Amie C.

About Amie C.

My father was diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer 2 years ago at the age of 69. I was never close to my dad as he was emotionally not available growing up. He was a provider for our family. He was a survivor of childhood abuse. He struggled with depression and anger throughout his whole life. He wasn’t angry towards myself and my brother but was never really happy. His journey did not start with me. He started at a practice that did not understand his stress response to triggers of childhood abuse and mental health professionals. Due to his anger and frustration he was kicked out of the oncology practice local to us. He decided to go to a hospital 2 hours away for his care. It was about this time I entered the picture. I went to all his appointments to be his advocate and calm him. I also explained his sever anxiety and trust issues with doctors. I eventually got him to consider seeing a psychologist that was experienced with a history of childhood abuse and trauma. I’ve been with him the past 2 years while he discovered a peace he had never experienced his whole life. He loves seeing his oncologist and team and the 2 hour drives have given us a lot of time together. This is time I never had growing up. Due to his cancer we have grown close in ways I wish we could have been my whole life. Most importantly I think he likes himself for the first time in his own life. I feel lucky that he has been able to come to a point where he can enjoy life. I have great gratitude for his oncology team, his physician and his psychologist as they stuck with him through the tough times in the beginning and that made such a difference for him!