Rick Lamplugh's Blog
October 31, 2024
Into the Wilds
On the summer solstice and our wedding anniversary, Mary and I were hiking with our friend Fred. While climbing a steep hillside in a National Forest, we stopped to catch our breath and watch some female elk and their young watch us. The young had lost their spotted coats, but their mothers had not lost their protective nature. We kept our distance and shared the joy of this wild moment. Thankful, we resumed walking through knee-high grass dotted with colorful wildflowers.
Until the ringing of my cell phone shattered the wild silence.
I usually kill the phone when I hike, but I was awaiting a call from my urologist with the results of a prostate biopsy. I glanced at the phone’s screen; it was him. I felt relief and dread. I would finally know the results; they might be bad.
“I have to take this call,” I said. Mary jerked her head toward me, concern obvious; she knew about the call. I gave her a nod. As I turned away, Mary and Fred silently looked at each other and found a seat on a couch-sized boulder left by a melting glacier at the end of the last ice age. I walked a few paces, took a deep breath, and put the phone on speaker. Nerves tingling, I managed a little small talk.
The urologist quickly moved to the heart of the matter: “Unfortunately, we did find cancer…”
My shoulders sagged, and my stomach tightened as he described how the biopsy revealed prostate cancer cells with varying degrees of aggressiveness. One set of cells was not very aggressive; one was medium aggressive. But a very aggressive third set concerned him. And that concerned me.
He recommended...
To continue reading this first chapter of The Wilds of Cancer: A Journey, click over to my new Substack publication:
https://lamplugh.substack.com/p/1-int...
For the backstory on The Wilds of Cancer, see:
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
Until the ringing of my cell phone shattered the wild silence.
I usually kill the phone when I hike, but I was awaiting a call from my urologist with the results of a prostate biopsy. I glanced at the phone’s screen; it was him. I felt relief and dread. I would finally know the results; they might be bad.
“I have to take this call,” I said. Mary jerked her head toward me, concern obvious; she knew about the call. I gave her a nod. As I turned away, Mary and Fred silently looked at each other and found a seat on a couch-sized boulder left by a melting glacier at the end of the last ice age. I walked a few paces, took a deep breath, and put the phone on speaker. Nerves tingling, I managed a little small talk.
The urologist quickly moved to the heart of the matter: “Unfortunately, we did find cancer…”
My shoulders sagged, and my stomach tightened as he described how the biopsy revealed prostate cancer cells with varying degrees of aggressiveness. One set of cells was not very aggressive; one was medium aggressive. But a very aggressive third set concerned him. And that concerned me.
He recommended...
To continue reading this first chapter of The Wilds of Cancer: A Journey, click over to my new Substack publication:
https://lamplugh.substack.com/p/1-int...
For the backstory on The Wilds of Cancer, see:
https://www.goodreads.com/author_blog...
My New Book
I’m delighted to announce that I’ve just published The Wilds of Cancer. Those of you who read me on Substack know that I shared many preview chapters. I’ve written five other books, and this was the first time I engaged readers in the writing process. Many of you responded with thoughtful and emotional comments. That feedback was much appreciated and helped make this book relevant. Thank you!
The Wilds of Cancer is, at its heart, a love story of how Mary and I navigated the challenges of my aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and side effects. In stories that reviewers found compelling and inspiring, I share our fears and successes, our vulnerable moments and joyful breakthroughs. I also describe our holistic approach to dealing with cancer, which combines conventional medical treatment, solid research, and significant changes in diet, attitude, rest, exercise, and time in nature. I believe this book captures our story with honesty and grace and offers a patient’s perspective on cancer from diagnosis through treatment on this life-affirming journey.
I sent the book out for reviews by a number of authors and healthcare providers. Here’s what a few said.
