GARY MITCHEL
Survivor Since: December 2004
Home Town: Lubbock
Age: 57              
Occupation: Attorney at Law
Family: wife Rebecca, daughters Lynsey and Laura, son Rob
Hobbies:  golf, music

The American Cancer Society estimates that the lifetime risk of a man getting breast cancer is approximately 1 in 1000, versus 1 in 8 for a woman.  I imagine that if 1000 men were polled, there would be a corresponding rare number who are even aware that a man can get breast cancer breast cancer.

Beginning in 2002, I started to experience sharp pains in my right breast.  By December of 2004, I was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer after presenting to the emergency room.  I was shocked.  Before 2004 I simply did not know that men could get breast cancer. 

Of course, the first questions I had were: Is this going to kill me? Will I survive?  What about my family? I will never forget the look in my familyís eyes when I told them the diagnosis.  However, their response was immediate:  We can beat this thing!  Without them and their support, the journey I faced would have been unimaginable

Surgery followed shortly after the diagnosis because of the advanced stage of my cancer.  Little did I know then that the surgery was the easy part.  My questions mounted, but soon after the surgery I met my oncologist, Dr. Jose Figueroa, at the Joe Arrington Cancer Center in Lubbock.   I was in a daze when Dr. Figueroa told me about survival rates and chemotherapy.  I realized for the first time the fight that lay ahead for me. This wasnít going to be resolved quickly.

I have never met a man with more respect for life than Dr. Figueroa.  During my visits we discussed my treatment, but equally as important, we talked about life itself, and how precious it is.  He never failed to inquire about my family and he often shared his family stories with me.  He treated not only my cancer, but also my fears.

Soon thereafter I began a regimen of chemotherapy.  Every three weeks for six months I made the trek to Arrington and had my treatment.  It was the toughest 6 months of my life.   At one point in time it was so difficult I felt like quitting, but my family urged me to be strong.  I am proud of myself for not giving up.

One thing I learned as a result of my diagnosis was that I may have been 1 in a 1000, but I was not alone.  The people who treated me Arrington have endless kindness and compassion.  I can tell you from observation it takes special people to work in oncology. 

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