Letters To The Newly Diagnosed

Well stated Cyclone Fan. Just read this post and I wanted to again thank the members of this forum for their support and knowledge shared. I am 4 months out of surgery and doing great. So to those recently diagnosed, there are great treatments available, and this forum will help you along your road to healing.

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Age 61
PSA 10/12/15 yearly physical 4.82
PSA 1/6/16 first visit uro/surgeon 6.72
Right Lat Base - G7 - grade group 2 - 5% one core
Right Base - HGPIN
Right Lat Mid - G6 - 60% one core
Right Mid - G6 - 50% one core
Right Apex x2 - G6 - 50% & 40% 2 cores
Left Lat Base - Prostate tissue small focus atypical glands
Left Base - benign
Left Lat Mid - benign
Left Mid - benign
Left Apex x2 - benign

Cyclone,
Awesome letter!! Yours is and excellent idea. Everyone, especially the newly diagnosed needs encouragement. I will be thinking of and writing a letter to add to this thread, I know many others will too, and hopefully this thread will be a popular one. Maybe we can eventually add it to the "sticky thread" at the top of our forum! Keep those words flowing Brother, you do it so eloquently !
"Wings"

---

DX PCa -11/04/12, age 57 =6/10 Biop-GS in 3 was 4+3=7, in 2 was 3+4=7 and in 1 was 3+3=6 mets PSA=71.2 start Lupron ,

1/13=2.7 2/13=0.67 3/13=0.16 6 /13=0.10
9/ 13=0.7 11/13=1.43 12/13=2.7 4/14=2.7
6/14=3.77, 8/14=5.25 Start Zytiga:
9/14=1.46 11/14=<0.06 12/14=<0.06
1/15=<0.06 3/15=<0.06 6/15=<0.06
9/15=<0.06 12/15=<0.06 3/16=<0.06
6/16=<0.06

Dear spouse, child, or loved one of the newly diagnosed,
Let me first say that you have come to a wonderfully supportive place as you embark on this journey with your loved one. He will be so grateful to have you by his side.
The most important thing for you to realize right now is that he's scared and not really focused. You need to go to Dr visits and radiology appointments to take notes, ask questions and help relay pertinent information. Also, getting as much education as possible is a powerful thing. That's where this forum comes in.
Not only is everyone here supportive, but there are a lot of highly educated people here when it comes to the world of PCa. Some of the guys here have a decent sense of humor too.
Hopefully your guy will have a great outcome with no cancer spread or mestastices. If you do, however, find yourself in the role of caregiver, there are many of us here that can help you navigate those sometimes murky waters too.
Keep this in mind, and share this with your guy: Now more than ever there is a lot of reason to have HOPE. Treatments are getting better every day and more men are living longer and with better quality of life. So don't despair. You have an immediate family here that understands what you are going through and knows how scary and confusing this can be.
Ask questions when you have them. Vent when you need to. And share all the successes and setbacks you have in your journey.
But stick around. You'll be glad you did.
Best wishes!!!
Beth

Preface To This Letter:

I am a school teacher and I keep in contact with my students through the years. This poignant letter was recently written by one of my former students, now a college student in his early 20s, after he learned the news of his father's diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer. The members of this entire family have been loyal friends of mine for over 20 years.

This letter, from a son's point-of-view ... and shared here with his permission ... is a true testament to his father's fighting spirit and determination, when he and his family received the news of a prostate cancer diagnosis. I am proud to know them as my friends. Read on! (Preface By: "Cyclone Fan")

And now ... the "LETTER FROM A SON'S POINT-OF-VIEW" ... as follows:

Dear Newly Diagnosed,

My dad has, and always will be, the person I look up to most in life. His incredible joy for life is something I've always tried to emulate. I honestly feel like my dad is still more of a "kid at heart" than I am, now that I'm in my 20s. Growing up, Dad has always prioritized us kids FAR above himself. He's been there by my side, for almost every single moment of my childhood ... playing football with me and my friends ... or consoling me after losing at a sporting event ... supporting me through all of the ups and downs of life.

