Hello there friends! Before jumping into this week's happenings, I want to send out a huge thank you for an event that took place last week.... Mike's friend Steve S, a fellow teacher at Kettering, is the advisor for Kettering's Robotics Team. The team is competing in three tournaments this summer, in which their robots have to complete a number of timed tasks while competing against other schools. The Kettering team blew us away when they told us that they were dedicating their summer tournaments to us! This not only included turning their green Kettering Captain logo to pink, but they designed awesome shirts with "Let’s Beat This Thing / Driving Robots for Meghan Malley" on the back. How cool is that?! The Kettering Robotics Team (aka Team 3098) also teamed up with the Team 1528 – Monroe Trojan Robotics, who hosted the Michigan Area Robotics Competition (MARC), last Friday, June 24th, and they all decided to make the ENTIRE event a benefit for Mike and I! We were so honored and touched! The teams raised money through t-shirt sales, silent auction, and "Robots for a Cure" bracelets! There was also a "Survivor/Honor Night" on Friday where the tournament honored all those that have battled any type of cancer. We were incredibly disappointed that we couldn't attend after receiving instructions to avoid public places after finding out that my counts were so low last week. Steve, Kettering Captains Robotics Team, and all participants of MARC...we cannot thank you enough for honoring us in this way. We are so deeply humbled and overwhelmed by your generosity and thoughtfulness!!! Thank you a million times over! ps. Congrats Kettering Captains on placing 4th out of 48 teams!!! Thank you so much to Steve's wife, Angie for taking these pictures so we could feel like we were there last Friday! It was because of amazing events like this that I was so disappointed about my "house arrest" since last Thursday! I am beyond ecstatic to report that I am now free as a bird!!! Yippee!!! Yahoo!!! My counts made a HUGE leap this week and Mike & I almost did a jumping high five in chemo this morning upon hearing my blood work report. It's so warped that we get so excited about being able to get chemo, right?! My white blood cells shot up from 1,800 to 5,800, my hemoglobin rose from 9.0 to 10.3, and my neutrophils soared to 3,900 from a sad 300 last week! What a difference a week of complete and utter rest can do! We were actually pretty nervous while driving to Chemo-land this morning because I have actually been pretty sick this week while attempting to fight off a wicked head cold. This annoying cold creeped in on Saturday after I ventured outside for a bit to walk to the pup around the block. Since Saturday, the cold has brought something new and exciting each and every day....complete head congestion, runny nose like a faucet, constant sneezing, and the finale...a hacking cough to the point of dry heaving. Oh, the joy of a summer cold mixed with no white blood cells to fight the pesky thing off! Thankfully, I felt a bit better this morning and the incessant cough stopped in time to arrive at chemo. Mike and I were worried if they heard that cough, we wouldn't make it too far past the front door! Just goes to show that you never know what is going to happen - felt good last week and had lousy counts, felt crappy this week and counts were much better than expected. Who knows?! Bottom line is...the value of rest and prayer cannot be underestimated! Thank you to my hubby in particular for scolding me every time I tried to push my limits, and thank you to all of you for your continued prayers for me to get back on track with treatment! Now that my counts are up, I am no longer on "lock down" at home and I couldn't be happier! I can now go join the land of the living and most importantly, spend 4th of July weekend with family and friends! I have promised nurse Jan, aka Momma, that I will continue to be extremely cautious of germs, and not push my luck now that I have the green light to go back out in public. Speaking of going out, I am very excited to let you all know about two more fundraising events for the 3 Day For a Cure event this August! I believe there are only three more events left before the race, so get in on the action while you can. I must admit, we are a pretty fun group to fundraise with:) Check out the flyers below for details - hope you can make it! I always look forward to seeing friends & family at these awesome fundraisers! The "Meghan Malley Rally" 3 Day Team continues to do an AMAZING job raising money for breast cancer research and Susan G. Komen For the Cure. They have actually reached their team goal today of over $20,000!!! However, the fundraising continues in order to assure that each individual participant is able to reach the $2,300 needed to participate in the event. Kara has a great ladies night planned at her house on July 8th. Tons of great vendors will be there with great merchandise, such as jewelry, purses, food products and more! The best part is they have all generously agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds to the 3 Day team! Can't wait to check it all out & see you guys there! Another fabulous friend of mine, Diana M. has put together this amazing spa day at the end of July. It sounds incredible so get out your calendars and mark it down now! Check out the flyer below for all the great details on how your donation can treat you to a relaxing day at the spa! IMPORTANT: Please make sure to RSVP to the event at the number listed below, so Diana knows how many massage therapists and nail techs she will need. Come enjoy an afternoon of relaxation benefiting the fabulous 3 Day For A Cure team! Thank you Diana! ♥ Thank you again for all of your prayers for elevated blood counts this week! They clearly worked and I am so grateful. I guess the ole' body just needed a break last week, huh? Normally, we usually go out of town every 4th of July with a great group of some of our best friends. We have made a collective decision to keep the celebration local this year and keep it a little more low-key, and I must say I am pretty excited about not hitting the road again. In addition to that, I am THRILLED that Mike and I will be able to head to my Aunt Ree's house on Saturday to see many of my aunts, uncles, and cousins - especially Becca, Jon, Nate and Teagan from Denver! YAY! I can't wait to see you guys! Each night, I always take a minute to think about what I am grateful for. Lately, I am so grateful for all of you, your prayers, and support. I am also grateful for the opportunity to spend Independence Day Weekend with our family and friends - enjoying sunshine, cookouts, and bonfires! Life is good! Happy 4th of July! xoxo, Meghan This guy has been keeping me great company this past week. Have you ever seen a cuter furry face?! I mean, come on - he is undeniably the most adorable pup on the plant. (I guess I may be slightly biased) ;) Hustled outside after my post-chemo nap to snap a few shots of the garden before I lost the sunlight. Spending time alone in my flower beds is something I find so therapeutic and relaxing - can't wait to feel well enough to do it again soon!
