Espinoza says his faith and family gave him the strength to endure.
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When doctors told Jose Espinoza he had stage 4 prostate cancer that had spread to his bones, he refused to see it as the end. Instead, he chose to face it with the strength of his faith, the support of his family, and the expertise of his medical team at Loma Linda University Cancer Center.
Espinoza is a man who treasures life’s simple joys, like gardening in his backyard, caring for his chickens and dogs, camping with family, and dancing at celebrations. For years he took pride in staying on top of his health, going for regular checkups.
In March 2022, a routine PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test revealed rising levels. Months later, his familiar back pain that was once dismissed as part of his physically demanding work as an arborist became excruciating and unrelenting.
“I was only able to move my eyes,” Espinoza recalled. “That was the only part of my body I could move. It was a pain I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
By November 2022, he was admitted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic prostate cancer.
A fight with only one shot
John Shin, MD, medical oncologist at Loma Linda University Cancer Center, remembers meeting Jose for the first time.
“I’ll never forget my first day meeting him,” said Shin. “He came in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank, and he looked like he had one foot in the grave.”
The cancer was so advanced that Espinoza had just one chance to respond to treatment. Together with his care team, he decided to begin an aggressive plan of chemotherapy combined with hormonal therapy.
Espinoza’s response was remarkable. Within months, he no longer needed an oxygen tank, traded his wheelchair for walking, gained weight, and most importantly, saw his PSA levels drop.
Jose Espinoza, in prayer outside LLU Medical Center, chose to face his cancer diagnosis with the strength of his faith, support of his family, and expertise of the medical team.
Faith and family
After a few months of treatment, his birthday rolled around, and it became one of his most memorable yet.
“I saw family that I hadn’t seen in a long time,” Espinoza said. “They came thinking it was going to be my last birthday, but I was convinced it wasn’t.”
He was right. After completing treatment, his PSA dropped to zero, and he rang the celebratory bell at the Cancer Center, leaving in tears of joy.
Cancer returns
Nearly a year later, however, Jose’s numbers began to rise again. The cancer had adapted and grown resistant to treatment.
His fight wasn’t over. Espinoza’s care team introduced him to theranostics, a cutting-edge approach available exclusively in the region at the Cancer Center. This targeted nuclear medicine therapy uses a radioactive drug delivered intravenously to find and attack cancer cells with precision.
“This treatment was a godsend for him,” said Eric Peters, MD, radiologist at the Cancer Center. “There really wasn’t any other potentially viable therapy available, other than retrying something that hadn’t worked effectively before.”
In just six sessions, Espinoza’s PSA dropped close to zero again.
More than medicine
While innovative treatment helped save his life, Espinoza says his faith and family gave him the strength to endure.
“For me, a full house during family parties was better than any chemo session,” he said. “That gave me life.”
He also credits his care team not only for their medical expertise but for their compassion and humanity. His doctors often prayed with him and asked about his wife and children.
“That filled my spirit every time,” Espinoza said.
In conversation with Dr. John Shin, Espinoza reflects on how breakthrough treatment and compassionate care helped him survive advanced prostate cancer.
Words to live by
Today, Espinoza’s cancer remains under control. He spends his days gardening, walking, and enjoying nature, refusing to let cancer define him. His advice for others is simple but powerful.
“It’s all about changing your habits, especially your eating habits. But above all, seek peace of mind. Your spiritual peace is very, very important. That is essential.”
Support is here
Prostate cancer rarely shows symptoms in the beginning stages, and early screening remains the single most powerful way to catch it before it spreads and becomes incurable.
Loma Linda University Health experts are committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive, and personalized care throughout your prostate cancer screening journey. Make an appointment for a prostate cancer screening for you or a loved one today.
More stories about: Prostate Cancer Cancer Center Patient stories
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