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I want to thank you for joining us on today’s episode of The Cancer Project podcast. We’re really privileged to have Carl Peters with us today. He is a recent graduate of the Oklahoma Proton Center and has really been very generous giving back to the staff here. He arranged to have lunch brought in, a delicious barbecue lunch, I’ve got to say, a few weeks ago and fed the entire clinical team here at the Proton Center and has just been a really neat guy to get to know and we’re excited to talk to him about his journey and also talk to him about playing football for the University of Oklahoma back in the 1980s.

So, Carl, thank you for joining us. a pleasure to be here. Yeah, have you done a podcast before? I have not. Just interviews. Oh, of course, yeah. Yeah. Yeah, just just newspaper interviews, basically. Okay, got it, got it. And so you So you grew up in Pauls Valley and I asked you this earlier. I said, “Remind me you have four brothers. ” And you kind of chuckled and were like, “Yeah, I do, but I have a few more as well. ” Yes. So tell me about your family and this reunion that you just had. Oh, yes. Well, yeah, there’s a total of My mom and dad had 14 kids.

Yeah, wow. So we we we and I enjoyed the big family. But uh to tell you a story though, before I was born, with I’m number 13. So My parents lived next door to my grandparents. But with the eight, 10 kids, 10 kids, they lived in a one-room house. Oh, wow. Yeah. Wow. How they How they made it, they did. And you came along, you’re number 13. I’m number 13. I came along and they I guess they decided they better move into a bigger house. Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. So they moved into a three-bedroom at the Three-bedroom, yeah, but still was That was still pretty small.

Yeah, 13 and then 14 kids, so So how many were sharing a bedroom with you? Like you Do you remember? Kid As far as I could remember, it was mainly the boys. Okay. So there was uh Like say, there’s seven seven boys, so I had two of them that’s probably already out of out of the house at the time that I was born cuz like I say there is uh So we We had a lot of bunk beds, I’ll put it that way. And you And so your bro So you had all older brothers? All, yeah. I have no brothers younger than myself. Okay, yeah.

So you have six older brothers. Um and what did you guys do growing up? What are What are like some of your core memories? What did you get What kind of trouble did you guys get into? We uh Uh you know, the main part was that the fondest memory is is playing football on the side of the house. Back in the day, you used to think that the place that we played was like a big field or something. And it was probably a old 6 ft wide. Oh, yeah, right, right, right, right. You know, you’re you’re playing tackle football on that, but uh With no pads.

With no pads. Right. And but it was fun. I mean, it was I guess that’s where we learned the game. So did you feel like did you get picked on as the youngest or were they kind of like looking out for you? actually, you know, uh back you always had one brother that was you was his favorite and then the other brother may have been the other brother’s favorite, but it it wasn’t anything that we had to worry about getting picked on quite a bit. It was It was mainly just for fun. You know, make fun of us. Uh Um you know, if you didn’t tie your shoe right or something like that.

Oh, he didn’t even teach you how to tie your shoe. I can teach you that better than that. Something like that. Nothing Nothing major. So then you you’re playing football and you have older brothers and they’re obviously they went on and had a lot of success. So talk a little bit about just kind of watching them and Yeah, let’s see. I had Well, I have to say my oldest brother played a central do believe and he ended up playing professionally for the New York Giants and then ended up playing in Canada. But after that I had the two brothers that I spent most of the time with the old or actually it’s three, but um the rest of them went to the military.

Um Uh Tony played at OU and Terry played at OU in the ’70s ’71 ’71 through ’74 and then uh Terry graduated ’76, so he was there in ’72 to ’76. Tony played for Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins. Two Super Bowls. I think they won one and lost the other. The Browns won a Super Bowl? No, he when he he got traded to the Washington Redskins and they won with Joe Theismann and John Riggins. Well, and and I guess if they were at OU in the ’70s, they won a national title or They won uh two national titles. Two national titles, yeah. Yeah, 74 and 75.

