Welcome to Episode number 10 of our Prostate Cancer Patient Empowerment program (PC-PEP)!

This initiative is proudly funded by Movember through a Health Equity grant awarded to Drs. Gabriela Ilie and Rob Rutledge and delivered in partnership with the Prostate Cancer - Patient Empowerment Program (PC-PEPTM) at Dalhousie University.

This is a deeply moving conversation with David Johnston—a retired environment, health and safety professional, corporate director, passionate volunteer, and prostate cancer survivor—whose story brings us face-to-face with what it truly means to live through cancer, not just as a patient, but as a partner, a caregiver, and a quietly powerful advocate for change.

Diagnosed during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, David’s journey included robotic prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). But the real heart of his story isn’t just in the medical milestones—it’s in the way he held space for his wife’s own cancer treatment while recovering from his own. It’s in the beard he grew to reclaim his sense of self. It’s in the gratitude practice that helped him stay grounded. And it’s in the moment when one man’s mentorship helped him remember: he didn’t have to face it alone.

This episode is not just about side effects and survival—it’s about resilience in the face of role reversal, grace under pressure, and the quiet, steady power of showing up for yourself and others, even when life doesn’t go to plan.

Key insights from David’s story:

1. When the patient becomes the caregiver.
   While undergoing treatment, David supported his wife through her own cancer diagnosis, recovery, and hormone therapy—navigating dual roles of vulnerability and leadership.

“We took turns—first my surgery and radiation, then hers. There wasn’t space to fall apart.”

1. Listening to your gut—and acting fast.
   David pushed for immediate surgery when diagnosed, even declining hormone therapy at first. He later underwent 33 days of radiation and a full course of ADT.

“I didn’t want to waste time. I just wanted it out of me.”

1. The unexpected toll of hormone therapy.
   With candid honesty, David shares how hormone therapy reshaped his energy, body, and sense of self—and how he fought to stay grounded.

“I grew a beard to remember who I was.”

1. Gratitude as a way through the darkness.
   Early in his diagnosis, David began each day by writing down ten things he was grateful for—without repeats. Over time, this became a natural way of seeing the world.

“It’s amazing how many things I once took for granted that I’m now so much more appreciative of.”

1. The power of one conversation.
   A single connection with another man who had walked a similar path made all the difference.

“Having someone to talk to—who’d been there—changed everything.”

1. Living your values—even in treatment.
   David stayed involved as a patient partner at UHN and the University of Toronto throughout his treatment, lending his voice to improve health education and systems from the inside.

What This Episode Offers:

• A rare glimpse into the emotional complexity of being a caregiver and a patient at once
• Honest talk about hormone therapy, masculinity, and identity
• Insights into patient advocacy and navigating the healthcare system as an insider
• A message of perseverance, gratitude, purpose, and quiet transformation

This episode is for any man navigating prostate cancer—or anyone caring for someone who is. It’s also for healthcare professionals and policymakers who want to hear the lived truth behind the charts.

Listen to the episode on Buzzsprout:

EMPOWER YOURSELF!