Hunting Petey

Petey went hunting today ans came upon many deer!

 

With Tom Kirk the president of Us Too. 

 

Reflection 2022

 This year I basically took a year off from advocating for prostate cancer. It was not because it’s not important to me any longer. Last year I lost my Mom and Fur bay who was 15 years old. Both of them had dementia and my Mom also had COPD. Also being a caregiver to my husband was also wearing on me. Focusing on them and not on myself was taking a toll on my health. 

Usually I would contact elected officials through out Ohio for a Proclamation for September. This year it was just too hard to get in the spirit. Hopefully I do not let you down. There were two cities who sent emails and basically said. Hey what happened. We didn’t get the information you always send. I proceeded to share what happened . They took it upon themselves to do the Proclamation for this year. I was making a difference! 

It’s time to update my contacts of elected officials to start sharing my journey with them again. 

For 13 years, I focused on prostate cancer education and awareness not only for my husband, four sons and two grandsons. But also for the men in Ohio and across the nation. When I first started my journey as a caregiver, I felt so alone. You see no one wants to talk about prostate cancer. When I was in high school I was a quiet and shy person. But June 19, 2009 that forever changed. In 2012, I started advocating for prostate cancer awareness and education on Capitol Hill. Me on Capitol Hill. WOW!! 

Santa Petey

 

Prostate Cancer Patient Leader

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

 Happy Thanksgiving! One thing I’m thankful for is my husband being a survivor of prostate cancer 13 years later. Being the mom of four sons and two grandsons. One which is bi-racial and prostate cancer on both sides of his family. I never want those horrible words uttered to them. You have cancer! It’s a life changing event. 

One thing that has gotten me through it was to be creative and make the Petey scene. It gets men and their families talking. And shows them they are not alone. 

Last year we had a license plateBill pass for prostate cancer license plates. Currently there are 23 cars with the license plates. Four of them are mine. The license plates has raised $975 this year to assist with medications and treatments. We have to have at least 25 a year to keep them in production. 

Hard to believe that when I was in school. I was quite and shy. Not anymore, just ask Capitol Hill. 

We started going in 2012 to speak with Senators and Congress members. This was my first time ever going to Capitol Hill. We had 5 meetings on September 13, 2012 the first one was at 8:30am. Being blind in one eye my depth perception is off. At 8:15am I took a Spill on Capitol Hill and broke my leg. How important is it to speak about prostate cancer to me. I attended all five meetings with a broken leg. 

I know you guys from our class is at that age that. You should be having a PSA test. It’s a simple blood test. Know your score ot may just save your life.

Two amazing Survivors!

Ray and Marcus are amazing Survivors of prostate cancer. Neither one has let this horrible disease get them down. 

 

 https://www.facebook.com/donate/638376454659547/?fundraiser_source=external_url

Grow and Give

 Veterans are twice as likely to get prostate cancer. If you’re a veteran, thank you for your service and know your risk. 

Ray served 4 years as a firefighter and then cross trained into weather. He is the oldest of three sons and the only one diagnosed with prostate cancer. 

 #veterans #prostatecancer  #veteranshealth #noshavenovember

 

10 years later

September 13, 2012 

The Anniversary of...

I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill and broke my leg.

 My first trip to Washington, DC is one I will never forget! 

September 13, 2012 we had meeting with the Senators from Ohio and our first meeting was at 8:30 am with Senator Brown but at around 8:15 am I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill and felt a pop in my leg. I figured it was broken but it did not stop me to get to the meetings with the Senators. The Capitol Hill Officers wanted to know if I wanted to go to the ER but I said no! I am going to these meetings some way! So they call for a wheelchair. I told them that I will go after the meetings..maybe. We got to Senator Brown's Constituants Coffee a little after it started but I made it. 

We attended the first meeting and then Ray took me to The Capitol Hill First Aid, the nurse wrapped up my leg and also suggested the ER. Again we still have two meetings with Senators in the afternoon and I am going to them no matter what. We seen Champions from the Summit on the Hill and asked what happened? I explained and some said that is dedication. 

After the meetings I wanted to do some sightseeing in Washington since I had never been there before. But with my leg there was no walking and the pain was starting to set in more. So we started back home to Columbus, Ohio!

We drove through the night and made it back to Columbus around 2:00 am slept until around noon and then went to the ER. The Doctor asked how it happened. I took a SPILL on Capitol Hill. They laughed and apoligized and said  it is funny how you say it! After about an hour in the ER and X-rays it was confirmed my leg is broken! They called me a dedicated trooper for still continuing on to the meetings with a broken leg. But it is like I told them Prostate Cancer Awareness is very important to me as my husband has it!