Okay. And played under coach Switzer. Um And were they defensive backs? They were defensive backs as well. To get the long story short. After they start playing at OU, my mom moved the family to Norman. Okay. Kind of she, you know, she wanted to take care of her boys. Of course, yeah. Yeah. But so I I grew went to school in Norman for seventh grade through my sophomore year. Okay. And went to a lot of OU games and a lot of OU practices. But and that’s where I got acquainted with coach Switzer. Yes, sir. So so you’re watching them play. I mean what are they Are you thinking I want to follow in their footsteps and go play at OU?

Well, you know At that age your ideal is that but your You’re not understanding at at that age the process of getting to that because there’s there’s just not a process of going to place and oh, I’m going to do this. Yeah, right. You you got to put a little dedication into it but After understanding and looking at what they went through, it it did it motivated me a little bit work a little bit harder. So you ended up there in what 1980? 79 79, okay. And had a blast. I mean I wouldn’t change it for the world. We we all three of us had the same defensive back coach, coach Proctor.

Okay. Only unfortunate thing was my brothers had attitude as far as uh wanting to be the best was a little bit different than mine. Okay. They were a little bit more aggressive than I was. Okay. So, coach Proctor would uh if I did something that wasn’t really aggressive, he’d be like, “What are you doing? ” Yeah. He said, “And we were all Pete. ” Oh, okay. But, they were TP and they said, “TPs they wouldn’t act that way or they wouldn’t do it that way. ” I’m like, “I’m Carl Pete. ” Yeah, yeah, yeah. But, anyway, now it it was good. I I wouldn’t change it.

Um And then and what was coach Switzer like back then? Coach Switzer uh one amazing person. Uh he was he treated you like a son, actually. Yeah. Um and that was every player. Uh if you had any problems or questions or or needed something, you know, he he’d do his best to get it for you. Uh Great memory. Yeah. He could tell you some stories uh way back when and he can probably still do that to this day. He’s Yeah, he is a storyteller. Yeah, it’s unbelievable. Uh our uh one point after I left OU, you know, we have alumni associa- or gathering. And uh I take my son when he was I think he was probably four or five years old.

And uh we are introducing to coach Switzer and and the next time he saw coach Switzer, I think he was 15. Okay. And coach Switzer said, “Kobe, how you doing? ” And I was like, “It was amazing. ” And I was like, “How did he remember that? ” He hadn’t seen him in His ability to remember and recall names is unmatched. I’ve never seen anything like it. And he Amazing. I mean, he is in his 80s now and he’s still like he he’ll see somebody that he maybe has met two or three times. No, it’s it’s amazing. Yes, it’s Uh it’s it’s a gift. That’s a gift.

That is a gift. It is. Yeah. So, what did you do after uh college? Okay, so after I graduated uh at at OU, I uh went to a couple of uh had the opportunity to go to a couple of professional camps, but uh never made the cut. So, I figured I better get a job and uh Yeah. So, I started working. Uh I worked for uh Albertson’s at the time and and uh did that for a while and and finally got married and moved to Tulsa. So. And been there ever since? And been there ever since. Uh yeah. So, uh kind of looking at your cancer journey, had you had just to kind of set the stage for this, had you had other people in your cancer or in your family go through cancer like my mom mom she passed away uh in 2012 uh of lung cancer.

Okay. And and and I’ve had two brothers that uh that had been diagnosed with uh prostate cancer. Okay. So, when I uh would go get my yearly checkup, I would have my uh uh matter of fact my uh primary doctor was from Lindsay, Oklahoma. Okay. Yeah. And he had went to school where he was in Lindsay when my brother’s name was in Pauls Valley. So, they kind of knew the name. Uh but anyway, so he would check me uh my PSA uh regularly to uh to make sure that we were going to catch it early if if if it was going to happen. So, you kind of knew, okay, I’ve got to be doing this regular screening and I’ve got this doctor that’s helping me keep up with this.

