Recently diagnosed

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.

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.

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.

Society of Teachers of Family Medicine

Oakwood Village, Ohio 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!