Petey's raising awareness for prostate cancer and saving lives!
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Monday, September 11, 2017
Saving Lives in September
By Linda Hoetger
On June 19, 2009, my life forever changed. My husband Ray and I
were given the devastating news: he had an aggressive form of prostate cancer.
However, I was not about to sit back and do nothing! I started advocating and
raising awareness for this horrible disease that no one seems to want to talk
about.
In 2012, I was contacted by ZERO to become an advocate and was
honored to be asked to join the “family”! Working with ZERO has given me so
many more opportunities to help raise awareness and to be part of ending
prostate cancer. Each year Ray and I speak to our elected officials at the
Annual ZERO Prostate Cancer Summit in Washington, D.C., and work locally in
Ohio to secure proclamations from each local government declaring September as
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.
I began my journey for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
proclamations in 2013. I’d see resolutions and proclamations from elected
officials proclaiming months and days for other causes, and I knew I wanted to
get involved for prostate cancer. In 2013 I asked the Governor of Ohio’s office
for a resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month in September. The very
next year, Ohio had their first resolution for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month!
In addition to the Governor, I also contacted the Mayor from my
hometown and asked for a proclamation. A few days later I picked up my very
first proclamation. It was a great feeling to know that I could impact change
locally and spread awareness of prostate cancer to the men in my community. The
more men I helped educate about the disease, the better.
After that it became easy to start sending out emails with
requests for support. Sometimes I would receive an email back from the elected
official’s office with support and a story of how prostate cancer had touched
their lives. They’d also tell me that they never knew that there was a month
for prostate cancer awareness! One Mayor even responded to say that he was planning
to start being tested.
I’m proud to say that I’ve received over 85 proclamations this
year in Ohio and close to 260 for the past three years! We’ve also had the
honor of receiving invitations from many cities, villages and townships to
attend the reading and presentation of the proclamation or the resolution.
After the reading we are asked if we want to say a few words, and we always
share our journey and work with ZERO. It’s a great way to ensure more men know
how dangerous prostate cancer can be.
I love being able to make a difference in the lives of men by
raising awareness and educating those who may not know about the disease.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is so important for getting the word out!
Make a difference this September! Every act, donation, and
proclamation helps men and their families. Join me on the ZERO Proclamations Team!
https://zerocancer.org/blog/saving-lives-september/
Saturday, September 9, 2017
Franklin County Government Tower 2017
As you requested, we are able to light the Franklin County Government Tower blue in further support of national prostate cancer awareness month and the #countmein campaign. Congratulations to you for drawing attention and supporting this worthy health mission.
Franklin County Government Tower lit BLUE
Thank you Franklin County Board of Commissioners and public facilities team! The tower will keep the building lit blue the entire month of September recognizing National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month. The 26th floor is lit on all sides.#PCAM
#ProclamationTeam
#CountMeIn
And of course Petey was there too!
Wednesday, September 6, 2017
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
Franklin County Commissioners, Columbus, Ohio 2017
Thank you Franklin County Commissioners John O'Grady, Marilyn Brown, and Kevin Boyce. For your support with a Resolution in Recognition of ZERO - The End Of Prostate Cancer for Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, #PCAM17 #ProclamationTeam
Monday, September 4, 2017
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
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
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