I was a 51-year-old farmer. I had my farm with greenhouses.
I found a ”ball” on my left breast, and it started to grow every day. All the time, I thought it was a sebaceous gland and ignored it until the pain became unbearable. I went to my doctor, and she sent me to a specialist who did a biopsy, which showed it was breast cancer. At first, I was shocked, but after that, I decided to fight and, with God’s help, destroy that bastard.
My family was also shocked because, like me, they didn’t even know that men get breast cancer. We support each other and we always have positive thoughts. My wife, son, and daughter are my biggest supporters, and we believe that I will kick cancer’s butt. We are together in this, and I am thankful to have them by my side. God gave me strength, He is my leader, and he will do what is best for me.
My friends and colleagues were shocked because they didn’t know that breast cancer affects men. In Croatia, nobody mentions men when they talk about breast cancer, unlike women, who are very well organised through associations.
I had a radical mastectomy, and they removed 15 lymph nodes (only 1 was positive). I was Stage 2, and ER/HR positive, HER2 negative.
I only received four red chemo, and I felt very bad. I vomited and had a lot of problems with my stomach. After that, they planned to give me 12 Taxol, but unfortunately, I got an allergic reaction to Taxol, and was unable to receive them. I continued my treatment with 16 radiation therapies. Fortunately, I only had burnt skin. After that, I started hormone therapy with Tamoxifen.
When I found out that I had a metastatic recurrence to my bones, I started the new therapy, which I still use today: Ibrance, Faslodex, and Zometa. The main side effect is that I’m tired, exhausted, and have conjunctivitis.
I walk a lot, I’ve changed my diet, and I live a normal life as much as possible. I am a normal human being, and I have bad days too, but after the rain comes the sun.
People need to know that, while breast cancer in men is a rare disease, it could happen to anyone. And if you notice that something is not okay, go to your doctor and save your life. Cancer is not the end of your life; never give up, and never lose hope.
You can do it.