Megan's Round 2 Cancer Fight
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Dear friends... I am creating this page with the hope that we can help someone who is very near and dear to my heart. To all you 2004 CHS graduates, Megan McHugh needs no introduction. But to all of you reading this, let me tell you a little about this amazing person. Megan is 27 years old, and has the biggest, brightest smile anyone has ever seen. She has a heart that is made of pure gold, and a sense of humor most comedians would envy. She is the first to drop everything she is doing to be by your side, and she is the last person to leave. She has this deep love for animals, and has nursed some pretty amazing wildlife back to life. Megan is pure joy to be around, and those of us who do know her know that we are blessed to have her in our lives.
But Megan needs our help!
A few years ago, Megan, despite being told that there was only a 10% chance the results would be malignant, was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. It came as a complete shock as thyroid cancer is extremely rare in people in their twenties. Despite such a devastating blow, Megan fought the battle with a smile on her face and making inappropriate jokes the entire time to not only comfort herself but those around her. In fact, when given the radioactive iodine she asked the doctor if it would give her any type of super powers... she asked if she would turn into the Hulk, or if she would be able to spit webs from her wrists. Megan had to have throat surgery, which has also left her vocal chords permanently damaged. But through this fight, she came out on top and went into remission.
Fast forward ALMOST 2 years...
The day before Megan's 2 year "Cancer-versary", Megan is diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. For months she had been informing her Endocrinologist that she knew something was wrong with her kidney, and for months her doctor dismissed her claims. Until a few weeks ago when the mass on her kidney had grown so large you can literally feel it protruding through her ribcage. At that time, they finally began to take Megan seriously. At the age of 27 years... Megan is diagnosed with her 2nd form of cancer. When receiving treatment for the Thyroid cancer, Megan was informed that it would make her more susceptible to a second form of cancer, but no one would ever believe that it would be so soon. Megan's concerns are not for herself, and repeatedly she expresses more sorrow and sadness for her family and what they are enduring through her medical problems. She is truly one of the most selfless human beings I have ever encountered.
But here's where the problems are beginning, and why I am pleading for help...
Prior to being diagnosed with kidney cancer, Megan decided to switch jobs thus ending her health insurance with that provider at that time. Her new health insurance with her new company is not effective until July 1st. Which sounds great, until she discovered yesterday that the new health insurance will not pay for any of her medical treatment in regards to her cancer because it is a pre-existing condition. Not to mention that in the time between her diagnosis and July 1st, Megan has been paying out of pocket for all of her medical expenses. She is currently working 2 jobs, and all her checks are going towards her treatment and screening. As if this isn't bad enough, because the costs of such treatments and screenings are so expensive... Megan often has to choose which she is going to do that month because her financial sources are limited and the doctors will not move forward without the procedures being paid in full beforehand.
Let's look at today...
Today, my amazing friend Megan gets hit with the news that not only does she have kidney cancer (and unknown suspicious masses in her ovary which we don't know if they're malignant or benign yet due to a limit on funds), the doctor's also believe her thyroid cancer is back as well. They are almost 100% certain that both the thyroid and kidney cancers are their own cancer and not one form that is metastasizing. So, Megan now goes in the second week of July for another round of radioactive iodine, infusions, a full body scan to locate the thyroid cells, and another PET scan. She won battle number 1 with thyroid cancer, but now 2 years later she is gearing up for round 2 with thyroid and kidney cancer.
To say she doesn't deserve this would be an understatement. No person deserves cancer. But what 27 year old woman should have to be fighting this fight in the prime of her life? So, I am reaching out to all of you reading this... I am begging you from the bottom of my heart to do whatever you can to help get this wonderful woman the treatment she needs to get her life back, and to ensure she is happy and healthy. Please... every dollar helps!
But Megan needs our help!
A few years ago, Megan, despite being told that there was only a 10% chance the results would be malignant, was diagnosed with Thyroid Cancer. It came as a complete shock as thyroid cancer is extremely rare in people in their twenties. Despite such a devastating blow, Megan fought the battle with a smile on her face and making inappropriate jokes the entire time to not only comfort herself but those around her. In fact, when given the radioactive iodine she asked the doctor if it would give her any type of super powers... she asked if she would turn into the Hulk, or if she would be able to spit webs from her wrists. Megan had to have throat surgery, which has also left her vocal chords permanently damaged. But through this fight, she came out on top and went into remission.
Fast forward ALMOST 2 years...
The day before Megan's 2 year "Cancer-versary", Megan is diagnosed with Kidney Cancer. For months she had been informing her Endocrinologist that she knew something was wrong with her kidney, and for months her doctor dismissed her claims. Until a few weeks ago when the mass on her kidney had grown so large you can literally feel it protruding through her ribcage. At that time, they finally began to take Megan seriously. At the age of 27 years... Megan is diagnosed with her 2nd form of cancer. When receiving treatment for the Thyroid cancer, Megan was informed that it would make her more susceptible to a second form of cancer, but no one would ever believe that it would be so soon. Megan's concerns are not for herself, and repeatedly she expresses more sorrow and sadness for her family and what they are enduring through her medical problems. She is truly one of the most selfless human beings I have ever encountered.
But here's where the problems are beginning, and why I am pleading for help...
Prior to being diagnosed with kidney cancer, Megan decided to switch jobs thus ending her health insurance with that provider at that time. Her new health insurance with her new company is not effective until July 1st. Which sounds great, until she discovered yesterday that the new health insurance will not pay for any of her medical treatment in regards to her cancer because it is a pre-existing condition. Not to mention that in the time between her diagnosis and July 1st, Megan has been paying out of pocket for all of her medical expenses. She is currently working 2 jobs, and all her checks are going towards her treatment and screening. As if this isn't bad enough, because the costs of such treatments and screenings are so expensive... Megan often has to choose which she is going to do that month because her financial sources are limited and the doctors will not move forward without the procedures being paid in full beforehand.
Let's look at today...
Today, my amazing friend Megan gets hit with the news that not only does she have kidney cancer (and unknown suspicious masses in her ovary which we don't know if they're malignant or benign yet due to a limit on funds), the doctor's also believe her thyroid cancer is back as well. They are almost 100% certain that both the thyroid and kidney cancers are their own cancer and not one form that is metastasizing. So, Megan now goes in the second week of July for another round of radioactive iodine, infusions, a full body scan to locate the thyroid cells, and another PET scan. She won battle number 1 with thyroid cancer, but now 2 years later she is gearing up for round 2 with thyroid and kidney cancer.
To say she doesn't deserve this would be an understatement. No person deserves cancer. But what 27 year old woman should have to be fighting this fight in the prime of her life? So, I am reaching out to all of you reading this... I am begging you from the bottom of my heart to do whatever you can to help get this wonderful woman the treatment she needs to get her life back, and to ensure she is happy and healthy. Please... every dollar helps!
Organizer
Rebecca Byrd-Pruitt
Organizer
Pasadena, MD
