Very few people would say lying down in a scanner is their “favorite” activity. But 69-year-old Nolan Logan says it was the best part of his visits to BAMF.
“That follow-up scan is the most comfortable, best feeling scan I’ve ever had,” he said. “They wrap me up tight in a warm blanket. It’s a totally relaxing scan.”
It’s a silver lining to what has been a tough 21-year battle with cancer.
A Long and Difficult Battle
Nolan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2003 and tried just about everything to get rid of it.
“Initially, they removed half of my pancreas and a golfball-sized tumor,” Nolan said. “That took the cancer away, and it stayed dormant about a decade.”
When the cancer came back in his liver, his doctor recommended a new targeted internal radiation treatment called TheraSphere. The treatment delivers millions of microscopic glass beads containing radioactive material to tumors via a catheter.
“I had three treatments, and the third treatment kicked my butt,” he said. “I could hardly function for a week. But the therapy worked and, within a month, I was good as new again.”
Nolan was told 80% of his cancer was gone, but he was going to have to live with the remaining 20%. For nearly 8 years he did, but then his quality of life started to suffer. He was feeling constantly tired, dehydrated, and was easily winded doing everyday activities.
His doctor presented another option. “He said BAMF would be the next logical step for me. I was on board immediately.”
Embracing Radiopharmaceutical Therapy
For many cancer patients who come to BAMF, radioactive treatment is a bit intimidating—but not Nolan. Having experienced radioactivity before, he had no reservations and was ready to dive in.
“To come somewhere that’s on the cutting edge, I’m blessed. That’s all I can say. I feel like I’m in good hands all the time,” he shared.
His wife Debbie has seen an incredible shift in his quality of life since he began treatment. “Before his first treatment, he was not feeling well and was struggling. I’ve seen the improvement compared to what he was.”
“He didn’t miss a beat throughout his treatment journey,” said BAMF Health Medical Director Dr. Brandon Mancini. “Nolan had a positive response to treatment and was able to continue living his life, with good energy, without side effects.”
Debbie says she was thoroughly impressed with Dr. Mancini from the first visit. “He explained things so well and made it easy to understand. I’ve never had a consultation with a doctor that made me so comfortable.”
A Life Transformed by Cutting-Edge Care
Nolan began treatment in August of 2024 and received his fourth and final treatment cycle in February 2025. “I can honestly tell you that I can feel it working,” he described. “I can see it working in the scan images before and after. It’s definitely helping me feel better.”
The SPECT scans that Nolan had after every treatment boosted his confidence and gave him immediate feedback that his tumor was responding.
“You can see the placement of the radioactive material, and then down the road you can see how it works. It’s a comforting feeling to know.”
From here, Nolan will continue additional treatments with his oncologist and check in with BAMF Health every three months. Both institutions are working together to ensure he receives the follow-up care needed to keep his cancer in check.
With a renewed outlook on life, Nolan is looking forward to spending more quality time with his eight grandkids. His favorite pastime is fishing, and he can’t wait to help his grandkids reel in a big one this summer.
