What a crazy, busy, wonderful couple of weeks it has been. Between the Johnson's visit, 3 Day festivities, our friend Zak coming to visit, celebrating Mike's birthday, a family reunion and an extremely packed schedule for Meg Malley Photography - things have been super busy! We had such a good time having Brinley, Andy and Andrew here for a week. It is always so great to see them and to be able to spend so much time together. Mike and Andy are like partners in crime and always have a great time when they are together, and of course, Brin and I never have moments without lots of laughs and tons to talk about. It was so amazing to see how much little Andrew has changed since I visited them in Florida in February. He is a total cuddle bug who gives great hugs and kisses. He loves to pretend to cook, and carries his pots and pans everywhere he goes. He is active, smart, and full of smiles. The week flew by too fast and of course I miss them already, but I am so grateful that they were able to come visit. I love you guys! And then there was the Susan G. Komen 3 Day For A Cure....how do you even summarize this event? You truly need to experience it in order to appreciate how moving and special it is. I am so grateful that five of my wonderful friends (Brinley, Nikki, Becca, Chanell, and Janine) dedicated so much of their time and energy to training, fundraising, and completing this 60 mile, 3 day challenge. There has been quite a bit of controversy and drama with the Komen organization this year. On top of that, after my diagnosis, I learned that many women in the metastatic breast cancer community feel very upset with Komen due to the way that funds are dispersed, and the disparity regarding dollars allocated to metastatic research. Although I may dedicate an entire post to my feelings on these issues at some point, today is not that day. What I do want to share is that despite what anyone may say, I am grateful for what the Komen organization has done to raise awareness for this disease, and even if it's only one cent put towards metastatic research- I am grateful for it because every little bit helps. What I feel most proud about regarding the 3 Day event this year is that my friends know how I feel, they know what is important to me, and they went above and beyond to spread my message about metastatic breast cancer awareness throughout this 3 Day event. I often feel lost in the "celebration" at breast cancer events. I am not the same type of "survivor". Breast cancer is not in my rearview window. It's not in the past and it's not something that will ever be behind me. I live and breath it every day and often times I don't feel quite as celebratory as many of the women at these events that have beat their disease because they were fortunate enough to be diagnosed early. So, what did my friends do? They spread the word about metastatic disease everywhere along their 60 mile journey. They brought it out of the shadows even though it's not the perfect success story. They talked about it, displayed the words "Metastatic breast cancer" proudly on their tents and signs, and they raised awareness for the fact that thousands of women continue to live with this disease each and every day and that we have not been truly successful until a cure has been found for all of us! Not just those diagnosed early. Team Meghan Malley Rally got robbed in the tent decorating competition. They should have won with their awesome Olympic themed decor...."Going for gold for Metastatic Cancer"....I loved it! I was so proud of each of them (and all the other walkers!) and loved chasing them around and cheering them on all weekend long. They were amazing! A huge thank you to the friends and family that came out to our cheering station on Saturday. It was so nice to see you there, supporting the walkers, and supporting me by your presence. The MVP of the day goes to Momma Jan - best cheerleader around...hands down! Thank you Mom and Doug for all you did that day- I appreciate it more than you know. Love you! And a special, HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY to Becca Boo!!!! She celebrated the big 3-0 while walking all day long for this cause. What a great friend that is! I am exhausted just looking back on the pictures from that weekend. :) What an emotional 3 days it is and I can't thank everyone enough for being part of it. Whether you walked, cheered, donated, or kept the walkers in your thoughts and prayers that weekend - thank you so very much! After the Johnson fam left last Wednesday, our friend Zak came into town and we celebrated Mike's birthday, which was Saturday. It was a great weekend filled with lots of friends and family. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my very best friend and the most incredible person I know. I am so very honored to be your wife and I look forward to celebrating many more birthday's with you in the future. Love you so much! Well, it has been 7 weeks since I received my great scan results and I was really hoping to make it until the next scans in January before I had to deal with any new speed bumps, medically speaking. Unfortunately, that is not the case. I have been noticing some changes with my left breast over the past few weeks - swelling, changes in shape, warm to the touch. I have learned by now that I need to trust my instincts about my own body so I got in to see my plastic surgeon, Dr M. as soon as I could. I saw him this morning and he is concerned. He doesn't know exactly what is going on and the cause of the swelling could be from a few different sources. To spare you all the details, many of which I am still trying to understand, this could be as minor as some blood accumulation due to some trauma that I wasn't aware of, all the way to something very serious such as a type of lymphoma that (VERY) rarely occurs after receiving breast implants. Needless to say, I am very worried. I don't want any complications. I don't want more surgery. I was finally starting to feel "normal" for awhile. I picked up more hours at the clinic and Meg Malley Photography is booming and keeping me so incredibly busy! I head to the hospital tomorrow for an ultrasound and needle aspiration of the fluid that is accumulating in the left side of my chest and breast. I will then have to wait for awhile until the results come back from the lab telling us what this is. I am praying that it will only require some simple intervention, such as Dr. M draining the fluid. I will be sure to keep you posted. Please keep me in your prayers that this is nothing serious and that life can continue as "normal". Hope everyone is doing well and enjoys a wonderful Labor Day weekend. We are headed up to Torch Lake with our friends and I can't wait for some R & R! xoxo, Meg
14 Comments
Kiki
8/29/2012 01:58:41 pm
Busy, busy, busy! That makes me smile, thats the Meghan that I know :) Team Meghan Malley Rally-wow, now thats a great group of girls, so proud to know all of you. Meg, I am so happy and proud of YOU, your photography business is taking off, your clients LOVE you, your images are GORGEOUS and you love it...so perfect.
