Prostate Cancer & Caregiving: It’s a Unique Experience
Nov 02, 2022 8:05 PM (ET)
Caring for another person is a huge undertaking. As Prostate Cancer Caregivers, we often have a very involved role and influence in the choices of treatment and shared decision making with little support for the care we provide to our loved ones or understanding for how this impacts our emotional and intimacy needs during and after our loved one’s treatment.
In this session we will discuss how Prostate Cancer Caregivers influence the choices of treatment, shared decision making, support gaps they experience, and emotional/sexual health needs. We will leave this session feeling empowered in our role as caregivers with ideas on how to support ourselves while supporting the ones we love.
*Note: This meeting will be recorded. Participants can engage with the session as much as they are comfortable, i.e. turning on their video and/or unmuting themselves to speak.
Moderator
Rev. Julius D. Jackson, Jr. (he/him/his)
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Rev. Julius D. Jackson, Jr. (he/him/his)
Pastor, Chaplain, and Prostate Cancer Survivor
Born in Centreville, Mississippi, Pastor Julius David Jackson, Jr. (J.D.) spent the first year of life in Monroe, Louisiana until his family relocated to Rochester, NY. He completed his undergraduate education at Monroe Community College (MCC) and the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). He holds a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Colgate Rochester Crozier Divinity School (CRCDS). He is currently the Pastor of Trinity Emmanuel Presbyterian Church of Rochester, NY and a Chaplain at St. John’s Home. Pastor JD is the father of two sons, Julius David III (Trey) and James Anderson Samuel (JAS).
Speakers
Regina Hoover, MBA (she/her/hers)
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Regina Hoover, MBA (she/her/hers)
Caregiver
Ms. Regina Hoover has her MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and has worked in upper management at healthcare and insurance organizations. She had this to say about her experience: “I am the caregiver for my spouse who has stage 4 prostate cancer. I had a brain aneurysm 23 years ago. So it’s the lame taking care of the sick and the sick taking care of the lame. Gallows humor, I know but if we don’t laugh we may cry. My strength lies in research so I’m always looking for new treatments and tests and ways to minimize hot flashes. I belong to caregiver groups. They are the best way to learn alternatives, from those undergoing the experiences.”
Gail Valence (she/her/hers)
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Gail Valence (she/her/hers)
Caregiver
Gail Valence is a retired Family and Consumer Science teacher and author. She and her husband have 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren. They live in upstate NY and enjoy playing pickleball, kayaking and spending time with their family.
She was a caregiver to her daughter, who had colon cancer, and to her husband who had prostate cancer. She is a bereaved caregiver to her father who passed from lung cancer.
Stacy Wenger, LSCSW
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Stacy Wenger, LSCSW
Caregiver & Mental Health Therapist, Fort Riley
My name is Stacy Wenger & I’ve been married to Bryan Wenger for a wonderful 10 years.
Within this time, we’ve endured several medical issues. In 2009, at the age of 26, Bryan was diagnosed with colon cancer which resulted in a permanent colostomy bag. In 2019, at the age of 37, Bryan was diagnosed with prostate cancer which has resulted in a permanent suprapubic catheter.
These diagnoses are linked to Lynch syndrome which is a condition that increases the risk of many kinds of cancer. Families that have Lynch syndrome have more instances of cancer than expected. Lynch syndrome also causes cancers to happen at an earlier age. (www.mayoclinic.org)
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LSCSW) and currently work as a mental health therapist at Fort Riley. I am a big advocate for self care although it can occasionally prove challenging.
I hope to be able to provide support & encouragement for caregivers who are walking hand in hand with their loved ones on this journey.