 

Swanton, Ohio 2022

 

Athens, Ohio 2022

Meet Tom, he has been a driving force in Athens on getting the Proclamation from Mayor Patterson. Tom is a 20 year Prostate cancer survivor. 

 

Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

 September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month

Whereas, In Ohio an estimated 9,530 new cases of prostate cancer and an estimated 1,370 deaths will occur; and

 

Whereas, Men with relatives – father, brother, son – with a history of prostate cancer are twice as likely to develop the disease; and

 

Whereas, Veterans are 1.5 times more likely to get prostate cancer; and

 

Whereas, Prostate cancer is most commonly diagnosed cancer in American Men and the third leading cause of cancer death behind lung and colon cancer; and

 

Whereas, this year approximately 268,490 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States alone every year. And  roughly 34,500 die this year from the disease; and

 

Whereas, 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer. African American men are at the highest risk for the disease with a rate of 1 in 6 men. African American men are 2.3 times more likely to die from the disease: and

 

Whereas, Education regarding prostate cancer and early detection strategies is critical to saving lives, preserving, and protecting our families; and

 

Whereas, all men are at risk for prostate cancer and we encourage the citizens of (City) to increase the importance of prostate screenings.

 

CW - Groveport Relay For Life

 Local Relayers Ray and Linda Hoetger working hard to raise Prostate Cancer Awareness!! Thank you for all your hard work!  Congratulations 💜

The ZERO The End Of Prostate Cancer license plates were released on August 31, 2021. 

The BMV presented the newly released Prostate Cancer Awareness license plate to Linda and Ray Hoetger, who were the impetus behind the plate.  Funds from the ZERO The End Of Prostate Cancer license plates would stay in Ohio to provide free patient navigation services to reduce financial toxicity among prostate cancer and free transportation for prostate cancer patients to doctor appointments. 

Read more about their story:

https://zerocancer.org/fight/share-your-story/zeros-heroes/the-hoetgers/  #PickYourPlate

The license plates are listed under Organizational license plates. https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/vr-sp-geninfo.aspx

https://zerocancer.org/fight/share-your-story/zeros-heroes/the-hoetgers

Caregiver taking own advice

 For years I have told the Caregivers in my Prostate Cancer group to take time for themselves. Sadly I never listened to my own advice. These past two years has taken a toll on me. 

First the pandemic and masks mandates. Which has caused my anxiety to spiral out of control. Wearing a mask caused flashbacks of a major event that happened when I was 5 years old. Which has turned into PTSD 50 plus years later. 

My Mom passed away April 21, 2021, from COPD and Dementia. The hardest part of that day was watching my Mom die. I set in the room with her along with another family member talking with her even though she was unresponsive. We were told it was a matter of time, it could be hours, days or weeks. I told the family member we needed to tell her it was Okay to go. With resistance that family member did not want to be part of it. As I sat alone in the room. I told my Mom, if she needed to go I would be Okay. Shortly after that she passed away. Now I feel guilty because I let her go. People tell me it was a selfless act to do because I loved her. 

Her wishes was to be cremated. This was something I have never been part of and want to get out of my head. Before the memorial service I was asked if I want to see my Mom for the last time. I thought I could handle it. But I was wrong. We were taken to a viewing room where she laid. She was in the cremation box. It was another reality of the final journey. It was so hard and I could not bare it. I wanted to run out and not be there. But my feet would not let me go. I was able to speak at her Memorial service and I talked from my heart. And how I felt guilty letting her go. 

December 2, 2021, I lost my 15 year old Fur Baby Maxwell. He also had Dementia but for Canines. He would get lost in the house and bark as to say. Mom, help me! At the end I kept him in a baby playpen to keep his safe. There were long nights where he wouldn’t sleep. So I would sit up with him all night. I would rock him and talk with him. On this day he took his last breath at 10:00pm. He was also cremated and he is on the fireplace with my Mom. Losing Max has been really hard as I feel so lost because he helped with my anxiety. When I was in a crisis he would cuddle up so tight next to me. Now he is not here to do that. 

Earlier this month was the ZERO Summit virtually. But this year since 2012, I did not attend. I just could not get j to it this year. Again I felt guilty because of it. But with my mental health being in a crisis mode. It was best to take the time for me. Usually by now I am also contacting elected officials for Proclamations for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month. This year since 2014, will be the first year I have not sent out requests. I has been a hard choice to make again but it is necessary to get me back to a healthy state of mind.