17 Comments
Sheri
6/30/2011 05:12:53 pm
Meghan,
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Chelsea
6/30/2011 05:36:53 pm
Sooo thrilled to hear that you are feeling a bit better (despite that pesky head cold) and that your counts are up! YAY!!!! I am all about the high five for chemo!! Whatever has to be done to kick the big C's booty as far away from you as possible
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Doug
6/30/2011 11:25:53 pm
So happy that the counts were up, and that you are back on track with the chemo and overall treatment plan. I hope that your cold is gone soon, and you can enjoy yourselves again. But take it slow: you do not want a relapse. Can't wait to be with you and the rest of the family Saturday.
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Gina V.
7/1/2011 01:05:17 am
Glad to hear about the blood counts...
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Kiki
7/1/2011 01:29:49 am
Yahoo! So, so happy to hear that your blood counts went up and more happy that you could get chemo yesterday (it is a little warped, but whatever it takes, right!?). Huge shout out to Waterford Kettering's Robotics Team, the students, parents and staff at Kettering have been so wonderful to you and Mike, it really shows how much everyone thinks of you both, you are some special people :) These fundraisers are just fantastic, I will of course be at Kara's and this spa day sounds GREAT, I'll have to RSVP quick! Have a great 4th weekend Meggie Poo...see you Sunday for a bit :) XOOX
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Niche
7/1/2011 02:11:29 am
Yay!!!!!!! I am so glad your body kicked booty this past week and you are back on track!! Total high five about that!!! All the prayers DID work and I'm so happy about it! You are such a rockstar and although your cold is quite bothersome, you still rock the world with your spirit and awesomeness!!
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Mary Somers
7/1/2011 02:46:37 am
Way to go--------Meg ! So pleased that everything is back on track! I must agree with Mike and your nurse-- Momma --continue to take it a little easy ----the much needed rest and prayers are working! Enjoy your weekend---we love you both so much ! Aunt Mary and Bill P.S. Way to go Kettering ! ! !
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Becca P
7/1/2011 02:46:59 am
Hey Meg!
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Kettering Baseball
7/1/2011 04:33:34 am
You're thoughts and words are so very inspiring.
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Don & Cindy
7/1/2011 07:29:47 am
I'm glad that things are back on track and that you will be able to spend time with your family this weekend. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you!
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Carolyn & Mark Hallgath
7/1/2011 10:36:26 am
Meghan,
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Diane Daley
7/1/2011 01:44:11 pm
Thank the Lord! I am so happy that your counts are better. I am sorry that the summer cold got you but it sounds like you are feeling better.
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Deb & Bob
7/2/2011 05:24:56 am
Great news all around. Have a Happy 4th of July and enjoy the hot weather. Continued positive thoughts and prayers
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Jenny Hoekstra
7/2/2011 03:34:21 pm
Yay! Have a wonderful weekend, Meg!
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Melanie
7/3/2011 12:05:36 am
hey lady! I am so happy to hear you are doing better! Just so you know, I am home during the day now since it is summer, so if you are stuck inside and bored, give me a ring!
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Kara
7/3/2011 11:43:58 am
So glad you get to have a free 4th of July. Ben and I will be missing you this year, but so glad you guys will be spending it with family and friends as opposed to alone. That robotics team is the cutest! And I love their shirts. Can't wait to see everyone Friday! Have a great 4th!!
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Carolyn & Mark Hallgath
7/4/2011 11:24:50 am
Happy 4th of July Meghan!! Hope it was a great one for you & Mike.
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