From the first moment my wife discovered
she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence from the men I know. Even
ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast cancer seemed to have
received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and did little more than
mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any known reason, I started
this blog…That was four years ago – as time passed, people searching for answers
stumbled across my blog and checked out what I had to say. The following entry
appeared in June of 2014..
“For people who
don't know me, I practiced medicine in Casper, Wyoming for 25 years as an
orthopedic surgeon, taking care of families in Wyoming. I've been chief of
staff of the largest hospital in our state. My wife is a breast cancer
survivor.” – John Barrasso (US Senator, Wyoming)
“Men are
incredible caregivers when given the opportunity. But they are underserved in
education about support,” – Marc Heyison (Author, Founder – Men Against Breast
Cancer)
“At the clinic
she went to, they said, ‘Here is some information,’ and it was a tri-fold paper
that said what to expect, and to be supportive, he recalled. Well that’s not
really enough. You need more than that. I tried to get help, but there was
nothing there to go to.” – Chris Wrobel (Husband and caregiver of a breast
cancer survivor)
“All of the
reality TV I've done has usually been simultaneously an opportunity to create
awareness or raise funds for my mom's breast cancer organization.” – Stephen
Baldwin (American actor, director, producer and author)
“One of the
things we've always tried to do is help others with our story. Whether it's
with the infertility issues, whether it's with the breast cancer, we said we're
gonna turn these negatives into positives. And if we can help others by sharing
our story, then it's worth it.” – Bill Rancic (Husband and caregiver of
Giuliana Rancic, Italian American television personality and journalist)
“I have
experienced firsthand the tremendous impact breast cancer has on the women who
fight it and the loved ones who support them. This is a disease that catches
you unaware and, without the right resources, leaves you feeling frightened and
alone.”
– Ricardo
Antonio Chavira (American actor, Desperate
Housewives, and son of a breast cancer victim)
“Men get it. I
think us men need you women to help us survive.” – Peter Criss (Drummer from
the heavy metal band KISS)
“I learned that
it is better to tell people what they mean to us now, rather than to save it
for a eulogy at a funeral service.” – David (breast cancer survivor)
“We all know
people – mothers, sisters, daughters, neighbors – who have dealt with breast
cancer, and it’s wonderful when we know people who are really surviving.” – G
Roy Duhé (PhD, breast cancer researcher)
“When we embrace
uncertainty, it can be very liberating. If you can accept the uncertainty, it
allows you to live life every day.” – Victor Gospodinoff (Caregiver and husband
of breast cancer survivor)
+1 “Having cancer
gave me membership in an elite club I'd rather not belong to.” – Gilda Radner
(Founder of Gilda’s Club)
And lastly, something I said that resonated…with me…
“From the first
moment my wife discovered she had breast cancer, there was a deafening silence
from the men I know. Even ones whose wives, mothers or girlfriends had breast
cancer seemed to have received a gag order from some Central Cancer Command and
did little more than mumble about the experience. Not one to shut up for any
known reason, I started this blog…” – Guy Stewart
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