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.

Friday, August 29, 2014

YSC's Newest ResourceLink Guidebook...


ResourceLink Guidebook

The guidebook is a powerful resource to educate young women about breast cancer and to encourage you to be an advocate for your own health. 

Click link to order: http://www.youngsurvival.org/order

In these pages you will find:  
Information about Young Survival Coalition (YSC) programs and resources.

Specifically designed resources for young women, their supporters and healthcare professionals.

Organizations that provide financial assistance, support, and other resources relevant to young women diagnosed with breast cancer.

More than 400 breast cancer support groups—either specific to young women or attended by young survivors.

I Wish For....

Thank you Lisa Lee for introducing me to The Wishing Garden... so inspirational!

Grab a pen...

My wish...

TNBC Sisters Lisa Lee and Melissa Paskvan... inspirational words.



Melissa and Lisa 

The Wishing Garden - Sonoma,  California 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

A Woman Walks Through Life Painting A Portrait...

Today, August 26th, I am happy to be 5 years being cancer free! I've been trying to find words to describe what I'm feeling as that beast called cancer invaded my body unannounced and made it's bedding in my breast. It scares me to realize how vulnerable our bodies are and yet there is so much more we need to do to be proactive through body awareness, screenings, education, family history, diet and exercise.
I'm very involved in the breast cancer community in hope of making a difference in reminding women that early detection is a serious matter, and please do your monthly breast self-exams and stay on top of your annual mammograms. This past year I've participated in and attended many breast cancer awareness events with my pink sisters, conference and meetings where I've spoken at and have made many connections, interviewed for a video story, interviewed for articles for CURE magazineToledo Blade newspaper and had my survival story published on various health websites and in a breast cancer survivor book of inspirational stories. I continue to blog on my "Triple Negative Breast Cancer, I Won't Back Down! site, reaching out to women across the globe. I'm not sure where this journey will take me from here, but I'm certain the best is yet to come! The ladies that I've met on this path I've been traveling on, they all inspire me as we were brought together because of our Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC) fight, and I continue to fight for our Sisterhood.
Soon, I will be planning my TNBC Day 2015 fundraising and awareness campaign again ,for 3 years straight, as I represent the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation as TNBC Champion for the state of Ohio. My passion lies here with the TNBC Foundation and us TNBC sisters, and I hope my family, friends and supporters will support me in my upcoming fundraising efforts to make an impact in research in hope in finding our targeted therapy very soon. Thank you God for bringing me through another year of enrichment and being with my husband and son. Tonight, I will celebrate LIFE with my girls at The Victory Center! Much Love, Melissa xoxo

Friday, August 22, 2014

The Victory Center featured on COPING magazine's online photo gallery...

Survivors at The Victory Center's National Cancer Survivors Day Picnic on June 1, 2014.  We raised our arms to form a V, VICTORY over cancer! I'm in the front, wearing a black t-shirt.


http://copingmag.com/cwc/index.php/ncsd_gallery/ncsd_2014 
Page 4 and scroll down left column and click on Toledo, OH


Monday, August 11, 2014

Melissa Paskvan for Komen of Northwest Ohio


Friday, August 8, 2014

Faces of Inspiration, a Collection of Breast Cancer Survivor's Stories


In my hands, I am holding my very own copy of "Faces of Inspiration", gifted to me by Beverly Vote of Breast Cancer Wellness Magazine.  Looking for hope and encouragement?... it's in this book. Looking for someone that's walked your path and who have shared the various emotions during your breast cancer fight?... you'll find her in this book too. This book is a collection of inspirational stories written by some really courageous women who speak from their heart of their own personal breast cancer journey to inspire and bring hope to those affected by a breast cancer diagnosis. Each story is presented with a photograph of the contributor, putting a face to these words of inspiration.  A little touch of uniqueness was added into this book... Page 90.  You'll just have to buy the book and read... I hope my story brings you comfort and hope, hope for more tomorrows.

"Sharing my Journey"


Click on link: http://www.breastcancerwellness.org

 

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