"Men Bleed Too" by Thomas Brown: Book Review

Men Bleed TooiUniverse (2005)side effects make this an important guide for any
ISBN 0595361870cancer caregiver.
This is the story of Barbara Brown's fight withI was especially touched as Thomas shared the
cancer as told by her husband, Thomas. Incloseness of his family relationships and of the
December of 1992 a cancerous tumor wasstrength he received from his sons and other
discovered in Barbara's right breast. Written fromfamily members even as he was in the process
a man's point of view, "Men Bleed Too" providesof helping them through the process of impending
basic information to help the male caretakerloss and grief.
through the process and journey of this lonelyI identified with Thomas as he shared how he
battle for the life of a loved one. The subtitle ofhandled the mundane daily routines that provide
the book sums up Thomas Brown's account, "Aboth structure and escape from facing the
Compelling Story About One Man's Struggle touncertainty of disease. As Tom tells of things like,
Help His Wife Fight Breast Cancer!"walking the dogs, mowing the lawn, and reporting
Tom began journaling detailed events of Barbara'sfor work, he helps the reader realize they are not
battle, medical care, and emotional stability inalone in facing the issues that accompany the role
December of 1992. The journal became the focalof a caregiver. After fighting the disease for
point of his day. His entries include medicalnearly two years, Barbara died. Her long and
decisions, care management, medications,determined struggle was characteristic of her
treatments prescribed, and the emotional rollerstrength and character as a person.
coaster of feelings related to both the bad newsThe author's desire in writing this book was to
and the encouraging signs of small miracles. This ishelp those with loved ones battling cancer. He has
a story of inner courage, strength in crisis, and ofsucceeded in doing this by sharing his deepest
an unwavering faith.emotions and intimate details of his struggle.
After treatment for the original breast cancer itI appreciated Brown's honesty and openness. He
was discovered that Barbara had another battleis articulate and a gifted communicator. Whether
to face, leukemia. The Brown's story includesfacing cancer or other debilitating disease, this is a
discussion of treatment procedures,book that will provide valuable information and
chemotherapy, surgery, recurrence, infections andinspiration to help the reader meet the challenge
pulmonary arrest. These detailed explanations ofahead. This is an excellent guidebook and a
the disease, the treatment, medications and theirheartwarming story.