I Have What???: One Man's Journey Through Breast Cancer
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About this ebook
This is the story of my discovery and treatment of BREAST CANCER. Only 1 percent of all breast cancers occur in men. I knew that men could get breast cancer but I personally knew of no one who had it. It is my hope that this book will make more people aware.
My wife passed away in 2007 from breast cancer, which she fought for 9 years. In those 9 years, I learned much about the disease — from treatment to side effects. So when I discovered a lump in my breast, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
I chronicle everything from the discovery of the lump through all of my treatments. I hold nothing back and tell exactly how I made it through the diagnosis, surgery and chemotherapy treatments.
Richard Wiener
Richard W. Wiener is a retired high school teacher and athletic director. He has two children and three grandchildren, and resides in Glenview, Illinois. He is a die-hard Chicago Blackhawks fan and, during hockey season, can be found at the United Center. He is also a member of the Chicago Public League Basketball Coaches Association Hall Of Fame. He is also the author of “Check Please...& Hurry,” a book about dates gone wrong, which is already available. You can also find him at www.richwiener.com.
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I Have What??? - Richard Wiener
I Have What???
One Man’s Journey Through Breast Cancer
RICHARD W. WIENER
Smashwords ebook edition published by Fideli Publishing Inc.
Copyright 2012, Richard W. Wiener
No part of this eBook may be reproduced or shared by any electronic or mechanical means, including but not limited to printing, file sharing, and email, without prior written permission from Fideli Publishing.
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
ISBN: 978-1-60414-597-7
We think of breast cancer appropriately as a disease of women. After all, there are approximately 190,000 women who come down with breast cancer on year-to-year basis. As physicians, we are concerned about the physical effects of breast cancer and its psychological impact. The physical impact includes the disfigurement caused by breast cancer surgery and the psychological impact includes the fear of dying from breast cancer as well as the alteration of body image and how it impacts on sexuality.
We do not think of breast cancer as a disease of men even though 5000 men come down with it on year-to-year basis. Men are supposed to be stoic. Loss of a breast shouldn’t lead to physical disfigurement. Loss of the male breast shouldn’t lead to alterations of body image and shouldn’t impact sexuality. However, what women experience in dealing with breast cancer also applies to men. This book deals with one man’s journey with male breast cancer. It is indeed eye-opening to read the impact of breast cancer as experienced by a man.
— Dr. Jacob Bitran
Head Oncologist of Oncology Specialists,
Lutheran General Cancer Care Center, Park Ridge, IL
_________
Many people do not realize that breast cancer can occur in men. It is not common in men, but it is important for men to see their doctor right away if they notice a breast lump. The first step is to get a mammogram and an ultrasound. (Yes, a mammogram can be done on men!)
Men who may be at increased risk are those with a strong family history of breast cancer, those with previous radiation exposure, and those with high levels of estrogen (from diseases such as cirrhosis or Klinefelter’s.) Breast cancer in men is very treatable and even curable if caught early.
— Dr. Heidi Memmel M.D.
Director Of Breast Surgery,
Caldwell Breast Center
DEDICATION
This book is dedicated to all the men and women who have, or have had, breast cancer.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Foreword
Chapter 1
The Discover
Chapter 2
The Surgery
Chapter 3
The Hospital Stay
Chapter 4
Home At Last
Chapter 5
The Oncologist
Chapter 6
The Port
Chapter 7
Week One
Chapter 8
Week Two
Chapter 9
Week Three
Chapter 10
Week Four
Photo Album
Chapter 11
Week Five
Chapter 12
Week Six
Chapter 13
Week Seven
Chapter 14
Week Eight
Chapter 15
Week Nine
Chapter 16
Week Ten
Chapter 17
Week Eleven
Chapter 18
Week Twelve
About the Author
FOREWORD
"You have to be kidding me! Impossible! Must be some kind of mistake! Are you positive? I have what???"
This is the story of my experience with breast cancer, from the discovery of a lump in my breast through my chemotherapy treatments. It includes everything I went through to increase my odds for survival.
Everything you will read is pure fact, written during the course of my treatment. If I can save one man’s life, then it will be well worth it.
Chapter 1
The Discovery
On February 9, 2012, I made a discovery that would change my life forever. While showering, I found a rather hard lump by the nipple of my left breast. I realize that most men would have dismissed, it but not me. I’ve always been very proactive about my health. I just had to have this thing checked out.
The next morning, I made an appointment to have my internist take a look. He felt the lump and measured it. Then he sent me to a breast surgeon for a better look. My physician told me that the odds were in my favor, as only one in every one hundred breast cancers were found in men. He continued to tell me that, if it was cancer, then I had caught it early and it would be treated.
So on February 20, I went to see the breast surgeon. Before she would see me, I had to go through a mammogram on both breasts, and then an ultrasound on my left one. I was sure the ultrasound would find the lump that I was feeling. Actually, you could not miss it.
I was then led into another room, where I patiently waited for the doctor. My wait was not long, as the doctor walked in and we had a brief conversation about how I had found my lump, as most men do not check themselves.
She then pulled up the results of my two tests on the computer. They did show a tumor, which was 1.4 centimeters in diameter. She told me that was small, and she wanted to do a biopsy. Never one to put things off, I asked if it could be done right away.
I wish I could tell you that the biopsy was not painful, but that would be a lie. The needle that was stuck in me looked ten inches long. Four slices of the tumor were removed, and I was told that the doctor would call me the next day with the results.
I always think the worst but hope for the best. I was sitting on my couch at home when the phone rang. It was the doctor, who had reviewed the pathology report from my biopsy. I jokingly asked her if I should be seated — and she said yes. Now my stomach was in my mouth. She told me that I had breast cancer, but that the tumor was small. Men usually do not find it until it’s already 2.5 centimeters. She told me that I was at grade one, and that I should come in to discuss the options.
As soon as I hung up, I put in a call to my late wife’s oncologist. My wife had passed away from breast cancer five years earlier, and I knew her oncologist well. I felt he was very good, and I trusted him with my life. He was shocked to hear from me. After I told him what was happening, he said I had no other option but to remove my left breast. After that, he said, I should come see him and we would discuss further treatment.
I saw the surgeon on February 24. I told her that I had spoken with my