Male with Breast Cancer

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firstcall
firstcall Member Posts: 499
edited August 2016 in Just Diagnosed

I'm not sure where I fit in, or if I fit in.  I'm 59 years old, very active, father of 8.  

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 weeks ago.  Since then I have had a mastectomy with sentinal nodes, and two days ago had further surgery for  removal of more nodes as one of my nodes was positive.  Presently I am just recovering from surgery, waiting, wondering what the pathology will show, and wondering what experiences I have waiting for me.  

I don't think I fit in very well here, but thought I'd introduce myself.   

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  • juviben
    juviben Member Posts: 29
    edited January 2012

    Hi!  You fit in here as well as any of us do.  You were diagnosed with breast cancer, just like we were.  Welcome!  Let us know how things go when you get your pathology report.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    Hi firstcall and welcome to BCO!  You cetainly do fit in here and you are not alone being a male sufferer we have other male members.  BCO is a great place to learn and get a whole lot of support from people going through the exact same thing as you and because of that it makes the journey a little easier.

    Adrian, when you get your path report please let us know what it is as it makes giving you the right info so much better.  How's your recovery been so far?  Sure hope it has been uneventful.  I can imagine what a shock getting your diagnosis was and even more so because of your gender............male BC is quite rare, but like BC in general, seems to be on the rise.

    If you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask as there is always someone here to answer.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • CLC
    CLC Member Posts: 1,531
    edited January 2012

    Hi, firstcall.  This site is a wonderful place to get support and advice.  While most of us are women, there are men here, too.  In fact, there is a forum for male breast cancer:  http://community.breastcancer.org/forum/51.

    If that link doesn't work, you can go to the top of your screen and go to the forum index and scroll down to "Male Breast Cancer."

    This is not to suggest that you shouldn't post here, as you have.  There are many of us that have had mastectomies, just like you.  Many have had positive nodes that will be able to relate to your journey all too well.

    I am sorry you have had to find your way here, to us.  But, if there is a kinder, more supportive group of people, I have not found them...so welcome...:)

    Right now is the one of the worst parts of the journey...waiting for pathology.  Hang in there...I hope your news is good....:)

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  • ma111
    ma111 Member Posts: 1,376
    edited January 2012

    Adrian,

    You fit in here and in what ever posting part you want to be in.

    Sorry you have to be here, but glad you found us.

    I think more males should come here for support and to know what to expect. We will help you through it. There are a lot of good people here both male and female. We just lost one of our members to this crappy disease and her husband found out what her long on was to let us know the funeral details.

    Eight kids is a lot as I am sure you have heard before. Sounds like you are a good family man!

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  • msphil
    msphil Member Posts: 1,536
    edited January 2012

    hello and welcome, we are ALL one here male or female, we have bc in common and though I am now a Survivor, I come back to help and most of all to INSPIRE, so come back and let us know the results,  msphil(idc,stage 2, 0/3  nodes, L mast, chemo and rads and 5 yrs on Tamoxifen

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited January 2012

    Welcome, firstcall!  Did you get a biopsy before your surgery?  Usually there is some preliminary info. from that, like type and size of the B/C.

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Thank you to each of you for your replies, and welcomes!  

    Yes I did have a core biopsy done first, which was positive, and I had a PET scan, MRI of breasts and Brain, and blood work.  Still waiting for most of the results, but one of the nodes was positive, so I went ahead and had more lymph nodes removed.  Scans were all negative.  Two surgeries in two weeks is a bit much.  I have continued to work, and plan to continue to work.   Even though I have only been diagnosed for three weeks, I call myself a survivor.  I figure that you're a survivor the day you are diagnosed, and every day thereafter.  

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    Adrian, do you know the status ie ER/PR + or - and the Her2 + or - as this will give some indication of what type of treatment to follow.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    I am ER/PR positive and Her2 negative

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  • steelrose
    steelrose Member Posts: 3,798
    edited January 2012

    Hi firstcall...

