Phil Thompson, MPRI prostate cancer patient

When he was first diagnosed, Phil was in shock. "It was such a dark, negative kind of day," he recalls. "Just the C–word is frightening to anyone."

Phil also found it difficult to choose among the many prostate cancer treatment options available. His doctor handed him a 100–page book that explained his options: total prostectomy (or surgery), seed implants, and a combination of seed implants and standard radiation. "You go away and decide how you want to be treated," says Phil.

But in an unusual twist, Phil already knew about proton therapy, powered by a cyclotron, the same machine he had helped build when he worked for the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility (IUCF) in the 1970s.

Because Phil was only somewhat familiar with proton therapy, he did further research on the Web while considering treatment options. He then got in touch with MPRI's medical director, Dr. Allan Thornton. After speaking with Dr. Thornton and his regular physician, Phil made the decision to choose proton therapy. A few months later, he started his six–week course of treatment at MPRI.

Although he was anxious when he arrived for treatment, Phil immediately began to feel at ease. "Dr. Thornton is a leading doctor in his field," he says. "He can give you so much confidence and hope." Phil also found the rest of the staff to be "phenomenal...I can't give them enough accolades."

And the facility itself? "It doesn't feel like a medical facility," he says. "It's so warm and friendly. It just makes you feel relaxed." During his 20–25 minutes of total treatment time each day, Phil listened to music, either '60s tunes or country. And as the days went on, he formed close bonds with the staff members.

"When you go out there every day for 44 days straight, you really get to know them," he says. "That last day—you want to grab them all and hug them. They were the light at the end of the tunnel."

Now it's four years later, and all Phil's tests show he is cancer–free.

Now that he has passed through the dark tunnel and come out the other side, Phil passes on the compassion and kindness he received at MPRI in a number of ways.

He frequently makes presentations about proton therapy. "Sometimes people just go away and accept the inevitable," he says, "without knowing that they could be possible candidates for proton therapy. There are thousands out there who could use it in the Bloomington area alone."

Through a program at a Bloomington church, Phil also organizes housing and social activities for patients and families who need a place to stay during treatment.

Phil Thompson built the machine that saved his life. And now he is building bridges to others. "If you've got uncles, dads, or brothers with prostate cancer, I would highly recommend proton therapy for them," he says. "I don't know what kind of adjectives to use to truly explain my passion for the fact that proton therapy is phenomenal."

Ask Phil your questions.