Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": Tracy Barrett Geiger Krieser, My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister's Memorial

What is TNBC

WHAT IS TRIPLE NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER?

Just in recent years, Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) has sparked interest in the news where instead of calling the tumor as ER-negative, PR-negative, and HER2-negative; researchers began using the shorthand term, "Triple Negative," dubbed the "new type" of breast cancer. Being Triple Negative, you don't have a targeted therapy and your only treatment option is chemotherapy.

Triple Negative Breast Cancer is seen in about 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC is a very aggressive cancer that tends to strike younger women, pre-menopause, especially among African-American women and women who have BRCA1 mutations. The tumor tends to be fast growing and is less likely to show up on an annual mammogram. TNBC is more likely to metastasis early on; has a high rate of recurrence in the first 2-3 years from diagnosis and has a poorer prognosis than other types of breast cancer due to lack of specific, targeted treatment for TNBC.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Tracy Barrett Geiger Krieser, My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister's Memorial

"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again."

I did fly back down again to Tracy's this past weekend for her memorial. It was a beautiful service with her photos and diploma's displayed. A stained glass pink ribbon hanging was gifted to Tracy and a beautiful broken wagon wheel memorial with picture of her and her horse on it was also displayed. Tracy's horse saddle was displayed along with her riding hat and boots, a beautiful tribute to her. Sam, who sang at her wedding also sang at her memorial, "Amazing Grace" with her acoustic guitar player... I have never heard anyone sing this song more beautiful as she did. Wendy stood up and spoke of their friendship and their sisterly bond and Tracy's love for life. Tracy's husband spoke of their dating, marriage, her step kids, traveling and their life together and he added some humor, I know Tracy would have been proud of him. Tracy's good friend, Sam put together a very nice slide show presentation of Tracy's cherished moments. The first 2 pews in the church were reserved for family to be seated with family and close friends, I was honored to be included. Tracy had military honors at her memorial with 5 Marines, one played "Taps" with an electric trumpet, two unfolded the American Flag and then refolded it and kneeled in front of her husband offering words of condolence and presented the flag to him... very touching. We all gathered back at Tracy's house for food and drinks. Tracy's chiropractor was there giving everyone neck crack adjustments, lightening up the mood in this gathering. It was a beautiful celebration of Tracy's life, and she will be missed by all that knew her. God Bless Tracy and her family.