Yearly Check-Up Reveals Bigger Issue for Prostate Cancer Survivor
As a freelance photographer, Jeff Sigmund was used to taking life one day at a time and chasing the next shot. When he went in for his yearly physical, Jeff quickly realized his life would be changing.
Since it had been more than a year since his last visit, Jeff was behind on his colonoscopy and other cancer screenings. His provider at MercyCare North Liberty Family Medicine also recommended a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test, a blood test that's the primary screening tool for prostate cancer. While some PSA in the blood is normal, Jeff’s level was higher than the baseline, indicating that something was abnormal with his prostate gland.
Jeff was referred to the Mercy Urology Clinic to meet with Urologist Matthew Ferroni, MD, and discuss the possible causes of the high PSA score. After talking with Jeff, Dr. Ferroni determined the next step was to get a biopsy of his prostate to determine if there were any cancerous cells present. Jeff’s biopsy showed a high-risk prostate cancer.
“It was very terrifying,” said Jeff. “I kept wondering what do I do next? How long am I going to be here? That all combined with the fear of the three little dreaded words that you have cancer.”
Dr. Ferroni met with Jeff after the biopsy to explain the results and start going over treatment options and process. In the following days, Jeff met with his care team at Hall-Perrine Cancer Center’s Multidisciplinary Prostate Cancer Clinic, including Dr. Ferroni; Radiation Oncologist Michael Marquardt, MD, MPH; Nurse Navigator Emily Andrews; and other Mercy staff members all in one clinic visit who would support him throughout his treatment. Jeff felt cared for like family.
“I think that kind of falls into The Mercy Touch®,” said Jeff. “They cared. You could tell they cared.”
Ultimately, Jeff and Dr. Ferroni decided radiation treatments would be the best choice because it would have a lesser effect on Jeff’s lifestyle. Shortly after, Jeff started an eight-week regimen of daily radiation appointments every Monday through Friday with periodic hormone shots.
“While we could have started by surgically removing the prostate, there was still a significant chance Jeff would have to undergo radiation treatments afterward,” said Dr. Ferroni. “Instead, Jeff and I talked about how radiation treatments would still be effective, but also give him more flexibility to pursue his photography, spend time with his family and keep him closer to his normal lifestyle.”
Throughout the course of his treatment, Jeff was able to get to know staff members and began to make real connections with them— even discovering that Emily, his nurse navigator, was a former student from his employment with the College Community School District.
“I met wonderful people here at the Hall-Perrine Cancer Center, going through treatments,” said Jeff. “Now that I’ve finished my radiation treatments, I like that I don't have to worry about coming down here every day, but I'm going to miss the people.”
A proud moment for Jeff was ringing the bell in Hall Radiation Center that signifies a patient has finished their treatments. With his family around him, Jeff felt joyful and supported by his family at home and at Mercy.
Now, Jeff is back out in the world capturing moments in time with his photography. Constantly looking for the better side of a situation, he’s started to appreciate the simplicity of life more.
“As a landscape nature photographer, you notice the little things, but it’s just even a little bit more now,” said Jeff. “I’m just appreciative, day by day, of what I have, and go for it.”