Um and so and and did did your brothers or you did you ever do any type of genetic testing to see if there was any you know, and and I we did not and uh in here Well after I was diagnosed I really didn’t start hearing anything about you know doing testing genetically about you know about the cancer but I was just thankful that you know he was willing to to test and go through the process. Right. So you get the so I guess the first indication that something was wrong is you you had an elevated PSA. Yes well okay so I I drove semi’s at night.

Okay. And so at one point it the level went up and and he’d asked me he said are you doing anything different and and I said well I get I started driving my truck at night instead of doing the day. And so he said well let’s just you know keep keep track of it and just see what happens and I think a year went by and it went up I think up to six and a half. Okay. Or something like that and he said well let’s just go and send you to a urologist and and let’s just do some tests. So we did all the MRI and all that stuff to figure out and and sure enough they saw a spot but my urologist man he was like let’s take that out I’ll be open next week.

You know I there was process that that you even had cancer and then he’s wanting to go ahead and do surgery and I was like wait a minute just you know just Take a breath. Take a breath and uh Anyway I started researching just to see uh read more about it I ended up actually getting this book uh um called you could live with prostate cancer or how to live or you know, there’s ways to do it. So Right. Uh but anyway, it had different uh treatments in there and and I got the reading and I kept reading and I think a year passed cuz the doctor kept saying, “Well, you know, I’ve I need to get you Yeah.

” So I I I said, “All right. ” So anyway, I I looked up uh in that book it had the proton treatment. So I I looked up to see if if uh if there was a center close by. Oh, okay. And then that’s when I ran across the proton center. Okay. Yes, so you just found us online. Yeah, I Yes, I just found you all. Yeah, that’s interesting. So and and what treatments had your brothers had? Do you remember? They didn’t. That was the whole idea. They were uh These were older brothers so at the time uh doctors weren’t important to them. I thought they were they thought they were invincible, I think, but Yeah.

Uh but anyway, um so they they didn’t go through it but and not to say that they actually died of prostate cancer but I’m sure that uh possibly had a Yeah. Yeah. Something to So you’re thinking, “Okay, I want to I want to do something about this. ” And so you’re doing this research. You read this book. Proton therapy is one of the options that’s presented to you in the book. What stood out to you about proton therapy? I guess what what made you think, “Well, that’s this is what I want to do. ” of all these options that I have. mainly the uh success rate and the uh old just the effects from having radiation or all the other treatments.

There were There were side effects possibly and and this, that, and the other. So, I was like, “Well, that sounds more of my and then as far as the Well, a surgery, you going to have a time where you going to have to stay sitting down or laid down or Right. or whatever before to heal. Yeah. And and like I say, I after researching and reading this one guy in this [clears throat] book had gone through it and and he said he you know, he didn’t have much side effects and and he was able to do his normal routine pretty much after the treatments. And I was like, “Well, that sounds like the kind of treatment I want.

” So, you make that first phone call to the proton center. Was that hard making the first phone call? Was it a little No, it wasn’t. Actually, I I wish I could remember who I talked to. Uh Maybe Ashlyn or Jenny or I think it was Jen, but and and it was easy. I I mean she just said, “Well, let’s get you an appointment. ” And and so uh it it was pretty easy. I mean uh uh I I think the good Lord sent me this way because uh it’s it’s all been a blessing. Good. Seriously, I mean the people that work here has been more than what I expected.

Yeah. I mean So, who was who was kind of helping you along the way in terms of providing support to you, emotional or physical support? yeah, my wife was. She you know, she she I think it was kind of a shock. I mean, cancer you you hear the word cancer and and uh and uh and worse thoughts come to your mind most of first and foremost. Uh but you know, she said, “Well, you know, you you know how your your body reacts and you know, how you want to uh approach this, so I’m behind you 100%. ” So, so anyway, uh but the biggest reason uh I didn’t get right in is because my insurance kept turning it down.

