Do you ever sit back and take a minute to reflect on exactly where you are in your life? Not in the sense of a geographical location, but where you are spiritually, psychologically, emotionally. How did you end up there? What events throughout your life led to this exact moment? Where would you be if you chose the other path when you came upon the fork in the road? We have all ended up exactly where we are based on a series of choices - and those choices have likely been influenced by a number of different people and circumstances throughout our lives. I think one major point of this crazy thing called life, is to learn from those choices - to reflect on where they led you - and to decide if that is a path you should continue to travel down, or perhaps it is time to venture out and try something new. Are you truly happy in this moment? If not, what can you do about it? Are there steps you can take to actively participate in the direction your life is heading? Or are you willing to sit back and watch it all unfold without attempting to change the angle of your sails and steer yourself towards what brings you joy in this world? The only way that I have found to live with true happiness while facing this disease, is to try to turn it into something positive. To try to somehow make a difference - to educate, to support, to befriend, to create awareness, to speak out. If I simply sat back and wallowed in self-pity about this hand that's been dealt to me, I would be miserable. What good would that do for anyone? For me, Mike, my family, and my friends - it would suck everyone down into a deep, dark hole. Instead, I have tried to do what I can to turn this situation around and make something good come from it. I am grateful that New Balance and Chris Pearson, the director of the Mid-Michigan affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure gave me the opportunity to share my story last Sunday at the Race for the Cure in Lansing. I nervously stood on the steps leading up to the State Capital building and awaited my introduction. Just moments prior, I almost lost it as the opening ceremonies began and young dancers performed in front of the crowd. As I watched my mom and saw the tears stream down her face, I was reminded of how hard this is for everyone. But, I knew it was important that I take this opportunity to share my experience and try to make some kind of positive impact. As Mike and I walked up to the podium, I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. But after bobbling the first few words of my speech, I took a breath and simply spoke from the heart. I shared my story and emphasized what I believe to be the most important aspects of my journey - that it is a myth that young women are not affected by breast cancer, and that there needs to be more research and awareness for metastatic disease because no one dies from breast cancer unless they become metastatic. Research investigating why cancer cells metastasize and how to stop this from happening are the only ways we will actually find a true cure! Thankfully, I was able to get through my entire speech without breaking down. That was one of my goals because once those flood gates open, good luck getting them closed for awhile! I want to thank Mike for literally and figuratively always standing right by my side, no matter what. There is no one I would rather travel down this road with than you! Thank you to my family and friends that came out to support me and to all of you that sent me well wishes and good luck vibes from afar. I am so thankful that I have received such amazing feedback from this - especially from my friends in the metastatic breast cancer community. I truly wanted to represent them well and speak on behalf of every single one of them. If you would like to see my speech, please click on the link below. Looks like I can cross this one of my bucket list..."Share your story in front of 5,000 people!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIGpjie-3aE&feature=youtu.be Here are a few pics from the day that Kyle captured... I don't know what made Mike happier - listening to me speak or meeting MSU's football coach, Mark Dantonio and hearing him mention me in his speech to the crowd. I love all of you guys - thank you so much for coming! Sorry we missed Aunt Erin, Mary, Melis, Brad and Payton in our group pic. Well, tomorrow at 6:30am we are due to check in at the hospital for my next scheduled surgery - never a dull moment around here I guess. :) My surgery will begin at 8am and will last a couple of hours, followed by a couple of hours in recovery before I am able to head home. This is (hopefully) the last major step in my reconstruction process. Tomorrow, Dr. M will open up my scars from the double mastectomy and he will proceed to remove the tissue expanders and replace them with implants. He will then make some fine-tuning adjustments to ensure a proper fit, size and shape. Dr. M has informed me that I will likely be sore and down and out for a few days. I will have strict restrictions to avoid any lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling for 2 weeks at a minimum, and no returning to work for at least 4 weeks. Thankfully, momma nurse Jan and Mike will be here all weekend and into next week making sure that I am doing just fine. I am expecting surgery to go smoothly and that I will have an uneventful and speedy recovery. I would greatly appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers as I head into surgery tomorrow - not just for me but for my family as they anxiously await the outcome, and for my medical team that will be taking care of me. Thank you all so much for your enduring support and we will be sure to update you soon once I am out of surgery. xoxo, Meghan
12 Comments
Niche
5/3/2012 01:38:59 pm
I just don't even know what to say except that this world is headed in a better direction because of you. You have made the bold choice to control what you can-and by pushing forward, sharing your journey & teaching us what it is really like to have breast cancer, you are changing lives left and right!!!!! It is so powerful! Thank you, especially on behalf of my own family and our struggles with this disease, for being so bold, curageous and strong!
Reply
Niche
5/3/2012 01:40:57 pm
P.S. Thank you for inspiring us to not settle despite whatever circumstances may be! <3
Reply
Mary Boyle
5/3/2012 01:41:14 pm
Thinking about you and your family as you head into tomorrow's surgery. Your speech was incredible, as is your strength every single day! Sending healthy, positive thoughts & prayers your way!
Reply
Becca J
5/3/2012 02:31:37 pm
Meggers- Girl you have a way with words that I envy! I admire your spirit so much. Lots of love to you and everyone on your team. Can't wait to see your new rack!
Reply
Ann Whisler
5/3/2012 02:58:42 pm
I've never met such an amazing and inspiring person!! You have taken a situation that nobody deserves and made such an impact by sharing your story and pushing those that follow you on this journey to be better. You are teaching all of us to appreciate each day and be grateful for what we have now, that is so hard to teach but you've done it!! I'll be praying for you and your special family tonight, tomorrow and the next few weeks as you recover. Best of luck
Reply
Erica
5/4/2012 01:56:47 am
Praying for you today Meg! I'm sure you and your family never get use to all of this. I'm truly inspired as always by your speech and the fact that you made it thru the whole speech without crying! I would have never been able to do that! Very proud of you! Thanks as always for setting an amazing example for all of us.
Reply
Aubri
5/4/2012 11:57:59 am
Such an amazing and inspiring speech Meghan!! Have been sending you postive energy and thoughts all day!
Reply
Gina V,
5/4/2012 11:12:38 pm
You are doing important work Meghan! You are home now, and we all wish you a speedy recovery. I send my prayers and love to you always! You are in my heart ~
Reply
Deb & Bob Hart
5/5/2012 06:48:26 am
Awesome speech - personal touch and advice that will help others! You are really making a difference in many ways
Reply
Diane P.
5/6/2012 08:42:12 am
Dearest Meg...
Reply
Melissa borg
5/7/2012 02:48:18 pm
Meg~ You were more than inspiring on the steps of the Capitol. As I watched you through tear filled eyes I was so proud to know you. So proud you were representing so many other young women and so proud that you could share your story. Brad and I left the event feeling pumped to conquer the world and proud to say that we have added another yearly family event to our calendar.
Reply
Diane Daley
5/7/2012 06:30:08 pm
It takes so much courage to share one's story. You can literally help change someone's life by sharing because it can help them become aware, then someone else shares and it is a domino effect.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorMy blog to keep you all Archives
December 2021
Categories
All
|