    I'm sorry you have to join us, but you're more than welcome here. The men are a bit outnumbered but they are here! My Dad had breast cancer, diagnosed at 67.  It is so encouraging that the men have found this site and are sharing their stories. My Dad had no such support... he wasn't even aware that he could get bc! Slowly we are raising awareness.

    I wish you great luck in your recovery. Staying as active as you can really does help. We're here to support you!

    Rose.   

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited January 2012

    firstcall,  How many nodes did you have taken out?  It is good news that nothing else showed up on the PET.  You have been thru' a lot in the last three weeks, and it sounds like you did go into survival mode a.k.a. the do-something-to-take-care-of-it mode.  After that fighting response works it way out of your system, you might crash into a weariness from it all.  Don't worry, totally normal.

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  • Patriotic
    Patriotic Member Posts: 281
    edited January 2012

    Hi Adrian. Welcome. I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I have to say this site has been a Godsend. Just about everything you need to know can be found here. And, connecting with others who've been through the same situation is so helpful. Still, it can't be easy for men who are diagnosed, since everything associated with breast cancer is with women and pink. Hopefully, that will change.



    In the meantime, I hope your pathology report is favorable. Has your oncologist talked with you about the next step(s)? Chemo? Radiation? Hormonals? It all seems overwhelming but, just focus on one step at a time.

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    Adrian, have you spoken to your doc regarding your treatment plan?  Has it been suggested that you have chemo (because of positive node), radiation (for mop up purposes) followed by either Tamoxifen or one of the AI's ( Arimidex, Femara and Aromasin because you are ER/PR+).  This seems to be the standard of care so I am assuming you will be following that as well.  When you see your doc, you will also be told what stage and grade your cancer is.

    Please let us know when you do so we can give you some good tips to make the journey as reasonable as possible.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    I don't know yet how many nodes were taken out, I will likely find out in 2-3 days when the pathology report is in.   I have discussed chemo/radiation in some detail, but the final plan isnt worked out because we're waiting for test results, ie oncotype, results of nodes.  As a minimum I will have 5 yrs of tomaxafen.  The AI's aren't as straightforward in men, because of the influence of testosterone, and these are therefore less likely to be used.  Other chemo/radiation will likely be influenced by the test results.  

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    Of course, sorry, wasn't thinking of the testosterone factor....lol.......anyway, for now, sit back, relax and let yourself heal. 

    You said you were still working........what do you do?

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    I am a family physician.  I am finding strength in my patients, most of whom I have known for years.  I even delivered a baby 5 days after my mastectomy.  I have been trying to stay active, and approach this in as upbeat of a manner as I can.  I had my second surgery on the 14th, and plan to return to work tomorrow.  I'm pretty sore, but I think I will do better if I get out there and go about helping others.  

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    I find it a wonderful thing to be able to help others in anyway possible and as a Physician you can really do that, hands on...........I think that is fabulous and yes, I can see where you would gain strength by doing just that.  As a Physician, you would also know not to over do.....lol......I'm not going to lecture you, just a pointed reminder.....lol

    You said you had 8 children.....WOW!  Have any of them followed in Dad's footsteps as far as profession is concerned?

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    My oldest son is a physical therapist, the next is a radiation oncologist.  The others have a variety,from homemaker, to teacher, to musician, to still in school.  

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    You must be so proud of all of them and I can't say I blame you.  Children are truly a blessing even though at times we wonder if that is true or not.......lol.......particularly when rules are broken, but I guess that's all part of growing into resposible adults.  You must have a large age difference between the first and the last.

    I have two daughters, and my son died at age 23 which was 12 years ago.  The girls are the lights of my life as well as my four grandsons............they keep me going and it's wonderful to have great conversation with all of them.  It amazes me how mature the children seem to be nowerdays even when they are barely in their teens.

    Are any of your children married, with partners, have children of their own?  Sorry, if you think I''m being nosy just say so and I will change the subject..............

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  • EnglishMajor
    EnglishMajor Member Posts: 2,495
    edited January 2012

    https://malebreastcancer.org/More_First_Hand_Accounts.html

     Hi Adrian

    In case you haven't seen it, the John Nick Foundation is dedicated to men with breast cancer.

