Meagan’s Journey

At 33 years old, I was always conscious of my health and stayed fit, yet I was diagnosed with cancer.

On Tuesday, October 4th, 2022, I noticed a lump in my breast. I wasn’t looking for it, but by chance, my arm brushed against it while getting dressed. It felt hard, and I immediately knew something wasn’t right. I felt sick, but I knew I had to get it checked right away. Over the next month, I went through a series of tests and minor procedures, each week bringing a new test and the reality that this was serious. It was eventually confirmed that I had Invasive HER2-positive breast cancer, but thankfully it was localised to one area in my left breast.

I remember my breast surgeon delivering the difficult news and commenting on how well I was handling it. In that moment, all I could focus on was trying to make sense of the new medical terms I was hearing. Little did she know, as soon as I left the appointment and was in the car park (I had to go alone due to Covid restrictions), I called my partner, Scott. Through my tears, the words "I am sorry" slipped out. For a brief moment, I crumbled, and "why me?" crossed my mind. But that feeling didn’t last long.

A few days later, a lovely woman from my work sent me a quote: "We can never know 'why me,' but we can change to 'try me.'" That quote shifted my perspective completely. I knew I wasn’t going to let this beat me, and I knew I would be okay. That change in mindset helped me stay strong for what was ahead.

As soon as I left my breast surgeon’s office, everything moved into action quickly. It felt overwhelming at first, almost like I was handing my body over to the medical professionals. But it didn’t take long to build a strong support network around me. Here’s what I went through:

• IVF egg retrieval to preserve fertility

• 6 rounds of chemotherapy

• 5 rounds of scalp cooling to try & save my hair

• Genetic testing

• Lumpectomy (breast surgery)

• Multiple procedures

• 5 weeks of radiation

• 4 blood transfusions

• 12 months of immunotherapy

• A hospital visit for fluid on my lungs

• 100’s of blood tests

And all of that happened in just one year!

I allowed both the good and bad days to come, but smiles always outnumbered the tears. The side effects of chemo were tough at times, especially the fatigue—there were days I couldn’t get out of bed, which was hard for someone who’s always been active. But I became more in tune with my body and felt deeply grateful for my medical team and health practitioners. I had a complete response to chemo, yay, it worked! Now I have regular 6-month scans and follow-ups with my oncologist and breast surgeon for the next few years. I’m proud to say I remain cancer-free.

Looking back, I chose to share my journey in the hope that it might help others. However, the support and kindness I received in return from sharing my story is something I will forever be grateful for. At the beginning of my journey, I made a promise to my community that I would find a way to pay it forward. Now, here I am, alongside my fellow breast cancer warrior Heather, creating a platform to offer others the love and support they need as they navigate their own paths.