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, November 30, 2015

University Of Toledo Rocket Football Honors Breast Cancer Survivors...

On November 27th 2015, several of my breast cancer sisters from University of Toledo's Center for Health and Successful Living met at their office for a tailgate party prior to the UT's Rockets football game.  Though it was chilly and rainy we braved the walk to the stadium and watch the football game taking on Western Michigan Broncos.  Partway through the game, us breast cancer survivors were called out onto to the field to be recognized for our survivorship.



Tail-gate party at UT for us survivors

with Santa... kicking off the holiday season

Survivors Melissa and Barb Oxner

UT Rockets football

Us breast cancer survivors being honored on field

On the field line with the University of Toledo Rockets 

My breast cancer survivor girls!

Friday, November 20, 2015

Honored to Speak at Lambie's Legacy Friends-giving Fundraiser

https://www.utoledo.edu/centers/chsl
During my last mammogram, a few benign calcification was detected... I wasn't comfortable with these results without further investigation and contacted my doctor.  Since I haven't had a breast MRI in a few years, one was recommended and ordered.  I was hesitant with getting further testing because of my high deductible I would had to meet first with my health insurance before benefits would kick in, which meant out-of-pocket expenses for me... as I've been unemployed for the past year and with money being tight, I couldn't afford to take on more debt.  I've discussed my concerns with Dr. Amy Thompson of University of Toledo's Center for Health and Successful Living.  
Dr. Thompson told me to go forward with getting my MRI done and assured me that she can assist me with cost through a grant from the Lambie's Legacy Foundation that had also previously assisted me with the 3D imaging of my mammogram.  My MRI did come back normal and I was relieved. 


http://www.lambieslegacy.com
On November 18, 2015, I was invited to speak along with Dr. Amy Thompson and Dr. Timothy Jordan of UT Center for Health and Successful Living at a fundraiser, 6th Annual Cocktails for a Cause presented by Lambie's Legacy to raise funds to support their mission of patient support, health education and mammograms.  In a room full of supporters, I was honored and thrilled to share my story of my breast cancer diagnosis and was able to personally thank The University of Toledo Center for Health and Successful Living and Lambie's Legacy for helping me with payment of my last scans to ensure that I take care of my breast health; and easing my anxiety of health concerns.  This event was a really fun evening with great food, friends, music and raising about $50,000!
http://www.toledoblade.com/Our-Town-Home-Sylvania/Our-Town-Going-Out/2015/12/31/Toledo-area-wraps-up-a-year-of-generosity.html


Thank you Lambie's Legacy for your assistance!

Melissa, Dr. Jordan, Jesse, Dr. Amy Thompson

High School classmates supporters, Amy Thorpe, Melissa
and Meigen Nitschke

Speaking at Lambie's Legacy fundraiser

Saturday, November 14, 2015

My Interview, Toledo Center thats Helping Cancer Patients is the First of it's Kind in the US 2015


TOLEDO (13abc Action News) - by LIssa Guyton
About 9,000 women in Ohio will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Thanks to a charity called Lambie's Legacy, people in need are getting help with diagnosis and treatment.
The foundation was started in honor of Margaret Guyton Stout who died of breast cancer in 2011.Margaret's nickname was Lambie and she's the sister of our own Lissa Guyton. Today, Lissa met someone whose life has been impacted by the work of the foundation in Lambie's honor.
Melissa Paskvan was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer in 2009, "When my doctor told me I was shocked. I couldn't answer any questions all I could keep saying was okay, okay." She went through a lumpectomy, chemotherapy and radiation, "All I could think about was my son, he was 7 at the time."
Several years after those treatments, a routine mammogram raised more concerns. Her doctor recommended a breast MRI. The problem was, her insurance didn't cover it.
Thanks in part to a donation from Lambie's Legacy The Center for Health and Successful Living was able to step in and pay the bill.
The center is on The University of Toledo campus and it's a one stop shop for survivors, focusing on things like education, support groups and screening. Dr. Amy Thompson is a co-founder of the center and her mother is a breast cancer survivor,"Everything we do is to take people's minds off cancer and some of the challenges they face."  
Dr. Thompson and Melissa Paskvan
And it's the first of its kind in the United States. The vast majority of people working at the center are volunteers including Dr. Thompson and they run it on a limited budget, "It's the most inspiring work I have ever done. Sometimes its easy for all of us to think we've had a bad day but you soon realize you've never had a bad day compared to people like Melissa. It's made me re-evaluate what I do it is not a job to me. I know every day we're making a difference."
Dr. Iman Mohamed is an Oncologist at The University of Toledo Medical Center. She says the work of the center is changing lives, "To treat our patients and think we'll be there at all the stages is a very limited view as a physician. We need to partner with groups in the community like the center that can hold their hands and walk with them."
As tough as Melissa's cancer journey has been at times,she is grateful for those here at the center who have held her hand through it all, "My husband and son are the most important things to me and I am glad to be around for them.I am so thankful for all the people in my life who have helped make that happen." The MRI Melissa received delivered good news, the cancer is not back.
The biggest fundraiser of the year for Lambie's Legacy is Wednesday night at the Carranor Hunt and Polo Club in Perrysburg. The money raised will be used to help people in our community with a number of different needs.
http://www.13abc.com/home/headlines/Toledo-center-thats-helping-cancer-patients-is-the-first-of-its-kind-in-US-351179991.html

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Pumpkin Carving at Center for Health and Successful Living

Night out at University of Toledo's Center for Health and Successful Living for pumpkin carving fun with my pink sisters... one of the activities the Center had to offer bringing us survivors together for Halloween fun 2015.

My pumpkin creation

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