Bob shares his story with HIS

We want you to never feel alone or ashamed with a diagnosis of Male Breast Cancer. HIS Breast Cancer Awareness is here to help and hopefully make changes. Read Bob's story as our Guest Blogger.
We welcome others to share their story regarding Breast Cancer in Men as well. 

Modah Ani-I Am Thankful

Editor; Vicki Singer Wolf Co-Founder

TO:   HIS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS 

For at least a year before I was diagnosed with breast cancer, every time I would put something in my left shirt pocket, e.g., glasses, business cards, etc. my left nipple would hurt.  There wasn’t any discharge nor did I feel any lumps.

There is no history ofbreast cancer in my family.  However, my son died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 46 a few years earlier.

Finally, in December 2008, I went to my doctor who immediately ordered a mammogram.  The experience in the office waiting room described by Harvey was almost exactly as I experienced.  The embarrassment of patients looking at me thinking this old guy is in the wrong doctor’s office.

The next step was a pet scan at which time the doctor said things did not look good.  He then recommended a Surgeon and an Oncologist.  The Surgeon scheduled a biopsy.  The biopsy came back positive for breast cancer.   The surgeon scheduled the surgery for a mastectomy of my left breast.

This all happened in a very short time frame.  My wife and I were just plain numb, then fear started to set in.  I was 76 years old and definitely was not ready to pack it in!

The Surgeon performed a mastectomy on my left breast and also removed 17 lymph nodes of which 9 where malignant.  I had stage 3A cancer.

My Oncologist explained to us that I had done nothing to cause this cancer, as smokers can cause lung cancer, etc.  However, he felt I waited too long after noticing the nipple discomfort before seeing a Doctor.  After this visit he started me on chemo treatment.  The day after my first treatment, I was so weak that I went back to his office.  At which time he ordered some blood work, which showed my white cell count, was very low (so no immunity).  He immediately called for an ambulance to take me to the hospital where I was placed in isolation.  They gave me an injection of Neupogen and ordered an injection for the next 4 days.

I had 8 chemo treatments each followed with 5 days of Neupogen injections.  It completely sapped all of my strength.  My wife set up chairs to the bathroom to help me walk.  Was I scared of course!  However, I was determined to fight this disease, but more importantly fight mentally.  Thinking positively and fighting despair are two very powerful weapons as well as keeping your since of humor.

As Vice President and Dock Master of a 318 unit condominium with 53 dock slips I had significant responsibilities.  I made myself go to the office everyday.  Just walking the 100 or so yards was extremely exhausting and painful. Driving would have been easier, but so would sitting in my easy chair or lying in bed been easier.

I lost all of my hair, eyebrows and mustache.  However, living in a 55 year or older community bald was the norm.  At an owners Board of Directors meeting I announced that I was being treated for male breast cancer, but I was not ready to resign and would do everything in my power to fulfill my duties, which I did.  This was educational to most because they believed men do not get breast cancer; just like men don’t cry.

After the chemo treatments I had 33 radiation treatments.  The Oncologist put me on the drug Tamoxifen (a female hormone), which I need to take daily for at least 5 years because the doctors know so little about male breast cancer.

I have a daughter and two granddaughters so felt it very important to have the BRCA analysis test to make sure I had not passed on any bad genes to them.  Thankfully it was negative, but we did send the results to her doctor as a precaution.

My greatest weapon was the love and support of my wife, Deanna, friends and family.  I am a lousy patient as well as short tempered, you guessed it she was an easy target and deserves Sainthood.

I have a pet scan every year and have been cancer free for 4 years and pray that I stay that way.

Thank you for allowing me to tell my story.  If you can use all or part to help educate others I would feel I contributed something to this very worthwhile project.

Thank you,

Robert (Bob) Rae