A Discussion with David Barranco

When David Barranco, owner of a favorite Montgomery eatery, was diagnosed with breast cancer, his first feelings were fearful. But now he’s able to inject a little humor into his story. He shares how hope and a supportive cancer community helped him through a trying time.

Share a little about how you found out you had breast cancer.
A man with breast cancer? Come on! Thanks be to God that the peasize lump in my right breast was painful and just would not go away. My wife, Jeanne, insisted — no, demanded — I have it checked out. Thankfully, she was relentless!

At my first mammogram, I struggled to answer some questions like “When did menopause begin?” One week after that mammogram, I had a mastectomy. A lot of new words and terms that were meaningless a week earlier became very meaningful: “clean margins, stage 1 invasive ductile carcinoma, no lymph nodes involved and estrogen positive.” It was caught very early, and early detection without a doubt saved me.

And Dr. Stephen Davidson and the team at Montgomery Cancer Center, who were always positive, upbeat and caring, made the 20 weeks of chemotherapy much more tolerable.

What was your first thought when you heard the diagnosis?
When you hear the words, “You’ve got cancer,” that moment is forever frozen in time. Fear of the unknown and of thoughts like “How much cancer is there?” surfaced first. Bad news travels fast, but that was okay because the prayer support also happened fast. And I can pinpoint the hour it kicked in. There’s no way I could have gotten through it all without my faith, family, church, friends and my Chappy’s Deli family.

Through the treatment process and after, what did you want and need from your friends and family?
I have a pretty big family, and they rallied and surrounded me with love and prayer. It was just what I needed. No doubt the prayer support got me through it, along with free meals most every night!

Bad news travels fast. But that was okay because the prayer support also happened fast. And I can pinpoint the hour it kicked in. There’s no way I could have gotten through it all without my faith, family, church, friends and my Chappy’s Deli family.

What forms of help and support really stood out?
The calls, the cards, the visits, the hugs, the tears, the offers of prayers. It all mattered. Lady friends with breast cancer stopping by to “talk shop.” I got a special call from a friend with cancer: He was told get his affairs in order because he had a couple of months to live. He told me that he loved me and was praying for me. But the main purpose of his call was to offer hope. He was given two months to live, more than 20 years ago. Another good friend gave me this counsel: “Find a bigger problem.” I discovered that there is a major league bond between every cancer patient. My prayer list quickly grew with those I met in treatment.

What one thing that you did for yourself most helped you cope? Prayer was a major help, along with work and exercise. There is always a silver lining. It’s harder to see on the rough days, but it’s there.

What advice would you give other caregivers/spouse/parents/friends etc., on how to approach and help their loved on going through cancer treatment? Pray, hope and don’t worry! Stay positive and upbeat. Always have a “can-do attitude.” And pray for them and with them. That goes without saying.

There is always a silver lining.