Male with Breast Cancer

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

    That's why I'm always laughing..................and it feels good too!

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    I think so....Last year I lost both of my parents, and I remember in her final days my mother asked me to read to her from a joke book.  Those jokes are now tender memories for me....

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  • GatorGal
    GatorGal Member Posts: 2,550
    edited January 2012

    Adrian,

    Have read through your thread and am so happy for all the good pathology results you have gotten. I'm thinking with your positive attitude and great sense of humor you have to be an awesome physician and family man. I know you'd rather not be here but we welcome you and are happy to help in any way.

    Blessings, Glenna

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited January 2012

    Adrian,

    Are there stings rays in the English channel? Well, make sure you do some damage to that fish..............................

    Have it for lunch.

    I laughed all the way into my surgeons hands. He laughed too, and did a great job because of it?

    GOOD HEALTH....................Maureen

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Glenna,

    Thank you for your note.  And I have found this to be a very supportive place.  

    And Chef, I have no idea if there are Sting Rays in the English Channel.  I've never been within a thousand miles of it.  But I thought it sounded good for my story.   

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

    Protecting your wife while swimming, she was with you. However those scars are torn ones, so yu would need some tattoo work around your scar.

    We could really come up with some good ones with some tatto work.

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

    Mishap while Jet Skiing in Puget Sound would be too commonplace, wouldn't it?  I bet almost everyone has one of those stories.

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited January 2012

    I told my husband about this thread and he said "Shark attack."

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Shark attack....now that has possibilities....

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    GOOD NEWS.  My oncytype is back, and it is a low score.  5%

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  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited January 2012

    Adrian ... I haven't posted before, but I have been following your journey.  I am so glad about the oncotype results!  Woohoo!  Great news.

    Wishing you all the best,

    Bren

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Thank you Bren.  It is such good news.  

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

    Excellent!   There would hardly be any benefit to doing the chemo then.  My Onco score was 18 and I passed on the chemo.  Just did not offer enough additional benefit.  It won't be long now til you'll be ranting about Tamoxifen along with the rest of us on it.

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited January 2012

    Adrian,

    That is the best news  It will make your  cancer  journey much easier.    You are now healthy and strong enough to survive that shark attack.

    maureen

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  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited January 2012

    Adrian, I join the others in a big WOO HOO! You can do this. All you have to do is show up!

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

    Yeah, Adrian!!!  I am so glad for your good news!

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

    Adrian, yup, the predictions were correct, good things do come in threes!   Yahoooo!!!!   that is fabulous news!!!!!!!  

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Thank you for your support.  

    Elimar- yes, I was very happy to have the low oncotype score.  

    Maureen - bring on the sharks, I'm ready

    BarbaraA - Thank you, thank you,

    CLC - Your encouragement has been helpful too

    Chrissy - Three is my favorite number 

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

    Adrian, I can't remember if I've asked this question and forgive me if I have, but do you know the treatment protocol you will be following now that your onco is so low?

    I'll have to check back later as I'm about to leave for the city.

    Love n hugs Chrissy

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    I don't know for sure yet, I have to meet with my onc.  

    I'm also having my son review everything (he is a radiation oncologist)

    I most likely will need 5 years of tamoxifen, and hopefully that will be all.  But I have to hear what each of my docs has to say to be sure what my course will be.  

    The timing is good too.  I am scheduled to run the Boston Marathon in April (on the medical team) and they wanted me to confirm for sure by Jan 20th.  So I'll have to get my running going again, as I have had to take the last month off from running.  My surgeon wants me to wait to run until my surgical drains are out, which should be in a few days. 

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

    That sounds great!  Good thinking on your docs behalf about not running with rains in........lol...... it would be mighty uncomfortable!  Don't be surprised if you tire easily to begin with but I'm sure you will regain your fitness quickly.  The Boston Marathon eh?  Now that truly is impressive!  Even down under, we have heard of that one.  Good luck in your training!

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2012

    Adrian, I'm just now discovering this thread, and wanted to comment on your stated concern about preventing lymphedema. If you haven't yet been evaluated by a fully-trained lymphedema therapist, it would be well worth your time to do that before beginning your marathon training. S/he will take baseline arm measurements for future reference, give you personalized risk reduction strategies, fit you for a compression sleeve and glove for exercise and travel (to visit all those grandkids!Cool), and teach you a gentle lymph massage you can use prophylactically. Here's information about finding a well-trained lymphedema therapist near you:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/Finding_a_Qualified_Lymphedema_Therapist.htm

    (And here's another StepUp-SpeakOut page that will be of interest to you -- written by an MD for MDsWink:
    http://www.stepup-speakout.org/essential%20informat%20for%20healthcare%20providers.htm )

    Wishing you no "swell" days ever!Smile
    Binney

    P.S. - We lymphers also have to make up stories to tell others about why our arms are wrapped in layered bandages. Where sharks are concerned, we like to say, "Do you remember reading about that shark attack last month?" But my favorite story is a short one: "Trapeze accident!"Laughing

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited January 2012

    Heh. "Trapeze accident" reminds me of how we used to explain how our hamster was castrated. "A bizarre drywalling accident." 

    The funniest part about that was that it was true! 

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  • cycle-path
    cycle-path Member Posts: 1,502
    edited January 2012

    OOOO OOOO OOOO I have another one! That's the scar that was left when you were separated from your conjoined twin!

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Binney4 - Thank you for the links.  I want to be proactive in avoiding lymphedema. And I have a lot of travelling to do, so I'm sure I'll need a sleeve.   And Trapeeze accident sounds good. 

    Cycle - Good ideas!   conjoined twin....hadnt thought of that one.  

    I'll probably rotate the lines, good to have a few to choose from.  

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  • chef127
    chef127 Member Posts: 891
    edited January 2012

    Hey Adrian,

    Just checking in to see how its all coming along.  Sounds like you've got a grip on this. When do you start to train for the"Bahston"  Marathon? You get brownie points for doing this. At least you don't have bouncing boobs. Good luck and keep us up to date on your progress.

    Maureen

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  • amf099
    amf099 Member Posts: 2
    edited January 2012

    Hi

      I just wanted you to know that you are not alone!  My father was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago and underwent  the same procedures that you did. He did very well and survived the breast cancer with flying colors. I know  we think it's very uncommon for a male to have breast cancer but it can happen and I know you'll get throug this. Kuddos to you for having to courage to post about you illness!

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

    Hi Adrian, just checking in to see how you are doing.  Hope you are just fine.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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  • firstcall
    firstcall Member Posts: 499
    edited January 2012

    Maureen - Thanks for the note.  Hopefully I can start my marathon training this weekend.  I still have to have another meeting with my oncologist to review everything and make the final decision on chemo, etc.  The marathon may be wishful thinking, but I don't want to give up on it.

    amf099 - Thank you for your comments.  Its nice to hear that your father did well.  I hope I can follow his good path. 

    Chrissy - Thanks for checking in.  The latest is that my son has been going over everything with his other oncs at Mayo, and they are talking chemo again.  No just looking at the oncotype, but at everything.  So....I'm on a roller coaster. 

    I'm not afraid of chemo as far as the experience, but I am concerned about possible damage to other vital organs.  I know these are powerful medications.  So....still working out my plan.  I appreciate each of you checking in, and I appreciate your support. 

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

    Adrian, more chemo is probably not what you want to hear as it will put a damper on your training for the marathon if not rule it out.  I'm sure it is posibly being suggested for your long term clear survival and that is way more important than anything else.  A rollercoaster is what BC brings with it and there are many who are on it with you.  Take care.

    Love n hugs.  Chrissy

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