Thank you so much for all of the love and encouragement you all have shown me throughout these last few days since I received my test results. I must admit that I am still smiling over it and it's so amazing to see how many people were praying for us, cheering us on, and anxiously awaiting those results right along side us. I know I have said it before, but I am so thankful for such an incredible support system - I just don't know how anyone gets through this kind of thing without that. So, thank you so very much for constantly reminding me I am not alone in this fight! It's been crazy busy since last Thursday, but definitely due to lots of fun stuff. We celebrated our wonderful friend Kyle's birthday, made our first trip of the season to the cider mill, visited my dear friend Elizabeth and her adorable premie, Luca in the hospital, hung out with Julie and Will, and had an amazing day in Ann Arbor last Saturday with Aunt Clare and Uncle Bob. Aunt Clare's close friend from high school, A.T is a fellow breast cancer survivor. A.T has been following the blog and praying for me everyday! (Thanks A.T!) She is a Notre Dame alum and active member of their alumni association. Another notable Notre Dame family member is also a breast cancer survivor - head coach Brian Kelly's wife, Pacqui Kelly. Pacqui has battled breast cancer twice now and has since created a wonderful foundation called, "Kelly Cares Foundation". This past Saturday, Notre Dame happened to be playing the University of Michigan for the first night game at The Big House! The metro Detroit chapter of the Notre Dame Alumni Association held a tailgate at the Barton Hills Country Club in Ann Arbor, which also served as a fundraiser for the Kelly Cares Foundation. A.T invited Mike and I to attend along with Aunt Clare and Uncle Bob. We had a really great time and it was so nice to meet Pacqui and chat about what this experience has been like for the both of us. We talked for awhile along with another wonderful breast cancer survivor that was there, and then the emcee got on the mic and shared my story with the entire room. I wasn't expecting that at all but A.T thought the news we received last Thursday was so great that we should share it with the crowd. It was so touching to see all of those faces smiling at me and giving me a huge round of applause when they heard about the positive test results. It was a really nice way to start the day and it was so great to meet both A.T and Pacqui Kelly...although we had to wear neutral colors and not let it be known that we were really U of M fans. :) A blurry snapshot of me and Pacqui A.T was so kind and generous that she even hooked us up with tickets to the game! I was so excited because I had never been to The Big House before and this was such a landmark day to go since it was the first ever night game. We spent the remaining hours before the game hanging out with more members of the fam- Dan, Brian Christopher, Sara, Anna, and Brian Peter. It was really nice to spend time with them and catch up with everybody in Ann Arbor. I have always been a fan of both MSU and U of M since I didn't go to either school, and I have always cheered for whoever happens to be playing at the time. But with that said, there is just something so electric and amazing about being in Michigan Stadium. The pre-game celebration gave me chills - it was the coolest thing I have experienced in quite awhile...even considering we were sitting in the middle of Notre Dame territory. Well, if you watched the game, you would know what an incredible ending it was and that the Wolverines came out on top!!!! GO BLUE! ....Unfortunately, we had left just before all of that excitement began because it looked like Notre Dame had wrapped it up, and we had already been in Ann Arbor for 12 hours that day. To say that Mike was devastated while listening to the final few minutes in the car, would be a huge understatement. Good thing we could laugh about it and be grateful that we were there at all. Thank you so much to A.T, Pacqui Kelly, Aunt Clare, and Uncle Bob for such a wonderful day! There was a special 9/11 tribute, an amazing parachuter that landed on the field at half time, and I even ran into the big bro just before the game started! Boy, was I exhausted on Sunday morning. I pretty much bummed around all day, except for a quick trip to one of my favorite places...the Franklin Cider Mill! You just can't beat going to the cider mill on a beautiful fall day. Mike and I treated ourselves to some warm donuts and fresh cider...yum! It was worth every calorie. ;) It was gorgeous at the cider mill and within the ten minute drive home, a huge storm came through and it poured! And I mean POURED! I have never seen our street so flooded in the six years we have lived here! I went outside to capture some pics of the neighborhood kids playing and "swimming" in the street and I looked up and saw this... A few other things I wanted to share....I have recently become involved in a wonderful nationwide organization called the Young Survival Coalition. YSC is a group that was created solely for young women that are/have battled breast cancer. I attended the metro Detroit chapter's meeting last month and I will be attending again tonight. I am grateful for meeting a wonderful group of women through YSC and hope to stay active within the group to not only gain emotional support for myself, but hopefully be there for others that may need it as well. Detroit Fashion Week has partnered with YSC to create "In Living Pink" which will take place next Thursday, September 22. The fashion show will include young breast cancer survivors modeling the clothing while strutting the runway! And yours truly is going to be working that runway while wearing a beautiful dress from a local designer! Yikes! I hope I can make it down the runway in those huge heels, all in one piece without face planting. :) 100% of