GodandProstate.Net: Illness, Mortality, Faith, Evangelism and the Doctor-Patient Relationship in the Digital Age
Jacek Mostwin, M.D., Phil, Professor, Urology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions and Berman Institute of Bioethics, Johns Hopkins University
Bjarne Gabrielsen, PhD., National Cancer Institute, Emeritus
In 1995, Dr. Gabrielsen, an organic chemist and formerly Senior Advisor for Drug Discovery/Development at the National Cancer Institute discovered he had prostate cancer. That same year, Dr. Mostwin performed a radical prostatectomy with findings suggesting a 90% probability of cure, although ten years later the disease would recur. On the evening of his operation, the doctor visited the patient and found him reading from the Bible in his hospital bed. So began a relationship that has so far endured 22 years.
On his website, GodandProstate.net Dr. Gabrielsen writes: “A few years ago, my urology surgeon asked me to review a book written by a prostate cancer patient in which the author described his personal experiences and spiritual beliefs as they related to his disease. Upon reporting back about the book, my surgeon asked if I had kept a diary of my own cancer journey and if so, he suggested that I write such a book myself. Since books have endings, and since my story is on-going, I decided to share my experiences as a website. I will endeavor to tell my story in chronological order starting with my diagnosis in 1995. I will include medical references, Biblical references (which I will call “spiritual medicines”) and a summary of lessons I have learned or am learning (Lessons Learned | God and Prostate). There are also recurring themes which God seems to bring to my attention either from His Word (the Bible), from several devotional books or other sources. My hope is that the information and principles expressed herein will be used by any man in any condition since we all share similar physical bodies and spiritual natures.”
He further writes: “ Diseases of one kind or another and eventual death are things we will all experience. We all want every aspect of our lives to have significance, be meaningful, fulfilling, of some value to others, including our education, career, family, friends, specific interests and talents. But what about sickness, disease and eventual death? Can these fit the "meaningful" category? My answer is yes, hence my website empowering men. Many people (perhaps not all) desire that a higher power be involved within many aspects of their lives. Why should not God be involved in diseases and eventual death?
This presentation will consider the role of religion in giving meaning to illness by reviewing 22 years as lived by one man and followed by the doctor who first treated him. It will consider the experiences shaping his religious perspective, and the development, content and significance of the website which to this date has attracted 750, 000 visitors: God and Prostate | God has hope for your prostate cancer! is a website, a journal, a testament, and a model for some, if not for all. It is hoped that this presentation will expand the discussion on ways of integrating faith into the experience of illness and will encourage others to consider similar or alternative ways that may best suit their own needs.
Bjarne Gabrielsen, PhD., National Cancer Institute, Emeritus
In 1995, Dr. Gabrielsen, an organic chemist and formerly Senior Advisor for Drug Discovery/Development at the National Cancer Institute discovered he had prostate cancer. That same year, Dr. Mostwin performed a radical prostatectomy with findings suggesting a 90% probability of cure, although ten years later the disease would recur. On the evening of his operation, the doctor visited the patient and found him reading from the Bible in his hospital bed. So began a relationship that has so far endured 22 years.
On his website, GodandProstate.net Dr. Gabrielsen writes: “A few years ago, my urology surgeon asked me to review a book written by a prostate cancer patient in which the author described his personal experiences and spiritual beliefs as they related to his disease. Upon reporting back about the book, my surgeon asked if I had kept a diary of my own cancer journey and if so, he suggested that I write such a book myself. Since books have endings, and since my story is on-going, I decided to share my experiences as a website. I will endeavor to tell my story in chronological order starting with my diagnosis in 1995. I will include medical references, Biblical references (which I will call “spiritual medicines”) and a summary of lessons I have learned or am learning (Lessons Learned | God and Prostate). There are also recurring themes which God seems to bring to my attention either from His Word (the Bible), from several devotional books or other sources. My hope is that the information and principles expressed herein will be used by any man in any condition since we all share similar physical bodies and spiritual natures.”
He further writes: “ Diseases of one kind or another and eventual death are things we will all experience. We all want every aspect of our lives to have significance, be meaningful, fulfilling, of some value to others, including our education, career, family, friends, specific interests and talents. But what about sickness, disease and eventual death? Can these fit the "meaningful" category? My answer is yes, hence my website empowering men. Many people (perhaps not all) desire that a higher power be involved within many aspects of their lives. Why should not God be involved in diseases and eventual death?
This presentation will consider the role of religion in giving meaning to illness by reviewing 22 years as lived by one man and followed by the doctor who first treated him. It will consider the experiences shaping his religious perspective, and the development, content and significance of the website which to this date has attracted 750, 000 visitors: God and Prostate | God has hope for your prostate cancer! is a website, a journal, a testament, and a model for some, if not for all. It is hoped that this presentation will expand the discussion on ways of integrating faith into the experience of illness and will encourage others to consider similar or alternative ways that may best suit their own needs.