Megan's journey to being free from the "C"

If you've made it this far, you probably know and love Megan or someone who does.

It all seemed to start with a common cold and what she thought was a swollen lymph node in her neck due to illness. The small bump did not go away even after other symptoms had cleared though.

Megan began asking for more specific labs be done on her thyroid due to various symptoms (fatigue, weight fluctuations, mood differences) and let the thoughts of the small lump fall to the back of her mind. Each time she was told that her labs were within normal ranges. "Drink less alcohol, exercise, eat a clean diet, and work on the life stressors you can."

This year she started to notice that the small lump was not so small anymore and it was visible without having to touch it. At her yearly well-visit, she brought her concerns up again and although there was not major concern about her thyroid (blood work still was within acceptable ranges), an ultrasound was scheduled to gain more understanding into what was going on. "Nigel the Nodule" got his official name.

After "Nigel's" fancy pictures were taken, a biopsy was scheduled due to "his" size. "Suspicious" was the word she was left with from the biopsy and that's when the specialists were called in. Nigel's gotta go. Surgery to remove one side of her thyroid was scheduled within weeks of the biopsy results.

But FIRST! Graduation! The past year and a half, Megan had been completing an accelerated nursing program to gain her 2nd Bachelor's degree. A life stressor that could not really be controlled. This full-time, fast and furious program required her in the hospital during the day and completing school work at night. Megan left her full time job and lived off of her savings so she could go after her BSN. A decision that seemingly has paid off with a successful graduation and landing a position as a postpartum nurse starting in 2024.

Within days of crossing the stage to grab her degree, doctors were grabbing "Nigel" from her neck.

Meet "Tony". A FaceTime normally met with some sarcastic comment or my two screaming children was quickly met with tears. Megan has cancer.

While the professionals are confident in their plans going forward... this was definitely news that no one was expecting. A 2nd surgery is scheduled to remove the other side of her thyroid and what is to come after that is to be determined.

Megan has been able to secure temporary insurance (her student insurance ended after she graduated and her full time employment does not officially begin for a few months), but that alone came at no small cost. The bills for her already completed procedures are trickling in, and with a new year coming in so does a new deductible. Megan isn't so great at accepting help, but after brainstorming other avenues to assist with costs... this is where we landed. Any funds are to be directed toward the cost of temporary insurance and any thyroid related medical procedures. I can promise you that words of encouragement, prayers, and positivity are also impacting her in profound ways.

Meg's a fighter. A feisty one... but we won't let her walk alone, no matter what that looks like.