Humanizing Prostate Cancer: A Physician-Patient Perspective - Softcover

Oliver, Alex W.; Schultz, Roger E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1883911346 ISBN 13: 9781883911348

Publisher: Brandylane, 1999

Synopsis

Urologist Roger E. Schultz and prostate cancer survivor Alex W. Oliver have joined together to help men and their families cope with prostatic cancer. Unlike other books available on the subject, HUMANIZING Prostate Cancer offers a dual perspective on the disease by the interweaving of medical information and expertise from a urologist with the first person account of a patient who was diagnosed, treated, and who survived the ordeal. Dr. Schultz says, "Our purpose is to help men and their families better understand the disease and therapeutic choices." Oliver's goal is "to take the fright out of prostate cancer and humanize the experience." Together, the authors present a fresh angle that includes a strong medical foundation, sound advice, and a sensitivity to men who must face this diagnosis. Chapters like "Welcome to the Fraternity," "Don't Believe Everything You Hear," and "Choices and Challenges" bring an intelligent and humane discussion about the physical and emotional realities of prostate cancer.

About this title

About the Author:

Roger E. Schultz, M.D., FACS, is a urologist in private practice with Urology of Virginia, P.C. and former Chief of Staff at Williamsburg Community Hospital. He is a native of New Jersey and a graduate of Tulane University. He received his medical degree from Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York and completed his residency at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Before entering in private practice, he served as staff urologist at the Naval Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. Dr. Schultz has been in private practice for fifteen years. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and former president of the Tidewater Virginia Urological Society. He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with his wife Beth Scharlop, M.D., and their two children.

Native Virginian Alex W. Oliver received his AB Degree in English and Journalism from Elon College. He was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship to study humanities at the University of Virginia early in his career as a teacher. Mr. Oliver is also a graduate of the University of Delaware with an advanced degree in Organization Management. He is currently a professional in managing non-profit organizations. He is married to Libbey H. Oliver, a nationally recognized and honored expert in floral design and author of books on the subject. They live in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

From Chapter 1 WELCOME TO THE FRATERNITY:

Oliver: Sweat poured from my brow the moment he said, "You have prostate cancer." With little warning, this physician and this disease captivated my life. I was devastated. Why me? Why now? Schultz: I've been giving men this news for fifteen years. There's no easy way to say it. Like most men, Alex was pretty shocked. It took time for him to get beyond the words, "prostate cancer," and to absorb any more information. Medical school teaches doctors a new language. Alex has retrained me to put this language back into common English. Most importantly he has also reminded me of the importance of humanizing the entire experience. Oliver: Immediately my life was different. I became a recluse and my imagination went wild. For the moment, core values, logical thinking and my support group were not within reach. I was terrified. Schultz: What Alex felt is really no different from any person who learns that he has cancer. Frankly, he was more open about his fear. Most men that I have treated initially clam up and pretend to be strong. Sometimes I meet men who insist that they don't want anyone in their family to know! These fellows would do so much better to involve their most reliable support group--their family or closest friends. Oliver: I was so terrified, I was unsure that I could handle the situation. But I had been taught early on that it was a sign of strength to ask for help. Roger also recognized that counseling would help. Expressing my true emotions to him and letting him be part of the solution helped in making this new stranger become a trusted doctor.

About this edition

• Publisher: Brandylane
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 1883911346
• ISBN 13: 9781883911348
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 88