As an oncologist, I see every day how healing depends on more than medicine. Rick Lamplugh captures this truth beautifully in The Wilds of Cancer. He brings us into the raw moments of cancer treatment while showing how time outdoors, a steady mindset, and daily practices like diet, rest, and exercise can help carry a person through. This book is both a story and a guide — one that patients, families, and even doctors will learn from. Daniel Flora, MD, Publisher of Curative: Making Cancer Care Smarter, Safer, and More Human (Substack)
With the observational skills of a wilderness guide, Rick Lamplugh navigates the profound questions and hard realities of his cancer diagnosis, inviting readers into his most vulnerable moments and ecstatic breakthroughs, all within a compelling framework of helpful information and the powerful blessings of companionship. Caroline Kraus, Author of Borderlines: A Memoir, Writer and Director of the documentary Moments of Truth
As a physician, I wish I could prescribe this book. Rick Lamplugh’s journey through his treatment of prostate cancer is a masterclass in patient empowerment. With raw honesty, he shares his fears and successes, creating a holistic map for healing that beautifully integrates rigorous research, profound lifestyle changes, and the restorative power of nature. The Wilds of Cancer is a must-read for patients seeking not just to survive, but to thrive. Keith R. Holden, M.D., Publisher of Prostate Cancer Secrets (Substack)
The Wilds of Cancer is available as a signed copy from me and an unsigned copy from Amazon. A signed copy makes a fine present for yourself or another special person. A personalized inscription creates a treasured one-of-a-kind gift, and I’ll help you make the inscription just right.
To order your signed copy: https://ricklamplugh.blogspot.com/p/s...
An unsigned copy is available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Barnes & Noble.
I hope you enjoy this journey into the wilds of cancer. I’m glad that so many of you were a part of this life-affirming process.
With joy,
Rick
The Wilds of Cancer is, at its heart, a love story of how Mary and I navigated the challenges of my aggressive prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, and side effects. In stories that reviewers found compelling and inspiring, I share our fears and successes, our vulnerable moments and joyful breakthroughs. I also describe our holistic approach to dealing with cancer, which combines conventional medical treatment, solid research, and significant changes in diet, attitude, rest, exercise, and time in nature. I believe this book captures our story with honesty and grace and offers a patient’s perspective on cancer from diagnosis through treatment on this life-affirming journey.
I sent the book out for reviews by a number of authors and healthcare providers. Here’s what a few said.
As an oncologist, I see every day how healing depends on more than medicine. Rick Lamplugh captures this truth beautifully in The Wilds of Cancer. He brings us into the raw moments of cancer treatment while showing how time outdoors, a steady mindset, and daily practices like diet, rest, and exercise can help carry a person through. This book is both a story and a guide — one that patients, families, and even doctors will learn from. Daniel Flora, MD, Publisher of Curative: Making Cancer Care Smarter, Safer, and More Human (Substack)
With the observational skills of a wilderness guide, Rick Lamplugh navigates the profound questions and hard realities of his cancer diagnosis, inviting readers into his most vulnerable moments and ecstatic breakthroughs, all within a compelling framework of helpful information and the powerful blessings of companionship. Caroline Kraus, Author of Borderlines: A Memoir, Writer and Director of the documentary Moments of Truth
As a physician, I wish I could prescribe this book. Rick Lamplugh’s journey through his treatment of prostate cancer is a masterclass in patient empowerment. With raw honesty, he shares his fears and successes, creating a holistic map for healing that beautifully integrates rigorous research, profound lifestyle changes, and the restorative power of nature. The Wilds of Cancer is a must-read for patients seeking not just to survive, but to thrive. Keith R. Holden, M.D., Publisher of Prostate Cancer Secrets (Substack)
The Wilds of Cancer is available as a signed copy from me and an unsigned copy from Amazon. A signed copy makes a fine present for yourself or another special person. A personalized inscription creates a treasured one-of-a-kind gift, and I’ll help you make the inscription just right.
To order your signed copy: https://ricklamplugh.blogspot.com/p/s...
An unsigned copy is available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, and Barnes & Noble.
I hope you enjoy this journey into the wilds of cancer. I’m glad that so many of you were a part of this life-affirming process.
With joy,
Rick