When Dad sat me down and let me know he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I was absolutely floored. Every single wave of emotion hit me at once, and I ended up bursting into tears once the news had registered.

I can still picture myself, sitting in the room with Dad, just rocking back and forth in the chair, with every bad scenario racing through my head. Then my dad, who had every right in the world to be selfish and begin thinking only about himself and his medical situation, said something that really made me lose it. He immediately started talking about us ... his family ... and not himself. He told me he would fight this with all that he had ... as long as he could be there for his family.

A week later, my parents and siblings headed to the hospital to find out the extent of his condition ... probably the longest and most miserable day of our lives. When we sat down with the doctor and got the prognosis, we were all speechless. I felt like time had stopped and I couldn't believe the words that had come out of the doctor's mouth. That COULDN'T be my dad, who was almost NEVER sick, when I was growing up ... he had ALWAYS been healthy and fit !

For about fifteen minutes, I felt completely HOPELESS ... then something HIT ME ! My dad is honestly the most competitive individual I've ever met. As his son, I'm fairly competitive ... but Dad's spirit of competition is on even HIGHER level. If any person in the world could beat that prognosis, it was DAD.

As we drove home from the hospital, together as a family, I was sitting shotgun next to Dad ... as the telephone calls of SUPPORT started pouring in from family and close friends. I listened to Dad explain the prognosis of advanced prostate cancer, over and over again, to everyone ... the toughest conversations he had ever had in his life.

But I noticed something crazy ... within hours of getting the worst news he had ever received, Dad was becoming more OPTIMISTIC and HOPEFUL, with each discussion that he had.

The SUPPORT our family received over the next few days was truly humbling. I never realized how many people my dad had impacted throughout his life.

Since then, my dad's resolve and attitude towards LIFE has made ME the proudest I've ever been to call him my father and lifelong role model. The greatest thing I've noticed, though, is Dad's joy for LIFE. Dad laughs more than any person I know. He savors every moment and still puts all of our needs far beyond his own. His faith is as strong as ever, and he's taken the whole situation in stride.

My dad is truly my hero, and if someday, I'm even half the father and man my dad is ... then, I'd say I'm doing very well.

Blessings to you all,
A DEVOTED SON

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 8/2/2016 4:33:38 PM (GMT-6)

Dear Newly Diagnosed.

I was asked to write a letter to you. I was nervous about this at first as I don’t consider myself a writer, but I know it is not about that, it is about giving you some guidance during this important time of your life.

First off, I can tell you one thing, getting diagnosed with cancer sucks. It does throw you for a loop and it takes time to absorb it and then communicate with your family. But now is the time to take control of your disease and figuring out what treatment plan you will want. You can start by researching as much as you can about this new disease. What is the best treatment plan for you – what is the best doctor for that treatment plan – what side effects can you tolerate with your treatment plan. Maybe, if you are one of the lucky ones, maybe you can do active surveillance and delay any treatments or side effects. If not, what questions do you ask the doctors on your consult? Many of the standard questions to ask your Urologist (Surgeon) or your Radiation Oncologist can be found here on HealingWell. Do you need a medical oncologist? Might be worth having a consult with one who could be your primary doctor during your treatment plan. You will spend time reading on here and many places online about what is right for you. But you need to know that everyone is different. Because one treatment plan worked for one person doesn’t mean it work for you. Discuss your concerns and thoughts with each doctor you consult with and make a decision YOU can live with. Yes, all the treatment plans have side effects, some short lived, some that hang around longer. But walk forward each day and give it your best to fight the beast. Be positive, stay active, keep as much of your work and hobbies going. Blend your treatments into your normal life. Keep your spouse or significant others in the loop on what is going on. Their support is invaluable as you go through this journey.

I wish you luck on your treatment journey. Please take care, ask us questions, and keep us posted.

