How Do I Love Thee? Three Couples Counted the Ways

How Do I Love Thee? Three Couples Counted the Ways

In an honest panel discussion, three Long Island couples—Cindy and Bruce, Kim and Anthony and Tim and Sandy– shared how they successfully coped when faced with a breast cancer diagnosis. The forum, sponsored by the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, was held on zoom in April.

Even partners who are strongly committed to one another may face difficult moments when confronted with the extraordinary stress of breast cancer. The three couples talked about their journeys through breast cancer and how they have continued to have lives filled with activity and joy.  

Cindy and Bruce met on a blind date 41 years ago. They married, and in 1994, Cindy was treated for breast cancer. Sixteen year later, the couple learned that Cindy’s cancer had come back. Cindy had a mastectomy of the same breast, followed by chemotherapy. Cindy recalls the difficulty of trying to juggle it all when first diagnosed. She reached out to the Young Women’s Breast Cancer Support Group at Adelphi connecting with others in her situation and gaining the support she needed to move forward. Today, Cindy is a volunteer at the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.          

Kim and Anthony have been together for 10 years, meeting while Kim was working in a restaurant as a bartender. Anthony is a day trader who attended Columbia University where he was a pitcher for their baseball team. Together they have a daughter named Savannah who is 7 years old. Kim was just 30 years old when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since 2019, Kim has been a volunteer with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program helping others going through a similar diagnosis.

Tim and Sandy met at a mutual friend’s home when Tim was a freshman in college and Sandy a senior in high school. They had been married for 52 years when they learned Tim had been diagnosed with advanced breast cancer in June 2020. Tim says that not even in their wildest dreams could they have imagined the rollercoaster ride they would embark on. Tim is committed to sharing his story as a volunteer with the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program and helping other men learn the signs of breast cancer and the importance of performing regular breast self-exams.

To reach the Adelphi Breast Cancer Program call 800-877-8077. You are not alone.

Photo, from left: Kim and Anthony, Cindy and Bruce, and Tim and Sandy.

###