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| Thank you Natalie Huhn Winchel, I love you my beautiful TNBC sis! |
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Faces of My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters Raising Awareness for TNBC Day 3.3.13
"Triple-negative breast cancer is the most deadly subtype of breast cancer, and tends to occur in women at a younger age. This subtype of breast cancer has poor clinical outcomes due to the early metastasis of tumor cells, resistance to chemotherapy, and the lack of specific drugs that target it. Today, 3-3-13, is the first annual Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day. A good day to do your self exam!"
"Hope For More Tomorrows"
I'm a 3½ yr. TNBC Survivor and my fight is not over until all my sisters are safe... we need our targeted therapy yesterday!
-Melissa Paskvan
http://tnbcfoundation.kintera.org/3nday/melissa
(Donations Welcomed)
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| Melissa Paskvan Dx 8/6/2009 |
Brenda Hill
Dx 2010
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| TNBC Sisterhood |
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| Penny Nichols Dx 3/4/2010 |
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| Ronise Zenon Dx 12/2/2009 |
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| Sara Kouten Dx 6/2008 |
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| Brenda Rehnke Beguin Dx 2005 |
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| Donna Stauffer Dx 6/2009 and 10/2010 |
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| Raymon Bessix Dx 1/23/2009 |
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| Lisa Southerland O'Conner Dx 10/4/2010 |
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| Kellie Pack Dx 8/6/2008 |
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| Natalie Huhn Winchel Dx 08/2010 |
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| Liz Connell-Haas Dx 5/28/2010 |
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| Marielle Westphal Dx 8/3/2008 |
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| Warrior Chick Cristy Norwood Dx 10/2009 |
3.3.13 Inaugural Triple Negative Breast Cancer Awareness Day is Here!
While conducting some business at the Courthouse, I overheard a lady, who had been arrested for assaulting a Mammogram Technician, say, "Your Honor, I'm guilty but.....there were extenuating circumstances."
The female Judge said, sarcastically, "I'd certainly like to hear those extenuating circumstances." I did too soooo…… I listened as the lady told her story.
"Your Honor, I had a mammogram appointment, which I actually kept. I was met by this perky little clipboard carrier smiling from ear to ear and she tilted her head to one side and crooned, "Hi! I'm Belinda! All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown Everything clear?"
I'm thinking, "Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science."
Belinda then skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors.
With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, "Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?" Fine, I answered.
I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck to finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other breast wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when I heard and felt a zap!
Complete darkness, the power was off!
Belinda said, "Uh-oh, maintenance is working, bet they hit a snag." Then she headed for the door.
"Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?" I shouted.
Belinda kept going and said, "Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back."
Before I could shout NOOOO! She disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, "maintenance men Extraordinaire" found me...half-naked with part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life and the other part smashed between glass!
After exchanging a polite Hi, how's it going type greeting, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off.
Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible, "Uh, yes, I did but thanks anyway."
"OK, you take care now" Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.
Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin.
Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, "Oh I am sooo sorry!
The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?"
And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps..."
The judge could hardly contain her laughter as she said "Case Dismissed".
"Hope for More Tomorrows"
Spread TNBC awareness, Tell the world!
Donations welcomed
http://
Triple Negative Breast Cancer Day...
"Hope for More Tomorrows"
Spread TNBC awareness, Tell the world!
Donations welcomed
http://tnbcfoundation.kintera.org/3nday/melissa
Saturday, March 2, 2013
This is the Bill, Our Bill: H.R. 80: Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2013
HR 80 IH
113th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 80
To provide for research and education with respect to triple-negative breast cancer, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 3, 2013
January 3, 2013
Ms. JACKSON LEE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
A BILL
To provide for research and education with respect to triple-negative breast cancer, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Research and Education Act of 2013’.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds as follows:
(1) Breast cancer accounts for 1 in 4 cancer diagnoses among women in this country.
(2) The survival rate for breast cancer has increased to 90 percent for White women and 78 percent for African-American women.
(3) African-American women are more likely to be diagnosed with larger tumors and more advanced stages of breast cancer despite a lower incidence rate.
