A Map for the Journey
Start Where You Are
When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I knew almost nothing about prostate cancer.
I knew the word cancer. I knew enough to understand that it was serious. But I did not understand the terminology, the treatment options, the questions I should be asking, or how many decisions would eventually become part of my journey.
I also learned very quickly that there is an enormous amount of information available. The hard part is figuring out what is relevant, what is reliable, and what question you need answered next.
That is why we created the Resource Map for the Journey.
It is not here to tell you what decision to make. It is here to help you find information, questions, organizations, lived experiences, and support that may help you have better conversations and make more informed decisions for yourself.
Think of this page as a map rather than a checklist. You do not need every resource today. Start with the question in front of you, then come back when the next question appears.
How to Use the Resource Map
You Do Not Have to Figure Everything Out at Once
What is useful to you today may be completely different from what you need six months from now.
Start with the question that is in front of you right now. Use the resources on this page to learn, prepare questions, and better understand the information you’re receiving from your healthcare team.
You may not need every resource on this page. You may not even know which resources you need yet. That’s okay.
Start where you are. Ask one more question. Then take the next step.
What You’ll Find Here
Resources for Different Mile Markers
We’ve organized these resources around the different mile markers that can appear along the journey.
Some resources come from organizations dedicated to prostate cancer and patient advocacy. Others are tools, services, books, or resources that we’ve personally found useful.
You’ll also find resources connected to the larger Jonesing For The Journey story—including our Mile Marker Journal, Roadside Reflections, retirement and RV plans, and the organizations we’re working with to help patients and families.
Where appropriate, we’ll tell you when something comes from our own experience or when a link may be an affiliate link. An affiliate relationship doesn’t change the way we share our personal experiences, and we don’t want a recommendation to be mistaken for medical advice.
Trusted External Resources
Start With Reliable Information
When I was diagnosed, one of the hardest parts wasn’t finding information. It was figuring out which information was worth paying attention to.
The organizations below are established sources of cancer and prostate-cancer information, patient education, clinical guidance, research, and support. Each serves a slightly different purpose.
These organizations are independent of Jonesing For The Journey. Their inclusion here does not mean that I endorse every statement, treatment approach, product, or recommendation found on their websites.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Patient-focused information about prostate cancer, including diagnosis, treatment, screening, clinical trials, research, statistics, and supportive care.
American Cancer Society (ACS)
Broad prostate cancer information covering risk factors, early detection, diagnosis, staging, treatment, side effects, life after treatment, and resources for caregivers.
Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)
Prostate-cancer-specific education and patient resources, including patient guides, webinars, support groups, treatment information, caregiver resources, and research updates.
American Urological Association (AUA)
Evidence-based clinical guidelines covering areas of prostate cancer care including early detection, localized disease, salvage therapy, and advanced prostate cancer.
JAMA Oncology
Patient-focused cancer information from JAMA Oncology’s editors, including easy-to-understand explanations of prostate cancer treatments and other cancer topics.
American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)
Cancer.Net is ASCO’s patient information resource, providing patient-focused information about cancer, treatment options, side effects, survivorship, and questions to discuss with your healthcare team.
Patient & Caregiver Support
Looking for practical tools you can actually take to an appointment?
The next section includes a collection of patient and caregiver resources provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
Newly Diagnosed
Start here for trusted information, practical tools, and questions to help you better understand a new prostate cancer diagnosis and prepare for the road ahead.
Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer Guide
Learn about prostate cancer, treatment options, possible side effects, and questions to discuss with your healthcare team.
Provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
Medical Information Worksheet
A practical worksheet to help patients organize medical information, appointments, test results, medications, and important questions.
Provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
Questions for Your Dr. Newly Diagnosed
A helpful list of questions to bring to appointments so patients and families can better understand the diagnosis and treatment choices.
Provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
Prostate Cancer Risk & Screening
Understanding your risk and knowing when to talk with your doctor about screening can make a meaningful difference. These resources can help you learn about PSA testing, high-risk factors, family history, and questions to discuss with your healthcare team.
PSA Test: What You Need to Know
A clear overview of the PSA blood test and how it is used as part of prostate cancer screening and early detection. Ask One More Question.
Provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
Screening for High-Risk Individuals
Learn about factors that may increase prostate cancer risk and the questions to discuss with your healthcare team about when screening should begin.
Provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
Prostate Cancer Family Tree Worksheet
A practical worksheet to help document your family cancer history and share important information with your healthcare team.
Provided by ZERO Prostate Cancer and shared with permission.
One More Reminder
Never make an important decision on a single piece of information.
Learn from reliable sources, then take what you learn back to your healthcare team and ask how it applies to you.
From the JFTJ Journey
Experience Is Not Medical Advice — But It Can Help You Know What to Ask
The stories on Jonesing For The Journey are my experience, not a treatment plan for anyone else. I share them because hearing what another patient encountered can sometimes help you identify a question you did not know you needed to ask.
Mile Marker Journal
Follow the major mile markers of my prostate cancer journey—from diagnosis and treatment decisions to surgery, recovery, radiation, ADT, monitoring, and the lessons between them.
Roadside Reflections
Shorter reflections about perspective, purpose, unexpected detours, waiting, uncertainty, and the lessons we pick up along the way.
Retirement & RV
Cancer changed the schedule, but not the dream: sell everything, live full-time in a motorhome, travel the country, and chase 70 degrees.
Get Involved
Find ways to support prostate cancer awareness, advocacy, patient education, and organizations working to help patients and families.
Follow the Journey in Real Time
Jonesing For The Journey on YouTube
The website gives the journey a permanent home. YouTube is where much of it unfolds in real time: appointments, treatment, recovery, patient advocacy, caregiver conversations, retirement plans, and the unexpected turns in between.
Medical Disclaimer
The information shared on Jonesing For The Journey, including this website, the Mile Marker Journal, Roadside Reflections, videos, podcasts, social media, and related resources, is provided for informational and educational purposes only.
Nothing on this website is intended to be, or should be considered, medical advice, a diagnosis, a treatment recommendation, or a substitute for professional medical care.
Mike shares his personal experiences, questions, research, and lessons learned from his own journey. Your circumstances, medical history, diagnosis, test results, treatment options, medications, and risks may be different.
Information found through Jonesing For The Journey should not be used to diagnose or treat a medical condition or to make decisions about starting, stopping, or changing any medication, treatment, procedure, or other aspect of your healthcare.
Always discuss your individual situation with a qualified healthcare professional. When appropriate, consider seeking a second opinion or additional qualified medical information before making an important healthcare decision.
External websites and organizations referenced or linked from Jonesing For The Journey are provided as informational resources. Their inclusion does not constitute an endorsement of any particular medical treatment, provider, product, or organization.
If you believe you are experiencing a medical emergency, contact your local emergency services or seek immediate medical attention rather than relying on information provided through this website.
Jonesing For The Journey is about sharing the journey—not prescribing the road.
And So…The Adventure Continues.