Man Turns Diagnosis Into Personal Campaign

When Brad Rhoden found out in May that he had prostate cancer, he recalls being in a state of denial. He refrained from telling people, waited several weeks to break the news to his family and began searching for options.

"Obviously, it hit me like a ton of bricks," he said. "For a couple weeks I didn't say anything, so I started doing research."

Now, five months later, with the hope of completing radiation treatments by the end of the month, Rhoden, 56, is sharing his story via a blog at unwind.topeka.net.

"I'd like to make more awareness because one out of six men will get prostate cancer sometime during their life," Rhoden said. "A substantial number will not know they have prostate cancer and a few will die, but it is an issue men need to be aware of."

In high school, Rhoden was a sprinter and faster than many of his competitors. But years later in 1986, while going through a separation and divorce, he needed a focus, something to reduce stress, so he turned to long-distance running.

He estimates since then he has run about 60,000 miles, including 127 marathons.
"My old track coach, who is long deceased, after I ran a marathon or two, said he couldn't even get me to run a quarter-mile," Rhoden said.

Running hasn't only provided Rhoden with a channel for life's frustrations, it gave him a second chance at love and a running partner. He has been married to his wife, Marla, for 15 years.

In March, Rhoden said he began noticing symptoms, which prompted a visit to his doctor. A month later he visited his urologist for a biopsy and a series of tests.
Then, as he was getting ready to run a marathon in early May, severe cramping in his legs led Rhoden to scratch himself from the event.

"It's the first time I've ever dropped out of a marathon," he said.
The next day he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, despite being otherwise healthy. He said his grandfather had prostate cancer, and his father had troubles with his prostate, but no cancer.

Rhoden opted for external beam radiation after receiving hormone therapy to reduce his enlarged prostate. Physically, the toll of the cancer, radiation treatments and hormone therapy has slowed him down. But mentally, he is determined. He said fatigue is the main side effect.

"(Running) is more of a struggle, more of an effort," he said. "I'm just kind of stubborn. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing."

In fact, Rhoden has been able to run every day since Aug. 16.
"(The doctor) indicated the other day that hopefully the radiation is working, and hopefully I won't need another hormone therapy shot," Rhoden said.

His battle with cancer has helped him appreciate other people's struggles, and he feels fortunate that prostate cancer is curable. He continues to run and has several events lined up if his body will allow him.

"It's helped me greatly," Rhoden said of running. "It gives me something to look forward to every day. It's a part of my life. I'm going to keep doing it. Hopefully, it's just a minor setback in my life."