The first few weeks after your loved one's diagnosis, you will probably be gathering information about prostate cancer and visiting doctors.
If you are a person who likes to organize things, you can develop a system for keeping track of important dates, medical articles, and other educational materials. Here are some tips that may help you:
Buy as expanding file or legal sized folder you can carry with you. Use it to hold all of your loved one's medical records, prescriptions, bills, insurance papers, business cards, important articles, and other educational materials.
Buy a notebook and reserve the first few pages for important phone numbers and addresses. This makes it easy to find those numbers when you need them quickly. Use the notebook as you do research, and take notes when you and your loved one visit various doctors. Also if you have a Smart phone use the voice recorder to help with note taking.
Get a small appointment book or calendar (one that fits in your big folder). Use it to keep track of all your loved one's upcoming appointments.Keep track of every conservation you have with your health insurance company in your notebook. Remember to date the conservation and ask for the name of the person you speak with. By doing this you will be able to document your conservation, and what was discussed, should a problem arise.
Ask for copies of every test result and keep them in your folder. You will be surprised how many one doctor will forget to fax test results to another doctor. Doing this will save you precious time, and each doctor can address important issues every visit because they will have the information the need.Also jot down the names of any nurses you meet. Nurses may be easier to get a hold of than doctors. If you have a quick question, the nurse may be able to answer it if the doctor is'nt around.
Record the number of miles you drive to every hospital or medical visit. You should be able to deduct this as an expense on your yearly tax return. If you need to stay overnight, you may also be able to deduct the cost of your hotel. Check with your accountant or the IRS.
Petey's raising awareness for prostate cancer and saving lives!
Monday, December 31, 2018
Family Members
Prostate cancer can have a profound affect on your entire family. While your loved one is coping and fighting the disease in his body, you're trying to support him and cope with your own feelings. Follow these steps to help carry your loved one through his prostate cancer journey.
Here are some "important reminders" that can enable family members to be as helpful as possible:
Learn as much as you can about prostate cancer. You'll only be able to truly help and support your loved one if you understand all the aspects of the disease.
Realize that there are usually no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. So, when prostate cancer strikes, it’s a major shock for everyone. For that reason, be more understanding and patient in view of these circumstances.
Work as a team. It's important to communicate and support each other during prostate cancer. Talk about your concerns with your loved one and show you care.
Be there with your loved one at the doctor appointments. Since it's as important that you know what's happening as your husband, you should ask the doctor questions.
Find out what the available treatments options are and fully examine the pros and cons of each. Ask questions. Get a second opinion, or maybe even a third. Once a treatment strategy is developed, follow that as closely as possible.
Seek outside help from support groups and family members. Though prostate cancer carries a tremendous emotional effect, numerous online resources are available to help one cope with personal issues such as sexual dysfunction, incontinence and anxiety about the future.
Understand that feelings of helplessness are natural. You're faced with a disease that you can't fix instantly. The best way you can help is to listen and support your loved one through an unknown medical health journey.
Know that your loved one may want to talk to his doctor alone so he can address his questions and fears without upsetting you.
Be understanding. Don't take over all aspects of your loved one’s prostate cancer treatment. Realize that he is in charge of his own care—not you.
Here are some "important reminders" that can enable family members to be as helpful as possible:
Learn as much as you can about prostate cancer. You'll only be able to truly help and support your loved one if you understand all the aspects of the disease.
Realize that there are usually no symptoms in the early stages of prostate cancer. So, when prostate cancer strikes, it’s a major shock for everyone. For that reason, be more understanding and patient in view of these circumstances.
Work as a team. It's important to communicate and support each other during prostate cancer. Talk about your concerns with your loved one and show you care.
Be there with your loved one at the doctor appointments. Since it's as important that you know what's happening as your husband, you should ask the doctor questions.
Find out what the available treatments options are and fully examine the pros and cons of each. Ask questions. Get a second opinion, or maybe even a third. Once a treatment strategy is developed, follow that as closely as possible.
Seek outside help from support groups and family members. Though prostate cancer carries a tremendous emotional effect, numerous online resources are available to help one cope with personal issues such as sexual dysfunction, incontinence and anxiety about the future.
Understand that feelings of helplessness are natural. You're faced with a disease that you can't fix instantly. The best way you can help is to listen and support your loved one through an unknown medical health journey.
Know that your loved one may want to talk to his doctor alone so he can address his questions and fears without upsetting you.
Be understanding. Don't take over all aspects of your loved one’s prostate cancer treatment. Realize that he is in charge of his own care—not you.
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty
On December 28, 2018 Ray and I attended Congresswoman Beatty's swearing swearing in Ceremony. She has been a great supporter of my mission to raise awareness for prostate cancer. in 2015 Congresswoman Beatty did a one minute speach on Capitol Hill about my mission as well.
