John Fisher

Following a highly successful business career, including an executive position in an international corporation as well as owning and developing a successful franchise in Broken Arrow for a national hardware company, I decided it was time to enjoy the fruits of my labor.

So, for 10 years, my wife and I sailed the world on our boat. It was while I was sitting on an idyllic deserted island, doing nothing, with no responsibilities, no cares, living “the good life,” that the thought came to me, “I wasn’t put on this earth for this. I’m supposed to be doing something.”

I think that was really God getting me right for the next chapter of my life, but I certainly had no clue what was coming.

I told my wife what I was thinking, and, in 2004, we returned to our home in Broken Arrow, sold the boat and settled down to being “land-lubbers” once again.

The following year, during my annual physical in July, my prostate test showed a high PSA reading … 5.7. My physician recommended seeing an urologist to have it checked out. About a week after having a biopsy, I was at home when I received a call telling me the test results showed prostate cancer. I remember that when I told my wife, we both began to cry.

But, can you imagine what would have happened if I’d still been in some third-world country when I received that diagnosis? What a mess that would have been … and with the boat. God corrected my thinking and afforded me the opportunity to come back here where I could get good care, my family and friends would be there to support me and I’d find a new purpose once the cancer treatment was over.

I’m self-motivated, so I began searching the Internet to educate myself about prostate cancer and treatment options. I talked with people who’d had prostate cancer about their experience and what treatment they’d chosen. One of the people I spoke to was a friend who’d chosen to have Brachytherapy at Cancer Treatment Centers of America (CTCA) and was pleased with the treatment.

His experience and then all the information I kept finding on the Internet about CTCA really impressed me. I discovered there were people flying to Tulsa from all over the country and the world to have treatment at CTCA, so I began to think it didn’t make much sense for me to fly somewhere else for treatment. Besides, I was getting really good vibes from what I found about CTCA on the Web, and really bad vibes on blogs and in chat rooms about some of these other places that are so highly touted. I decided to call CTCA.

From the moment I walked in the front door, I felt God’s Spirit at CTCA. CTCA has an atmosphere that is conducive to recovery, and whether that’s due to the spiritual care provided here or the treatments available, the uplifting staff or the philosophy of treating the whole person, or a combination of everything, I don’t know. But it’s here.

My radiation oncologist at CTCA was Dr. Doug Kelly, a specialist in High-Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy, an innovative form of internal radiotherapy. For my cancer, Brachytherapy consisted of three parts. The first was hormonal therapy to arrest the fuller development of the cancer and shrink the prostate. The second was radioactive seeds placed strategically inside the tumor to ensure the maximum radiation dose is given where it’s most needed, while allowing little radiation to reach the healthy surrounding tissue. Finally, I underwent a series of highly focused external beam radiation treatments called Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT).

“Prostate cancer is a peculiar illness for many reasons, such as the fact that men are usually unaware that anything is wrong until a PSA blood test shows a problem,” said Dr. Kelly. “Then, once they’re diagnosed with a biopsy, there are many different treatment options to choose from. Sometimes, it can be overwhelming to find the right treatment that will cure the cancer but cause tolerable side effects. That’s why we like our combination treatment of HDR Brachytherapy and TomoTherapy© Hi-Art so much.”

He continued, “Both of these treatment methods are so high tech, we’re able to focus the radiation right into the prostate gland and keep it away from surrounding organs like the rectum and bladder. It’s very rewarding to see happy men years after treatment who have a PSA of zero and no problems with urine control or sexuality.”

I finished treatment in June 2005 and am cancer free today. I volunteer at CTCA in the infusion center where chemotherapy is administered, caring for patients once a week.

I feel like I made the right decision in choosing CTCA and Brachytherapy. If I’d chosen treatment away from Tulsa, I wouldn’t have formed the relationships I have nor would I have the platform the Lord has given me to minister to cancer patients and help them. Because I’ve been there, it enables communication with cancer patients and family members to take place on a whole different level.

One day when I was lying on the table getting a treatment, it dawned on me that God was bringing great good out of my cancer. I decided to make a list, and I discovered seven concrete blessings, or good things in my life, including reconciliation with my brother, that are a direct result of my having had cancer. I think that’s a pretty good deal. Cancer led me to Brachy, Brachy led me to CTCA, CTCA opened the door for me to all the people I can help. Yes, it’s been good. If I die tomorrow, it’s okay. If He leaves me here, He’s leaving me for a purpose.

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