Oh, okay. Wow. So, it was a year from my diagnose uh that I actually was able to come Did you switch insurance or did No. What ended up happening with that? That’s why I say the Lord works in mysterious ways, not to but uh no, um I actually uh Carrie did all the insurance information for me. I mean, she we resubmitted the claim oh, I think three or four times. Yeah. And they kept denying the uh process. UPS offered a uh early retirement. I turned 65 and I said, “Whoa, I’m going on Medicare. ” And Okay, yeah, yeah, yeah. Oh, and so then the Medicare covered the treatment.

Okay, yeah. yes. And listening to your podcast, talking to Jennifer, I was like, “Yeah, I see why now. ” Yeah. Yeah, it’s so frustrating. I mean, it you you pay that money into an insurance plan every month, every year, and you think, “Okay, well, I’m going to need it for something at some point. ” And certainly cancer’s that one thing at one point. Um and then to get turned down Get turned down. Well, isn’t wasn’t I putting money into this? Now I’ve got a doctor saying this is a good option. the blessing about that all uh UPS always union, so I didn’t have to pay my insurance, but still for them to deny Right.

a service that you would think that uh a person feel more comfortable in and you know, going through that. Instead of surgery and your doctor saying it’s a good option. Yes, yes, yes. It it was uh So So you are going through treatment. What was What was the hardest part of going through treatment? Uh driving here. Yeah, cuz you had a long drive. Yeah. Yes. Now seriously, that was uh I mean it it was uh from either Pauls Valley or Broken Arrow depending on the day. Yes, yes, and both of them are uh hour and 38 minutes. wow. So you’re doing that drive every day.

Every day. And seriously, that was that was uh the the hardest part. Yeah. Uh once I got here, you see the smiling faces and the greetings and Yeah. and all that goes away. So the actual process here was was relatively straightforward. was Yeah, I would ask Dr. Story if it if process was even working cuz I didn’t I didn’t have any I didn’t get tired. I didn’t have any stiffness, soreness, didn’t feel any pain. Yeah. Uh it really it I mean I was like Hmm. Yeah. Yeah. worried. He said, “Yeah, it’s been good. It’s working. ” Yeah, it’s working. What So how did you talk to your kids about the fact that you had cancer?

Uh well, you know, uh my daughter was uh she was said, “Well, if it was me, I’d just go ahead and have surgery and get it taken out, get it over with. ” And uh my son was [clears throat] he was more I think he’s kind of like me. Uh you know, you he’s a mechanical [clears throat] engineer, so he’s going to research and Yeah. and see what he think is the better best option and and he was with me just uh research and see what you think is the best for you. Yeah, it’s your body. Uh but anyway, uh no, she’s you know, she’s a physical therapist, so some people have that attitude if uh you know, just get it out and Right.

and get it done and over something bad in my body. I want it cut out. Yeah. How do I get rid of this? Yeah, get rid of it. Yeah, but there’s side effects that come along with that for But there’s exactly, yeah. So, uh uh you know, and I I like I said, I didn’t feel like uh that was the route that I needed to take. Did you meet some other people while you were going through treatment here? I I did and then well, I ended up finding out that uh I had a cousin uh that actually was going through the process. He had started it uh uh I think Paul had started it 2 or 3 weeks uh before I did.

Yeah. And Yeah, that’s crazy. know, we text each other every day because every morning we’ll text good morning and have a good day or something like that. But you know, we never talked about uh health issues or anything like that. Uh we met at an OU football game and and we got to talking and I said, “Yeah, I’m I’ve got” and he said, “I’m I’m going through” he said, “and” That is crazy. It is it is it is crazy. Wow. It is. It So, that uh coming out of that, I mean, do you think guys should talk about their health issues more or what’s the Uh I think well, you know, and Or encourage each other to get your checkups and And I’ve been to uh two alumni things uh with the some former players and I found out that two of the other guys that that I played with there at OU has has already gone through it.

