~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

I dedicate my 3,000th post to a legend, my Mighty Oak. I still cannot believe that he has passed. I am having a hard time, actually a harder time as the moments pass on without him. Each day is a challenge and a great feat at the end of the each night. A candle burns bright as I tribute my day to the memories that flourish inside.

I have remarried to a wonderful man that he would be so proud of and although love lives in my heart, a part of it shall always be his. I will never get over losing him. There is a piece of me that hurts so bad at times I think I am dead. He is a man I knew from High School and a person who allows me to grow, to speak of Ed, to mourn each day. His wish for the holidays was to raise money in the Mighty Oak's honor, how blessed am I to be able to love such a man?

I am making giant strides for male breast cancer. Right now I am voluntering at the number one breast cancer resource foundation in New England. There is a position that is being devised for me just for male breast cancer and I will soon be there full time. I will be going to Washington DC as a male breast cancer guest speaker in October. I am studying clinical trials, the brain, Her2, Inflammatory and stage IV breast cancer.

How can one be so happy and so sad at the same time? I do not know. I know I used to miss my life but realized that it is still my life it has just changed. I move on the best I can but each day is full of thoughts of him.

I guess I needed to come here because these feelings are those only all of you could understand. I try to come here to support but I do not feel like I can support you like I should when I feel like this. I follow you all you know, I may not post but I do follow your journeys. I send positive energy and still say my prayers for you all. Please know that I am still here and anyone can contact me at anytime. My heart lives here on Her2support.

On a lighter note, I have a Husky pup, he will turn a year old in April. ENZO (means Ruler of the House in Italian) was the first animal I did not rescue. A handful he is, but the best little creature I know. My cats have both passed but I do have plans on saving another...or two...lol.

Forever in my Heart>>>Believe51

Love to you, Marie

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Hi, Marie
It is known that love transcends death, that there are no coincidences, that we are linked by the ones we love, that we can and will hear the messages sent to us if we...listen...wishing you peace, and that knowledge that your beloved Oak lives on. He is so proud of you for what you strive to accomplish.
Best
Karen

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Wonderful to hear from you!

Keep up the good work -- so glad you found a worthy man to nurture you in your efforts (as well as the love of a wonderful fuzzy creature or two or three)

From the depths of your troubles you have recreated yourself---while still being the one and only, the original...Marie of the Mighty Oak

I dedicate my 3507th post to you.

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

What a wonderful tribute!

It's so good to hear from you, Marie. Do stop by once in a while when you have time.

Good luck to your new job advocating for male breast cancer treatment/prevention. You will be great!

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

did you catch this one...hot off the press:


Am J Mens Health. 2011 Mar 16. [Epub ahead of print]
Differences in Male Breast Cancer Stage, Tumor Size at Diagnosis, and Survival Rate Between Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Regions.
Klein J, Ji M, Rea NK, Stoodt G.

Abstract
Although the incidence for breast cancer in men is lower than for women, male breast cancer (MBC) patients are diagnosed at a later stage and have a higher mortality rate than women. This study examined male cases reported from 1988 through 2006 in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute for differences in cancer stage, tumor size at diagnosis, and survival rate between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions. Pearson's chi-square was used to evaluate differences in stage and tumor size at diagnosis. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to assess survival differences after adjusting for confounders (race, marital status, median family income, age, and education). Regional differences in tumor grade size and stage at diagnosis were not statistically significant; however, survival differences were observed between metropolitan and nonmetropolitan regions. An interaction between nonmetropolitan area and regional stage MBC was a significant predictor of poorer survival. Raising awareness of MBC in nonmetropolitan areas could save the lives of many men and action should be taken to improve health care access, treatment, and thus prognosis in this population.

PMID: 21411477 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Marie,
It's Soooo good to hear from you. I am glad to see that your are both moving on and keeping the "Mighty Oak's" memory alive. Sounds like you are blessed with another great man. I'm praying for the pain to go away and that you will be left with beautiful memories!!


Kim

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Its so good to hear from you Marie, I've thought of you and Ed often and I'm so glad to know you have found some happiness in your life and a very worthwhile career to boot!!!
Sending my good wishes to you today and I know Ed would be proud to know you have picked up the pieces and carried on the fight!:) xx

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Marie, glad to hear from you. You are as remarkable as your might oak. I know that he is proud for you.