the proceeds of the event will go to YSC to help fund the programming they do to assist newly diagnosed young women in metro Detroit. If you are interested in attending, please let me know and I can get you tickets. Last but certainly not least....the awesome Patty La Bella is working her tail off to put on an amazing evening of music and fun at The Berkley Front for us. This is going to be such a fun time, with 4 bands, a silent auction, a special live auction with some really special items, lots of family and friends, and of course the 42 beers on tap that The Berkley Front is known for. We have a limited number of tickets available in advance or you can buy them at the door on Sunday, September 25. Please contact Patty if you know of any items available for the auction, if you would like to make a donation. Tickets for the event are available through Mike and myself, and Patty. We are so excited and grateful that Patty is doing this for us. Thank you in advance to everyone that is able to come out - we appreciate it more than you know! Well, life continues to keep us very busy around here while we try to live as normally as we can between doctors appointments and treatments. So far, I haven't had any crazy side effects from the new medications I am on so my mind is now gearing up for surgery. Throughout the next week, I have lunch or dinner plans with various friends nearly every day, we have our friend Matt's wedding on Saturday, the Foo Fighters Concert on Monday, and these great fundraisers to look forward to....all while trying to get as much rest as I can in between. Although chemo is over, I have come to realize the fatigue and back pain is definitely going to be sticking with me for awhile, and that it is often a reminder that I need to slow down and take it easy. That's a work in progress for me. :)
Have a great week everyone! xoxo, Meghan
15 Comments
Doug
9/13/2011 09:06:16 am
I'm so glad you had a great weekend. It was such great news last Thursday, and to follow that up with a great football game, the cider mill and visiting with lots of your friends, that must have been fantastic! Can't wait to see you on the fashion runway, and the "Rocking for a Reason" will be a lot of fun.
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Aunt Carol
9/13/2011 09:15:38 am
I have to laugh every time that you talk about slowing down....over the past 5 months, when you have been forced to slow down, you still have managed to exhaust me! You are absolutely amazing all the time!
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Erin Benson
9/13/2011 11:57:48 am
Hey girl,
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Tracy
9/13/2011 02:40:41 pm
YIPPEE!! The best news ever!! Hugs all around, Tracy
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Ree
9/13/2011 02:54:08 pm
holy cow batman..so much going on in your schd its hard to keep up, have no idea where you get your gift for gab :0 ...nothin like putting my schd into perspective. just when i thought i had no time to breath..these support groups are the best and so happy you are able to be apart of that experience and to give.. and receive..... is absolutely a gift that is timeless to anyone that allows..or perhaps should say that is able to.. the touch of the experience. i am so proud to say you are my family...
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Emily Kaartunen
9/14/2011 08:46:37 am
Hi Megan,
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Patty L
9/14/2011 01:41:59 pm
You are the energizer bunny for sure!!! I know you don't know how to be any other way, but you are right when you say you need to rest a bit more. Loved all the info and pics as always. We continue to pray for you every single day. Really loved the donut shot. Enjoy your outings this week, but take time to chill in some beautiful fall weather. All our love-Patty and family! XOXOXOXO
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Brinley
9/14/2011 03:33:06 pm
"look who's back...back again!" I love your planning, scheduling and busy weeks...it's so your "norm." How refreshing! Keep it up Megs, wish I was up there with you! XO
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9/15/2011 09:18:56 am
Not a day goes by that I don't think about you Meghan! I hope to see you soon.
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Clare
9/15/2011 11:06:04 am
Meghan you are going to rock that runway Your radiant beauty will be on full display. I am saying prayers of thanksgiving. Keep up your awesome attitude it is a prayer in itself. I know it is a significant part of your good news. Remember when you are tired, sore or blue we are holding you up in prayer and asking God to bless you and Mike
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Kiki
9/17/2011 03:24:09 pm
Keep Smiling Pretty :) xoxo
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Marty and Keely
9/18/2011 02:04:33 pm
You guys have been so busy and sounds like you have been having lots of fun. I am so glad to see and hear you being in such great spirits. Your words and your positivity are infectious and you make me smile.
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Deb & Bob Hart
9/19/2011 02:18:32 pm
So glad you finally got to the Big House AND U of M beat Notre Dame. We are definitely biased. Sorry we missed the fun music fundraiser. Sure it was a fun time but a golf outing called!
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Ree
9/19/2011 03:53:10 pm
thinking of you..luv u..love everything about life..living..smiling .sunrise, sunset. every breath we take..sleep sound baby girl..love you luv aunt ree
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Diane Daley
9/19/2011 06:33:17 pm
You sound so good and what a blessing it is for you to have such terrific news. It seems you are very busy and doing such wonderful positive things.
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