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.

Showing posts with label Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

I'm Here Because of You, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2016

6+ year survivor!
Walking to finish our fight at Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, as I walked with my pink sisters and some high school friends on May 14, 2016.  A rainy and cold day brought 1600 participants out to the event in Perrysburg, OH., raising $131, 000 to assist in saving lives from breast cancer in Northwest Ohio.  Thank you NWO for your support in our mission!





We're here because of you.

The girls in pink!
Barb, Doris Melissa J. and Melissa P.

TNBC sisters, Melissa P. and Melissa J.

My favorite city truck!

Making Strides Breast Cancer Survivors

McAuley girls Lori, Rhonda and Melissa

"Hope for More Tomorrows"



Friday, April 5, 2013

Stroll for Strides Against Breast Cancer 2013

"Hello, welcome to Chico's. My name is Melissa and I
am a 3½ yr. Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor!"

I participated in Stroll for Strides as a breast cancer survivor store greeter at Chico's of Levis Commons, Perrysburg as part of their scavenger hunt event for prizes and store discounts. An evening of good company and yummy appetizers with my survivor friends from The Victory Center. 


Melissa and Making Strides Honoree, Kathleen Walsh.
Kathleen is an Inflammatory Breast Cancer Survivor
whom I've met in our support group at The Victory Center.

My Story and my message to you... 

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 2012


I am walking in honor of... women everywhere.


Ok ladies, I need to be honest with you, I feel bad because I know I should be setting an example... I've been having some serious lower back pain issues for the last 2 weeks, been trying to ignore it. It hurts to sit, like my spine is compressing down. Went for a walk today, I was pretty stiff and uncomfortable. Pain is worse when I'm sleeping, like lying on my side. I only find relief when I'm lying flat on my back. I'm pretty sure it's not muscle. I had this same back pain this past November for a couple of weeks, Yes, I blew it off back then too. I'm not one to be an alarmist but now I'm starting to get that gut feeling... I don't know, I guess it's getting to me because my husband and friends are starting to give me a hard time about it. I'm sorry, I've just been resting a lot when I'm not at work hoping it was just a strain. Your thoughts?
Talked to my nurse... based on my symptoms, doc wants me to have a spinal MRI in the next couple of days. Said it could be 1 of 2, an injury or the "C". 
I wasn't consciously stressed until after I talked to my nurse who is also a TNBC survivor of 5 yrs. and told me it "could be" cancer.
Pain over 2 weeks this time in back and I think a week or 2 back in November, same area... slight bone achiness in legs and forearms off and on too since last fall.
I did it, it's done and I'm going to be further in debt... Closed MRI with contrast sucked, it was hot in there as I'm having hot flashes and was hard to breathe in there after awhile. I probably won't know anything until Monday, Life is GOOD!
Had a really restless night with anxiety...


So I had a little bit of a scare, I've been having some major lower back pain for the last 3 weeks and had an MRI of my spine w/contrast because of my breast cancer history. NO CANCER!... but I do have cysts in my spine. Referred to an Orthopedic to see what they can do for me. Back is still hurting and at times making it difficult to walk, sit, cross legs, drive, bend over, sleep on side and stand. I get relief by lying flat on my back... This is what brings me back to why I still walk for these breast cancer events, I'll always have that reminder but I do not fear the 15% chance that Triple Negative Breast Cancer could recur... I'm not that statistic!

Thank you ladies for being here for me... To tell you the truth, I was kinda on the fence about this... First time I've been a little worried since dx, not a good feeling.
 My lumbar spine MRI impressions:
1. No abnormal post-contrast enhancing lesions.
2. 4mm perineural cyst at L2-3 in the left neural foramen.
3. Small Tarlov cysts at the S2 segment of the sacrum.
I just don't know after everything I've been reading that these small cysts would be causing so much pain...




I walked for my TNBC sisters that are still
 fighting, those that are celebrating and
remembering those that were taken
from us because of this disease.

Me and TNBC sister, Rita

Me and TNBC sister, Genny

Me and Toledo Rockets, Rocky

Making Strides at Levis Commons

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

REFLECTING ON MY BREAST CANCER FRIENDS STANDING UP FOR BREAST CANCER MONTH...











                              
                            Karen Miller Herbert
"..and as I signed, I thought of all my sisters"
-Karen Herbert, TNBC Survivor



Chris Gagliardi
"...my start to spreading the word"
- Chris, TNBC Survivor
"I WILL WALK TOMORROW TO HONOR ALL MY TNBC SISTERS"
 AND I DON'T WANT MELISSA TO THINK I FORGOT HER 
I GOT TIRED LAST NIGHT AND DIDN'T FINISH THE FRONT, 
SHE IS THE LAST TO GO ON CAUSE SHE TAUGHT ME THE MOST...
AND TONYA IS OVER MY HEART"- Chris
"we did the survivor lap in memory of Kimmie"- Chris
"I told the lady I didn't want it to be about me
and then I grabbed Terry I wanted it to be about the
TNBC and spreading the word" - Chris



"I am off to the walk girls...I will make u proud"
- Chris
 "Melissa u have taught me, all of us so much...
u inspire me to spread awareness"- Chris
"Only the start I am on a mission..."
- Chris


"Very emotional and amazing day today at the walk...BUT PERSISTENCE PAYS OFF I AM GONNA HAVE MY STORY TOLD, ALONG WITH TERRY OF COURSE...finally Melissa wooohoooo...look for it on WWW.tri-statemediaonline.com....finally spreading the word about TNBC...it is a start"- Chris Gagliardi
Chris's story: http://tristatemediaonline.com/2011/10/25/13000-people-walk-to-find-a-cure/

I am so amazed by my TNBC pink sister friend, Chris Gagliardi's determination as she blossomed into becoming the voice for all of us Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivors. I just love her drive and energy into how active she's been in spreading the word of  the importance of Breast Self-Exams as that is how she found her lump. Chris has worked hard holding fundraisers for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk where she raised $3400 alone and $5300 as a team, "Team Gags" honoring her as Pace Setter as she was called to take stage, receiving her ribbon. Chris stood up for all of us to TNBC, she's letting the world know we're all fighting back! Chris ROCKED her "Breast Friends Forever" t-shirt, as she proudly wore our (Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor friends) names on her shirt... what an honor to all of us!
Excerpt from a posting:

I POSTED PIC OF THE SHIRT I AM WEARING TOM TO THE WALK DON'T THINK I FORGOT YOU I SAVED YOU FOR LAST SINCE YOU R THE ONE WHO INSPIRES ME MOST
October 22 at 4:44pm

  • You like this.

    • Melissa Stukenborg Paskvan Chris, I am so touched and honored that you're wearing my name too tomorrow... I guess I never realized how I have touched people's lives but am glad that I was able to give you some insight. Please remember that this walk tomorrow is all about YOU, your fight and celebrating your survival... Take it all in and enjoy, you're winning your battle! Thank you Chris, Be well and Live Life! ♥
      October 22 


Melo Roman
"Woo hoo I made it!!!!!! 5 miles pinkies. what a beautiful day.
Jus looking at all the survivors and people with cancer making
 the stride gave me strength. Loving all my pinkies."-Melo
"This lil diva wasn't playing. She walked
for all her doggy friends and pinkies."-Melo
"I had a blast. I took longer because I kep getting 
stop cause my dog looked like a diva with her 
fakes lashes."-Melo
"Thank you Melo for walking and honoring me too..."- Melissa
 "you all wc free huggies too all."- Melo
 
 

Kimmie Kim
Rest in Paradise, Kimmie!

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