We are here to help! -JR

---

CaliJR
Age 51. PSA 9/22/15=7.1 - PSA Free=5% - 3T MRI=Neg
CDU Targeted Biopsy by Dr Bahn 9/22/15=G 8(4+4) T2a
Dr Epstein, JHU, 2nd Opinion=G9 (4+5) Epstein Grade=5
Prolaris Score=3.6
18 Mnths Casodex & Lupron started Dec 2015
HDR Brachy@UCLA 2/29/16 & 3/1/16
Zometa I.V. for bone density preservation 3/8/16
IMRT Started 3/24/16 - 28 Fractions Completed 5/5/2016
Taxotere Started on 7/6/2016

PREFACE TO THIS LETTER: My father is also a prostate cancer patient, walking right alongside me. It's an unexpected "twist of irony" in our connection as son and father ! I have always had tight bonds with all of my family members, but this shared diagnosis between "father and son" has drawn Dad and I even CLOSER together, beyond all words to describe.

My dad wanted to write a letter to the newly diagnosed for all of us here, because he has overcome incredible odds. Knowing a bit of his story will make his letter even more powerful to anyone who reads it. When my dad was 50 years old, he was unexpectedly diagnosed with acute leukemia. His case was critical, and he was not expected to live.

I am the oldest child in my family, and Dad asked me to always watch over my siblings and to take care of my mother, in the event of his passing. He was hospitalized, 'round the clock, for 100 continuous days ... receiving experimental chemotherapy, in a desperate attempt to save his life. With leukemia racing through his body, it was a race against time from the moment he arrived at the hospital ... he had been the picture of health his entire life. We hear that so statement so often, don't we ?

I was a young school teacher then, just getting started in my teaching career, and this happened to my dad during the summertime when school was out ... so, I sat by my dad's hospital bedside for 100 days in a row, and sometimes through the night when things looked bleak, encouraging him to keep "pulling through" ...

Throughout that summer, a tremendous bond was formed between us during those 100 "life on the line" days, in ways that have become even more meaningful today. I could NEVER have foreseen how important that bond would become to both of us now, and the pathways that BOTH of our lives have taken ever since ...

Even though Dad faced very grim odds of survival, I noticed that my father seemed to have incredible resolve, courage, and HOPE. Incredible HOPE ! HOPE?!! Really ?!!?!! Sometimes I didn't understand that HOPE that HE HELD ONTO EACH DAY ... his case APPEARED so hopeless, to be honest ... often, his doctors spoke to me behind-the-scenes when there was bad news from the lab reports during those 100 days ... as the relentless rounds of chemotherapy infusions dripped through his veins, day after day after day ... drop by drop by drop.

I knew what the doctors were saying ... I was told the slim medical probabilities of his survival. They kept saying, "You're his oldest son, right? Well, the news isn't good today, I'm sorry to say." HOPE is a powerful thing, as I discovered that summer ... life lesson here ... for all of us. Dad showed me that in incredible ways during that summer ... the POWER OF HOPE for the newly diagnosed.

Honestly, there were times when I wanted to take those dreaded infusion needles out of Dad's veins with my bare hands myself, pack up his suitcase, tell his doctors we were LEAVING, and drive Dad 100 miles back to my HOMETOWN where my parents still live, instead of enduring one more minute of those treatments. Instead, I gritted my teeth ... practiced PATIENCE ... and watched the chemo infusions, as they continued ... drip ... drip ... drip ... and I kept hoping those endless drips would somehow save his life. Would ONE of those drips of chemotherapy chemicals be the one that started saving his life ? Was it possible ?

Newfound HOPE arrived ... each day ... in the form of notes and cards and letters from friends and family members in the mail ... we read those cards and letters countless times ... more cards arrived each day ... and I learned the value of SUPPORT FROM OTHERS in their words. It came from the people Dad and I had both known our entire lives ... the CIRCLE OF SUPPORT ... words, penmanship, encouragement, verses, postate stamp, mailbox ... care, concern, compassion, courage ... HOPE !

