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.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Angelo Merendino ‘Observing and Reacting’ Humanizes Cancer Exhibit 2013

http://mywifesfightwithbreastcancer.com
On October 5, 2013 returning from a breast cancer benefit, I made a stop in Cleveland to see an exhibit that I've been following for the past year of Angelo Merendino's photography of "My Wife's Fight With Breast Cancer." Angelo's work is amazing, capturing challenges and sadness as his wife battled her breast cancer. In this exhibit, 'Observing and Reacting' Humanizes Cancer, Angelo's black and white photos reveals the reactions from people passing by his wife, Jennifer, bald and using her walker as she walked in her city of New York City. Being a breast cancer survivor myself, as I walked through this exhibit and looking at each photograph, I could visualize myself walking beside her with the pedestrians staring at you with being bald and looking sick.  The photographs reminds me of my own experience of when I was losing my hair, and my son didn't want me to come to his school's halloween party because he was afraid that the kids would laugh at him, because my hair was all "messed up" now. Yes, my feelings were a little hurt, but I assured him that it will be ok. I showed up at his classroom party with me wearing a fleece hat in 70 degrees weather... and all the kids were staring at me but didn't say anything... a little awkward it was.
Originally from  Akron, Ohio , Angelo married Jennifer in 2006. 
5 months later, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost her battle in 2011.














Me walking her shoes...

“Love every morsel of the people in your life.”
~ Jennifer Merendino


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