Robin Roberts, The Best is Yet to Come...

Inspiring TNBC Warrior, Jennifer Griffin...

Jennifer shares her story to bring support to other women:
http://www.northernvirginiamag.com/health-and-beauty/medical-features/2013/10/09/fox-news-reporter-battled-cancer-in-the-public-eye-now-she-shares-her-tale-to-bring-support-to-other-women/ (Click link to story)

Us Victory Center Ladies Pinked Out the Infield...

Rounded up the gals of the Victory Center for an outing at Toledo Mud Hens, Pink in the Park on a beautiful Friday evening on July 11, 2014.  We participated in the survivor parade around the infield with fans cheering us on as we represent Susan G. Komen of NorthWest Ohio with carrying their banner with pride for breast cancer awareness night at the game. I reserved a table at the Bird's Nest for those of us that wanted to sit for awhile to chat while we eat, drink a beer and watch the game looking out the window onto the infield. After a couple of innings we joined back with the rest of our group of 15 friends in the stadium and watched the rest of the game together through 11 innings with a Toledo 4-3 win over Pawtucket. Loved that spectacular fireworks display after the game to end our night of fun with these amazing pink sisters!

Diane, Beth, Lori, Judy, Devorah, Joyce, Rita and Melissa

Joyce, Melissa J., Lori, Beth, Rita, Melissa P. and Diane

Melissa and Muddy

Melissa and Chrys Peterson

Yes, I do love Muddy... and Chrys Peterson does too!

Us Victory Center's Warriors!

Us Victory Center's ladies rock!

Melissa and TNBC sister, Judy Herr

Hope for More Tomorrows....

Remembering TNBC Sister, Jackie Brandt...

Jackie Brandt

I just found out a local TNBC sister, Jackie Brandt had passed at 55 on April 25, 2014. Jackie was a  part of our local breast cancer support group. I last saw her in December at our holiday party and announced that her TNBC recurrence had spread to brain. That was the last time she came to support group.  So sad to lose another sister... Rest peacefully sweet sister.

I Am the Face of Triple Negative Breast Cancer!

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation's Wall of Hope...

I gladly accepted when a committee member of Peace, Love and Hope, an annual fundraiser in New Jersey for the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation; and was said it would be their honor to have my story and photo displayed at their event on the "Wall of Hope" along with other TNBC survivors submissions.  It was an amazing opportunity to share my story in helping put TNBC awareness in the forefront with many, many people viewing, who will be making contributions to the TNBC Foundation at this event this past May 5, 2014.
Then... I got a personal invitation that they would love to have me at the Peace, Love and Hope fundraiser as a big thank you to me, but... With regret I had to decline and it was very hard for me to do, for I've been so wanting to attend this event for the past 3 years, but financially I just couldn't travel plus I had used up all my personal days at work for the year. I'm just grateful that though "not in person" but still be a part of Peace, Love and Cure 2014 in helping a organization that I am so passionate about, The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. I was told that the "Wall of Hope" created a lot of positive buzz among 400 people who attended... that makes my heart happy!

Triple Negative Breast Cancer, an Inflammation-Associated Cancer?

March 5, 2014 Press Release

"In this study, using a mouse model for human breast cancer, we showed that TNBC's characteristics --  rapid tumor growth and metastasis -- is heavily dependent upon and fueled by markedly evaluated transcriptional activation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines," said Dr. Zhou.  "Using a small molecule to target that gene transcriptional machinery, we further uncovered and validated a drug target for potential new treatment of TNBC, which account for more than 170,000 new breast cancers annually and which disproportionately affects women of African and Hispanic descent.  While much more research needs to be done, our findings are very promising and give us hope in the overall war against breast cancer."
Read full story:
http://www.mountsinai.org/about-us/newsroom/press-releases/discovery-of-root-cause-of-triple-negative-breast-cancer-may-lead-to-new-therapies

Local Komen Friend Meets Nancy Brinker...

Thank you Susan G. Komen Affiliate of Northwest Ohio for the write-up in your summer 2014 issue of 
"The Promise" newsletter!

Remembering Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister, Susan Budelman Shadle...