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Friday, December 7, 2018
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Capitol Hill 2018
February 2018, my husband, I along with this group of great friends stormed Capitol Hill speaking with Senators, Congress members or Legislative Fellows. The goal was to ask that the Senators and Congress approve the appropriation funding for the Fiscal Year Budget. The FY Budget for prostate cancer in 2018 was approved for 100M!
In 2012 on our first trip to Capitol Hill the Budget was 80M!
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Monday, November 26, 2018
7 reasons to why I fight
These are 7 reasons to why I fight for prostate cancer awareness! June 19, 2009 my life changed as a wife to a wife.caregiver of a prostate cancer patient. This is the day my husband was diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease. He chose to have a prostatectomy and on October 12, 2009 he became a Survivor of prostate cancer! Sadly the cancer had escaped the prostate and into the lymph nodes. He continued hormone treatment for 6 years and currently is in Remission! I will not say that this has been an easy road for us as there has been other issues from the disease. but it is like I tell everyone. Better he is 6 feet above ground than 6 feet below ground.
As a mom of 4 sons and grandmother of 2 grandsons I never want them to have to hear those devastating words in their lives.
You have prostate cancer!
It was hard enough hearing them as a wife, but to hear them from my sons or grandsons would be even worse. Especially when a cure for prostate cancer can be found.
Prostate Cancer Survivors and Caregivers Network on Facebook
Over 7 years ago I started this group on Facebook.
It first started out as a way to share information about prostate cancer that I was finding to help in my journey. Then I started meeting wives of prostate cancer and became friends with them. We started sharing our stories between us. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of this disease. Soon after that more and more families join the group. It was public at first but men were say that they were not ready for all to see. So I made it closed. Now we are over 3,000 members strong and more are joining on a daily basis.
Here we share what is going on and support each other in our journey. We laugh at this disease and we cry when it has taken a loved one from their family. We are made up of husbands, wives and significant others. Wives has asked me if they have to leave the group when their loved one passes away. Definitely not! Unless you want to leave the group, you still have so much to offer.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/216832695040660
It first started out as a way to share information about prostate cancer that I was finding to help in my journey. Then I started meeting wives of prostate cancer and became friends with them. We started sharing our stories between us. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of this disease. Soon after that more and more families join the group. It was public at first but men were say that they were not ready for all to see. So I made it closed. Now we are over 3,000 members strong and more are joining on a daily basis.
Here we share what is going on and support each other in our journey. We laugh at this disease and we cry when it has taken a loved one from their family. We are made up of husbands, wives and significant others. Wives has asked me if they have to leave the group when their loved one passes away. Definitely not! Unless you want to leave the group, you still have so much to offer.
https://m.facebook.com/groups/216832695040660
Proclamations and Resolutions
Soon it will be time to start asking elected officials for their support with Prostate Cancer Awareness. I will provide you with the text for Proclamations and Resolutions to share with them. When asking for a Proclamation or Resolution I share my personal story with them through email or by personal contact. There have been times I will receive an email back with. You did not know this when you contacted me but..... I have been impacted personally or some one in my family has. They are happy to be part of the Prostate Cancer Awareness movement and ready to share their story as well.
If you are interested in joining our Proclamation team please email me at pcamproclamations@gail.com
Let me know what state you live in as I will have the text for all 50 states including Washington, DC.
If you are interested in joining our Proclamation team please email me at pcamproclamations@gail.com
Let me know what state you live in as I will have the text for all 50 states including Washington, DC.
