Steve’s Story – CyberKnife’s 4000th Patient

It was 2013 when The Urology Group introduced the CyberKnife to Cincinnati. Eleven years later, in July 2024, Steve became the 4,000th patient to choose this non-invasive radiation treatment option to eradicate his prostate cancer.

Steve is grateful for the tiny bit of notoriety that comes with being our 4,000th CyberKnife patient. Although he didn’t openly share his diagnosis with others at the time, he says his entire experience was so much easier than expected, so now he’s happy to talk about it to help erase the fear and anticipation that others may be facing.

“I especially want to help men get over the mental stress and not let prostate cancer affect other parts of their lives,” said Steve.

It was late 2023 when his PSA test showed alarmingly high results. A biopsy quickly followed, which confirmed the cancer. Steve, Director of Strategic Program Management for The Kroger Co., was shocked. Like most men, he had no symptoms.

“It took me completely by surprise,” the active 57-year old said.

A competitive weightlifter since the age of 13, Steve won the national title at the Junior Olympics two years later and has spent a lifetime developing healthy habits.

“I’m an in-charge, dedicated, disciplined person. This cancer diagnosis was completely out of my control; a real mind bender!” he recalled.

Not only was the diagnosis “the scariest thing I’ve ever faced,” Steve was certain the impending treatment would interfere with his plans to compete at the United States Powerlifting Association (USPA) Nationals in June. But he was wrong.

“Dr. Grass and Dr. Delworth worked with me to develop a treatment plan that would take place during a resting phase of my training schedule. I was so pleased with that. They couldn’t have been more accommodating. I walked into my meeting feeling scared and anxious. I walked out with a smile,” he said.

After winning the Nationals in his division and weight class in June , Steve made the 30-mile trip from his Batavia home to The Urology Group’s CyberKnife suite in Norwood for five half-hour treatment sessions over seven days, grateful to avoid traveling thousands of miles for the sought-after CyberKnife like some of the men before him.

Steve describes each of his five CyberKnife radiation treatments this way: “I’m lying on a table with a gigantic robot hovering over me, listening to the music of my choice on a really good sound system, thinking ‘I’m as comfortable as I could possibly be!’ There was no pain. Twenty minutes later I get dressed and head to work.”

A week after his treatments ended, Steve’s only side effects were intestinal; “My prostate is still a little swollen, so I’ve got some issues with going to the bathroom, but it’s improving every day. I feel good. I’m eating and sleeping fine and have no fatigue, something that Dr. Grass said might occur.”

Today Steve is back in the gym, preparing to compete at USPA World Championships in November. He’s hoping to break his own state records, which he holds in two seperate divisions that he set over the past 3 years.

Good luck to Steve, and thanks for being our 4000th CyberKnife patient!