Susan Budelman Shadle
Diagnosed January 2010, Stage 2a
Recurrence August 2011
Departed June 19, 2014

I can't believe that Susan is gone after her courageous 4½ years fight with TNBC. Though, I never met Susan personally, she was a sister in one of my online groups and had watched her fight fiercely these last couple of years. May she rest peacefully now and God watch over her family. Susan was 44 years old with 2 young children.
Here's a video of some of Susan's story: http://youtu.be/3Zwi9mfwVWE




January 2010, Originally diagnosed with TNBC, Stage 2a, 2 tumors under 2cm with 1 positive node. BMX, TAC chemo and 33 rads. One year out of treatments, Susan developed a cough and wheezing and was diagnose with Stage 4 recurrence mets to chest nodes, lungs and liver. 

"Today is a gift - tomorrow isn't promised to any of us. I'm going to keep on fighting and living my life like there is no tomorrow. This will not break me." ~Susan Shadle 

Susan had some success at keeping her cancer at bay with trials of Avastin/Abraxane, Gemzar/Carboplatin, Xeloda/BKM 120 (a P13 kinase inhibitor). Susan had gone a couple of months with having "no measurable disease" before having progression again in her lungs. 

"I'm stage 4 for two years and just reached NED. You have to make the choice for yourself : are you gonna fight to live or are you gonna spend your time worrying about dying. I will never stop fighting for myself, my family & my pink sisters." ~Susan Shadle

May 2013, the cancer had spread to her brain. My heart ached as Susan's battle came to an end on June 19, 2014.

"Most of the time I'm ok with my stage IV battle- it's become my new "normal". Every now and then I find myself almost unable to breathe because I become overwhelmed with emotion thinking of what my death would be like for my babies & my wonderful husband." ~Susan Shadle

Her husband's message:
My Dear Lord and Heavenly Father,

Today you have come to take one of your most valued warriors, my incredible wife Susan Budelman Shadle. You bestowed upon her all of the power, strength and will of ten thousand race horses needed to rage war on her cancer for four long years. But even the greatest warriors need to rest from battle.

Lord today you have given rest and peace to her. Please comfort her Lord as she enters your heavenly kingdom. Let her have peace knowing that her strength and will is an inspiration to many other warriors fighting the same great fight. Please give her solace in knowing that she has bestowed those same qualities in her beautiful babies. They have seen their mommy rage war and will know through her life that failure in anything is not an option.

Most of all Lord allow her to feel the power of Your Love and the Love from all those who knew her, had for her. Every warrior like her should be able to feel the emotions that drove them to be warriors in the first place and for Susan, it was pure Love. Love for her family, love for her children love for me and above all else the love for You Lord.

Thank you Lord for the time you gave me with this incredible person. I am heartbroken for having mine and the children's time cut short, but I know deep in my heart you have a plan for all of us. We will never understand that plan until we reach your heavenly kingdom, so please show Susan why Your plan for her included leaving her family so soon. Ease her pain and provide her that comfort.

In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Obituary: http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Susan-Shadle&lc=4234&pid=171426888&mid=6016825 

"The calla lily is symbolic of my rebirth as a survivor
and the small ribbons are the tears shed through the journey.
 The butterfly is representative of my metamorphosis through the past year."
~ Susan Budelman Shadle, 2011

Joan Lunden Diagnosed With Triple Negative Breast Cancer After an All-Clear Mammogram

A week ago, news traveled fast among the breast cancer community that former Good Morning America co-host, Joan Lunden has been diagnosed with breast cancer, the "aggressive kind." What that means to many of us Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivors, could it be TNBC?  Our speculation was confirmed when Joan revealed during an interview with CNN News that she did indeed have Triple Negative Breast Cancer just after having a clear mammogram. As a precautionary measure, an ultrasound had detected two small spots and a biopsy was taken.  "Lunden said her tumor was picked up after an ultrasound, which is used for women who have dense fibrous breast tissue where cancers are not always detectible on mammograms." 
Wishing Joan the very best in her journey and back to good health.
You can read more of Joan Lunden's story at:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/06/27/health/joan-lunden-cancer-gma/