Sharing online gives voice to this helpful introvert: Meet @jc76

ROSEMARY: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect? 

@jc76: I do not remember specifically how it occurred. I have been a patient at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville since 2006. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in January 2023, I think Mayo Clinic Jacksonville reached out to me about attending a seminar on prostate cancer. At that seminar I believe Mayo Clinic Connect came up.

ROSEMARY: What motivates you to take part in the community?

@jc76: When I joined Mayo Clinic Connect, I immediately found others from all over the U.S. and Canada with the same questions and concerns about medical conditions.

Mayo Clinic Connect offered a vast amount of experience and knowledge from others. As I progressed through my diagnosis, treatment and recovery, I found I could add to the discussions.

ROSEMARY: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?

@jc76: I am an introvert. I was in law enforcement for 32 years. I ended my career as a FEMA Special Agent/Security Specialist deputized as a Special Deputy U.S. Marshal. My career required me to be extremely careful when speaking to ensure I stayed within protocols of law enforcement, rules and policies. With an introverted personality, this added to my tendency to remain silent. 

Being an introvert, it has never been easy for me to be open and speak with others about sensitive things. Speaking with high school alumni later in life, I heard many say they saw me as "stuck up.” That kind of hurt as I was far from it but realized it was that introverted personality that they saw not my being stuck up.

On Mayo Clinic Connect I was able to ask questions, make suggestions, give personal information that I would never be able to do without the online community.

ROSEMARY: What support groups do you participate in?

@jc76: I started in the Prostate Cancer support, but also participate in:

• Prostate Cancer
• Asthma & Allergy
• Bariatric Surgery & Weight Loss
• Bones, Joints & Muscles
• Cancer
• Ear, Nose & Throat (ENT)
• Heart & Blood Health
• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• MAC & Bronchiectasis
• Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19
• Proton Beam Therapy
• Skin Health
• Visiting Mayo Clinic

Wow, that makes me seem like I am an extremely sick guy.

ROSEMARY: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.

@jc76: There are so many! Over a year ago a member had the same prostate cancer diagnosis. He was struggling with what to do and where to go just like I had. He lived close to Mayo Jacksonville and University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute (UFHPTI). I was able to pass on information about each of the programs as I was familiar with both. He posted many times thanking me for helping and getting back to him.

I had already gone through the tests, diagnoses and procedures like SpaceOAR and fiducial markers used for prostate cancer radiation treatment as well as managing 30 rounds of radiation treatments.

Sometimes I use private messages to answer some questions. But one member asked if I could put my replies in the open forum so many could benefit from my experience. That felt good and it does help to have many people sharing and everyone learning.

One of the recurring themes I see on the forum is people sharing about their stress and anxiety as they deal with their medical condition. Mayo Clinic specialists emphasize the impact stress, anxiety and depression have on a physical medical condition. I suggest (emphasizing to check with medical providers) to consider starting an exercise or hobby that they enjoy. Exercise and hobbies can help your mental health which has a major influence on your physical health.

ROSEMARY: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?

@jc76: The vast number of individuals on Mayo Clinic Connect. All the different topics and groups you can join and the tremendous amount of knowledge and experience out there that people share to help guide others. The moderators and mentors add so much to the discussions.

ROSEMARY: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life? 

@jc76: This question really hits a point with me. If you read my posts, you will see I believe in taking care of your mental health and finding something that you enjoy to balance out your life. What I have learned is to try and do something every day that I enjoy both physically and mentally.

ROSEMARY: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@jc76: Before I got my implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) or pacemaker, I was an avid tennis player. I played in the United States Tennis Association (USTA) leagues. After I got my pacemaker the aggressive nature of tennis created problems with the wires and I had to quit. I was also an avid scuba diver which likewise had to end.

Not being able to do those activities left me in a depressed mood for quite a while. One day talking to a Mayo cardiologist who did triathlons he mentioned Sprint Triathlons. They are shorter distances. I trained for one and WOW did I feel exhilarated crossing the finish line and having a medal placed around my neck. I was 71 the first time I crossed the finish line, thinking here I am with heart failure and a pacemaker finishing a sprint triathlon. I have done over 50 of them now since 2017.

I find water aerobics so enjoyable and I became an addict. I do them Monday to Friday. My introverted personality is not present at water aerobics. I sing and openly participate with others. Exercising to music makes it so much fun. I know most think “What?”, but water aerobics can be easy or hard. It depends on how much you put into it.

ROSEMARY: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?

@jc76: When JFK gave his inaugural speech and said, “...ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country,” I was only 14 years old. It had a dramatic influence on me then and for the rest of my life. For the next six decades I have tried to emulate that statement toward family, friends, career, community and country.

ROSEMARY: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

@jc76: Respect, courtesy, caring.

ROSEMARY: Puppies or kittens?

@jc76: I've had both and loved them all, hoping it was reciprocal.

Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.

See more Member Spotlights.