Today I want to give a shout out to all of the men who support their loved ones affected by breast cancer.
The night of my double mastectomy I had a moment with my dad that was really touching and made me remember just how much this disease affects the men in our lives as well.
My dad was sitting in a chair next to my hospital bed facing a window. Night had fallen and we had a beautiful view of the stars, Lake Superior and the Ariel Lift Bridge.
I was doing okay but my dad looked worried.
“I’m safe now dad. I’m out of harm’s way.” I said.
“I thank God for that.” he replied as he looked out the window and up at the stars as if speaking to both God and my mom in heaven. What he was feeling at that moment was palpable.
I can’t believe this didn’t dawn on me sooner, but it was in that moment I realized just how scared he was. He was as afraid of losing his daughter as he was when he lost his wife.
Along with my brothers and sister, they took me home and helped me every step of the way over the next nine months and two additional surgeries to come. They did everything they could to make sure their daughter and sister didn’t suffer the same fate as their wife and mother. I could not have done it without them.
I’m so grateful for my family and to have the positive outcome I have had. And I could not be more grateful or proud to be my father’s daughter. I love you dad.
To all of you men out there who support us. I thank you. What you do does not go unnoticed.
#gratitude #love #family #breastcancer #previvor#bertalippert