    Hang in there, I think you will feel better when you have your results and have a treatment plan in place.

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  • EricV
    EricV Member Posts: 64
    edited January 2012

    Hey Adrian, as a guy, welcome!  but i am really sorry that you are here.  I have found this place to be a great resource, full of information.

      I was diag last April and have been on chemo since May, i also have a 3yr old and a 2yr old. 

     I will try and write latter, but im here if you have a questions.

    Eric 

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    4 of my kids are married, The youngest is 18 years old and my oldest is 18 years older than him.  We have 12 grandchildren.  None of them live near me, so I have to travel a bit to see them.  And we're planning another wedding this August.  I may be sporting a new hairdo for those pictures!   

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  • chrissyb
    chrissyb Member Posts: 16,818
    edited January 2012

    Wow!  What a fabulous family!!!  You are indeed blessed!  You never know, the hair could be almost back to normal by then.....here's hoping!  Got to be looking pretty smick for wedding pics but I'm sure no matter how you look, the kids will think you look wonderful just the way you are.

    I'm very lucky I think as until a couple of years ago, I lived just around the corner from my grandchildren and so they were always at my house being spoilt....lol.  They now live about two hours drive away but they now range from 13 to 16 and of course as I keep getting told, are big enough to have their own life.  Coming to stay with grandma is still a treat though and they look forward to it just as much as do I.

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  • elimar86861
    elimar86861 Member Posts: 7,416
    edited January 2012

    I am surprised to learn that men even get the ER+/(PR+?) kind.  Guess I thought it would be the HER2 that would be the culprit.

    Also wondering if you are positive for the BRCA gene(s) or if you will tested for that?  Did you have a family history of B/C, in the women?

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    My BRCA test is pending.  I have one aunt with BC, not a strong family history.  

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  • MiniMacsMom
    MiniMacsMom Member Posts: 595
    edited January 2012

    Firstcall, in all likelyhood you are BRCA neg, but BRCA 2 doesn't always manifest as BC or OC :)  I am sure you know that :)  But I am BRCA + and the first one with BC, we have pancreatic and prostate on my moms side... my dad tested negative.  Moms test is still officially pending.  Regardless, Its great you are getting checked so you kids will be able to monitor things if you are positive!  I am sorry you are hear but it sounds like you have great support!

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited January 2012

    Dear firstcall,
     
    There is a lot of information and support for you on the discsussion boards, as well as the breastcancer.org main site. There is an entire forum on the discussion boards for Male Breast cancer.  You will also find a lot of great information about Male Breast Cancer on the main breastcancer.org site. 
     
    Best wishes
     
    The Mods 
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  • shera
    shera Member Posts: 184
    edited January 2012

    Hello Adrian,

    One of the first people I met when I was newly diagnosed in November 2011 -- is a male breast cancer survivor.

    He's the director of a local cancer recourse center and a writer --- he's incredibly supportive in the community. 

    Here is a link to his columns:

    http://www.crcfl.net/content/category/bob-riter-s-cancer-columns.html 

    Shera

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  • sweetbean
    sweetbean Member Posts: 1,931
    edited January 2012

    firstcall, 

    trust me, you fit in.  everyone with breast cancer is part of the family.  (quite frankly, I think everyone who has had cancer is part of the family.)  So welcome!  Hopefully, you will find lots of support and information here.  It's true that we are mostly women, but there are some guys one here as well, and everyone is really cool. 

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  • Booboo2
    Booboo2 Member Posts: 59
    edited January 2012

    Welcome to the board, firstcall.  Anyone who's had breast cancer belongs here.

    I too was surprised to learn that estrogen positive breast cancer can apply to men.  I was also surprised when I first learned that post-menopausal women, such as myself, can get it. For years I had assumed that only young women have to be concerned with estrogen, but I learned that this is not the case. It stays with us all our lives, though women with ovaries that no longer function have less of it, and men also have less of it.

    Anyway, be sure to keep us informed about how you're doing.  The people here can be very supportive.

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