Members of PCCN - Brampton and guests watched an excellent video entitled "Personal Journeys With Prostate Cancer - A Family Affair", created by another PCCN support group.   It was our intention to watch a little of this production and then turn the floor over to some our members to describe their own journeys.  However, the quality and content were so good that we ended watching most of the video instead.

The most obvious lesson that I drew from the video was that Support Groups like PCCN - Brampton are more important than ever.  Virtually every interview contained mention of the masses of information available and how confusing it is to try to wade through it alone, especially when you are terrified.

Also mentioned was the importance of support from each patient's family members.  The last segment viewed featured three very well-spoken ladies who described in some detail how their husbands' ordeals had affected them.  The need for more information was mentioned over and over again. 

 

One lady described how a friend's advice to her husband led him to bring a diaper to the hospital instead of the small pad provided by the hospital for the trip home after his prostatectomy.  As we all know, the professionals involved, no matter how concerned they are, never seem to mention such 'nitty gritty' aspects of treatment and its aftermath.  We who have been there will talk about them!

At this moment, we are considering extending this topic into the May meeting, especially as John Elliot and other members were prepared to talk about their own journeys.  Hopefully they and others inspired by the video will be willing to stand up on May 10 and share their experiences.
Jim Dorsey