Help Megan Hughes Reconstruct After Breast Cancer

Hi! We're Brittany and Bethany.

And that smiley lady in the photo with her family? Is Megan. She's a wife, a mom to two, and a damn fierce friend.

Some of you know her, some don't. You should, because she's really the best.

Unfortunately through genetics and some medical insanity (to put it mildly), she's been dealt a tough hand following a run-in with breast cancer and has been left with a series of health and image nightmares since her cancer diagnosis in November of 2020.

Luckily, after a 6 month wait for a consult and now another 6 month wait for surgery, she's in a position to work with the incredible Dr. Harless on an Analogous Reconstruction which means NO MORE IMPLANTS and a body that will finally feel like hers again.

But that invasive surgery means that she's out of commission during healing, and, as we know, bills don't stop during that healing.

Please please consider donating what you can for rent, groceries, childcare, and the bills that will accrue while she recovers.

-Brittany Wheelock and Bethany Kay, fierce advocates for our dear friend

(and lovers of a good Meg-B selfie on the subway).

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IN HER WORDS:

Hi. It's Megan.

I’m going to have another surgery as a result of my breast cancer diagnosis in November of 2020. I’ve already accomplished so much on this journey, and I think it will finally be coming to an end. I’ve been through so many tests and scans, a bilateral (or double) mastectomy with immediate reconstruction, radiation treatment (25 treatments over a 5 week span), cancer rehab (physical therapy due to lymphedema and cording), and the trauma of a terrible plastic surgeon who is responsible for the necessity of this new surgery.

Because his major errors, I've chosen to move forward with a new reconstructive surgery called DIEP flap reconstruction. I never thought I would be put in this position. ‍♀️ My original plastic surgeon had assured me that if I was unhappy with my implants we would be able to replace them with others, but he was wrong. Due to my radiation treatment, the likelihood of success is very slim in a surgery involving implants. There is so much involved in the breast cancer journey than I ever thought before. I am not even 40 years old and I’m not ready to be without breasts. I have more than half of my life in front of me and I want to face it with confidence and finally experience some closure (though I have been told the journey never actually ends completely). ✨

Analogous reconstruction, primarily DIEP, is actually quite amazing. It appears to be (by far) the best long-term solution to breast reconstruction because the tissue will age with me–it is all me. Once finished with the reconstruction, I should never have to deal with it again, which is not the case with implants. I feel so lucky to have this opportunity and to have my surgery performed by an amazing practitioner. ‍⚕️ Dr. Harless specializes in reconstruction and in particular microsurgery. It took me nearly 6 months to get in for a consultation and then more than 6 months after that to receive a surgery date. She is direct, confident and kind. Her success rate is amazing and I have full confidence in her as a surgeon. ✨

DIEP reconstruction is an extensive surgery with a longer recovery than I’ve had in the past. Instead of 12-18 hours in the hospital following my surgery (like with my DMX with immediate reconstruction), I will be in the hospital for at least 3 days. I will have three drains (instead of two) and a wound vac (instead of none) for 2 weeks. Following those two weeks, I will begin to feel better and happier with my decision (as I’ve been told by others who have experienced this, as well as my nurse at Mayo). I will be unable to work or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 8 weeks. (I’m going to miss my coworkers and customers so much! )

I’m so blessed to have so many wonderful and generous family members and friends who have already done so much to help us, and for my husband and kids for their continuing love and support. ❤️ I’m glad that Grace and June are a bit older now and will better understand what is happening, but it will be hard to be out of commission for so long. We are asking for help to fund the cost of this surgery and the time off of work. None of our bills will stop or take a break because I’m having surgery. Anything you can give would mean the world to us–even if it just means sharing this link on social media.

You can follow my cancer journey on Instagram and FB. Just send me a follow request or a friend request, if needed). Thank you for being here, for reading my story and please reach out if you have any questions.