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Elizabeth
8/29/2012 02:48:20 pm
Gosh Meghan, you are sure back to your busy self! I am tired just reading about all you are up to! Those 3 day girls rock and maybe one of these years I won't be pregnant and can join in the walk. I just love that your photo business is flourishing. Your images just keep getting more beautiful. I am so proud of you! I am praying extra hard that the results of your ultrasound indicate the most minor problem. I'll be thinking about you tomorrow. If you need someone to go with you, I have a sitter and would love to keep you company. Love you, E
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Dana
8/29/2012 03:24:04 pm
I love reading about all your experiences, not because I love that you are going through such an overwhelming experience - but because you tell it with such grace and your words are truly beautiful. Your positivity is inspiring, as is your honesty.
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Patty L
8/29/2012 04:44:43 pm
Congratulations to the 3 day team-they are amazing and their tent was truly amazing! Sorry I wasn't able to come out this year and cheer everyone on...finally got to go to Leland for some gorgeous time up north. I am praying now for great results of the tests. I am so sorry you must endure more tests at this point. Love your images especially the hose shot of little Andrew-that's award winning. You are so inspirational, beautiful, creative and always a brave hopeful soul. You give us all so much. I just love that about you. Happy Belated Bday Mike! XOXO!!!!!!
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Patty L.
8/29/2012 04:47:16 pm
P.S. My son, Michael wanted to send out a special shout out to you and Mike. He thinks of you both often and hasn't removed his wrist band since he and the band played at the benefit concert. He wishes you both well and wants you to know you are both in his prayers.
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Deb & Bob Hart
8/30/2012 03:19:44 am
Congrats to your team on the 3-day walk. What a tremendous achievement for everyone involved.
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Kara
8/31/2012 06:27:30 am
Meg! Wow, what a busy couple weeks. Had so much fun at the cheering station and visiting with you and those Floridians :). Will be thinking and praying very hard for you everyday until you get those results. Hoping for no more serious complications so that you can relax and do that amazing photography thing you do!
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Mark & Carolyn
9/1/2012 02:15:56 am
Great job Meghan Malley Ralley!!! What a fantastic support team!
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Diane Daley
9/2/2012 01:30:53 pm
You are in my prayers and thoughts. Hope you get some R&R which is really good medicine.
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Niche
9/4/2012 02:50:14 am
Love you! <3
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Chanell
9/4/2012 02:51:15 pm
STC, I was so proud to be on your team. Every chance I got I told people about metastatic breast cancer. It was a wonderful experience. I absolutely loooooved when Mama Jan cheered us on. It really lifted me up. Thank you for allowing me to share this experience with you. Now get some rest Chica.
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Aubri
9/5/2012 03:26:29 am
your photography is so beautiful Meghan! keeping you in my thoughts and prayers as always.
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Beth
9/5/2012 04:11:56 pm
Busy, busy bee as always. I don't know how you do it. I wish I had your energy :) As always, thoughts and prayers are with you as you await these test results... Positive vibes..Love you!
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Maggie Danhakl
8/9/2014 02:20:21 am
Hello,
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