Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": Laid To Rest... Tonya Erdman-Huggins, Our Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister

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.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Laid To Rest... Tonya Erdman-Huggins, Our Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid.

February 25, 2012- Triple Negative Breast Cancer has claimed the life of another beautiful pink sister, Tonya Erdman-Huggins, 41, sister of our "Breast Cancer Sisters" TNBC group of 134 members at various stages of their Journey. Tonya was diagnosed at the age of 39 in 2010 with TNBC, stage 4 with mets to lymph nodes and lungs. Chemo kept cancer at bay for several months until mets to chest and brain in 2011. Again, Tonya did more chemo. On January 29, 2012, Tonya learned that she had 2 new tumors and mets now to her liver and was told no more chemo. Tonya fought this beast so hard till the very end, we all love you Tonya Huggins. Our unique group of women in our support group we're brought together to love and support each other through our struggles with TNBC. God Bless all of you, tnbc sisters.

Video tribute of loving Tonya through it

Tonya+Sheri=BFF's 4ever from brandi jobe on Vimeo.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary.

"Tonya, there are over 100 of us triple negative breast cancer sisters in your group praying for you. The support and love for you is immeasurable. We have come together with the warmest hug and comforting spirit to put you at ease. We've made pink wings of feathers as we think of you. We love you very much. We are always thinking of you and we are always with you. You are our sister" - Brenda Rehnke Beguin

"Man, Tonya really has set the bar high...
We can only dream of being loved so much by a group
of 134 people. I am sure she is smiling at us all right now..."
-Vicky Mewbourn Hancock

"Our enemy was common, Sweet Tonya... but if not for the cancer we both fought I would have never met you and what a blessing you were to me. Your sharp wit, and tremendous heart endeared you to all of your Pink Sisters and tonight we mourn you together. There are 134 of us (your Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters) praying diligently for your family and all who loved you. You touched us all individually and as a group and we will continue to fight Sweet Tonya... for our daughters, for your daughters... for a cure... just as you would for us. We love you, Beautiful ♥" - Natalie Huhn Winchell

"You showed me how to be courageous and
brave as we both fight cancer.
I will keep fighting. I will pray for a cure.
I miss you." - Brenda Rehnke Beguin

"My WONDERFUL "Breast Cancer Sisters" group is sending 134 pink roses, and one white rose to Tonya's funeral on the 28th. 134 women coming together with one common goal, organizing payments, chipping in, doing leg-work - all for the love of a sister who's earned her wings. I'm so proud to be part of this group. - Vickie Roy-Sneddon

"The beautiful roses and "one" white that our
support group provided for the loss of our dear
friend Tonya Erdman Huggins at her service today."

"... Thank you triple negative breast cancer sisters for the gorgeous roses in honor of Tonya..." - Message from Tonya's family

"You have no idea how much this means to our family. Tonya talked about this group all the time to me and how much each of you inspired her to keep fighting. What a wonderful way to honor her. Thank you so much." - Andrea Dunn McDonald

"Tonya, you're among our beautiful angels now,
please give my Tracy a hug and a kiss and tell her
I love her and miss her so much. You're gonna love Tracy,
she has a great sense of humor and a heart of gold.
Rest comfortably now and live Life on your new journey
with no more pain nor sadness. Watch over all us and give us
your guidance. See you on the side when it's God's will."
Love you baby ♥ - Melissa Paskvan

"Tonya, so grateful that we connected through the tnbc support group, you've been an inspiration to all of us throughout your fight. You're finally free from all the pain and suffering. I love you and thank you for your friendship." - Melissa Stukenborg Paskvan

http://amarillo.com/obituaries/2012-02-27/tonya-vanesse-erdman-huggins (Link to obituary)