The following stories were submitted by patients of Saint Joseph's Hospital. We hope they will serve as a source of support and encouragement to men and their families as they face their own journey with prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is often described as a couples disease
Just as prostate cancer directly affects the patient’s quality of life, we often neglect the affect that the cancer has on the quality of life of family members, particularly the patient’s spouse or life-partner. Spouses play a central role in men’s choice of treatment and in maintaining their husband’s quality of life. Not only do spouses have legitimate need for support themselves, but the degree to which they are able to manage the stress associated with their husband’s prostate cancer has a direct effect on the quality of life of the couple as a whole.

Consider sharing your story

Dick and Suzanne Hurlbut, HDR (high dose rate) Brachytherapy

Reluctantly I agreed to have a biopsy. This was Aug of 2009 and I had just turned 65 years old. I had been delaying doing a biopsy for a few years, repeating PSA tests every three months and slowly watching my PSA rise from 3 to 4 to 5.  Read more about Dick's story >>

 Jim and June Webb, Robotic Prostatectomy

The words fell heavy upon me as I got the news that I had Prostate Cancer. It all seemed so impossible … but also very real. Read More of Jim’s story >>

Frank and Barbara Bolick, External Beam Radiation

In January 2009, I heard these shocking words from my Urologist re my biopsy……You HAVE Prostate Cancer.’ My wife Barbara and I were a little numbed with that news. However, I later came to understand that it was actually good news since I found it so early. Read More of Frank's story >>

Army Lt. Col. Andy Wysor, Robotic Prostatectomy

Cancer….I had cancer of my prostate…..it was like a baseball bat across my head. So what now? It was time to do some research. Read More of Andy’s story >>

John and Nancy Hintz, Robotic Prostatectomy

My experience with prostate cancer started with a letter from First Colony Life Insurance Co. saying that my application for life insurance had been denied.  Read More of John's story >> 

Read More about John's story from his wife, Nancy's perspective >>

Jack and Sylvian Williams, HDR Brachytherapy

My story begins like so many others who end up with a diagnosis of prostate cancer. In 2006, my annual physical exam blood work showed a slowly rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA), enough for my internist to suggest that I see a urologist. Read More of Jack's story >>

Patrick Minor, Robotic Prostatectomy

Some people believe that prostate cancer only happens to older men. Some people believe you have to have symptoms to have prostate cancer. I am here to dispel those myths. By the time I was 35, I knew that I was at increased risk for prostate cancer. Read More of Patrick's story >>

For Support >>  If you are interested in speaking with other men who have undergone treatment for prostate cancer, consider attending our monthly prostate cancer support group (held on the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 pm). This is a free group and open to those regardless of physician or hospital affiliation. Spouses and adult family members are welcome to attend. Our patient navigator can also connect you indivudually if you prefer to speak one-on-one instead of in a group setting.

Please contact Renee Sevy-Hasterok, LMSW, our Patient Navigator, at (678) 843-5665 or rsevy@sjha.org for information about the Prostate Cancer Center at Saint Jospeh's and how we can best serve you and your treatment and support needs. Services of the Patient Navigator are free of charge and are offered as a service to our patients.

Last Update: February 8, 2011(RSH)