(4) Early detection for breast cancer increases survival rates for breast cancer, as evidenced by a 5-year relative survival rate of 98 percent for breast cancers that are discovered before the cancer spreads beyond the breast, compared to 23 percent for stage IV breast cancers.
(5) Triple-negative breast cancer is a term used to describe breast cancers whose cells do not have estrogen receptors and progesterone receptors, and do not have an excess of the HER2 protein on their sources.
(6) It is estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of female breast cancer patients are diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer, and studies indicate the prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer is much higher.
(7) Triple-negative breast cancer most commonly affects African-American women, followed by Hispanic women.
(8) Triple-negative breast cancer is a very aggressive form of cancer which affects women under the age of 50 across all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.
(9) African-American women are 3 times more likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer than White women.
(10) Triple-negative breast cancer tends to grow and spread more quickly than most other types of breast cancer.
(11) Like other forms of breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer is treated with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
(12) Early-stage detection of triple-negative breast cancer is the key to survival because the tumor cells lack certain receptors, and neither hormone therapy nor drugs that target these receptors are effective against these cancers; therefore, early detection and education is vital.
(13) Current research and available data do not provide adequate information on--
(A) the rates of prevalence and incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in African-American, Hispanic, and other minority women;
(B) he costs associated with treating triple-negative breast cancer; and
(C) the methods by which triple-negative breast cancer may be prevented or cured in these women.
SEC. 3. RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER.
(a) Research- The Director of the National Institutes of Health (in this section referred to as the ‘Director of NIH’) shall expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to triple-negative breast cancer.
(b) Administration- The Director of NIH shall carry out this section through the appropriate institutes, offices, and centers of the National Institutes of Health, including the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the Office of Research on Women’s Health, and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
(c) Coordination of Activities- The Director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health shall coordinate activities under this section among the institutes, offices, and centers of the National Institutes of Health.
(d) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2016.
SEC. 4. EDUCATION AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER.
(a) Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Public Education Program- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall develop and disseminate to the public information regarding triple-negative breast cancer, including information on--
(1) the incidence and prevalence of triple-negative breast cancer among women;
(2) the elevated risk for minority women to develop triple-negative breast cancer; and
(3) the availability, as medically appropriate, of a range of treatment options for symptomatic triple-negative breast cancer.
(b) Dissemination of Information- The Secretary may disseminate information under subsection (a) directly or through arrangements with nonprofit organizations, consumer groups, institutions of higher education, Federal, State, or local agencies, or the media.
(c) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2016.
SEC. 5. INFORMATION TO HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS WITH RESPECT TO TRIPLE-NEGATIVE BREAST CANCER.
(a) Dissemination of Information- The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall develop and disseminate to health care providers information on triple-negative breast cancer for the purpose of ensuring that health care providers remain informed about current information on triple-negative breast cancer. Such information shall include the elevated risk for minority women to develop triple-negative breast cancer and the range of available options for the treatment of symptomatic triple-negative breast cancer.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2014 through 2018.
SEC. 6. DEFINITION.
In this Act, the term ‘minority women’ means women who are members of a racial and ethnic minority group, as defined in section 1707(g) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-6(g)).
Friday, March 1, 2013
C4YW Seattle 2013 With my Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters...
A little overwhelming, seeing the faces of all these young women affected by a disease that we all feared of and have overcome so many challenges to live life again as close to normalcy as we strive for. This was a fun-filled weekend of networking with other survivors, researchers, health advocates, and breast cancer related vendors. We attended a few of the various educational workshops dedicated to the unique needs of young women affected by breast cancer, listened to speakers and survivor stories, posted memorials to a remembrance board. One of the highlights of the conference weekend was the "survivor dance party" with a DJ, desserts, drinks and good company of dancing like no one is watching!
I'm glad I was part of this event, I met some amazing people and strengthened my bond with my sisters... it was quite an uplifting experience that I'll always treasure.