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Marie,... Believe,.... it is so good to hear from you once again and touched that you have come back to speak to us again....so heartfelt....and not easy to do, I am sure. You certainly honor your Mighty Oak's memory with all that you do and I thank you so much. I recall the wonderful Christmas card you sent to me several years ago and I was so happy and pleased to receive it from you. Be happy, Marie and please.....stay well. Fondly, Ceesun

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Sounds like you have been very busy and enjoying a new chapter in your life, but paying tribute to the one you loved. I am so happy for you.

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Marie,
It's nice to hear from you. It sounds like your staying pretty busy getting the word out about male breast cancer. You certainly are the right person for the job. I'm happy to hear things are going well for you...enjoy that 4 legged furkid of yours. You take care.

Chelee

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

It's lovely hearing from you. I think these mixed emotions are only normal. You are grieving and moving on with life. There are no clear-cut phases, as you are finding out. They come and go. I think you are doing well and it will get easier over time. It helps to accept what is and it seems that both you and your husband are able to do that.
You will be okay. And you will do a lot of good for all men with breastcancer. You are making a difference. Your Mightey Oak would be proud of you! He is proud of you, I should say, because he is with you all the time.

Love

Jacqueline

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Dear Dear Marie,
I am so glad that you returned to post in Mighty Oak's honor. There are so many of us on the site that vividly remember your journey and how brave and loving you were. You continue to amaze me. I am so glad you are using your talents to educate us on male breast cancer. You are so eloquent, there could not be a better representative.

I am also pleased that god placed another strong, confident man in your life. It is wonderful that you are able to enjoy love in your current life, while being able to honor Mighty Oak.

I miss both of you and am so glad you posted. Please continue to pop in and keep us posted on that puppy.

Love, Lori

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Hello Marie. It is wonderful to hear from you, and good to hear that you have remarried. He sounds like a remarkable man---one who knows and loves you and your need to remember and honor the Mighty Oak. I hope that with additional time you will hurt less and that your new marriage will continue to bring you happiness and abiding love. Good luck in your important work and do stop by to post once in a while....Sending a hug.

Barb A.

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Marie,

I am so glad to hear from you. That is a grand dedication of your 3000 post. You were a great wife to the Mighty Oak.

Amelia

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Hi Marie,

I don't visit her2support as much anymore but was happy I did today. I was thrilled to see your post. I'm happy you are doing well. I knew my husband since highschool too. Almost 33 years married and 36 years together. I can only imagine how devastating it would be for us to be without the other.

I am thankful you have found love again. It is normal that you would carry Ed's love in your heart always and it's SO wonderful that your new love accepts that also. No wonder you love him.

God Bless you sweet Maria. I feel as if you are a dear friend from my past - a yesteryear.

Love and peace,

Mary Jo

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Marie,
What a beautiful post and how wonderful of your efforts to adocate Men's BC awareness and research. You are truly a giving person. I am glad you found someone and wish you the best.
Thanks for checking in.
Hugs,
Kris....

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Hey Marie!

I am so glad I popped on for a mo. tonight! It is good to hear from you again. Life is like that happy little brook that flows near my house. At times when the rains have been heavy it churns along in a big hurry to get somewhere (who knows where?). At other times it trickles lazily along allowing the 4 white ducks who live on its banks to float happily in its pools and eddies. When we are caught up in life's storms its currents take us swiftly to where we do not want to go, and then the winds ebb and the rain gives way to sunshine and we float along...to something new, not better, just new. Enjoy the sunshine, dear Marie. You'll see the Oak again. I have no doubt of that.

Thank you for your dedication to our guy-pals who get ravaged by this disease,too. They need an advocate such as you. Make Her-2 pay!

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

Dear Marie,

I am so glad that you are posting again in this board, your words are always so touching and profound, you touch my soul with your wonderful tribute to Ed. God bless you always.

Congratulations on your advocacy work on male bc.

Love always,

Paty

Re: ~Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Mighty Oak~
 

It is so good to get an update on your life, the goods and the bads! Your posts always meant a lot to me and following your journey was very important. Funny how we connect on this site, like family. Keep on keepin' on! Love the puppy and cats story...we usually choose a dog, cats choose us!!! XOX Suzan