SO you think that this is a girls club---WRONG

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Bill.S
Bill.S Member Posts: 177
in Breast Cancer #1
from my research, for every 1000 breast cancer paitents in the US, one is an man.
I am one of those men.
It was 3 1/2 years ago . Had a mastectomy, chemo, lost my memory to chemo, have perfrifrel. (wish they had spell check) neuropathy. severe depression, lost my job/insurrance.just about broke waiting to be forclosed and tossed on the street.
Gee this has sure been a lot of fun.
If I was sucidal I would have been gone long time ago.

BUT SOME OF US ARE MALE--MEN--GUYS 1000/1 or 999/1

I can't pretend to know how BC effects a woman, but I would love a woman with BC as much as I would love any woman.

Just wanted to rant
I love you sisters.
Bill S
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Comments

  • Marcia527
    Marcia527 Member Posts: 2,729
    #2
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    Hi Bill. Yes men can get BC
    Hi Bill. Yes men can get BC too. My Hubby got laid off and finally did find a job. Don't give up looking. Talk to everybody you know about possible openings where they work. You never know where one will be. Hang in there. It's nice to hear from you but hope things improve for you.
  • Cat64
    Cat64 Member Posts: 1,192
    #3
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    Hi Bill
    Good to see you post! It's been way too long! I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time.
    I personally think the "pink ribbon" should be pink & blue!
    Praying for you that things will get better.
    ♥ Cat
  • butterflylvr
    butterflylvr Member Posts: 944
    #4
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    Cat64 said:

    Hi Bill
    Good to see you post! It's been way too long! I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time.
    I personally think the "pink ribbon" should be pink & blue!
    Praying for you that things will get better.
    ♥ Cat

    Hi Bill,
    I'm joining in on the sisterly love. You of course are very much a part of this family and please feel free anytime to come back and reach out or rant. We women, being the majority of BC patients have definitely an easier acceptance in our society in how they process breast cancer. I can't imagine the road you traveled since your diagnosis being male and having this horrific disease. I'm praying the worst is now behind you and you can turn things around real soon.

    Hugs,
    Lorrie
  • Rague
    Rague Member Posts: 3,653 Member
    #5
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    Cat64 said:

    Hi Bill
    Good to see you post! It's been way too long! I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time.
    I personally think the "pink ribbon" should be pink & blue!
    Praying for you that things will get better.
    ♥ Cat

    There is a BC ribbon for men
    According to waht I saw recently there is a ribbon for men with BC - it is blue on the side that wraps over and pink on the side wrapped over. There is also a ribbon for IBC that is pink on the wrap over side and blue on the wrap under side.

    Susan
  • skipper54
    skipper54 Member Posts: 936 Member
    #6
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    Rague said:

    There is a BC ribbon for men
    According to waht I saw recently there is a ribbon for men with BC - it is blue on the side that wraps over and pink on the side wrapped over. There is also a ribbon for IBC that is pink on the wrap over side and blue on the wrap under side.

    Susan

    Glad to hear there is a ribbon for men too
    Thanks for sharing that. Bill, I understand your frustration. A lot more is said about women with breast cancer because there are way more women than men who deal with this issue. My friend's husband, like you, was diagnosed with bc. He was self-employed so keeping his job was not an issue but medical expenses were. Hang inthere, brother. We're with you too. Rant whenever you want.
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #7
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    Just prior to my dad's death
    Just prior to my dad's death almost 33 yrs ago he had surgery for what they thought was BREAT Cancer...way back then people thought how insane...

    Happy to say it was not sadly I say short time after he was killed in car accident...

    I am sure many more out there then we'll ever know..
  • disneyfan2008
    disneyfan2008 Member Posts: 6,583 Member
    #8
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    Cat64 said:

    Hi Bill
    Good to see you post! It's been way too long! I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time.
    I personally think the "pink ribbon" should be pink & blue!
    Praying for you that things will get better.
    ♥ Cat

    I agree pink and blue...HOPE
    I agree pink and blue...HOPE all is well...
  • weazer
    weazer Member Posts: 440
    #9
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    disneyfan2008 said:

    Just prior to my dad's death
    Just prior to my dad's death almost 33 yrs ago he had surgery for what they thought was BREAT Cancer...way back then people thought how insane...

    Happy to say it was not sadly I say short time after he was killed in car accident...

    I am sure many more out there then we'll ever know..

    Hello Bill
    Sorry to hear your having such a tough time.
    Hang in there and hopefully you will find away to deal with your situtation.
    My boyfriend and I just get bye, it is tough, he just went back to work after being lade off two years ago.
    Please feel free to vent anytime....Welcome to the club :{
    Karie
  • Lighthouse_7
    Lighthouse_7 Member Posts: 1,566 Member
    #10
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    weazer said:

    Hello Bill
    Sorry to hear your having such a tough time.
    Hang in there and hopefully you will find away to deal with your situtation.
    My boyfriend and I just get bye, it is tough, he just went back to work after being lade off two years ago.
    Please feel free to vent anytime....Welcome to the club :{
    Karie

    Hi Bill,
    Sorry you're having
    Hi Bill,
    Sorry you're having it so hard right now. I am glad to see you here though. A man's point of view is always welcome.
    Hang in there, things have to get better, right. :)
  • mamolady
    mamolady Member Posts: 796 Member
    #11
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    http://articles.cnn.com/2009-
    http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-15/health/male.breast.cancer_1_breast-cancer-breast-tissue-lumps?_s=PM:HEALTH

    This article is about the drummer from the band KISS. He also had BC.
    I have done mammograms on men, only one with BC though. I can't imagine how it would be for a man with BC with the generalization that it is a woman's disease!

    Hang in there, we are there for you guys too!

