What started as an email I sent to my oncologist seeking their input of what more can we do to raise awareness of Triple Negative Breast Cancer for TNBC Awareness Day... Dr. Mohamed and the University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC) put together a very well-organized and educational program with several speakers sharing information on various survivorship topics. I was excited when my Oncology Nurse had asked me to be one of the speakers and talk about moving pass breast cancer and being a voice for TNBC. I had a few of my TNBC sisters present from our support group which was very nice. Thank you Dr. Mohamed, Jan Tipton and all of the UTMC speakers in making this conference a success in bringing awareness to our local community.
My Story...
My name is Melissa and I am a 4 year Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor. In 2009, I found my lump by chance when I felt something under my breast. My mammogram did NOT detect my 2cm tumor because of having dense breast tissues. It was thought to be just a cyst, but I insisted on a needle biopsy right then and there. Then I received the dreaded call from my doctor. I'm 41 and I have breast cancer. I learned that I had a rare and aggressive form of cancer that doesn't respond to hormone therapy, Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
I spoke of early detection and the importance of self-breast exams and that TNBC tumors are not always detected on mammogram. I spoke of TNBC is striking young women as early as age 24 that I personally know of.
Moving forward after cancer...
Nearing the end of my treatments I felt lost, life after cancer treatments was a lot harder than when I was going through it. People seem to think that when you're done with treatments and is cancer free that it's done and over, put it behind you, things can go back to normal... Only if it was that easy. I've struggled some... the life I once had, there's no going back to...
The Victory Center...
I turned to a local cancer wellness center for support, trying to figure out my new "normal" and live again. I immediately got involved in their Breast Cancer Support Group where I was surrounded by people who didn't mind talking about cancer, sharing stories and who "get it." The support group has helped me rejuvenate my self-image and ease the transition that I've been going through.
People I've met along the way...
I have met several other TNBC Survivors through an online support group and bonded with several of the women. I have met up with TNBC Sisters at different conferences, support groups and have traveled from as far as Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina and California to meet up with my TNBC ladies.
My Blog...
I have created a blog, "Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Won't Back Down!" documenting my journey to keep my family and friends informed of my prognosis. Journalizing was therapeutical for me as a way of expressing my feelings on the journey I'm on. My blogs expresses how I moved forward with postings and photos of breast cancer events that I participated in, meeting other breast cancer survivors and living life again. After treatments were over, I wanted to turn my blog into a more of an informational and inspirational site for TNBC awareness; posting latest research articles, inspiring stories and memorials on my TNBC pink sisters. With my blog site, I have reached out to people all over the world reaching many countries in every continent with over 133,000 views to my site. My hope is that my site will help others to have hope, give them the strength to fight and to provide resources to get them the information they need to know about this TNBC subtype.
Our Sisterhood...
We are an unique Sisterhood that are bonded by our uncommon disease.
I keep fighting for those that are still fighting, those that are too weak to fight and those that can no longer fight. I stand next to each and everyone of you sisters and fight, my fight is not over till all of my sisters are safe. Never lose sight of hope. Have hope for a targeted therapy, and hope for more tomorrows.
Quote from TNBC sister who passed at the age of 35:
"Our support group, we are never just one alone... The fears, the tears, the stress, the anxiety, the worry, and the pain are shared among all of us women in our group."
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| Dr. Mohamed |
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| Melissa showing where she found her lump |
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| YES! |
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| Pink Sisters, Jyll and I LIVING LIFE! |
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| My pink ladies Jyll, Melissa, Rita and Diane |