Dad's personal mantra for living was always stated to me in these words, "Son, the SECRET to LIFE is ENDURANCE. Don't ever forget that ... ENDURANCE !" I grew up hearing him say that countless times through my boyhood years ... never were those words more needed than that summer ...

Miraculously, Dad pulled through his bout with leukemia ... and SURVIVED ! He is a shining example put before me today, in my OWN journey with cancer ...

A few years ago, Dad was suddenly diagnosed with cancer once again, when he was in his early 60s ... this time, it was prostate cancer. He had surgery and has been watched over very carefully ever since.

Just a few years later, the tables were turned, and I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in my 40s ... my dad providing INCREDIBLE support to me when I first heard the news, based on his own medical journey. In fact, he was there standing beside me in the doctor's office when I received the news of my own prostate cancer diagnosis. A new school year had just started for me. I drew from HIS strength, standing there next to my dad in that moment.

My dad's urologist and oncologist are both incredible doctors. Based on my father's experiences, I chose both of those doctors for my own case ... and they have continued to help both my father and me in incredible ways, now that we both have faced a prostate cancer diagnosis. Together, Dad and I have formed an incredible bond with our shared doctors.

Something I saw my father doing, even during those darkest days when he was hospitalized with leukemia over 20 years ago ... even when his own future was so unknown and so uncertain ... Dad ALWAYS reached out to other patients, young and old and in-between ...he talked to them ... he listened to their story ... he showed tremendous heart and concern for their well-being ... and he prayed for them. I was amazed that he focused on OTHERS ... instead of himself ... in the face of his own life-threatening diagnosis. It was a powerful life lesson, put in front of my eyes ...

Now that I also "walk in his shoes" in terms of facing a cancer diagnosis, I look to Dad as an example and his unwavering belief in reaching out to others. In reaching out to others, he discovered from his own experience ... you are somehow helped, in fair return.

When Dad heard about this letter writing project, realizing he has been LIVING A FULL LIFE for over 20 years since first being diagnosed with cancer, he IMMEDIATELY wanted to share his thoughts with those who just received the news of their own cancer diagnosis. In the past few years he often says to me when I'm visiting my hometown, "Today has been a GREAT day ... I just LOVE living life."

Reading my father's letter written below was an incredible gift to me, as well, because of the lifelong bond we have shared over time ... and how my father and I are now drawn together in yet another way because of our shared prostate cancer diagnosis. My father's letter follows below, in the hopes it will reach others who will benefit from my father's strong belief in the power of HOPE and finding one's own PERSONAL STRENGTH.

Indeed, Dad, the secret to living life HAS been endurance, just as you always said. You see, Dad ... I WAS listening all those years ago ! (Preface Written By: "Cyclone Fan")

Here Is My Father's Letter To Those Who Just Received A Cancer Diagnosis ...

Dear Son,

I sat down today to write a letter to THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED ... this is for each one of them and their families, friends, and loved ones ...

Normal reactions to the trials of life are commonly met with DISBELIEF and FEAR. However, we are all human and some emotions and fears are too powerful to be contained, even with a strong personal faith, after one's initial disbelief is accepted.

Quite unexpectedly, over twenty years ago ... at the age of 50 years old ... I was suddenly pushed into the WORLD OF CANCER and the distinct possibility of passing away with acute leukemia. In more recent years, I was also diagnosed with prostate cancer.

To be honest, the fear of leaving behind all of those you love is so overpowering ... so, you begin DAY ONE finding out EVERYTHING you can about the unwelcome INTRUDER in your life, known as cancer.

You FIGHT BACK ... each and EVERY DAY ... to beat the odds you have been assigned. Along the way ... you doubt ... you cry ... you fear ... AND ... you HOPE !

Along the way ... you NEVER GIVE UP ! You DO WHATEVER IT TAKES ... to endure another treatment ... to sit through one more dosage of chemo ... to put yourself through one more scan ... to take one more pill ... and you PRAY. Pray without ceasing ... for yourself and for OTHERS !

