Gena’s Story

After 35 years of marriage, Gena was devastated to learn that her 58-year-old husband Jerry had prostate cancer. He was diagnosed after a routine physical found that he had an elevated PSA count. Gena, a registered nurse with more than 45 years of experience, believes that her profession and their faith is what helped them cope with Jerry's diagnosis.

Seven years later, Jerry passed away. Now Gena, who's 69, wants everyone to know the importance of early detection and regular PSA testing. "I wish PSA testing was as common for men as mammograms are for women," Gena says.

And she wants to share advice with other caregivers. When caring for a loved one with cancer she believes you need to be patient, loving and supportive. "Support his decisions and his treatment choice because it's his body," she says.

Though it was Jerry who was diagnosed, Gena was affected as well and shares information she wished she had known. "He had some depression and knowing before would have been helpful," Gena states. She also would have liked a support group for caregivers so she could talk to people who had been through similar situations.

Gena is willing to talk to others who are affected by prostate cancer, to share her story with them and to listen. To contact Gena, please call Tammy Ludke, Prostate Care Patient Navigator, at 651-232-7970.