Annette J

About Annette J

Prostate cancer doesn’t just affect the patient. My family has been affected by prostate cancer for the past 10 years now. My paternal grandfather had prostate cancer and sadly he passed away from it 10 years ago now. My parents are the true caregivers. My eldest sister was having lunch with her two young daughters one day almost 4 years ago now and collapsed. She had a brain aneurysm. My mom and dad stayed by her side for 3 months 6 hours away from home while she was in ICU and was moved later another 2 hours away to a rehabilitation facility. During that time my dad had his annual physical. His PSA levels were definitely elevated. He did let us all know however he still was by my mother’s side trying to get my sister to come back to life. We had a miracle she survived and his back home and she is trying to live as normal of a life as she can. That aneurysm took a lot from all of us including her daughters, her relationship at the time with their father, my other sister and brother, nephew my own children and most of all my parents. None of us were ever the same. After she came home my dad got back to following up on his PSA results. So many appointments later. We all received the news we all dreaded. He has prostate cancer. He tried treatment and the cancer has continued to progress. It is into his bones now. He has broken his hip had it replaced and, his back has several fractures in it that have been fused. My dad was the fittest man in his 50’s and his whole life. I very vividly remember him doing walking hand stands across our yard in his 40’s. We were told a long time ago that “nobody ever dies from prostate cancer”. That is a lie. My mom is now working so hard to take care of the man she loves. We pray, pray, and pray every day that we get more years, more months, more days, more hours. As many as we can together as a whole, as our FAMILY. I would not hesitate myself to give my life for my children. My parents have done just that. My dad with his cancer and still working and trying to make sure we are all okay. My mom with her fibromyalgia and keeping everyone together and being my dad’s caregiver. They are a team and they are what anyone in life should strive for. Rudy and Carmen Munoz are parents are the most amazing example of a TRUE caregiver!

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