With these words I've shared with you today, my friends ... you'll know IN YOUR HEART ... that YOU will be THE ONE to beat the odds !

Written in the spirit of reaching out to others,
DAD ("Cyclone's Father")


EPILOGUE: There's a bit more to tell you, now that my dad has written his letter to the newly diagnosed. Over time, as I began my own treatments for prostate cancer, the story of "father and son" BOTH being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer began to spread widely across my Midwestern hometown. Six generations of my family have lived in the same county for over 100 years, and my father and I know almost every family in the area. Realizing that together we represented TWO GENERATIONS of men, Dad and I realized that our story had the potential to reach a wide range of other fellows who also faced a prostate cancer diagnosis ... and to encourage other fellows to stay vigilant in their own health and to stay up-to-date with doctor visits and regular physicals.

Since then, Dad and I have found ways to communicate, support, and "reach out" to others from my hometown area. We've shared our stories ... offered some medical advice, when asked ... given recommendations for follow-up care ... shared the names of the doctors who have continued to treat both of us ... visited other prostate cancer patients ... sent cards and letters and messages of support ... had "one brother to another brother" talks with them ... and advocated the importance of practicing due diligence in regard to men's health.

Over time, Dad and I have talked to family friends ... church members ... neighbors ... our relatives ... the fellows at the coffee shop ... my old college roommates ... work colleagues ... old classmates from high school ... "one fellow to another fellow" conversations ...

When I'm back visiting in my hometown, Dad and I have reached out to other fellows in coffee shops ... local pubs and cafes ... church gatherings ... the local barber shop ... the bank ... the post office ... the grocery store ... sporting events ... the country club at the golf course ... and downtown on "Main Street" where happenstance conversations often occur in smaller communities.

Since then, other family friends have gone for check-ups with their doctor and some of them are also currently being treated for prostate cancer, following their own diagnosis. This forum is a shining example of that every single day ... "one brother to another brother" ... REACHING OUT !

To this day, my dad treasures a large CARDBOARD BOX ... still filled with the original cards and letters of support he received during those 100 days he spent in the hospital over 20 years now. There's a lot of HOPE inside that box, believe me ! Meanwhile ... thanks for the letter, DAD, and much more than words can EVER say !

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 11/16/2016 10:46:37 AM (GMT-7)

Thank you for sharing these thoughts from different vantage points. I, too, am a second generation pc patient. I just recently found out that my birth father has been battling this cancer for about ten years. My story is far different than yours. I haven't seen my father since the age of five. I'm thankful you have such a great relationship with your father. I'm sure it is very meaningful and helpful.

PREFACE TO THIS LETTER:

Once the news of a health diagnosis begins to sink in, the people in our lives begin to rally around us, lending their emotional and moral support.

Their heartfelt support is priceless ... family, friends, work colleagues, neighbors, community members, old high school classmates, old college roommates, college fraternity brothers, church friends, golfing partners, fishing & hunting buddies, poker club buddies, old sports teammates from "way on back" ... those loyal, trusted, true-blue COMRADES that come forward to truly support you.

When I first got diagnosed, I kept focused on my teaching career ... my work became a rock of salvation, as I began to wrap my mind around the news of my prostate cancer diagnosis.

My diagnosis came shortly after a fun-filled gathering for my 30th high school class reunion ... and I was just getting started with a brand new group of students for "Back To School" time ... ironic timing, to be sure ... but my teaching colleagues and students rallied around me ... and I worked hard to stay focused on LIVING LIFE as usual.

One evening, after school, a work colleague who is a close friend of mine at the school where I teach came into my classroom. Everyone else had gone home for the evening, and I was working on some projects ...

My work colleague said, "I know that you have faced some very tough news lately ... I can't even begin to fathom what you must be going through, but I'm mindful of everything you must be facing, behind-the-scenes. I just want you to know I think about you all the time, I pray for you every day, and will do anything to support you, going forward."

