Mens breast cancer

Hi 1212

Welcome to the group - From what I have noticed recently you may be the only active male member at the moment (unless there are some lurking ?)  In the 8 years here I can only recall about 5 men with BC and the last one posting was over a year ago now :-/

Don't let that put you off posting and asking questions though, everyone dealt this hand goes through the same treatments, emotions and worries

I'm a fella but it was my wife who was diagnosed if any of us can help you out; fire away ?

Hope this is of some help, G n' J

Hi 1212

welcome to the site that nobody really wants to be on ,but all very grateful when we find it . My story on profile to read just click on my name 

I'm going to tag Andy_49 who I'm sure will be able to help you with any questions that you have . 

Be assured that we will all chip in with support and chat even have a laugh at times .

We're proud to say don't ask doctor google he out of date . We been there done that so can support and understand the rollercoaster ride you find yourself on .

margaret x

Hi 1212

Def. not alone out there, if you want to add me feel free. 

P.S. shhh but the ladies here are pretty cool with Questions. My first advice , ask away and dont be afraid i am only aware of a few of them that bite..

*Bad male joke...thus why i am now single!

Ha ! Andy_49. &1212

dont worry bout the bite 

Just be careful of ....

margaret x

Thanks for that Margaret / Northerner

Dunno how Andy slipped my mind

G n' J

No prob  

Was browsing in my  quarantine bubble .

 Hubby is vulnerable so was out for excercise with dog .

plus point until this cold snap got lots done in garden .

Hail thru the night and absolutely freezing wind today .

margaret x 

Hi.

Many thanks for the comments and help. 

Had a mastectomy in January, clear margins, g2,

No chemo or radio just tamoxifen. I was lucky but I don't feel it. That sounds weird to go through that and call myself lucky, but having read what other people are enduring, then maybe. 350 men yearly in the UK get bc. I was in denial and disbelief. The anxiety is something I have never encountered before and the guilty feeling of not being at work even though I'm recovering from cancer. 2am sweats, racing heart and now a killer virus. I  assume I'm at risk with covid 19 recovering from cancer. Anyone know if your immune system is compromised aswell or am I just worrying because of what I have been through.

Many thanks for your comments 

Hey 1212

I am not sure about hormone therapy and whether it affects your immune system , i have a feeling it doesn't . Hopefully one of those clever ladies will come to the rescue of us "men" and let us know all is ok.

That's good news they removed it all and you have no infection in your nodes. Unfortunately for me they found 2/3 out sentinels infected so a few weeks back had a axillary node removal things, took out another 13 , all clear the buggers but now i am left with a little larry the lump seroma thing under my arm and having to re-do all the chicken wing flapping. This time everything is a little bit harder and longer to recover too. I am also left with the so....has it gone somewhere else feeling (despite clear scans)

I dont think i have been in denial, for me its a problem and i work the solutions ( too much being an engineer ) but it helps me keep going. That inital week nothing registered, then suddenly i suffered from stomach aches, bloating so much burping lol. The stress always finds a way out, that and the lack of sleep due to thoughts...

It made me realise how much the women here are Superwomen & a few men!, the aches.pains are bad enough but the subtle mental torture of the what ifs. they why didn't i's and i wont even go there with the why me's. Heck anyone with cancer , not just breast cancer is a tough cookie!

From it all take this. Your not alone, far from it. You / We everyone here is not lucky but blessed, for all of us are on the journey to recovery whether we are day 1 or day 365. Manage it day to day and you soon see how life goes on. Remember technically you are cancer free now, You have had one of those life bumps that kicks you up the a$$ and reminds you of the frailty of life and how its not wise to assume its under your control.  Virus or not, Cancer or not live your life to the fullest you can.

Andrew (49 Male and BC)

Hi 1212 and another warm welcome to this crazy club! Your diagnosis and treatment sound similar to mine, I had grade 2 IDC, but had lumpectomy and wide local excision rather than mastectomy so also had 3 weeks of radiotherapy. Rads finished end of January last year and I’ve been on nasty tabs/ Anastrozole (rather than tamoxifen) since December 2019. Re being ‘at risk’, I don’t think the hormone therapy suppresses your immune system. So although I often describe myself as hormonally deranged, I don’t think we’re at increased risk! But as your operation was not long ago, I don’t know if that would be a factor? Am sure someone will pop in to comment on that. 

Wishing you well, don’t let guilt re work interfere with your recovery, your job at the moment is to heal and stay safe. HFxx

Hi 1212

As far as I'm aware hormone therapy does not affect your immune system . Do what I did look online for coronavirus and tamoxifen it states doesn't affect immune system whereas Herceptin is a antibody drug and could reduce immune system in 1 / 10. .

if you are concerned ring and ask your BCN .

I along with a few on here are signed up for at least  12 weeks without even a bloody walk unless it's to go for treatment . 

But as we have said at least we well practiced after surgery and chemo and we knew what provisions to hoard 

Wine ,chocolate,biscuits ..bugger the toilet roll !! 

Take care you will get your head around it all the rollercoaster slows down a bit and as Andy said life goes on but we now know to  make the most of it ! 

Have a browse around the threads and read some of the profiles click on my name at top and you can read my story  if you want.

The Awake site is a good one if you like a laugh we are all nuts on there but also can be serious when needs must .

Just jump in on any of the threads you will be made welcome 

margaret