What We Know About Triple Negative Breast Cancer As Of February 2012 Told By Leading TNBC Experts

Research Study To Start April 2012 At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute: ARQ197 In Metastatic Triple Negative Breast Cancer

 Purpose

"This research study is a Phase II clinical trial. Phase II clinical trials test the effectiveness of an investigational drug to learn whether the drug works in treating a specific cancer. "Investigational" means that the drug is still being studied and that research doctors are trying to find out more about it such as the safest dose to use, the side effects it may cause, and if the drug is effective for treating different types of cancer. It also means that the FDA has not yet approved ARQ 197 for use in patients, including patients with your type of cancer.

ARQ 197 is a drug that has been shown to slow down tumor cell growth and motility signals, which affects movement. This drug has been used in other research studies and information from those studies suggests that ARQ 197 may help to treat your cancer.

The purpose of this research study is to find out what effects ARQ 197 has on you and your cancer."

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01542996?term=Arq197&rank=13
(Click link to full story)

Sisterhood...

The Pink Ribbon Sisterhood

Some women are faced with an insurmountable fight ...
A battle with a deadly unseen enemy that will connect them
With a strength they never knew they had ...
It's the most difficult thing
Many of us will ever face.

The battle is not easy ... but it is a fight we know we will win.
To be triumphant we must do everything we can to search for a cure ...
Medically, spiritually and with lifestyle changes.
We must also expand our horizons
And share the knowledge of our quest with those around us
Helping others on their journey too.

But even more than that, we must stand
As a shining example of how to survive

We are not alone. We're part of a great sisterhood
Supporting each other in the ultimate fight for life.
So for ourselves, our daughters, our sisters and our friends
We all wear a pink ribbon!

- Suzy Toronto

Laid To Rest... Tonya Erdman-Huggins, Our Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
 I do not give to you as the world gives.
 Do not let your hearts be troubled and
do not be afraid.

February 25, 2012- Triple Negative Breast Cancer has claimed the life of another beautiful pink sister, Tonya Erdman-Huggins, 41, sister of our "Breast Cancer Sisters" TNBC group of 134 members at various stages of their Journey. Tonya was diagnosed at the age of 39 in 2010 with TNBC, stage 4 with mets to lymph nodes and lungs. Chemo kept cancer at bay for several months until mets to chest and brain in 2011.  Again, Tonya did more chemo. On January 29, 2012, Tonya learned that she had 2 new tumors and mets now to her liver and was told no more chemo.  Tonya fought this beast so hard till the very end, we all love you Tonya Huggins.  Our unique group of women in our support group we're brought together to love and support each other through our struggles with TNBC. God Bless all of you, tnbc sisters.

Video tribute of loving Tonya through it

Tonya+Sheri=BFF's 4ever from brandi jobe on Vimeo.

 Isaiah 40:31
But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary.

"Tonya, there are over 100 of us triple negative breast cancer sisters in your group praying for you. The support and love for you is immeasurable. We have come together with the warmest hug and comforting spirit to put you at ease. We've made pink wings of feathers as we think of you. We love you very much. We are always thinking of you and we are always with you. You are our sister" - Brenda Rehnke Beguin

"Man, Tonya really has set the bar high...
We can only dream of being loved so much by a group
of 134 people. I am sure she is smiling at us all right now..."
-Vicky Mewbourn Hancock

"Our enemy was common, Sweet Tonya... but if not for the cancer we both fought I would have never met you and what a blessing you were to me. Your sharp wit, and tremendous heart endeared you to all of your Pink Sisters and tonight we mourn you together. There are 134 of us (your Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters) praying diligently for your family and all who loved you. You touched us all individually and as a group and we will continue to fight Sweet Tonya... for our daughters, for your daughters... for a cure... just as you would for us. We love you, Beautiful ♥" - Natalie Huhn Winchell

"You showed me how to be courageous and
brave as we both fight cancer.
 I will keep fighting. I will pray for a cure.
 I miss you." - Brenda Rehnke Beguin

"My WONDERFUL "Breast Cancer Sisters" group is sending 134 pink roses, and one white rose to Tonya's funeral on the 28th.  134 women coming together with one common goal, organizing payments, chipping in, doing leg-work - all for the love of a sister who's earned her wings.  I'm so proud to be part of this group. - Vickie Roy-Sneddon

"The beautiful roses and "one" white that our
support group provided for the loss of our dear
friend Tonya Erdman Huggins at her service today."