It was a heartfelt, meaningful conversation. My colleague has worked side-by-side with me for many years, and she spoke to me in a voice that cracked with emotion.

My work colleague said, "I've got a card that I wrote out for you, but I just wanted to let you know ... despite everything you must be going through ... I just wanted to tell you that even though I know you have cancer, you are definitely finding a way to LIVE YOUR LIFE with cancer."

I'll never forget those words ... or the impact they had upon me ! I realized that that my colleague's words WERE somehow true ... and that, day by day, I WAS finding a way to CARRY FORWARD ... despite those rough moments and rough days we ALL experience, from time-to-time.

The card my friend handed me meant more to me than words can ever say. I keep it with me, and have read the words that she wrote to me countless times. Her words continue to inspire me. Her written sentiments could certainly inspire others.

It reminds me that we need to somehow find the words, find our voice, and connect with others when they are facing times of need.

What my teaching colleague wrote is a testament to the POWER OF FRIENDSHIP in our lives, and a reminder to all of us to keep reaching out and connecting with others ...

Life lesson here for anyone here with a new health diagnosis: seek out those LOYAL FRIENDS who are going to support you ... through thick and thin, through storms and sunshine, through setbacks and successes ...

Here is the card I received from my work colleague, who is also a loyal and steadfast friend ...

The card she wrote to me reads as follows:

"Promise me, you'll never think, even for one tiny little second, that you're going through this alone. Because you're not. You've got me. And I'm not going anywhere."

In cursive script, my friend wrote this heartfelt message of support to me:

"Just remember ... I am standing right beside you in this ...

I will be here:

To LAUGH with you ...
To SUPPORT you ...
To LISTEN to you ...
To ENCOURAGE you ...
To HELP you ...
To sit QUIETLY with you ...
To LEARN with you ...
To CRY with you ...
To PRAY with you ...
To HOPE with you ...

I am here for you, day or night ... on a weekend ... on a holiday ... any minute, of any day ... any time, any place ...

I AM HERE FOR YOU !"

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 9/18/2016 7:30:57 PM (GMT-6)

I would like to Thank everyone for posted their stories they give us hope.
In 2005 my husband fainted and I had to call 911.
He had bruises and cuts that were not healing and trouble breathing.
It turned out to be leukemia and if I had not called 911 he would not have made it.
He had many tests and his bone marrow came out dry as a bone.
He had chemo for the leukemia and went into remission.
In fact he is 10 years leukemia free.
When Dr W called to say he had prostate cancer I cried and he was shocked.
Sadly we were expecting the biopsy to come back as cancer because his PSA was 59.
We asked Dr W if the chemo for the leukemia could have caused the cancer and he said no but he can cause other types of cancer.
I got with Steve to all his appointments and tests.
I was allowed to watch him have the bone scan.
I am terrified of his surgery on Oct 17th because of his age.
It is just me and Steve here.
I wanted kids but it never happened.
We have been together since 1994.
This forum has been very helpful.
I wish my husband would stop saying sorry that he has pc it is not his fault.
His oncologist hugged both of us and said how sorry she was that he has pc.
She referred us to another oncologist who she thought would be the best option for him.
We do not know if Steve will be doing radiation or chemo yet.
They want the Pet Scan first.
It is shocking when you beat leukemia and then have another type of cancer.
Jacky

---

Age: 73
PSA 59
Biopsy All cores pos Gleason (4+5=9 stage 4
CT scan Mets to Lymph Nodes,Kidney and Bladder
Bone Scan maybe cancer in hip
Xrays show no cancer
Pet Scan to see if there is cancer in the hip and lower spine next week.

With all credit of lyrics and content to Mercy Me "Dear Younger me"-a letter to his younger self

Dear Newly Diagnosed:
Where do I start, if I could tell you everything that I have learned so far?
Then you could be one step ahead of all the painful memories still running thru your head.
I wonder how much different things would be.
I cannot decide, do I give some speech about how to get the most out of your life?
Or do I go deep, and try to change the choices that you’ll make, because they’re the same choices that made me. Even though I love this crazy life, sometimes I wish it was a smoother ride.