Wow. One guy went through it 10 years ago. Okay. And he’s he’s doing great. And the other guy I think seven. So Yeah. Good. But yeah, no and I’ve uh everyone that I see that uh is my age or older and I’m asking them about their health issues, I said check out the proton Yeah, well now I appreciate that Carl. I appreciate that. So then tell us about uh bringing barbecue up to the center cuz that was Well, it That was really fun day No. and that barbecue was really good. Yeah, uh and I appreciate you guys let me do that because uh to me as um being from a big family and and close-knit, you know, you always ask your grandmother when on your favorite food what she fixed, what you what did you put in there and what did you do to it?

And she said love. I just put love into it so Yeah. To me, you know, feed that’s that’s you know, uh to show you love you you you want to feed Yeah. feed a person. Food is love. I agree with that. Yeah. and and you know, my mom had taught all of her boys to cook. She said if you ever get in a situation where you you don’t have a wife or girlfriend or whatever, you know, you got to be able to survive. So Right. So that’s where we learned how to cook and you know, you just put love into it and I think that’s the best way to show uh appreciation.

Yeah. And uh Well, and you talked about family and like that that food kind of being this thing that brings family together over a meal. And this really kind of is a family here at the proton center, too. You know, I I agree with especially with how much time you spend up here and how vulnerable you have to be going through the process. Yes, and and that was one of the reasons that I was wanting to cook for them because I felt that uh Yeah. Um I mean from the first day it is is amazing from the greetings to the receptionists that I mean and all the way through uh even the we did the tour for at the plant and Yeah.

I mean it it really was. It uh it it made me feel like I was part of the family. Yeah. Yeah. So So what’s your message of encouragement to somebody else who’s just getting diagnosed with cancer? Like if somebody comes to you and is like man Carl I’m I’m scared. I don’t know what to do. Like how do I navigate this? How did you get through this? What do you tell that person? Uh I keep the faith. I mean the people make you feel like there’s no failure. I’ll put it that way. Uh just by the way they treat you and and you know interact with you that you know the process is going to is going to be successful.

Uh I just I’ll just tell them just keep the faith and have a positive attitude. Yeah. That’s a good No, that I like that approach. And and also for you and if if somebody does have this then you know lean on your family, lean on your support system. If you don’t have that then reach out. I mean I know you’re willing to talk to people and help kind of shepherd somebody through a process if they’re trying to get through the proton center and proton therapy or whatever it is. So you know it’s like find that find that core group that you know you can rely on day to day.

That give you the support. Yeah. And if you have a tough day you can be like hey I’m just I’m exhausted. I’m emotionally exhausted. I need to talk to somebody. You have that person. So Well, and I just think that uh like I say with the I don’t know the proton piles they Right. Yeah. Uh you know Jeff from down by my hometown and yeah. I remember going through the uh the luncheon. Right. And uh so I had mentioned my name and he said, “Oh, he’s Peterson Paul’s Valley. ” So I was like, yeah. He’s been reffing high school football. So that’s Jeff Murray, the executive director of the Proton Pals Foundation.

He’s been reffing high school football now in Oklahoma, I think for about 30 years. Wow. So he has met uh or maybe even longer than that. So he has met and seen a lot of people. Uh all over the state. He does big time like 5A, 6A schools. So yeah, he’s he’s definitely seen a lot of people come through for sure. That is good. But yeah, no I I think like I say the uh support system is is important yeah. As well. Yeah. Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk about your story, Carl. Well, it was my pleasure. Yes, sir. I enjoyed it.

Yeah, and we’ll have to stay in touch and I know you’re a few months out of treatment and there’s still this whole follow-up process, but we’ll definitely be rooting for you and and hoping for the best over the next few months and years. Yeah, well I appreciate it. And I’m sure we’ll have a lunching or a barbecue coming along sometime. an annual. I I I will officially make that an annual right now. That is an annual event here at the Proton Center. So Yeah. Well, thank you again for your time, Carl. My pleasure. Yes, sir. The Cancer Project podcast is made possible by the Oklahoma Proton Center.

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