Bruce Mueller, Prostate Cancer Patient

When Bruce learned he had prostate cancer, he approached it the same way he approached challenges throughout his career as a systems engineer: with research and a problem-solving mindset as well as “through prayer seeking God’s wisdom”. What began as a routine check for an unrelated testicle cyst, quickly turned into something more serious. Tests showed his PSA levels were unexpectedly high and remained so after a few weeks. Soon after, a biopsy confirmed he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer.

His care team told him monitoring was an option, but Bruce preferred to take action. After researching proton therapy and speaking with friends and family, he noticed a pattern: “About 95% of the people I talked to who had proton therapy had no issues. About seventy percent of the people who had traditional radiation did.”

Confident in his choice, Bruce selected proton therapy to treat his prostate cancer.

From the moment he arrived at Maryland Proton Treatment Center, he felt at ease. “On a scale of 1 to 100, my experience was 110,” he joked. Bruce regularly arrived early for his appointments and always came with a sense of humor, keeping the mood light with jokes and fun socks. With a background in systems engineering, he was fascinated by the precision of the machinery behind the treatment. Staff were glad to provide a behind-the-scenes tour of the Varian Pro Beam® Proton Therapy System and explain how it delivers “pencil beam” precise treatment.

Dr. Mark Mishra led Bruce’s treatment team which included Nurse Practitioner Sarah Somers. They, along with dosimetrists, physicists, therapists, radiologists and nurses made each day smooth and supportive. And the treatment itself? “It was like a non-event,” he said. “I even asked them if the machine was plugged in.”

Mr. Mueller and Staff Posing at the Bell, Sporting Hats from Crispy Cream

Bruce completed his course of treatment with virtually no side effects. Aside from brief mild urinary discomfort that resolved quickly with medication, he experienced none of the prolonged symptoms that friends and family had faced with other therapies.

Reflecting on the experience, Bruce remains grateful – for the technology, the compassionate staff, and the peace of mind proton therapy brought him.