"... Thank you triple negative breast cancer sisters for the gorgeous roses in honor of Tonya..." - Message from Tonya's family


 "You have no idea how much this means to our family. Tonya talked about this group all the time to me and how much each of you inspired her to keep fighting. What a wonderful way to honor her. Thank you so much." - Andrea Dunn McDonald

"Tonya, you're among our beautiful angels now,
please give my Tracy a hug and a kiss and tell her
 I love her and miss her so much. You're gonna love Tracy,
she has a great sense of humor and a heart of gold.
Rest comfortably now and live Life on your new journey
with no more pain nor sadness. Watch over all us and give us
 your guidance. See you on the side when it's God's will."
Love you baby ♥ - Melissa Paskvan

"Tonya, so grateful that we connected through the tnbc support group, you've been an inspiration to all of us throughout your fight. You're finally free from all the pain and suffering. I love you and thank you for your friendship." - Melissa Stukenborg Paskvan


http://amarillo.com/obituaries/2012-02-27/tonya-vanesse-erdman-huggins (Link to obituary)

2011 Peace, Love And A Cure - Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivors

I participated in this awareness video for The Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation. My name is Melissa from Toledo, Ohio and I'm pictured at about :39 into the video. My friend, Vickie of Australia who is in my online support group is also in this video. Music by Singer/TNBC Survivor, Laura Roppe'.  EARLY DETECTION SAVES LIVES! Unfortunately, I have already lost a few tnbc friends in just the last few months to this disease, we need to find our targeted therapy now. Please consider a donation for TNBC research at  http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/donate.htm
Thank you, Melissa

Toledo Rockets For The Cure, February 18, 2012

4th annual Toledo Rockets for the Cure was a huge success with more than 5000 fans in attendance and the University of Toledo's Women BasketBall raising $18,010 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure of Northwest Ohio.

Me and Genny, we're both TNBC survivors!

Me getting the autographs!

Go Rockets, they won their 10th straight win!

Me with executive director  of Susan G. Komen foundation
in Toledo, Mary Westphal

Epidemiological Risk Factors Associated With Inflammatory Breast Cancer Triple Negative Subtype

"...Conclusion: The association between breastfeeding and TNBC indicates that stem cells that are retained in the absence of breastfeeding may be the cell of origin for TN IBC. These results highlight the importance of evaluating epidemiologic risk factors of IBC according to receptor subtype, which could lead to the identification of distinct etiologic pathways that could be targeted for prevention.
 http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/early/2012/02/11/1055-9965.EPI-12-0087.abstract (Click link for full story)

Happy Valentine's Day To All Of My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sisters!

Surround yourselves today with the people you love! XOXO 

PET With FDG May Predict Outcomes In Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

"Patients underwent PET imaging with 18F-FDG at the start of their chemotherapy regimen. This exam was repeated after their second cycle of chemotherapy to gauge how metabolically active the tumors were. This information was then used to gauge the patients’ predicted therapy response and prognosis..."
http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/pet-ct/content/article/113619/2029093 
(Click link for full story) 

"ROCKING THE PINK" By Laura Roppe

http://www.lauraroppe.com/

"In 2008, just as Laura Roppé was poised to burst onto the music scene, her doctor called her with news that left her spinning—she had been diagnosed with an extremely aggressive form of breast cancer. Just days earlier, she had signed a dream-come-true contract with a record label; now, she wasn’t even sure how much longer she had to live. Never one to back down to a challenge, however, Roppé gathered her courage, took stock of her priorities, and made a decision: Cancer may take my hair, she told herself, but that’s all it’s getting." Laura a Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor, her book, Rocking the Pink released in February 2012. Book may be ordered at Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Rocking-Pink-Finding-Myself-Cancer/dp/158005417X (Click link)

"Just finished reading Rocking the Pink, amazing memoir by singer, songwriter, and TNBC survivor Laura Roppe. A MUST read!" 

~ Sara Kouten

"Only on page 13 and tearing up already." ~ Liz Connell Haas

"I've got my goodies in the mail, Thanks Laura!"

"Rocking the Pink, Ladies!" 

Tracy Barrett Geiger Krieser, My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister's Memorial

"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again."

I did fly back down again to Tracy's this past weekend for her memorial. It was a beautiful service with her photos and diploma's displayed. A stained glass pink ribbon hanging was gifted to Tracy and a beautiful broken wagon wheel memorial with picture of her and her horse on it was also displayed. Tracy's horse saddle was displayed along with her riding hat and boots, a beautiful tribute to her. Sam, who sang at her wedding also sang at her memorial, "Amazing Grace" with her acoustic guitar player... I have never heard anyone sing this song more beautiful as she did. Wendy stood up and spoke of their friendship and their sisterly bond and Tracy's love for life. Tracy's husband spoke of their dating, marriage, her step kids, traveling and their life together and he added some humor, I know Tracy would have been proud of him. Tracy's good friend, Sam put together a very nice slide show presentation of Tracy's cherished moments.  The first 2 pews in the church were reserved for family to be seated with family and close friends, I was honored to be included. Tracy had military honors at her memorial with 5 Marines, one played "Taps" with an electric trumpet, two unfolded the American Flag and then refolded it and kneeled in front of her husband offering words of condolence and presented the flag to him... very touching. We all gathered back at Tracy's house for food and drinks. Tracy's chiropractor was there giving everyone neck crack adjustments, lightening up the mood in this gathering. It was a beautiful celebration of Tracy's life, and she will be missed by all that knew her. God Bless Tracy and her family.

