Swill is still alive and kicking...

[Swill]

Sorry I have not been around in quite a while, but I wanted to assure everyone that I am still alive and so far doing great. Warfarin is still a pain, but I have been staying pretty consistent with the dosage.

I have been telling friends about this site, and have been lurking a bit, but haven't had the time to contribute much. I have one son in high school and another in middle school, and after meals and homework are finished there is hardly enough time to relax.

What has prompted me to write is that prior to my surgery there were a few discussions regarding covering up the scar, or letting it show. My opionion was that the scar was just one more part of my life, and people would have to accept it. Anyway, I found out about a fundraiser for Breast Cancer organizations here in Marin County, where the breast cancer rate is the highest in the country. My mother and my wife's grandmother were both survivors, and I have lost friends to this, so I jumped at the chance. Anyway, long story short, I posed for a calendar (think of it as 'Calendar Boys'), and I showed a bit more than just the scar. Turns out I had to point the scar out to the photographer.

I have attached the group publicity shot; I am the really white guy in the middle with the pictures of my mother and my wife's grandmother.

I want to let you all know that I miss you and think of you often. You were, and continue to be, an inspiration for me.

God bless you all,

Will

 

[Nancy]

Hi Swill-

Nice to hear that you are doing so well.

I really have to applaud your "efforts" on behalf of breast cancer. I am just finishing up my treatment plan after being diagnosed in June. All is well, so far and I'm feeling well.

Thanks for baring almost "all" for the cause. Good thing you had two survivors in your family,

Continued good health and happy holidays!

 

[Swill]

Thanks Nancy -

Glad to hear that your treatment is going well! Mom had Stage 4 cancer and had a mastectomy and several lymph nodes removed. That was in 1989, and she is still here with us. She had the operation the day after the big Loma Prieta earthquake out here.

Somebody said that this is a good way for the guys to help; We like to fix things, and this is something that we can't fix. However we can stand up for our ladies. My mom was out of the country when this was going on, and didn't find out until it was a done-deal. She was thrilled. My mother-in-law carries her calendar with her and points my picture out to anyone who will listen.

I need to replace my picture, I am a lot less fuzzy now, Bit more grey, though. This is a better picture; i think I will upload it once I remember how to reduce the size...

Cheers,

Will

 

[epstns]

So, it is "out with the John Denver look" and "in with Chippendale's" then?

Can't say the rest of us are going to jump out of our clothes for pictures, especially given the time of year and all.

Still, it is good to hear from you, Swill, and to "see" you, too. (Glad you had those pictures to hold onto, though. . . )

 

[geebee]

I think this was a wonderful effort for men to be able to do something for breast cancer. However, we should keep in mind that men can get breast cancer too so you all may be helping yourselves as well down the road.
Illnesses such as cancer and heart disease leave us exposed to the world. After going through 3 OHS at teaching hospitals, I have no sense of modesty left. A roject such as this would not embarass me in the least (interesting that "bare a--" is almost a part of the word embarass.
Anyway - I applaud your efforts and wish the best for your loved ones.
Smiles,
Gina

 

[Swill]

Male Breast Cancer

Male Breast Cancer

Hi Gina -

One of the models previously had breast cancer. He had a mastectomy, and now has a pink ribbon tattoed on his chest.

Don't remember the rules, so I'm not sure that it would be OK to post a link to the calendar. Ross, you still around? Can I get a judgement call?

Cheers,

Will

 

[hensylee]

Oh, Will, that is just so cool! How do we buy copies? You can put links in here - we do it all the time - long as it's clean.

You don't even look like the same person with your new neatness look. Thanks for letting us have a couple looks at you.

Thanks for stopping by to let us know how you are doin.

 

[shana23]

TOO CUTE!!!!!!Way to go Swill thats great wongerful pic!!!!Glad to hear about you r family doing so well shana

 

[Swill]

Pink Ribbon Men of Marin

Pink Ribbon Men of Marin

Hi Hensylee -

You can see some of the pictures (and order a calendar) at www.pinkribbonmen.com. My picture is not on the website, but some of the better looking ones are.

We are doing a calendar signing on Wednesday night; it will be interesting to see what the turnout will be like...

Cheers,

Will

 

[hensylee]

Thanks, Will. I have been there this morning.

Reminds me of "The Calendar Girls" movie - the English one. I loved that movie and I bet you guys had just as much fun as those ladies did.

Members, they have t-shirts for men and women (different style for each), wall calendars, desk calendars, pins. Their logo is the usual pink ribbon with a bow tie on it. Go have a look - and if you feel like it, you can purchase on-line.

 

[Swill]

Calendar boys

Calendar boys

Acey Harper, the photographer, is absolutely wonderful. He and the ladies who put this together had the concept of Ansel Adams meets "The Full Monty". One of the radio stations did a promotion and said that the calendar was "Ansel Adams meets Monty Python".

I would love to see that calendar...

It was actually a lot of fun. The crew were very professional, but kept everything very light-hearted. Even when the weather didn't cooperate (what's the SF Bay Area without a little fog?) they were able to work through the difficulties and produce a very classy product...

Cheers,
Will

 

[hensylee]

Will, I saw you on CNN a little while ago. The group picture and a piece about the calendar. They interviewed Mr Feb (I think it was Feb) and talked about the calendar, then showed some of the close-ups. They also gave the web address. Good for you all.