If I knew then what I know now, condemnation would’ve had no power.
My joy, my pain would’ve never been my worth, if I knew then what I know now.
Would’ve not been hard to figure out what I would’ve changed if I had heard this:
Every mountain every valley
Thru each heartache you will see
Every moment brings you closer
To who you were meant to be

Dear newly diagnosed, It’s not your fault.

Know now that there is no sense looking back with any regrets that you could have done something to change this diagnosis.
Look ahead, live for today, enjoy each moment and LIVE!

Wings of Eagles aka Dan in So Cal

Post Edited (Wings of Eagles) : 10/6/2016 1:47:09 PM (GMT-6)

PREFACE TO THIS LETTER:

I am a school teacher. The news of my initial diagnosis came along, just as a new school year was beginning --- after nearly 25 years of teaching. My life changed, in the blink of an eye, in that very moment ...

Support began flowing through to me immediately from the community, my fellow teachers, my administrators, and most importantly ... FROM MY STUDENTS.

Continuing to teach ... and being with my school kids ... kept me INSPIRED and MOTIVATED, as my prostate cancer treatments began in earnest. Over time, my students have shown incredible support, every step of the way, each and every day.

As the school days went by, I began to notice something ...

Up and down the hallways of the school, kids wear a wide variety of TEAM T-SHIRTS. I began noticing the logos --- and found that the T-SHIRT logos were inspiring ME each day, as I began to pursue my treatments. I found myself writing down the various logos ... and each day, I kept seeing a different T-SHIRT message that gave me personal courage and inspiration for the entire day. It soon became a mission of mine, to see how many POWER MESSAGES I could collect ... from the T-SHIRT LOGOS that I saw each day in my classroom.

Taking pen to paper, I began scrawling the T-SHIRT logos on scraps of paper --- and then I found myself posting those notes on my school desk, on my computer, or carrying them in my pocket throughout the day. Each day, I saw different messages --- and different logos --- and each logo gave me a personal POWER MESSAGE for the day ahead.

So, below are all the T-SHIRT POWER MESSAGES I have collected, with special thanks to all my students, who have definitely been a tremendous source of support, throughout it all.

Get a pencil ... write down YOUR favorite ... or better yet, share one with a friend in need. Here's hoping that one of the T-SHIRT logos gives YOU a POWER MESSAGE to carry you through today !

Stay strong in the battle, my friends !
"Cyclone Team Fan" ~ Iowa State University

HERE ARE THE T-SHIRT LOGOS and "POWER MESSAGES" THAT I HAVE COLLECTED SO FAR:

