Turning Grief into Gratitude — Veteran Honors Caregivers and Spreads Joy

Shortly after being diagnosed with unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer, retired veteran Randy Voigtschild from Tuttle, Oklahoma, chose OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center for his care.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland close to the bladder and rectum. It is part of the male reproductive system and plays a role in fertility. Intermediate-risk prostate cancer is characterized by the cancer being confined entirely within the prostate gland, with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) less than 20 and a Gleason Grade Group of 2 or 3. Randy’s cancer was categorized as unfavorable due to the grade group being 2 in combination with a PSA between 10 and 20.

Approximately 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lives. However, the risk varies for everyone, influenced by factors such as age, race/ethnicity, and other considerations.

For instance, older men are more susceptible to developing prostate cancer. Around 60% of prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in men aged 65 or older, while it is uncommon in men under 40. The average age at diagnosis is about 67 years.

Early-stage prostate cancer prognosis is very favorable, with nearly 100% of patients surviving for five years or more after diagnosis. Treatment options for early-stage prostate cancer are varied and include surgical removal of the cancer through radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy such as brachytherapy or external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) or opting for active surveillance without immediate treatment.

Randy and OU Health urologic oncologist, Dr. Michael S. Cookson, M.D., MMHC, professor and Chair of the Department of Urology at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, made the decision to monitor the cancer.

Filled with Gratitude

Randy’s wife of over 40 years died in 2023 and shortly after, Velda, a friend who had been like a mother to him, also died. At Velda’s funeral Randy found that his grief turned to gratitude as he was able to thank people for who they were and the help that they had given him and his wife over the years. Many people had helped him cope with his losses, including staff at Stephenson Cancer Center.

Despite his deep grief, Randy wanted to recognize, in a tangible way, the people in his life who had offered so much care and support. It was at this point he remembered a story he had read many years ago.

Back in 1993, Randy read the New York Times best-selling book “Chicken Soup for the Soul,” and was touched by the true “Who I Am Makes a Difference®” story told by Helice “Grandma Sparky” Bridges. The story showed the powerful impact on people’s lives when they were acknowledged with a Blue Ribbon and recognized for the difference they make.

“I reached out to the author of that story — Grandma Sparky — who is 82 years old,” said Randy. “She took my call and wanted to hear more about my story. I immediately placed an order for Blue Ribbons and also enrolled in the Blue Ribbon “Standing Strong Together™” Community Building Leadership Training Certification. As a graduate, I am officially a Blue Ribbon Ambassador volunteering so that every day, I can make a difference.”

Time to Act

Randy participated in active surveillance for his prostate cancer by having regular blood tests that measured the amount of prostate-specific antigen in his blood. PSA is a protein produced by both normal and cancerous prostate cells. Randy’s PSA levels increased from 1-2 to 12, indicating that the cancer was either growing or becoming more active.

Randy had a biopsy, a CT scan and an MRI, and a plan was put in place for treatment. The cancer was still contained within the prostate so rather than remove it, OU Health radiation oncologist, Dr. Tyler Gunter, M.D., assistant professor in the Department of Radiation Oncology at OU College of Medicine, recommended proton therapy.

Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that can be particularly effective for prostate cancer. Proton therapy uses proton beams that can be precisely controlled to deposit most of their dose at the tumor site, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs like the bladder and rectum which could decrease the risk of side effects and complications. Proton therapy also reduces the risk of developing secondary cancers in the future compared to X-ray radiation.

“Randy was treated with leading technology using intensity modulated proton therapy,” explained Dr. Gunter. “It allowed the care team to finely control the dose deposited by the proton beam, enabling dose escalation to the prostate tumor itself, which has been shown to improve prostate cancer control.

“As we have greater control over the dose distribution, we are also able to safely compress a course of radiation therapy — which previously may have required up to 45 sessions over nine weeks, into five sessions over and week and a half with similar prostate cancer control,” said Dr. Gunter.

Randy was a great candidate for only five proton therapy treatments and on October 4, 2024, he had his last treatment and rang the bell in Stephenson Cancer Center to mark that he had completed this stage of his cancer journey.

Spreading Joy

Randy, a retired chief master sergeant from the U.S. Air Force, is passionate about championing mental health support for individuals facing difficult times.

“I'll be 65 in June of next year and I'm a Christian — I believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for me and that there are prayer warriors out there that have been a mainstay for me and helped me cope through adversity,” said Randy. “I've made it a mission, alongside Grandma Sparky, to recognize the people who make a difference in my life.”

In order to honor Dr. Gunter and many of the OU Health staff who have touched his life, Randy has acknowledged each with “Who I Am Makes a Difference®” Blue Ribbons. He is filled with gratitude for the many people in his life who have been there through the tough times, and he is giving back in the most tangible way he can.

“We are proud to offer a variety of leading-edge treatment options for prostate cancer at Stephenson Cancer Center,” said Dr. Gunter. “We offer cryotherapy and robotic-assisted prostatectomy as surgical options, intensity modulated proton therapy and volumetric modulated arc therapy as radiation options, in addition to chemotherapeutic and radiopharmaceutical options for patients with metastatic disease. We also offer a multitude of clinical trials, allowing us to provide the latest experimental therapies for a range of cancer diagnoses.”

Learn more about comprehensive, multidisciplinary urology and urologic cancer care OU Health in Oklahoma City, Edmond, or other convenient locations across the state by calling (405) 271-4088.