gland with a Gleason grade of 9, which indicated aggressive prostate cancer. Three samples were positive, and it was his opinion that there probably had been no penetration of the perimeter of the prostate gland.

At the cancer consultation, the doctor said that at my age (72), and with my high Gleason score (9), he would not even consider surgery. He discussed all of the other options and then recommended High-Dose Rate (HDR) brachytherapy. After giving me a four-month shot of Lupron, he sent me on my way to get an appointment with a HDR specialist. Unfortunately, when I reached the recommended doctor, he was no longer practicing!

I did a lot of research. I spent a lot of time with prostate groups on the web, I asked questions, I was desperate! Then one day I received an e-mail from Jim Lamberth in San Antonio, Texas. It said simply, "Owen, if you call this number, I guarantee they will treat you like a human being, and not like a number." I talked to him, but found it hard to believe all of the things that he said about Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa. Remember: I'm stubborn! However, I met my match in Jim Lamberth! He hung on me like a dog on a bone. He never gave up, until I finally made the trip to Tulsa.

Cancer Treatment Centers of America was everything Jim had described, from my first contact at the airport where one of their drivers, Randy, was waiting for me, even though the flight was late. He was standing in the terminal waiting for us, holding a sign that said "Sibert." What a welcome sight! On the way to the hospital, he explained how they try to remove all of the causes of stress from the patients so their bodies are free to fight the cancer. Once we arrived at the cancer center, Randy took us to Guest Rooms registration where we were assigned a very affordable room, in house, no less. A few steps away is the Patients' Dining Room, which is actually much like a United Nations of Cancer. It seems like there are people there from every corner of the globe. The instant you sit down you are joined by another cancer patient, who quickly shares his story with you and asks about your experiences. All of the people are rooting for each other, and no small improvement goes unnoticed.

We were soon off to meet Dr. Flynn and his staff, who ran me through a series of MRI, CT scans, etc., and reviewed my bone scan negatives, which I had brought with me. I had individual consultations with the radiation oncologist, naturopath, nutritionist, pain management specialist, a psychoneuroimmunologist (a fancy word for mind-body work or psychology—usually referred to as PNI), and a physical therapist, all of whom when combined comprised the "Symphony of Treatments" that makes CTCA so unique. These staff members actually all speak to and consult with each other about your case. They all know you by name and speak to you whenever they see you. The staff and patients are like one big family.

It was decided that I would have HDR brachytherapy, which started on October 1 and concluded on October 2, 2002. I was released from the hospital less than 36 hours after starting the HDR procedure. I had no side effects, no catheters, and best of all, no permanent radiated seeds still inside of me to possibly cause trouble at a later date!

The most difficult part of the whole procedure was getting up at 3 a.m. to get prepped! I came home to Indiana for a few weeks and then went back for 25 radiation treatments. As of October 21, 2002, my PSA was down to 4.0, and we all were celebrating. The most exciting thing was that my Parkinson's seemed to be responding to the Mind, Body & Spirit Program of the cancer center. The symptoms seemed to be improving!

I have been working with my psychoneuroimmunologist, Dr. Ellison, since day one at the cancer center. We have had quite a bit of success in removing the causes of stress so the immune system could be free to fight the cancer. One day I told him how devastated I still was over the Parkinson's. He remarked that if I would be willing to work with him, we might be able to help some of the Parkinson's symptoms. We started working out some seemingly unrelated issues (excess baggage I had been carrying around for years) that I wasn't even aware of. At the other end of the spectrum, the naturopath started working with my supplements in an effort to help my Parkinson's. I went to be treated for prostate cancer, but was receiving a side benefit of an improvement with another disease. The Mind, Body & Spirit Program seems to be working wonders at CTCA!

I returned to Tulsa on February 1, 2003, for my initial post-therapy checkup. My PSA was down from 67.5 to 0.001, my DRE was normal, and my Parkinson's symptoms still seemed to be improving. Dr. Flynn recommended that I see my neurologist, since I hadn't done so for over six months. When I went into her office I said, "My Parkinson's symptoms have improved." She put me through some tests and was astonished to see the visible improvements that had occurred with the Parkinson's.

I know GOD led me to this hospital because every single time that I tried to go somewhere else, for one reason or another, the doors would close for me. My pastor said, "Owen, I think that's GOD tapping you on the shoulder saying, 'I don't want you to go there.'” When I started talking to CTCA, all doors opened wide and I found myself in a temple of healing. Truly this hospital is one of the best kept secrets in the country!

March 31, 2008

In June 2007, my wife and I attended Celebrate Life, which honors five-year survivors of cancer who treated at CTCA. It was fantastic! I got to see the whole staff I worked with during my treatment.

Over the years, Dr. Ellison has kept in touch with me. We’re very close. In fact, once a month he gets a hold of me and checks in. He sends me articles and information. He’s helped me to cope with Parkinson’s. Dr. Flynn has also called me and been a real friend.

I return to CTCA for checkups each year. It’s a beautiful place. I’ve made so many friends out there. I just can’t express how wonderful they treat you there. I’ve developed close friendships with others who have gone to CTCA for treatment too, such as Jim Lamberth. I’ve also kept up with him.

I regularly attend support groups for prostate cancer survivors in Kokomo, Indiana. I also told my story in front of a man-to-man support group of 100 people at a hospital in Indianapolis. It helps me to get out and talk to people. I’ve become quite the missionary for CTCA.

While I have since suffered from a stroke, progression of my Parkinson’s, and subdural hematoma, I am still getting by and enjoying life. I can’t express how much the treatment from CTCA has made such a difference in my life.