Petey's raising awareness for prostate cancer

Monday, September 4, 2017

Missing

Capitol Hill Petey
He has a Special meaning to me! I had him for over 3 years.

September 1, 2017

Heartbroken....missing Capitol Hill Petey!

In 2009 I created Petey the Prostate Crusader out of a walnut! Why a walnut? It is the size of a prostate. Later I started to added hats, glasses and other little things.

For years I HAD Capitol Hill Petey. I carried him with me everywhere. Even to Capitol Hill to meet with Senators and Congress members. I would have him present during picture taking. Your political views aside I even had him at the 2017 Inaugration! Petey is in the picture with us!

On September 1, 2017 while attending a Prostate Cancer Kick off event a Veteran took Petey. He did not ask just took him! If people ask about certain outfits on Petey I will be happy to make one for them. But PLEASE don't take ones that hold SPECIAL meanings to me! I know I will never see that Petey again. If tne guy only understood how heartbreaking this is losing that Petey I wish he would return him!

I can make a new Capitol Hill Petey and start making new memories, but it will not be the same. I know that there is readons to why we lose something or it happens for a reason. Dealing with this loss is hard. If yoou see the missing Capitol Hill Petey bring him home to mom!

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Orange Township, Lewis Center, Ohio 2017

My life

Ray Hoetger and I met June 20, and were married on September 28, 1983. We found our soul mates! When I said those words in Sickness and in Health. I never imagined that the challenge that we would face 26 years later would be prostate cancer!

On June 19, 2009 we hear those words that no man wants to hear. You have prostate cancer! And to make matters worse Ray's was an aggressive form of the disease. His Gleason score was a 9 and PSA was 8.42 and 56 years old. I went from a wife to a Caregiver. At this time we had weigh the treatment options and decide the plan of attack. All the options came with risks and side effects.

Ray chose Robotic surgery and in October 12, 2009 he became a prostate cancer SURVIVOR! The surgery took longer than expected as the cancer has escaped the prostate into the lymph nodes. Not news I wanted to hear. Although he was down graded from a Gleason 9 to an 8. The surgery did come with some side effects incontinence, better than 6 feet under! At 45 I was not ready to join the Prostate Cancer Widow Club. Since the cancer was not gone he still had to have more treatments. He was on hormone therapy and did 7 weeks of radiation.

He was on hormone therapy for 6 years and his PSA has been Undetectable for 2 years. He goes every 3 months for a PSA test. I do not use the term Cancer Free as even though the prostate is gone and the cancer was in the lymph nodes. We know that the cancer can rear its ugly head again. So we will never let our guard down. Ray goes ever 3 months for his PSA test and is followed by the Cancer Care Clinic every year. For some people this would be great news! But for those who have been in our shoes they understand.

I may look strong on the outside but there are days when I am not strong at all. The toll that prostate cancer takes on the caregiver is tough! Not only do we care for our loved ones we have to care for ourselves! Many times we forget about ourselves. I have been guilty of that many times. Some will never understand the battles we face with prostate cancer and the after effects.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month so please Guys get your PSA test! A simple blood test can save your life!

Ladies encourage the men in your lives to get a PSA test! Reward them with a treat after the test.

This picture was take 8 years ago on Ray's birthday on August 30, 2009.

Friday, September 1, 2017

Salem, Ohio 2017

Englewood, Ohio 2017

Portsmouth, Ohio 2017

Flag flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of Prostate Cancer Families

Today is the first day of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. For our Wedding Anniversary on September 28, 2016. I requested a flag from Congresswoman Joyce Beatty to be flown over the Capitol Building in Honor of the families battling prostate cancer and those who have lost their battle!

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

Whereas, Prostate cancer constitutes 19% of all cancer diagnoses and 8% of all cancer deaths; and

Whereas, in Ohio an estimated 5,840 new cases of prostate cancer and an estimated 1,020 deaths will occur in 2017; 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 161,360 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in the United States alone every year – that’s one man every 3.3 minutes and roughly 26,730 die this year from the disease – which is one man every 20 minutes; 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.