Men Bleed Too: A Compelling Story About One Man's Struggle to Help His Wife Fight Breast Cancer! [Hardcover]

Thomas Brown (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 2005

Ever since I first found out that Barbara had breast cancer the thought of her dying plagued me almost daily. I never told her how I felt about this because I tried to be her coach and source of strength. There were many nights especially when she was in the hospital with the infections that I cried myself to sleep. I just kept thinking that it was so unfair for her to have cancer and suffer all that humiliation and sickness that came with the chemotherapy treatments. I never really got over the fear of losing her. I was so afraid of what would happen to me. How could I ever go on with my life without her? How would I cope with the thought of never seeing her or talking with her again?

I thought a lot about death during this period. I firmly believed in the afterlife and eternal salvation. I knew that Barbara was a good Christian and that her place in heaven would be a certainty. But I wanted her here on earth with me for the rest of my life. I wanted to see her grow old and comfort me. I couldn’t stand the thought of her dying before me.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Brown was born and raised in Leavenworth, Kansas, and he graduated from the University of Kansas in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He also holds a Master of Science degree from Emporia State University.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 134 pages
• Publisher: iUniverse, Inc. (November 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595673473
• ISBN-13: 978-0595673476
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,428,400 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love and Courage, June 27, 2006

By 

Pamela Domos (Harwich, Cape Cod MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Men Bleed Too: A Compelling Story About One Man's Struggle to Help His Wife Fight Breast Cancer! (Paperback)

"Men Bleed Too" is the most honest, graphically detailed account of a beautiful woman who lost her blessed life to the deadly disease of cancer. This book is a true story of the life and death of Barbara Brown, my sister-in-law, whose life on earth was cut way too short by the deadly disease of inflammatory breast cancer. Barbara's husband, Tom Brown, warmly portrays the life of the cancer battle through a detailed journal of her illness including his and Barb's feelings throughout the diagnosis and treatment. This book makes you feel to the core, the hardness of life when an illness strikes a family. Cancer has touched all of us in someway, but many of us don't understand the depth of what caregivers experience physically and emotionally. "Men Bleed Too" takes you through all the emotions through the eyes and heart of the patient and husband. The story is sad: but Barbara's life was far from it. She lives on with us, her family and friends in this wonderful story of total courage. This book will help others in understanding life, illness and death, but most importantly love.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sobering to read..., May 9, 2006

By 

R. Kistler (Ayase, Japan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Men Bleed Too: A Compelling Story About One Man's Struggle to Help His Wife Fight Breast Cancer! (Hardcover)

Not ever having experienced a debilitating disease, this book places the reader in the midst of the chaos and heartbreak that is breast cancer. Several times throughout I had to set the book aside and continue reading it later--It was simply too much to handle.

I applaud Mr. Brown on being able to share so candidly what he experienced. It's one thing listening to a televised interview of of breast cancer patients/survivors -- but television doesn't allow the time OR cover the depth of what REALLY goes on.

Reading this journal truly opened my eyes and opened up discussions between me and my husband on what we would do if we were faced with this situation. I recommend this book to all people...ESPECIALLY those of us that have been spared such a terrible tragedy.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Empathy, May 8, 2006

By 

Tom Davis (Overland Park, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Men Bleed Too: A Compelling Story About One Man's Struggle to Help His Wife Fight Breast Cancer! (Hardcover)

Having lost my first wife to cancer, I would highly recommend this book for anyone finding themselves a caretaker for their wife with cancer. It is not only a good primer guiding one through the morass of our health care system, it is an enlightening map as to the expectations of such a journey. It humanizes health care professionals and encourages us to not only question medical opinion but to gain ownership in the process to ensure positive medical care for your loved one. Tom's experience liberates men caretakers from thinking that there's is a unique experience, for it shared by countless others, who prior to this book, remained silent. It also allows men to know that it's okay to make their needs during such times, known to both their family and spouse, so that such needs, rather than be surpressed, be shared and openly dealt with to ease the pain of being a caretaker. Tom Brown guides us through his heart of darkness journey and emotional roller coaster ride with his day to day thoughts, prayers, emotions and courage in an effort to find something good in each day during his family's worst crises. It is here that the reader finds solid inspiration that allows any caretaker to move forward and make the best out of an otherwise, horrible situation. The book demonstrates how a commitment to one another, the value of nurturing a good marriage, communicating on a daily basis one's own needs, and praying can overcome any difficulty in life. Tom Brown's book elevates "her problem," to "our problem," and focuses the power of togetherness to overcome the tragedy that cancer brings to any family. It is a powerful answer to the question when cancer hits someone we love of, "why me, to the answering of that same question, of, "why not me ?" It demonstrates the true power of love and selfless dedication towards someone other than one's self and gives advice at how to arrive at such courage. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is, or who has ever been a caretaker for a wife diagnosed with cancer. In any event, it is a powerful and compelling read and a great addition to anyone's library. The book's content and message will be remembered long after the price of the book is forgotten...it is one of life's best lessons and can give us the strength to carry us through many of life's adversities.