I'm helping to raise funds for my amazing friend, Megan Lybbert. She has been diagnosed with a rare type of cancer with no known cure and even after treatment, it will most definitely return. This is her story:

October 1, 2024, could have been the day my world — and my family's — came to a complete stop. Honestly, some days it still feels like it did. But over time, that day became something else entirely. It became the day I learned to search for silver linings, to draw strength from struggle, and to find gratitude even in the hardest moments. What began as my darkest day has become a turning point — not just in my fight, but in how I choose to live.

That was the day I was admitted to the ER for many reasons. I had been experiencing extremely high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, uncontrollable vomiting which caused a 15LBS weight loss, blurry vision, and seeing color splotches, all of which were alarming specifically due to my pregnancy. After hours of waiting and very little being done, they informed my husband and I that we had lost our sweet little girl. They continued to let us know that they could not treat my other symptoms so an ambulance would be coming to transfer me to another hospital. Upon arriving at the new hospital, I was very quickly taken to the ICU and soon surrounded by nurses and doctors. I was given the option to deliver or to have a D and C done. Tim and I decided we wanted to see her, to meet her, to hold her. They began the process to induce labor. As painful as a natural birth is, it was worth every moment to meet our sleeping angel Briar. We cherish the short time we had with her and pictures that we get to keep forever.

After several days of tests being run and no information at all about what was going on I was transferred to what they called the specialty ICU. I was there for what felt like forever with every scan, blood test and biopsy being run. They eventually came back with the diagnosis of cancer: Multiple Myeloma. But to be more specific, Plasma Cell Leukemia. It was already devastating to have just lost my child but to hear this, I think we all went numb. We ended up spending 18 days in the ICU, being released the night before our 5th wedding anniversary.

This led to twice weekly chemotherapy, then weekly ones, more doctors’ appointments and medications than I can count. A few months after the diagnosis I was prepped for a stem cell transplant, which would mean even more appointments and medications but also another 14 days in the hospital, followed by 100 days of being home-bound. The only place I was allowed to go was to my appointments.

During all this my amazing husband had to take time off from work, he stayed full time during both hospital stays, and he takes time off weekly to be with me at all my appointments. I have been so grateful for his strength and the time he has put in to taking care of me. But with him making that sacrifice we have nearly depleted our savings and emergency funds. With our living expenses needing to be paid and my medical bills constantly adding up it has put a strain on the family but an even greater weight on his shoulders. I feel like there is not much I can do to help him. But I know I can reach out. It would mean so much if we were able to start saving for medical fees and the likely future transplant I will have, that will cause him to miss more than 3 months’ work again.

We are grateful for the family and friends that have been able to bless our lives in many different ways already, truly words could not express our appreciation.

In all this pain and feeling lost with no answers one thing has become clear. We may not always have the answers we want; we may never understand why things happen, but we can always find a way to be grateful. I am so thankful for the moments I spent with my little girl, Briar, but even more than that, I am thankful for the chance I have to gain more memories with my family and friends. All that, everything my future holds is because of Briar. She essentially gave her life to save mine — the only reason I went to the ER in the first place was because of my concern for her. That is something that can only be repaid by living your life to the fullest. Which we plan to do, even when it seems difficult.

If you have any questions or would like more details, please let me know. I am happy to speak about it. The symptoms that led to this (many OB appointments, high risk OB visit and an ER visit), all got dismissed as symptoms of the pregnancy. But knowing the warning signs could have helped to have an earlier diagnosis. I would love to share to help others who may have similar experiences.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read Megan's story. Even if you're unable to contribute financially, simply sharing her story can make a world of difference by helping it reach more people. Every gesture of support — big or small — means more than words can express.