RICHARD WILLKOM

After graduation from BSHS in 67 I went to Parks School of Business in Denver Colorado, graduating as a wiring operator for IBM Accounting Machines. I returned to Billings the fall of 1968 and attended EMC as a Math major trying to become a computer programmer.
I met Brenda, a nursing student attending St. Vincent's School of Nursing in Aperal of 1970. We were married Oct 3rd 1970.
In 1971 I started working as a purchasing and parts management for Studer Construction. I stayed with them through building and start of The Briar-Wood subdivision and Golf Course. I was then hired as purchasing agent for Midland Materials, which became Midland O'leary then Knife River. I switched positions and became parts and warehouse manager for McCall Pools.
I retired in 2013. Brenda joined me in retirement in 2015. We bought an repaired a motor home last year and are planing a summer of travel and adventures.
My interests include skiing, hiking, photography, fly fishing, camping, computers and wood working.
Dec 9th 2014 I had a lumpectomy on my left breast. Dec 11th I received the results as positive for cancer. Jan 8th 2015 I had a double mastectomy and Centennial Node biopsy. The tumor was 30 mm and it had invaded 4mm past its border. From this is was suggested I did not need radiation, but did need four rounds of Chemo. Since Brenda was an OBGYN Nurse Practitioner, she was perfect as a personal nurse. I have since been through Pulmonary Rehab from St V's, mostly for my COPD, and the Livestrong program at the YMCA. I am mostly recovered and am totally Cancer Free now. I posted my treatment and reactions on Face Book trying to help other cancer patents learn from my experiences and to Inform all men that they can get Breast Cancer. I am thankful when I felt the lump I had my wife check it out.