I promise

"I promise, Suzy... Even if it takes the rest of my life." -Nancy G. Brinker, Founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure

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.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Today, I Celebrate Life, 4 Years of Remaining Cancer Free...

Last February, my blog, "Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Won't Back Down!" was selected as one of the top breast cancer blogs on the Internet. I have over 100,00 views to my blog. I take great pride in my blog in sharing worldwide, the latest in TNBC research and stories of inspiration while keeping awareness in the forefront as early detection is critical for TNBC survival.  This week I went live in becoming an Author on "Treatment of Cancer" website and able to post my blog stories there. I published this story as my very first time as being their guest blogger:
http://www.treatmentofcancer.com/triple-negative-breast-cancer-community-remembers-lori-redmer
I just want to make clear that I am not a writer and nor do I want to be. I write to express my feelings and my experiences through my blog postings, it's more therapeutic for me in dealing with this dark cloud overhead of this 15% threat of recurrence for me. I don't know if that figure is even accurate... since my diagnosis, there has been 6 more sub-types of TNBC discovered with different degrees of aggressiveness. I don't know which of these 6 sub-types was my tumor and I may never know. It has gotten easier as time pasts as I focus on my 85% survival rate. I'm pretty confident that I'm going to remain healthy for a very long time. I've been very fortunate with making it to my 4 yr. mark of survival... This is a big deal for us TNBC sisters for most TNBC recurrences happen within 1 to 3 years of original diagnosis. 
TNBC research has progressed very slowly and there is still no known targeted therapy in the near future.  The fear is still there, for all us... We know if TNBC shows it ugliness again, it will come back with a vengance and that is what all of us TNBC sisters fear the most.  We've seen this monster show back up way too much in our support group and have wrongfully taken many wonderful young women from their families. Us sisters have discussed many times on how we identify ourselves as survivors: Cured, cancer-free, remission or NED (no evidence of disease). Tho my oncologist has told me on more than one visit that I'm cured, I have learned to not use that term so loosely, because the uncertainty always remain. Today, I celebrate life, 4 years of remaining cancer free! It's the little things in life that make me smile and laugh. Thank you to my husband, my son, my family and my friends for always making me feel loved and for your understanding as I continue to fight for my TNBC sisters in hope for more tomorrows for all. I love you all!

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Twylite Thursdays Benefiting Susan G. Komen For The Cure, Northwest Ohio

Had a fabulous time with breast cancer survivor friend, Elaine on August 22, 2013 at Twylite Thursday's Happy Hour at The Pinnacle supporting The Susan G. Komen Foundation. Yummy food, great music by "It's Essential", good company, fun laughter and me and Elaine dancing on the dance floor to "Boogie Shoes" with SGK's Mary Westphal. I bought some really cool Komen knee high socks... Watch for photos of me wearing these awesome socks at Komen Race for the Cure next month.
Melissa and Elaine

Survivors having a fun time!

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Remembering The Life of Whitney Yoder Lowe...

At her hometown, Wooster, Ohio,  My friend and Triple Negative Breast Cancer sister, Whitney Lowe was honored at Relay for Life 2013, in her memory with this lovely video tribute. Whitney lost her battle to TNBC last summer, June 2012.  This tribute reminds us all of why we still fight to end this disease, Cancer.


"My daughter passed from Triple Negative Breast Cancer after a very difficult journey of 18 months. She was only 26 years young, but her purpose in life was to teach young ladies that if you have a lump you are never too "young" to demand a biopsy. Do not let my daughter's death be in vain. Spread the word, early detection does save lives."
- Sandy Kline



This video created by DJ Kevin ~ IMOJ Memories / Party-In-A-Box DJ Services


Hope For All Of Us...

Thank you Kathleen for sharing your day at the beach and 
thinking of us all with your 3 ribbons and your sign of Hope!



Monday, August 19, 2013

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Community Remembers Lori Redmer

Great sadness and shock has touched us today in our TNBC community as former Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBCF),  Executive Director, Lori Redmer lost her battle to this very disease on Saturday, August 17, 2013. I truly admired and respected Lori for her role at TNBCF for her strength and energy she had put into in support of TNBC Awareness and Fundraising for research in hope of finding our targeted therapy.  I knew Lori Redner had stepped down from TNBCF last fall after she was diagnosed with TNBC recurrence. I had spoke briefly with Lori Redmer during days leading up to Inaugural TNBC Awareness Day, 3.13.2013 as she encouraged me to represent Ohio with an online fundraising TNBC Day campaign raising $605 for the foundation.   I was honored that Lori Redmer had personally made a generous donation to my fundraising page, "In Honor of TNBC patients everywhere!" Lori had our hearts as we he had hers. God bless her, her family and all of us affected by Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Please consider a donation to the TNBCF in Lori Redmer's name Thank you, Melissa Paskvan.

Click link to make a donation to the TNBC Foundation:
https://tnbcfoundation.thankyou4caring.org/pages/donation-page---tribute-gifts







Saturday, August 10, 2013

TNBC Survivor, Krista Stone Honored With The Courage Award




At Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation's Peace, Love and Cure 2013 event, Award-winning Actress and Revlon Brand Ambassador, Emma Stone presented the Courage Award to her mother, Krista Stone who was honored for her brave and inspirational fight against triple negative breast cancer and for using her voice to build awareness and advocate for better treatment options for all patients.



http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/people/story/2012-09-05/Emma-Stone-Revlon-PSA/57614810/1 (Click to story)
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20702530,00.html (Click to story)

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