    Cindy
  • mwallace1325
    mwallace1325 Member Posts: 806
    #12
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    mamolady said:

    http://articles.cnn.com/2009-
    http://articles.cnn.com/2009-10-15/health/male.breast.cancer_1_breast-cancer-breast-tissue-lumps?_s=PM:HEALTH

    This article is about the drummer from the band KISS. He also had BC.
    I have done mammograms on men, only one with BC though. I can't imagine how it would be for a man with BC with the generalization that it is a woman's disease!

    Hang in there, we are there for you guys too!

    Cindy

    Bill, sorry
    Bill, sorry you have to be here and for a second time to boot.

    Feel free to rant any time.

    Thanks for sharing your feelings about loving a woman with BC as much as one without. I know there are several women here who've gotten totally different reactions from their partners.

    Prayers and angels for you in your fight.


    marge
  • ManWithaMission
    ManWithaMission Member Posts: 497
    #13
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    Breast Cancer in Men
    Bill, I am another man with Breast Cancer, too. September,2007-masetomy. Radition & Chemo. January,2011-bone mets. Radiation. No Chemo,but I go in once a month for Zometa infusetions. I just had my yearly mamogram(boy, was that fun, luckly I only have one,too) & got a new pin, pink boxing gloves with the words,"Fight Like A Girl" over the top of them. Love it. Now I can empathize with you women.

    If you research male breast cancer you will also find that men have a much higher death rate than women,because it is found at a much latter stage and has usualy spread to other areas of the body before it is found. My lump was 5cm when it was taken out. I had this lump(slightly smaller-marble size) since I was a young boy and not once did a family doctor even ask me if I had any lumps or give me a breast exam? That's where the problem is now. Doctors give women breast exams, why not older, heavyer men? We have boobs,too!

    Bill, I am also glad that you are not suicidal. There is nothing worth taking your own life for. Belive me, there are enough "things" out there to do that for you. Keep smiling, keep fighting and things will get better. When you've hit rock bottom, the only way to go is UP!

    (((HUGS))) Your Pink Brother, Robert
  • mom62
    mom62 Member Posts: 604 Member
    #14
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    SSDI
    Hi Bill,

    To help with your finances you should apply for SSDI. It sounds to me like you may qualify. I hope your biopsy is negative. We may call ourselves sisters but that includes you guys as well. We are all going through the same thing.

    Terry
  • RE
    RE Member Posts: 4,591 Member
    #15
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    Men Get BC Too!
    Bill I met a bc brother a few years back while giving blood. He too had lymphedema like myself and inquired if I was a bc survivor. I told him that I was and he said well so am I! He was 82 and was first dx with bc when he was in his mid sixties. I have educated my son to this as both he and my daughter could get bc. You Bill are a good guy, I have oftened wondered how you are doing, I am glad to see you post. Please keep us updated on your biopsy and yes if you end up with bc again please apply for SSI you will then be able to get medicare which will help pay the medical costs!

    RE
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #16
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    I wish it was no one's club...*smile*
    ...but I'm sure glad you are here to share your world!!!!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • LoveBabyJesus
    LoveBabyJesus Member Posts: 1,679 Member
    #17
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    Hi brother Bill! I saw your
    Hi brother Bill! I saw your post and wanted to say welcome. As you can see, we support each other greatly and people here are awesome!

    You are very sweet for saying those words: "I would love a woman with BC as much as I would love any woman.". You're kind and caring. Thank you.

    I'm also sorry you had to experience this, and that life has been difficult at times. We're always here for you, whenever you need love and support.

    Glad you are NOT suicidal. Nothing is worth taking your life over. You just have to roll with the punches, forgive, and move on.

    Stick around here! We'd love to know how you're doing from time to time. :)
  • zahalene
    zahalene Member Posts: 670
    #18
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    Hi Bill!
    Great to see you! Sorry things are so tough for you right now. But you just never know what tomorrow holds, and you (we all) have fought SO HARD for the privilege of finding out.

    Thank you for making it clear that BC does not 'disqualify' a woman from your life.

    I am now a 25+ year BC survivor, 'breastless', and 63 years old (I was 38 when first dx). My marriage did not survive, but the BEST part is that tomorrow I and my 'Honey' will celebrate our one year anniversary together. I am the first woman he has ever been close to who had cancer, and let me tell you, it was not easy for him at first. But he has gotten beyond my 'C' issues and loves me tenderly and dearly...telling everyone that I am his 'rest of his life' love.
    It is SO difficult for many of us, men and women, to believe that we are still 'lovable' after the traumas of cancer. Thank you again for your words confirming that we are ALL so much more than meets the eye.
  • laughs_a_lot
    laughs_a_lot Member Posts: 1,368 Member
    #19
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    It is too bad
    It is too bad we haven't yet got the public educated to realize this is a man's problem as well. If I am not mistaken even the insurance companies have had problems seeing this as an issue for men.
  • debi.18
    debi.18 Member Posts: 850 Member
    #20
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    laughs_a_lot said:

    It is too bad
    It is too bad we haven't yet got the public educated to realize this is a man's problem as well. If I am not mistaken even the insurance companies have had problems seeing this as an issue for men.

    We love you too Bill
    Feel free to come and rant with us anytime! I applaud your comment about loving a woman with BC!

    Debi
  • CypressCynthia
    CypressCynthia Member Posts: 4,014 Member
    #21
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    For some reason, women do
    For some reason, women do post here more, but please do not think that is because it is a girls club. Feel free to come and ventilate aanytime!

    Please also be aware that cancer patients are at higher risk for depression. Your oncologist knows this, so talk with him/her if you get too low. Many of us do seek help for depression.

    Here is a link form NCI:

    Depression

    http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/depression/Patient/page3

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