In Great Hands

Joey East is grateful for the cancer care he received at LCMHS

As a hairdresser, Joey East prides himself on taking care of others and helping them to feel their best when they leave his chair. But that started to become difficult when he began facing chronic infections and didn’t feel his best. After seven years of illness, at 56 years old, East finally found answers, but it wasn’t what he’d hoped for—he had prostate cancer.

His Memorial experience began with a primary care doctor who took his issues seriously and referred him to a urologist, John Upshaw, MD, who made the unwelcome diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“I had wondered what might happen if it was me who had cancer one day,” recalls East. “But although it was tough, I had peace through the connections to the people at Memorial and the care I was receiving.”

Quick, thorough care

After the initial diagnosis, he was soon scheduled for surgery with Farjaad Siddiq, MD, FACS, a urologist who specializes in robotic-assisted prostatectomy surgeries. Because of the minimally invasive approach to an intricate surgery, East was back to work in just four weeks.

After surgery and treatment to ensure that the cancer was gone, East describes his experience as learning valuable lessons. Although the journey isn’t always easy, the tests and treatment were not for his current battle—they were for his future.

In fact, just a few years after his cancer diagnosis, East had a regular screening colonoscopy and there were several polyps found and removed before they had the chance to turn into cancer. He can say assuredly that through his experience, he understands how important it is to stay on top of your health.

“I know no one wants to go through this, but please don’t put off any testing, because this is your life and the lives of your family and friends you are impacting,” says East.

Now East has a new perspective on life and his calling to care for others, because of the high level of care he has received.

“I’m grateful for God and the doctors He sent me,” says Joey. “I knew I was in great hands.”