* ABOVE THE REST !
* BE BOLD ~ BE HAPPY ~ BE YOU !
* BE BRAVE !
* BELIEVE IN YOURSELF !
* BORN TO BATTLE !
* BREAK THE MOLD !
* BRING YOUR "A" GAME !
* BUILT FOR BATTLE !
* CAN'T STOP ME !
* DESTROY FEAR !
* DOMINATE & DEFEAT !
* DON'T WISH FOR IT ~ WORK FOR IT !
* DREAM, BELIEVE, ACHIEVE !
* FIGHT BACK !
* FIGHT BACK ... I WILL !
* GET YOUR GAME ON !
* GIVE IT ALL YOU GOT !
* GIVE IT YOUR ALL !
* GO BIG, OR GO HOME !
* GO FOR THE GOLD !
* GOT YOU BEAT !
* ELEVATE YOUR GAME !
* HAVE COURAGE, AND ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE !
* HERE TO WIN !
* HERO ... HERO ... HERO IN TRAINING !
* I AM MIGHTY ! I AM POWERFUL ! I AM FEARLESS ! I AM A WARRIOR !
* I CAN. I WILL. BELIEVE IT !
* I CAN DO ALL THINGS !
* I CAN'T ... I WON'T ... LOSE !
* I DON'T STOP ! I DON'T QUIT !
* I MAKE THIS LOOK EASY !
* I NEVER STOP !
* I'M HERE TO WIN !
* IN IT ... TO WIN IT !
* INSPIRE !
* INSPIRE SOMEONE ... TODAY !
* IT'S GOOD TO BE THE KING !
* I'VE GOT THIS !
* I'VE GOT YOUR BACK !
* KEEP CALM AND SAIL ON !
* KEEP CALM - I GOT THIS !
* KEEP GOING ... GOING ... GOING !
* LEADER OF THE PACK !
* LEGEND STATUS !
* LET'S ROCK !
* LIVE THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AS A CHAMPION ~ Muhammad Ali
* MAKE HISTORY !
* MAKE THINGS HAPPEN !
* NEVER COUNT ME OUT !
* NEVER GIVE UP !
* NEVER GIVE UP THE FIGHT !
* NEVER REST !
* NEVER STOP !
* NEVER QUIT !
* NOTHING BUT AWESOME !
* NO PAIN, NO GAIN !
* ONE HUNDRED PERCENT EFFORT !
* PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION !
* POSITIVITY IS THE KEY !
* POWERFUL !
* READY FOR BATTLE !
* READY FOR LIFTOFF !
* REFUSE TO LOSE !
* RISE ABOVE THE REST !
* SHINE BRIGHT !
* SHOW NO MERCY !
* START STRONG, FINISH STRONGER !
* STAY STRONG !
* STEP YOUR GAME UP !
* # STRONG ! # SMART ! # BRAVE !
* SUPER HERO !
* SUPERMAN !
* THINK STRONG AND POSITIVE !
* UNLEASH YOUR POWER !
* WHATEVER IT TAKES !
* WINNING STARTS HERE !
* WORK FOR THE WIN !

Post Edited (ISU-CycloneFan) : 5/20/2017 10:37:55 PM (GMT-6)

Preface To This Letter:

My parents have always shown unwavering loyalty and support, from the moment I was first diagnosed. They have shown incredible resilience and strength and faith, as my treatments have continued.

My father is a fellow prostate cancer patient, right alongside me. In fact, we share the same doctors. His insight and wisdom have given me enormous peace.

My mother is in a very unique situation ... her father (my grandfather) died of metastatic prostate cancer when I was growing up. Sadly, there were no treatments available for my grandfather in those days.

Some years later, my mother was there when her husband (my father) was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Just a few years later, my mother and father were sitting next to me in the doctor's office on the day I was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

As you can see ... prostate cancer has impacted three generations of my family ... impacting my grandfather, my father, and now me.

I'd like to share the letter that Mom and Dad wrote to me, at the time that I was diagnosed and began my medical treatments. It is a testament to the love and support that emerge from family members when facing the news of a health diagnosis.

I believe that their words will inspire others who just received the news of a prostate cancer diagnosis, just as their letter inspired me, as follows:

DEAR SON,

We have always known that you are making a difference in this world.

We are so proud of the son you have always been, and continue to be.

There has been some difficult news for you these past few days, but you have sailed through, somehow, with flying colors.

We are so happy that your treatments are going so well.

You seem to react with each new thing with courage and bravery.

We are thankful, beyond words, that your treatments are already beginning to help you.

We know that some days can be difficult, but you are doing so well, and we know you are following the right medical plan.

Your latest medical report was wonderful. At last, you finally caught a break in all of this that you have faced!

We feel such trust in your doctors ... your doctors show great wisdom, without a doubt.

We know that this has been the most difficult period in your life. Continue to be brave and know that we love you very much.

Just remember ... this is a journey ... take one day at a time ... no more ... no less.

You could never know HOW MUCH we love you.

Our constant prayer is for your health and happiness. We pray for your health, each and every day.

With so much love,

MOM & DAD