Triple Negative Breast Cancer, "I Won't Back Down!": "He Has Healed Me" - Taira Johnson Baughman Fought The Fight...

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, May 24, 2013

"He Has Healed Me" - Taira Johnson Baughman Fought The Fight...

Taira in her "fired-up" pink

Deep sadness of loss of TNBC sister, Taira Johnson Baughman is felt among us today, May 21, 2013 as TNBC has taken another sister away from her family of 4 young children and her devoted husband that was everything to her. My first memory of Taira was when she posted in our support group about how country singer, Martina Mcbride's new video of "I'm Gonna Love You Through it" and she was so excited about being featured in the video as one of the survivors. I was really looking forward to and hoping that I would have the chance to meet Taira at the Young Survival Coalition Conference 2013 in Seattle but at the last minute, she was advised by her doctor to not travel due to health issues. At the conference, another TNBC sister, Patti had told us of her and another TNBC sister, Julie of how they surprised Taira by her flying out to California for a surprise... They surprised her with taking her to a taping of the Ellen Degeneres show, and Ellen came out into the audience and spoke to Taira. I was told of how excited Taira was and now wanted to be a guest on her show.

Taira's happily Ever After

Another highlight in Tiara's journey was her having her Fairy Tale dream wedding and renewing her vows to her husband of 20 years, she was glowing in every photo with happiness. I have never personally met Taira but kept up with her as she posted updates to her blog. I loved Taira's blog, http://hehashealed.me/ , going through Taira's journey through her strength, the love for her family and her faith in God. One thing that was constant through Taira's posting's was her faith in God, and that he was going to heal her.
"I am tired of fighting cancer. I won’t stop because I love my family so much, but they are suffering too. This is exactly why I say I won’t fight cancer my entire life. IT HAS TO GO AND BE GONE FOR GOOD."
God has healed Taira of her pain and has brought her home to rest peacefully now. God Bless Taira's husband and children. Taira has left an impact on the hearts of us Triple Negative Breast Cancer sisters and I'm sure her legacy will continue in the fight against breast cancer. Taken from the last few postings in Taira's blog, here's in her own words of her incredible faith in God. This is not where the story ends...

"We are told we will never be cured. I know God is going to heal me. Either through modern medicine or just a touch of his hand and it’s gone. One way or another."

"Father in heaven, again, I thank you and praise you for your blessings. I really am amazed at your mercy and love. You have given me and my family some of the most precious gifts. You provide for my family, love on my children, husband, parents myself and those that love me. They are your extended arms of mercy reminding me that I am in your hands and you have the ultimate say over my life. Every day I give myself to you again. I want to tell every one of your love. ~Amen"

"Still Fighting. Not Giving Up. Trusting The Lord Knows Best".

"I’d love to give you some huge word of encouragement but right now I am working on getting myself excited again and pumped up on God’s promises from my future."

"I hate having to go through what I do but I know God has a plan and

it will be worth it in the end."

"It is amazing all the cool experiences God has blessed me with. Things the children will never ever forget. More memories and smiles. I am just so blessed."

"I adore all of you and you make it so much easier for me to choose joy and receive the strength that God promises to me."