We were able to sneak some sightseeing in where Kathleen, Angela Munoz, Maria Lagman took a drive back to downtown Seattle and went up in the Space Needle for a spectacular view of the buildings, water and mountains. |
COURTESY PHOTO ORCHARD LLC - ZACH ORCHARD
Hundreds attending the annual Conference for Young Women Affected
by Breast Cancer (C4YW) gather in downtown Bellevue last weekend
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Melissa, Angela Munoz, Kathleen and Maria
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Dinner with the ladies at Maggiano's
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Melissa Paskvan- C4YW Seattle 2013
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Me with Lori Flowers and
her beautiful mother, Carole of Triple Step Towards The Cure |
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Love this organizantion!
http://www.triplesteptowardthecure.org |
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Angela, Kathleen, Maria, Sara and
Melissa |
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Melissa, Kathleen and Maria at the top
of the Space Needle |
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Marielle, Brenda, Melissa,
Alexandra, unknown and Juls |
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Lisa, Marielle, Melissa giving
smooches and Patti |
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| Sara, Jenni, Alexandra, Juls, Ronise, Angie, Kathy, Tina, Melissa and Marielle 9 of us are Triple Negative |
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| My TNBC sisters: Lisa, Angie, Melissa, Ronise, Sara, Alexandra, Tina and Kathy |
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| Us TNBC ladies with Brenda's Oncologist, Dr. V.K Godi He's saving Brenda's Life |
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| Kathleen, Tre', Melissa and Brenda |
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| Melissa, Stacy's daughter, Stacy, Marielle, Brenda and Ronise in the back |
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| We're all TNBC Sisters: Angie, Melissa, Marielle, Sara, Ronise Lisa, Patti. Brenda and Tre' in the front |
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| Melissa, Jenni, Sara and Brenda |
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| Sara, Jenni, Sara, Tre', Melissa, Brenda and Marielle |
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| Kathy, Ronise, Angie, Sara and Melissa |
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Melissa with Triple Step Towards the
Cure ladies Lori Flowers, her mother Carole |
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| Melissa with Tami Boehmer, she did a story on me on www.MiracleSurvivors.com |
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Melissa with Dusty Showers of
http://the2ndbasemen.org |
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| Sara Kouten and Melissa sitting in on a workshop |
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| Melissa, Marielle and Kathleen Love our new t-shirts |
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| Angela, Brenda, Marielle and Melissa |
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| Kathy, Angie, Ronise, Sara and Melissa |
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| Melissa, Brenda and Jenni |
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| Melissa, Angela, Kathleen and Patti |
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| This must be me dancing to "I will Survive" |
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| Melissa with TNBC sister, Stacy Meyer |
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| TNBC sister, Alexandra Cortes and Melissa |
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| TNBC sister, Tre' Lee-Williams and Melissa |
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| Melissa and pink sister, Sara Romero Isn't she a doll! |
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| TNBC sister, Angela Martin and Melissa |
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| TNBC sister, Kathleen Cook and Melissa |
I went to 3 workshops, here's my chicken scratch notes that I took:
1. BRCA Testing
Heredity Cancers
- 80% BRCA
- 20% TP53, PTEN and others
P-16 Mutation- Melanoma- small percentage of hereditary ➔ Genetic Counseling
Genetic Study
- Local Academic
- NIC
- FORCE
2. Healthy Eating
- Colorful diet
- Get your veggies in however you can daily
- Simple ingredients ➔ visually grown in nature
- Vitamin D is a hormone
Set up for success
Protein is huge
Take your weight and divide in half gives you grams of protein to consume daily
Ex. 160lbs ÷ 50% = 80 grams of protein
1 egg = 7g
1 cup of beans = 14g
1 cup of milk = 8g
3 oz. of meat = 21g
* Not getting enough protein, you crave more sugar
- Regular protein food at each meal
- Organic - cut exposure of pesticide by 80%
- Meat and dairy- grass-fed
- Organic- no antibiotics nor hormone
- Less processed foods
Get enough bacteria in our diet
Most of our bacteria is produced in our gut
- Yogurt
- Sour kraut
- Raw and unpasteurized
* Needs to be from refrigerated section and doesn't need to be warmed up.
Nourish and Strengthen Immune System
- Seaweed - powerhouse
- Stinging nettle- powerhouse
- Dark leafy greens
- Beets, carrots, garlic, green tea, wild mushrooms
Sugar- less processed
* "No microwave"
3. TNBC
- Platinum drugs works best
- Looking at more of an individualized protocol
- Clinical trials- FDA will not approve less than 50% survival outcome
(Click link to story)
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