For Jeremy Gray, October used to mean band gigs with the TrainWrecks, motorcycle rides with his Individuals Motorcycle Club brothers, drumming at New Hope Free Lutheran Church and enjoying time with his wife Nicole, their two adult sons and two grandchildren.
But in October 2024, the month took on a whole new meaning. That’s when Jeremy, a property assessor with the Stutsman County Tax Equalization Office, felt a lump in his chest. “It just didn’t seem right,” he says.
Trusting his gut, he made an appointment with Dr. Bradly Skari in Jamestown. A mammogram at JRMC followed in January. Then came a biopsy. On Valentine’s Day 2025, Jeremy and Nicole received the unexpected news — he had breast cancer.
“It was a shock,” Jeremy said. “You just don’t think of men getting it.”
But they do. Though rare, about 1 in every 100 breast cancer diagnoses in the U.S. is in a man. Jeremy decided right away that his best shot was to face it head-on.
His mastectomy was performed by Dr. Robert McMillan at JRMC. “I was up within the hour,” he says. “Everything went so smoothly.”
In April, Jeremy began eight rounds of chemotherapy — six of which he was able to receive at the JRMC Cancer Center in coordination with Roger Maris Cancer Center. He credits the JRMC Cancer Center team for helping him stay grounded throughout the treatment.
“They made all the difference,” he says. “The team was welcoming, the big rooms were comfortable and being close to home was a game-changer.”
That attitude didn’t go unnoticed. Garret Hillius, a registered nurse in the cancer center said Jeremy approached every step with a “let’s do this” mentality — always with a smile.
Jeremy also appreciated being able to see his oncologist, Dr. Shelby Terstriep, through telemedicine alongside Laura Bond, DNP-C. The setup saved hours of travel and allowed for more time at home with Nicole and family.
Now finished with chemo, Jeremy will soon begin 15 rounds of radiation. His outlook is good — his oncologist anticipates a full recovery.
Through it all, Jeremy continues to play drums with the TrainWrecks and stays involved with his motorcycle club. Nicole has been by his side every step of the way. Together, they’re navigating this chapter with the same energy they bring to family, friends, music and community.
When asked what he’s most looking forward to, Jeremy doesn’t miss a beat: “Living healthier. I’ve learned a lot through this. And I want to keep playing music.”
He also hopes other men are paying attention. “Don’t be afraid to touch yourself,” he laughs. “Seriously — pay attention to changes. It could save your life.”
Did you know?
Men get breast cancer too. While breast cancer is far more common in women, about 1 in every 100 breast cancer cases in the U.S. is diagnosed in a man.
What to watch for:
- a lump or swelling in the chest
- redness or flaky skin
- nipple discharge or pulling in
- unexplained pain
Don’t ignore changes — early detection saves lives.
As seen in Fall 2025 AppleSeeds.
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