In 1996, Norbert Peiker heard the fateful words, “You have cancer.” Since then, both he and his wife, Barbara Peiker, have been on a mission to not only fight the cancer battle, but also to inform and encourage others who are affected by this disease.
Peiker ran the Boston Marathon in the spring of 1996 and noticed that his time was about 40 minutes off his average. Not long after, he ran the Cleveland Marathon, again earning a slower time than usual. His performance in these two races was bothersome, so he made an appointment with his doctor in June.
After returning from a European vacation, Peiker went to a physical examination where he received shocking news. The doctor informed him that his PSA (prostate-specific antigen) levels were extremely high. According to the National Cancer Institute, “normal” PSA levels are 4.0 ng/mL and lower. Norbert’s PSA level reached 24.0 ng/mL.
Based on these results, Peiker was sent to see an urologist. Three days after discovering his high PSA level, he was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer. Because of the aggressiveness of his cancer, Norbert Peiker was given only five years to live.
“We never wanted to give up. Maybe it has something to do with our runner mentalities, but we weren’t going stick our heads in a hole and give up when we were given the news that I had cancer. Instead we educated ourselves and formed a plan of attack,” he recollected.
The Peikers researched prostate cancer and made sure they could actively participate in the treatment process. He visited a lab in Columbus monthly to get tests taken. “There were times when I went every other week,” he said.
Since his diagnosis, Peiker has endured 17 years of cancer treatment through surgery, radiation, hormone treatment, hormone chemotherapy, and alternative medication.
Because of the severity of his cancer, it remains as a chronic disease.
“It’s been a battle since August of 1996,” said Barbara Peiker. “But through a miracle and by the grace of God, Norbert’s still here.
The couple has been married for 19 years; for 17 of those years they’ve been fighting the cancer battle together.
“The saving grace for Norbert is that he has maintained a healthy diet and exercise routine and that he doesn’t have any other chronic illnesses,” said Barbara Peiker.
Norbert Peiker started running when he was in his 40s. A colleague of his who was about the same age died of a heart attack, which served as a wake-up call to Peiker, so he joined the local YMCA. There, he became part of the Mid-Ohio Striders, a group known as “hard-core runners.”
Norbert Peiker was challenged by a local runner to enter the Columbus Marathon. “I thought no way—what are you, crazy?” he chuckled. “But I ended up running the race.”
With the completion of his first marathon, more folloed. In total, Norbert Peiker has run 47 marathons; he finished 45 of those marathons with a qualifying time for Boston.
“I enjoy running or walking because it keeps my immune system up and gives me a peace of mind,” he said.
Barbara Peiker joined in and said, “Running also keeps him from self-pitying.” He nodded in agreement and said, “There have been times when it’s been challenging not to give in to self-pitying, but Barbara has encouraged me to not indulge in that behavior.”