.legacy.com/obituaries/jdnews/obituary.aspx?n=tracy-krieser&pid=155625462

(Click on link to Tracy's obituary)

In Memory Of My Very Best Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister, Tracy Barrett Geiger Krieser, Age 44

I can't promise that I'll be here for the rest of your life... but I can promise that I will love you for the rest of mine~

I found this quote in a magazine on the night Tracy passed as I was enroute on a airplane trying to get to her in North Carolina. This quote stood out to me because this is who Tracy was, knowing her time was limited but loved each of us Triple Negative Breast Cancer sisters. I tried, I really did, but I did not make it to Tracy in time and was completely shattered when I missed my connecting flight. I can tell you that she went quick and peacefully to go home to the Lord and to be with her momma. I was told that Tracy knew that I was coming and that she was holding out for me but was just too tired... I was heartbroken but was at peace knowing that she was no longer suffering nor in pain anymore. My tears that flowed was out of love for my girl, my beautiful Tracy. 
Throughout our journey together as breast cancer sisters, Tracy and I quickly bonded and was drawn to her positive but realistic take on life and her sense of humor, we shared many late night laughters... God, that girl was so funny, she would get me laughing so hard. Tracy and I did shared a special sisterly kind of bond, she was my twin I would always tell her. Tracy was unique and had an incredible lust for life... to know her was to love her. Tracy's fight was for quality of life, she didn't want to be held down from sickness, weakness and fatigue... She traveled with her husband and friends till the very end. She trail ride, zip-lined and met up with many of her Triple Negative Breast Cancer sisters that she met in our support group, Tracy did live life. 
At the top of my bucket-list was to meet my TNBC "Twisted Sisters" before one of us has a recurrence, never thought that my Tracy, the one that I have grown very close to, would be the first. I met up with Kitty & Tracy for a girl's weekend this past May in Louisville, Kentucky, we all were just so giddy to finally meet each other face to face, we had so much fun. I had stayed with Tracy twice at her home in North Carolina over the summer, just spending time together, helping her out with her horses and running to doctor appointments. I was just down there again at Tracy's just after Christmas through New Years, Tracy was tiring but it was all good to just be there by her side comforting her with affection. This past week, our phone calls grew shorter, it was exhausting her. I have missed a couple of Tracy's phone calls just a few days prior to her passing, and I was torn that she wasn't accepting incoming calls. I told Tracy early on to please check in with me daily even if it was just to say goodnight and she did. I also asked Tracy to not ever push me away or shut me out when things got bad, Tracy called me one last time Wednesday night before she passed, the conversation was short but it was good to hear her laughter and tell me she loved me one last time. From there, I myself didn't know much of what was going on and received very little information on Tracy's condition. I truly admired Tracy for her strength and bravery, taking on her cancer as she did, she did it her way and had no regrets. Tracy loved all of you TNBC ladies, she really did. We will treasure her memories and great conversations we had with her in our group. Tracy would want us to be strong and not remain sad very long for she was at peace with her own fate. Tracy had left footprints on our hearts and I'll never ever forget her infectious smile, she had a wonderful, beautiful smile. Tracy loved her horses... ride on Tracy, ride forever.

Love Lives on 

Those we love remain with us 

for love itself lives on,

And cherished memories never fade

Because a loved one's gone...

Those we love can never be 

more than a thought apart, 

For as long as there is memory,

They'll live on in the heart.

My Triple Negative Breast Cancer Sister, Tracy from North Carolina went home to the Lord on January 20th...
My lady friends, please keep up with your monthly breast 
self-exams and annual mammograms. TNBC is a nasty cancer that has no targeted therapy yet. Please consider a donation to the Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation (TNBC) in memory of Tracy. http://www.tnbcfoundation.org/donate.htm
Thank you and God Bless, Melissa

Brenda, Her Determination To Fight Triple Negative Breast Cancer.

Brenda, One of my TNBC friends posted this pic of the snowman she just made. Let me tell you a little bit about Brenda. In 2005, Brenda was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer and her treatment was Lumpectomy and 12 weeks of radiation, she had declined chemo. Brenda had tested positive for BRCA1 and had her ovaries and tubal removal as a preventative for ovarian cancer in 2009.  June of 2010, Brenda's cancer returned with mets to her lung, then to her paratracheal lymph node and then to her liver, she is now stage 4.  Brenda's first clinical trial had failed her where her cancer grew. Brenda had just finished her 2nd trial last month around Christmas time and has received clean scans and is living life cancer free. This pass year was not easy for Brenda, her chemo treatments had made her very, very sick and weak. To see Brenda just a few weeks after her last treatment, building this "survivor snowman", she's truly amazing and her smile says it all... I truly admire her strength and determination. Happy New Year Brenda Beguin! Be well, be happy and dammit, LIVE LIFE!... you so deserve this!
www.caringbridge.org/visit/brendabeguin 
(Click link to read Brenda's Journey)

Search Of Triple Negative - List Results - ClinicalTrials.Gov

http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?term=triple+negative 
(Click on link to clinical trials and studies)

Decreasing Starch Consumption May Reduce Breast Cancer Recurrence

Starchy Foods May Boost Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence - "... However, starchy foods boost insulin levels, and elevated insulin levels have been linked with higher breast cancer risk, she said. The insulin may stimulate the growth of tumor cells..." http://health.msn.com/health-topics/breast-cancer/starchy-foods-may-boost-risk-of-breast-cancer-recurrence (Click link for full story)