Mentor-on-the-Lake, Ohio 2019

Our fight never ends!

Nearly 3 million men in the U.S. are living with a prostate cancer diagnosis; that number is estimated to climb to 4 million by 2024 as men in the baby boomer generation age.

September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. When the calander turns to October our battle with prostate cancer is not over. You see for families battling this horrible disease continues every month. Prostate cancer is a couples disease. Yes our husbands, fathers, sons, are fighting the disease in their body. But they are not fighting alone we are right there fighting with them.
Some will survive prostate cancer and sadly some will lose their battle. It is critical for men to have a PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test yearly. This is a simple blood test and it will at least give you a baseline to know your number. If it is less than 4 your are good! if the PSA is elevated, then further exams are needed. Don't Fear The Finger! Sorry guys yes I had to say it!
Every three to six months men who have been diagnosed or has an elevated PSA will get a blood test to know the next steps to take. They will need to keep a eye on the doubleing time of the blood test. This is why they need a baseline PSA!
So please guys get your PSA soon! If your battling prostate cancer please speak up and share your story with others. You never know who is battling for their life too. Your story might help someone who is ready to give up in their fight. encourage them to go on and keep fighting! Your not ALONE!!!

June 19,2009

Ray was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer on June 19, 2009! Currently he is a big Loser. Big fat ZERO!!! Before you get upset on my comment of him being s loser. It’s a good thing. A zero PSA is what we want!  It means he is still in remission 10 years later! I will not say cancer free as this disease can rear it ugly head at any time. So my comfort words are remission or NED (No Evidence of Disease)!

Greenville, Ohio 2019

Whitehouse, Ohio 2019

Prostate Cancer Survivors and Caregiver Network

When my husband was first diagnosed with prostate cancer on June 19, 2009., I felt so alone. I felt like I hit a brick wall when the urologist gave us the horrible news. There were many tears after hearing the news. I was grateful that the urologist gave us time to absorb the news. He said when we were ready to talk he will answer our questions. He cleared his schedule for that morning. I had so many questions. Is my husband going to die? What is prostate cancer? Will my sons get prostate cancer?  We talked for a long time and he was able to answer some questions. My husband just wanted the prostate out immediately. HIs mind was made up. Surgery now! The urologist said if we had more questions do not hesitate to call. before we left he gave us the best advice. Become students and learn everything we can.

I took his advice to heart and the next day was searching for what prostate cancer was I wanted some more answers. What causes prostate cancer. What are the treatment options. What is the survival rate of this horrible disease. I was finding information and tried to share it with my husband, but he did not want to ready anything. He had his mind set on surgery. Eight years ago I started gathering information and saving it to a Facebook page. I would share the information on my personal page and was being contacted by other wives going thorough a prostate cancer diagnosis as well. We became friends and was able to support each other in our journey. Sadly some of the men passed away from their cancer shortly after we met online. I cried along with them when they shared the news. I was being contacted by husband and wives wanting to know if they could join my group. Some want to share in private so I changed my page from public to private. Soon after that men were sharing information that they had never shared before! And ask questions that they need the answer too. I will do my best to give them the answers. If I can not answer it someone in the group might have the answers. We support each other through the Good, the Bad and the ugly of prostate cancer! We laugh, we cry and we mourn together.

   

Facebook group link: Prostate Cancer Survivors and Caregiver Network

WEGO Health Profile

This is my profile with WEGO Health
Linda AKA Peteysmom09

Cleveland, Ohio 2019

Thank you Cleveland, Ohio Mayor Frank Jackson for your continued support with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month!

Norwich Township Trustees 2019

Thank you Norwich Township Trustees for your continued support with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

Hamilton, Ohio 2019

This was taken at the Hamilton, Ohio Proclamation reading! I am truly blessed on the support the elected officials in Ohio are showing. 

Ashtabula County Commissioners 2019

Thank You Ashtabula County Commissioners for your continued support for Prostate Cancer Awareness and Education Month! Commissioners Casey Kozlowski, J. P Ducro, Kathryn Whittington

Village of Enon 2019

Summit County Commissioners 2019

Count Petey In

Why I fight

The men in my life are 10 years older! This picture was take on Ray’s Birthday in 2009. On June 19 he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. The two little ones are my grandsons. I will continue to fight to #EndProstateCancer and attend City Council meetings sharing my story and getting men to speak up.

The SPILL on Capitol Hill

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!

ZERO The End Of Cancer license plates

I am determined to get The ZERO The End Of Prostate Cancer license plates passed and on cars soon! Our bill is in with an Omnibus Bill.

House Bill 262
House passed 97 - 0 !!!!💙💙💙💙

Introduced in the Senate June 20, 2019
***It was referred to Committee on September 11, 2019***
Awaiting the Senate to pass

Then onto the Governor for signature.

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.

Athens, Ohio 2019

Athens, Ohio Cupula Blue for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month! Thank you Mayor Steve Patterson for your continued support. And Tom Smith for getting the picture!

Sharonville 2019

Shawnee Hills 2019