Larry Chestnut of Douglas and his wife of 34 years, Tammy, graciously agreed to speak with me about Larry’s breast cancer diagnosis.
Breast cancer in men, although rare compared to women, is on the rise. According to John Hopkins University, male breast cancer is often found at later stages partly because men are less likely to detect breast cancer early on.
Men are more likely to ignore a lump in their breast, and therefore present at higher stages once seen by a doctor. Men may be embarrassed or shocked by the diagnosis and reluctant to seek help.
Chestnut was first diagnosed in 2021 with Her 2 negative, hormone positive breast cancer after finding a lump in his breast at least four years prior to his diagnosis.
He had surgery to remove the area where the lump was found and was advised by oncologist Dr. Eric Anderson of Coffee County Regional Medical Center’s oncology department to have further treatment.
However, Chestnut and Anderson made the decision to forego any further treatment after surgery.
In 2023, Chestnut’s cancer returned as stage 4, with metastasis to the lungs, chest area and lymph nodes. Dr. Anderson advised Chestnut, once again, to have chemotherapy, which he did. After completing paclitaxel, a chemotherapy infusion, Chestnut was placed on a hormone blocker to hopefully prevent his cancer from returning.
According to Tammy, Larry is presently doing well and enjoys life with his family.
“He has a great attitude,” Tammy says “and we believe that attitude plays a big role in how you survive cancer!”
When asked if he has advice to give others, Chestnut replied, “Men should have complete checkups with a mammogram, just like women do.”
While receiving infusions at CRMC in Douglas, patients are served meals in Styrofoam clam shells. On the inside lids, the staff thoughtfully writes encouraging notes to the patients such as, “You’ve got this!” or “You are a warrior!” Chestnut and his wife both feel these notes of encouragement helped them through their fight. They often saved their lids and placed them so they could see them at home.
Chestnut credits God for bringing him through one of the toughest times of his life.
“The doctor knows how to treat us with medication, but God has the ultimate healing” Chestnut says.
Men are much more private about such sensitive subjects than women. I am so grateful to both Larry and Tammy Chestnut for their willingness to share their journey.
Maybe hearing one man’s journey of breast cancer and how he wishes he could do things differently will save another man’s life…which is, after all, what we hope to accomplish with all of our Faces of HOPE.