Supporters for Prostate Cancer Awareness month from 2014 - 2018
| Since 2014 there have been over 331 supporters for Prostate Cancer Awareness. If I listed all the names there would be over 500. I want to say Thank you all for your support! As well as Thank you for the opportunity to share my story at City Council meetings throughout the year with your presentation of the Proclamations and Resolutions. And to the Mayors and Council members who have shared you story with us and the residents in attendance of the Council meetings. I know it is hard to share this with others but you also give residents hope of survival with this horrible disease called prostate cancer. In doing this we have reached more men and their families about the need to get checked. After the presentation there have been men come to me as say Thank you for sharing. I let them know we are all family now! This year I had more County Commissioners support Prostate Cancer Awareness month. There are 88 Counties in Ohio and 26 of them joined in the fight to raise awareness. Sadly two if the 88 declined to support my mission. The reason was that I do not live in that County. But is what others sometime do not understand is that there are men living in that County and are not ready to speak up yet. For those who have not been impacted by prostate issues or cancer yet. This horrible disease takes way so much from the men. Some feel like it robs them of their manhood. Sadly some men can not handle the changes that takes place in their lives now and will ended their marriages, relationships and some have ended their lives. This breaks my heart so much as the wife/caregiver of a Survivor knowing that men feel this way. When I meet a man feeling this way I let them know that they are important to me and I need them to help join our team and share their story. Next year I hope to have all of Ohio's support with raising awareness for Prostate Cancer. Again I will be starting in January with the text for Proclamations and Resolutions. I know that September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month but for my family every month and everyday is Prostate Cancer Awareness. I live in Ohio and that has been my main focus, but as you can see there are a few other states listed. My husband is from New York. The connections to Columbus, Indiana and Columbus, Georgia. My Dad is from Columbus, Indiana and three of our sons were born in Columbus, Georgia. Our oldest son and I are from Columbus, Ohio. The other states just by me asking for their support. Truly a blessing for the support! **** Kasich & Lt. Governor Mary Taylor |
| ***Congressman Steve Stivers |
| ***Franklin County Sheriff |
| ***Speaker of the House Ryan Smith |
| **Department of Veterans Affairs |
| **Former Representative Heather Bishoff HD 20 |
| **President of the Senate Larry Obhoff |
| **Representative David Greenspan HD 16 |
| **Representative Joyce Beatty HD 3 |
| **Representative Richard Brown HD 20 |
| **Representative Scott Lipps HD 62 |
| **Representative Tim Schaffer HD 77 |
| **Senator Troy Balderson SC 20 |
| **State Senator Hoaland SD 30 |
| **State Senator Jay Hottinger SD 31 |
| **State Senator John Ekland |
| **State Senator Kevin Bacon SD 3 |
| **State Senator Peggy Lehner |
| **State Senator Steve Schiavoni |
| **State Senator Tim Schaffer |
| *Adams County Commissioners |
| *Athens County Commissioners |
| *Auglaize County Commissioners |
| *Belmont County Commissioners |
| *Carroll County Commissioners |
| *Clark County Commissioners |
| *Clinton County Commissioners |
| *Cuyahoga County Commissioners |
| *Darke County Commissioners |
| *Defiance County Commissioners |
| *Fairfield County Commissioners |
| *Franklin County Commissioners |
| *Greene County Commissioners |
| *Hamilton County Commissioners |
| *Harrison County Commissioners |
| *Jackson County Commissioners |
| *Lake County Commissioners |
| *Mahoning County Commissioners |
| *Medina County Commissioners |
| *Meigs County Commissioners |
| *Morrow County Commissioners |
| *Muskingham County Commisssioners |
| *Perry County Commissioners |
| *Portage County Commissioners |
| *Richland County Commissioners |
| *Ross County Commissioners |
| *Sandusky County Commissioners |
| *Seneca County Commissioners |
| *Shelby County Commissioners |
| *Tuscarawas County Commissioners |
| *Warren County Commissioners |
| *Williams County Commissioners |
Franklin County Community Star
Today I received the Franklin County Community Star for my work with raising awareness for Prostate Cancer. It is an Honor!
What I do is not only for the men in my family, it is also for those men who have been impacted by prostate cancer and who are not ready to speak up and share their story. I have been sharing mine since Ray was diagnosed June 2009. Sharing my Journey lets the men and families know that they are not alone in their Journey. There has been men who have told me they have never shared their story but now they are ready to share. It is a feel good moment knowing that they are ready to do so.
One Survivor told us that he never talked about his diagnosis out side of this family until he met us. He is now a 19 year Survivor and is sharing his story.
Thank you Sheriff Dallas Baldwin for this Honor!
Saturday, November 10, 2018
And the work continues
Next year will be my 6th year of contacting elected officials for Proclamations and Resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month in September in Ohio. This year I contacted State Representatives asking for their help as well. With overwhelming support they added their names of support. I also asked County Commissioners. Ohio has 88 counties 26 of the 88 joined in as well. Some have said they want all 88 supporting and that is what they are going to work on.
If anyone is interested in contacting your elected officials let me know the state you live in. I will have the text for the Proclamations and I make them state specific. When asking for the Proclamations I add my personal story! Many times I will get a return email or phone call with the impact prostate cancer has had in their lives. Or I hear...I never knew there was a month for prostate cancer awareness. But I do now!
This year I had 199 Proclamations commitments still have a few that are coming in. Going back through the years I have over 300 Cities, Villages and Townships who have participated. One other thing that they have done is added it to their Websites and Newsletters to increase awareness. Some have showcased their proclamation in their City Hall for the month. 🙂 One Of those feel good moments when I hear. Thank you for including us in your mission! My hope and dream is that it is making a difference with prostate cancer.
