Steve Boettcher's Page
I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at age 41. I had a radical prostatectomy in June of 1995. There is a history of cancer in my family. My mother had breast cancer surgery three weeks after my surgery. I'm back at work and leading a "normal" life. I regularly attend US-Too Meetings in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma at INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center.
One of the things that amazed me about the experience of prostate cancer is how men go through it basically alone. Sure, you have family and medical staff around you, however you are basically alone in the sense that there is no contact with other men who are prostate cancer survivors. I had several visitors during my stay in the hospital, but I never had a visit from a prostate cancer survivor. I wanted that visit but it never happened. My mother on the other hand had a visit from a Reach for Recovery volunteer. Several months after my surgery, I found the local US-Too group in Oklahoma City. There are men there who are prostate cancer survivors at different ages and with different outcomes. I have met several men that have said they would be glad to talk with newly diagnosed patients. For whatever reasons, it is difficult to get the names of prostate cancer patients from doctors or from hospital staff. That is where the INTERNET plays a significant role: communication and current information, 24 hours a day! A recent study shows that men are more likely to seek medical information over the internet than by personal contact (such as attending a support group).
I would like to see an Oklahoma Network of prostate cancer survivors who are available to respond to e-mail messages from all over the state and elsewhere. With expanding internet usage we could have men sharing information between our 77 counties and beyond. Let's tie in the rural areas to the Metro Areas where you have the most survivors and the majority of the medical treatment and support programs. E-mail is a great starting point to begin a discussion with a total stranger. This could lead to a telephone call and possibly attending a support group meeting. Each person can take it as far as he desires. Women have a lot of questions about prostate cancer and the impact it will have on the lives of their husbands and male relatives. Hopefully this network will expand to include spouses/caregivers who have their own comments and concerns.
Please e-mail me with your thoughts on this subject. Let's start talking about prostate cancer instead of pretending that it is not around. By promoting awareness of prostate cancer and its early detection we can save some one's life.