2/14/61 – 6/10/14
Howie discovered a lump in his right breast in 1999 at age 39. He went to the doctor and had it biopsied. It came back inconclusive. He then went to a breast surgeon that biopsied it surgically and at that time it was discovered it was cancer, very deep and very aggressive. He had a mastectomy right then and there. Following that was chemo and Tamoxifen for 5 years. In November 2009 he discovered a lump on the same side. The doctors determined the cancer had returned but this time it was inoperable. He had radiation treatments and researched chemo treatments that may work. There was one but his doctor said it was very strong and he didn’t suggest it. The fighter that Howie was he wanted it. He made it through 2 treatments and couldn’t take anymore but he still worked at his job until the end of May 2014. Through everything he had an amazing positive attitude. He would say it was the doctors’ job to fix him and it was his job to live his life.
He was a huge advocate for spreading awareness. He found an article about Bret Miller and realized he wasn’t alone. He also was active with the John W Nick foundation. His family, mother, father, 2 sisters, and 2 nephews are continuing to advocate that men have breasts too!