Caregiver’s please make sure you take the time and take care of your self. You are needed to be healthy on the journey with your loved ones battling prostate cancer. 

Currently my husband is still in remission. And I am very grateful for this. This is why it is so important for me to focus on myself as well. 

Day 15!!

One of our amazing Prostate cancer advocate friends has decimated todays push-ups to Ray and I. 

 Stephanie Mueller is feeling strong!

Day 15‼️

2,800 push-ups in 28 days for ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer!

And, to make it even more meaningful... I’m choosing to dedicate my 100 push-ups each day to someone I admire. 

Today, my push-ups are dedicated to an amazing survivor and fellow advocate, Ray Hoetger and part of another power couple with his wife, Linda Hoetger. 

Ray and Linda are very special to me!! They are my longest ZERO friends having met them at my very 1st 5k in 2012... and Ray talked to my dad forever about their time as firefighters.

And, their kitty, Dora, is my kitty, TigerLily’s, mom! 😻

Ray was diagnosed with PC in 2009. A biopsy revealed that he had prostate cancer. He took action quickly and had surgery, followed by hormone therapy. Nearly 13 years later, his cancer is still undetectable.

Ray’s battle with the disease and realization that they didn’t want their four young sons to face the same fight, spurred Ray and Linda into action. They are passionate, active ZERO advocates in Ohio, often travelling to events and educating men and their families about the disease. With Ray’s prostate cancer diagnosis came a battle for Linda as well – she’s committed to raising awareness for caregivers of men with prostate cancer, and is passionate about educating women on her story and how important it is to be aware of the struggles of not only the man with the disease, but the caregiver as well.

In addition, Linda and Ray work tirelessly to petition local elected officials for proclamations declaring September as Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. They receive hundreds of proclamations each year. 

They attend the annual ZERO Summit, and Linda’s dedication to advocacy is well known in the prostate cancer community. She once broke her leg while on Capitol Hill for the Summit and did not miss a single meeting.

I’m blessed to know, Ray and Linda. I admire all that they do to raise awareness and help others through their journey. 

And... now I challenge you... if you’ve read this far... (no, not to do push ups... although you can) to tell one man in your life to get tested. It could save a life! 💙

 

 Love is in the air! Petey found a lady friend to share Valentine's Day with. His gift to her was a PSA Test. How about you Guys have your PSA lately?

 

Camper Van 2022

 Petey can’t wait for Spring! He got a new Csmper Van today. 

World Cancer Day 2022

 Today is World Cancer Day! Petey is our Mascot for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education. The walnut is the size of a normal prostate. This is why I created Petey and share him with the world! This little nut causes so much pain in the lives of men and their families.

 

Cancer Moonshot

I wish President Biden would have followed through with what he started for his son. Even though he gave up on finding a cure for cancer. I have NOT! I continue to fight for prostate cancer awareness even though Ray has been in Remission for 12 years! 

It had been an amazing event that I witnessed on January 20, 2017. My hope is that the Cancer Moonshot will continue to Cure all cancers! As being a caregiver to a prostate cancer patient it has been hard, this disease is hardly talked about. I have heard the struggles from men that their wives have not been able to handle the stress of the disease and have divorced their husbands after years of marriage. And the heartbreaking news that one of my men friends has lost their battle with this horrible disease. I remember them when I fight for prostate cancer awareness! Last year a flag was flown over Capitol Hill for the families of prostate cancer. There is one Family that is extra special to why I fight to raise awareness. This young man at the age of 9 (not a Typo) was diagnosed with his first battle of prostate cancer. It is a rare childhood form! He went through Chemo. In remission at that time, then a year later it returned. By age 11 the had to have his prostate removed and Chemo again. He has been a TROOPER throughout this ordeal. 

So Guys when you say you are to young to get or be tested for prostate cancer. Think again!!!!

I will be back February 27 - March 1 for the ZERO Summit to raise awareness for prostate cancer since 2012. 

Thank you Congresswoman Beatty for your support in raising awareness for prostate cancer. Representative Heather Harris Bishoff, Senator Kevin Bacon!

Goal for 2022

#WHITEHOUSEBLUE2022

#PeteyintheWhiteHouse

#ProstateCancerAwareness

 

PSA Petey

PSA Petey!!  Guys you should know what PSA stands for.  (hint not Public Service Announcement).  Do you know your PSA number?