One County Commissioners was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2 years ago and never talked about his diagnosis with others. I contacted him not knowing he has prostate cancer and shared my story with him. A few days later I got an email that he was doing one and he wanted to present it to us personally at a Commissioners meeting. Of course we will be there. It was on Rays Birthday August 30th. We get to the meeting and see news cameras there. We did not know the Commissioners asked them to be there! As we are at the meeting the Commissioner has us share our story and why I am doing this. And then he shares why the news is there. He wanted for the first time after being diagnosed he was sharing his Journey with his district. And because of my story he wanted to share his. So my eyes started leaking a little! Happy tears of making a difference with prostate cancer.
My email is pcamproclamations@gmail.com
If anyone is interested in contacting your elected officials let me know the state you live in. I will have the text for the Proclamations and I make them state specific. When asking for the Proclamations I add my personal story! Many times I will get a return email or phone call with the impact prostate cancer has had in their lives. Or I hear...I never knew there was a month for prostate cancer awareness. But I do now!
This year I had 199 Proclamations commitments still have a few that are coming in. Going back through the years I have over 300 Cities, Villages and Townships who have participated. One other thing that they have done is added it to their Websites and Newsletters to increase awareness. Some have showcased their proclamation in their City Hall for the month. 🙂 One Of those feel good moments when I hear. Thank you for including us in your mission! My hope and dream is that it is making a difference with prostate cancer.
One County Commissioners was diagnosed with prostate cancer 2 years ago and never talked about his diagnosis with others. I contacted him not knowing he has prostate cancer and shared my story with him. A few days later I got an email that he was doing one and he wanted to present it to us personally at a Commissioners meeting. Of course we will be there. It was on Rays Birthday August 30th. We get to the meeting and see news cameras there. We did not know the Commissioners asked them to be there! As we are at the meeting the Commissioner has us share our story and why I am doing this. And then he shares why the news is there. He wanted for the first time after being diagnosed he was sharing his Journey with his district. And because of my story he wanted to share his. So my eyes started leaking a little! Happy tears of making a difference with prostate cancer.
My email is pcamproclamations@gmail.com
Tuesday, November 6, 2018
Wednesday, October 24, 2018
Saturday, October 20, 2018
Join Petey Prostate Beard Club today
Petey is particpating in #GrowAndGive18. Why is prostate cancer awareness and education so important to Petey. 9 years ago I created him as my way of showing that this walnut is the cause of so many mens pain! And even worse men would not talk about it! Petey has gotten men to open up and share.
Ray was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer June 19, 2009. On October 12, 2009 the prosdtate was removed. I was hoping and praying the doctor was going to give me news of...we got it before it escaped the prrostate. Well that was not the case, it spread to the lymph nodes. There is still hope! As of today he is in Remission!! I will not stop fighting for education and awareness as being the mother of 4 sons and 2 grandsons. Their chances are at an increased risk!
Friday, October 19, 2018
Thursday, October 18, 2018
Petey Prostate Beard Club
One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, including more than 164,000 throughout the U.S. this year alone.
This November, we're putting down the razor and picking up the cause by participating in the Grow & Give campaign with ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer. Together, we can end the suffering of prostate cancer, but we need your support.
Join our team! Your participation will help raise awareness and your donation will help fund research, patient programs that go directly to helping men and their families, free testing, and educational programs.
Support our team today! You'll feel proud knowing that you're helping keep families together and saving lives.
Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Sharing
Have you shared your story with your Senators and Congress Members about Prostate Cancer. Sharing your story will let them know that the funding and education for this disease is necessary. We have to fight for it. Here in Ohio my name has made its rounds as I share my story daily. I truly feel I have made a small impact here. I have elected officials who ask what can I do to help. Opens the door to their support. I contact every Elected Official even out of my district, you never know how this has impacted their lives.
People ask me who pays for traveling through out Ohio talking with people. We do it on our own as this is very important to me as a wife/caregiver, mom of 4 sons and grandma of two toddler grandsons. One is bi racial with prostate cancer on both sides. This scares the crap out of me as it can happen in children as well. Males are born with a prostate and like any other organ in the body it can go bad at anytime!
My sons are younger in this picture the two in the front are dads of the two babies. One of the hardest things I have had to deal with in 35 years of marriage is hearing my husband has prostate cancer. And even worse would be hearing it from my sons that they have it or their sons have it. I will continue to fight for a cure and education at ANY AGE!!!!
People ask me who pays for traveling through out Ohio talking with people. We do it on our own as this is very important to me as a wife/caregiver, mom of 4 sons and grandma of two toddler grandsons. One is bi racial with prostate cancer on both sides. This scares the crap out of me as it can happen in children as well. Males are born with a prostate and like any other organ in the body it can go bad at anytime!
My sons are younger in this picture the two in the front are dads of the two babies. One of the hardest things I have had to deal with in 35 years of marriage is hearing my husband has prostate cancer. And even worse would be hearing it from my sons that they have it or their sons have it. I will continue to fight for a cure and education at ANY AGE!!!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
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