Top 10 Blogs of 2019

2019 has been a busy year for our Journey to ZERO blog series! So many men and their families have taken the time to record their cancer journeys and we thank them for their willingness to do so. We've listed some of our most read blogs as well as some of our favorites. Make sure to set aside time to read, or re-read, them when you get a chance.

Doing it for Dad By: April Brown

Tom Brown, April's Dad

April was twenty when she got the news that her dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and that he needed surgery immediately. As time went on, her dad's cancer came back and spread throughout his body. April shares, “He would ALWAYS smile for the camera” no matter what he was going through. Read her heartfelt blog about the raw truth about what prostate cancer can do to a family.

Vic Lombardi

Sportsman Vic Lombardi's Take on Prostate Cancer and the "Waiting Game" By: Vic Lombardi

Sportsman Vic Lombardi went to his yearly physical which included a blood test. With that test came an elevated PSA score, then a visit to the urologist, followed by a biopsy and finally the dreaded phone call stating, "You have cancer. And it's a mean one." Even with stage 3 prostate cancer, Vic states, “I’m the lucky one. I caught it. I can see it. I can feel it. I can fight it”.

Danielle and her Father

Danielle Quinn: "This is my fight in honor of my dad" By: Danielle Quinn 

When Danielle heard the news that her dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, she said, “I felt the floor fall out from beneath me and couldn’t catch my breath”. She didn’t know where or who to turn to until she found ZERO. Danielle shares how she got involved with ZERO to join the fight to end prostate cancer and how ZERO became her 'anchor'.

Randy Kam

I’ve Been to the Mountaintop By: Randall Kam

Randy’s prostate cancer journey began October 13, 2014 after he had gone to the doctors and had a skyrocketing PSA score. Randy is an avid runner but after many treatments his doctor told him he “should take six months off from running". Despite the doctor's recommendation, Randy was determined to finish his streak. Randy's blog is overflowing with his actions of determination and living life to its fullest.

Left: Jason Hartley Right: Chris Hartley

Living With Pride

When Chris was first diagnosed with prostate cancer in December of 2017, he was overwhelmed with fear and embarrassment related to prostate cancer treatments. “I can remember the family getting ready to go out for dinner and I was still in a full adult diaper. That night I refused to leave the house.” As a gay man, Chris wondered constantly about how the surgery may affect his relationship with his partner. Chris tells us that his prostate cancer journey has made him, “a better man now with a different perspective of this disease and my sexuality”.

Jon and Francine

Waking Up Single with Prostate Cancer By: Jon Di Gesu

Jon was a recently divorced man who was single and ready to get back out in the dating world until he visited the doctor and was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His ‘singleness’ became apparent and difficult when at every appointment, test, and consultation, he was asked, “Is your wife with you?”. After surgery, he was not confident to get back into the dating scene. In his blog, Jon speaks about his challenges of going through prostate cancer as a single man in his 60’s and how he found his special someone during his journey.

Patrick’s P.S.A to Men: Get Your PSA Checked By: Patrick Boll

Patrick and his wife Therese

When the doctor told Patrick his PSA was 1.15, Patrick didn’t even know what a PSA was. A year went by and his PSA had since doubled and the doctor suggested to see a urologist. On Patrick’s 54^th birthday the doctor told him he had prostate cancer. After thinking about the many options of treatments he decided to have surgery. Patrick shares, “The moment we made the decision to have surgery, the relief of knowing that I would probably have this cancer out of my body was much greater than the uncertainty of living with active surveillance and wondering if the cancer would spread any time soon.”

Maureen and Mike

Fighting For Ferg By: Maureen Ferguson

Maureen was absolutely devastated when Mike told her had prostate cancer. “We had been married just over two years. How could I possibly have met the most amazing person in my life to find out that he had cancer?” At the time of Mike’s diagnosis, Maureen had just picked up running, so she decided to google prostate cancer races … and that’s how she found ZERO. Team ‘Fighting for Ferg’ is now the top team at ZERO’s Syracuse Run/Walk. Maureen shares here involvement with ZERO and how it helped her get through many obstacles along the way.

New Prostate Cancer Stats: 5 Absolute “Must-Knows” By: Jamie Bearse 

Dr. Gandhi and Jamie Bearse

The prostate cancer mortality rate is at its lowest point in history. According to new data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and reported by the American Cancer Society, the mortality rate has fallen 28 percent over the last decade. Read more of Jamie’s blog to learn the top five facts to consider when it comes to a man’s risk for prostate cancer.

Dispelling Six Myths About Prostate Cancer and Chemotherapy By: William Oh, M.D. 

Dr. William Oh

Some prostate cancer patients shy away from or choose not to utilize chemotherapy. Their hesitation may result from an outdated understanding of chemotherapy side effects and its effectiveness against prostate cancer. Dr. William Oh explores the myths driven by common misperceptions about chemotherapy and shares the facts.

Thanks to all of our contributors for bringing such powerful and inspirational blogs to ZERO in 2019. We look forward to another year of informative reads on Journey to ZERO! Want to contribute to our blog series in 2020? Shoot us an email.