ABOUT BOB
Bob Tierno
The Prostate Chronicles - A Medical Memoir
About Robert “Bob” Tierno
Bob has been around the block, and the cell-block In his storied career (and there are many stories), he has been a correctional officer, federal prison systems regional manager, Intel automotive marketing manager field sales engineer, district sales manager, a Bed & Breakfast owner in the Gold Country foothills of the California Sierras, a franchise business coach and a semi-retired consultant.
What ties it all together for Bob is the knack for leading business growth strategies and then executing on them, relentlessly. He enjoys the gift of quickly learning the intricacies of diverse industries. Never one to rest in the comfort zone of a silo, he is experienced in sales, marketing, business development, and operations.
Bob holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BS in History from the University of Oklahoma. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1972-1986. He has always been passionate about communication, integrity, and leadership. He is the author of the 2019 medical memoir: The Prostate Chronicles: Detours and Decisions following my Prostate Cancer Diagnosis.
Bob lives near Denton, TX, with sweetheart Karen and his one-eyed cat Toby. You can find him on the Robson Ranch pickleball courts most every morning, or swinging the old tire iron on the golf course
Tell your readers a little about yourself, where you grew up, where you live now, where you went to school etc. Let them get to know the personal you.
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| Karen and Bob Tierno |
What ties it all together for Bob is the knack for leading business growth strategies and then executing on them, relentlessly. He enjoys the gift of quickly learning the intricacies of diverse industries. Never one to rest in the comfort zone of a silo, he is experienced in sales, marketing, business development, and operations. Bob holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BS
in History from the University of Oklahoma. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1972-1986. He has always been passionate about communication, integrity, and leadership, and with this book, he is now adding the title of Author to my resume.
in History from the University of Oklahoma. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1972-1986. He has always been passionate about communication, integrity, and leadership, and with this book, he is now adding the title of Author to my resume.
In addition, since publishing this book, I have been a moderator for ProstateCancer.net as well as writing articles on a variety of subjects relating to the impact of prostate cancer on our lives.
What inspired you to author this book?
When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I saw an interview by Mitch Albom discussing, "What if you had only a year left to live?"
At sixty-nine, I started writing down my thoughts from which emerged the concept of the book. My writing coach, Jon Obermeyer, wrote the book Splash -Writing Your First Book and convinced me I had the chops to get it done with coaching and a plan. What was important to me was to get the message to men over forty to pay attention to their health and do it in a way that combines humor and factual medical information.
Where did you get the inspiration for your book’s cover?
The first thing that came to mind was that I was days away from my 70th birthday when diagnosed with T2C prostate cancer. Life seemed to come to a screeching stop as my wife Karen and I had to choose the detour path moving forward. In addition, the day I had surgery, Karen slipped and fell down nine stairs to the floor at the hospital and shattered her elbow, strained her wrist, shoulder, received a concussion and numerous bruises. We became caregivers and patients. Not only a detour but a huge traffic stop in our life.
Who has been the most significant influence on you personally and as a writer?
There are several. Certainly, my wife, Karen. Jon Obermeyer, "The Word Whisperer" my writing coach held me accountable with weekly goals as well as cultivating my creativity.
I may add to this but of course Mitch Albom, and my late father Rocky Tierno.
I may add to this but of course Mitch Albom, and my late father Rocky Tierno.
What were your struggles or obstacles you had to overcome to get this book written
Accomplishing an objective of the correct mix of personal, medical, and humor to hold the reader's attention. The obstacles were numerous. Writer's block where my coach came into play to help with storyline concepts to write about. I had to write free form and not in any logical order until three-fourth of the way through before the order of the chapters became a reality
Tell your readers about your book.
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Look on Amazon and you’ll find over 9,000 books on prostate cancer. Few of them approach the topic with straight talk, irony, and of course humor. My inner Eagle wants to make sure the prostate conversation includes and demonstrates the power of prayer, support from friends and neighbors, and inner resilience. Or put another way, “Mind over Bladder.” I read comments every day from men with prostate cancer and it’s time to “out” this cancer. Whether you have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, are recovering from treatment, or have a friend or associate that’s making this
life detour, this book is meant to be a frank, albeit irreverent conversation to have with your spouse, significant others, children, caregivers, and doctors. I've included interviews from fellow prostate cancer survivors. Welcome to my era. There’s hope in it, and humor. Life is like that.
life detour, this book is meant to be a frank, albeit irreverent conversation to have with your spouse, significant others, children, caregivers, and doctors. I've included interviews from fellow prostate cancer survivors. Welcome to my era. There’s hope in it, and humor. Life is like that.
Who is your target audience, and why?
Men over forty, their spouses, and married children. Veterans who have a higher propensity for cancers. Any man whose family has a history of any form of cancer. In addition, prostate cancer survivors.
What do you consider your greatest success in life?
I have had many successes and setbacks in my life, however number one would be my marriage of forty-seven years to my college sweetheart Karen
What one unique thing sets you apart from other writers in your genre?
The most unique thing about me is there is absolutely no self-pity documented in this book, In addition, knowing that there are over 9000 books about prostate cancer on Amazon.com, I set myself apart by combining my personal history, medical information and above all my form of humor called "dynamic cynicism.
ABOUT THE BOOK
“I know not all that may be coming, but be it will, I’ll go laughing.” Herman Melville, Moby Dick
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Frankly, most books on prostate cancer like this are boring and predictable, with an over-emphasis on the medical aspect. This book is irreverent and, therefore different. It sheds light on my journey and speaks to how relationships matter. Men generally don’t like to talk about their prostate because of its impact on their ego (sex life) and quality of life (incontinence). Life as they knew it is “over,” not acknowledging that their life already sucked thanks to their prostate as in always asking for an aisle seat near the restroom. As in always looking for the nearest bathroom at events, and of course, not enjoying that favorite cup of joe if a toilet was more than an hour away. You do have several options when diagnosed with prostate cancer, but frankly, they all suck.
Despite numerous downside implications, there is the outcome that you live to see another five, fifteen or twenty years. Having that definitive end-of-life conversation with my urologist was sobering. Whether you are a man, or a significant other, prostate cancer is steady part of our health lexicon today. If you’re lucky enough to live to eighty, you’ll most likely encounter this disease.
I think of prostate cancer as a detour in my life in my late 60s, something I would not have asked for by any means. If you happen to have prostate cancer, you’re not totally, FUBAR, (Fouled Up Beyond All Repair). Okay, maybe a just little bit. At least you won’t ever again have to hear your urologist say “Bend over here it comes again!”
Ella Wheeler said in her famous poem Solitude, “Laugh and the whole world laughs with you. Weep, and you weep alone.”
Prostate cancer sucks, but you stand a better chance of coping if you have humor on your side. I’m choosing to take a humorous approach because it’s freaking healthy and because I can and that is what you will find in this book. My life has been a series of exciting eras, all of them fueled by my love of experiencing new challenges. I’m knowledgeable about many things, which I can now add prostate cancer and robotic surgery. Not my first choice, but it does make the list of my expertise longer.
REVIEWS
“What I love about this book is the clarity and consistency of your voice (and Karen’s) throughout. I hear that sarcasm that we all know and love, and I appreciate that the sarcasm doesn’t mask or undermine or trivialize the topic.” J.L.
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