How Ascension Saint Thomas helped one Nashville man thrive after cancer

Finding Strength in Support: A Nashville Man’s Journey Through Prostate Cancer

At 73, Bill S. was enjoying an active, fulfilling life in Nashville, Tenn.. Aside from managing mild blood pressure issues with medication, he felt healthy and engaged—living life without major concerns. But that changed after a routine physical in early 2023.

During the appointment, Bill’s primary care provider noticed an unexpected jump in his PSA prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. PSA is a protein produced by the prostate, and elevated levels can be an early sign of prostate cancer.

That spike led to a referral to Dr. Adnan Dervish, a urologist with Ascension Saint Thomas An MRI raised additional concerns, followed by a PET scan to check for cancer spread. “That was an agonizing weekend to wait four days for results. Thankfully, it showed the cancer was localized.”

Bill underwent a biopsy on February 1, confirming what he feared: prostate cancer. His diagnosis was Bill got the results from his biopsy on February 1st and it was prostate cancer. His doctors called it an intermediate-unfavorable case, which meant it wasn’t the most aggressive, but it still needed treatment right away.Bill’s care team, including radiation oncologist  Dr. Mark Sittig at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital West, built a plan that combined six months of hormone therapy and two months of radiation therapy that would happen simultaneously. The hormone therapy began first, and for Bill, that proved more difficult than the radiation itself. “The hormone therapy was harder than I expected; it impacted me more than the radiation,” he said. “But the team helped me manage it, day by day.”

Before radiation began, Bill underwent a SPACEOAR gel procedure, which is a protective barrier inserted between the prostate and rectum to help shield healthy tissue from radiation exposure.The follow-up appointments after the procedure brought hope. Regular PSA lab work with Dr. Dervishi showed encouraging results from the radiation. After completing treatment, Bill enrolled in the Survivorship Programat Ascension Saint Thomas, where patients receive long-term follow-up and support. “It was more than just a check-in. It was a conversation about how I was doing physically, emotionally and everything."

In August, shortly after finishing radiation joined the Cancer Wellness Exercise Program, a part of the Survivorship Program, which quickly became a key part of his recovery. “It turned out to be the best thing I’ve done, not just for the physical activity, but for the social side of it,” he shared. “Being around people who understood made a big difference.”

Nearly a year later, that sense of connection continues. Bill and several fellow participants now meet virtually every few weeks to catch up and support one another. “Having that kind of community makes you feel seen, and hopeful,” Bill said.