Ernie Strauss never imagined that, at 46, he would be facing a diagnosis most men associate with older age. As a chief compliance officer living in DeKalb County, Ernie’s days were usually filled with work and enjoying time with his wife, Julia, and their Highland cows. But in late 2022, life delivered an abrupt detour.
It began on Ernie’s 88-acre farm, surrounded by his friends — Jack and Shawn — on a backyard camping trip. The day had been hot and tiring, but when Ernie’s muscles seized up and he broke into a cold sweat, the situation quickly turned from uncomfortable to alarming. Ernie’s friends rushed to help and sought counsel from Jack’s wife — a Northside Hospital Forsyth physician specializing in women’s health — who recognized the seriousness of the episode and insisted they seek emergency medical care.
Despite the scare, Ernie hadn’t seen a doctor in over a decade. It took three more weeks until he finally visited his primary care physician. There, a PSA test revealed an elevated level of 7.4, setting off a chain of referrals, exams and a biopsy. The diagnosis — prostate cancer, with a Gleason score of 4+3 — arrived the following Monday.
“I completely panicked,” Ernie admitted.
He called his younger sister, a nurse, first, but true calm only arrived after a conversation with Jeannie Reakirt, an oncology nurse navigator at Northside. Jeannie’s support, Ernie explained, made the overwhelming process manageable.
“Jeannie helped me make sense of everything, from scheduling appointments and understanding the exact treatment path I was on,” Ernie recalled. “She was also key in encouraging me to attend the 2023 Northside Patient and Care Partner Cancer Conference, where she introduced me to a new friend named Tom.”
Tom, 34 years Ernie’s senior and preparing for radiation treatment himself, was crucial in informing Ernie about what to expect and invited him to join a prostate cancer support group through Georgia Cancer, further expanding the network of support around Ernie.
In March 2023, Ernie underwent a radical prostatectomy. Pain lingered longer than expected and the realities of side effects, like incontinence and changes in sexual function, became central challenges.
But amid the stress and uncertainty, a new kind of support emerged. Northside’s nurse navigator program connected Ernie with a wider network of men walking a similar path — including Ronald Wakefield, a fellow survivor and advocate Ernie would soon call a friend. The informal group, born from shared experience, became a safe space where honesty and vulnerability were not just encouraged, but necessary.
“I realized I wasn’t alone in this — it made all the difference,” Ernie said. “Ron was one of the first people I met who had undergone a radical prostatectomy, and that was a blessing because the process and healing are very different from radiation.”
Ronald, who had been diagnosed in his early 60s and had already faced the hurdles of treatment, remembered meeting Ernie at a hospital event.
“He is a guy who loves people,” Ronald noted. “You can feel his excitement for life, which is what first struck me when I met him.”
Ronald had once relied on a mentor himself and wanted to pay it forward, but he described his dynamic with Ernie as more of a partnership than mentorship.
“We talk honestly about what Ernie is experiencing and support him as he is going through it,” Ronald said.
The two men found themselves sharing practical advice — like how to manage side effects — and opening up about fears and frustrations that are often left unspoken.
Ron emphasized, “Ernie’s age really surprised me, but I wanted him to know I, and the rest of the men we met and connected with, were there for him.”
When Ernie’s PSA levels climbed again in July 2024, threatening a recurrence, the brotherhood stepped in with reassurance and practical insight. Having others who had walked the same road made the radiation sessions less daunting.
“Bonding with other men who had been through this gave me hope,” Ernie said.
He credits the group with giving him the confidence to talk openly about things many men find taboo. Ernie has since brought two other men into the fold, guiding them through his tips on diagnosis, treatment and recovery. For many, the group’s honesty and solidarity have become a lifeline, and Ernie urges other men to seek connection and not face challenges in isolation.
“You can’t carry this journey alone. There’s strength in reaching out and sharing what you’re going through,” Ernie stressed.
Both men now serve on Northside’s Patient and Care Partner Advisory Board, advocating for better programs and outreach and sharing their feedback to improve the experience for future patients. They have participated in hospital events, including an annual Braves game for survivors and educational conferences that expand the ties of the brotherhood even further.
For Ernie, recovery means more than just physical healing. It’s about reclaiming daily routines — getting back to farm chores, fishing and time with his wife. It’s also about using his experience to encourage men to seek screenings, break the stigma and never hesitate to ask questions or seek support.
“Getting checked isn’t as uncomfortable as you think — taking that step brings real peace of mind,” Ernie said. “Don’t let the stigma stand in the way of your health.”
In the end, Ernie’s journey is about more than surviving cancer — it’s about building a community that ensures no one has to take the journey alone.
Find more information on services and resources available from Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
