perspective. freedom. infinite possibilities.
Megan is considered by all who are acquainted with her to be one of the most inspirational people they know. She has experienced many great challenges in her life that have shaped and molded her into who she is today. Her most notable trial is overcoming terminal cancer. Here’s a little more about her cancer story:
“You have cancer” are definitely not words Megan expected to hear at the young age of 28, just 10 days before her daughter turned only 2 years old. After a couple of surgeries, she learned her full prognosis. Megan had stage 3 melanoma, which meant that the cancer had traveled from its original site on her shoulder to one of her lymph nodes. There was only a very small amount of cancer in that lymph node, so she and her doctors hoped that they had caught it before it had the chance to spread. And that is what they continued to believe for 3 ½ years.
But, life is full of surprises, and when Megan least expected it, the bomb dropped again. One week before she was to marry a man surpassing all of her dreams and become a step-mom to 3 great children, she was in the shower and felt a lump in her breast. Because of all of the research Megan had done 3 ½ years earlier, she knew that the prognosis was not good (to say the least) if this was the melanoma that had spread.
Fortunately for Megan, her future husband insisted on going ahead with the wedding. They were married a week later, not knowing what the lump was. On their one-month wedding anniversary they learned that Megan’s worst fear was her reality. Her original melanoma had metastasized, spreading to her breast and lung. At 31 years of age, Megan was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma and was given a year to live.
After her cancer diagnosis, Megan began running. Not only did she take up running, but she ran her first full marathon with tumors in her lung. What made this race even more incredible was that Megan was asked to be the “Honorary Starter” of the race. She delivered a short, hope-filled speech to all the SLC Marathon runners just prior to the race. What an honor it was for Megan to have the opportunity to encourage and stir the hearts of thousands with her enthusiasm for life!
In Megan’s words, “Dying was not an option for me!” She made a conscious decision to do everything in her power to overcome this disease. Megan is definitely “Soaring Above” this trial in her life!! After many non-traditional treatments and major nutritional, emotional, and lifestyle changes, Megan defeated her tumors. Today, over 4 years after receiving her "terminal" diagnosis, no evidence of cancer can be found in Megan's body. It is truly a miracle in the eyes of her doctors.
Megan is absolutely convinced that one of the main reasons she has been able to soar above terminal cancer is the fabulous support system that she has! In Megan’s words, “Sir Isaac Newton said, ‘If I have seen farther it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.’ I am extremely thankful for all of my Giants, for they have lifted me far above any place I thought I’d ever be!!“
When I received the news I had stage IV “terminal” cancer, I remember searching for just one person who had overcome the same type and stage of cancer. I knew that if one person had overcome it, then it was possible. And if it were possible, then I knew I could figure out a way to survive it too!! All I wanted and longed for was HOPE!!! And, eventually, I did find that hope.
Something that has become very clear to me is that one of my purposes is to pass on this hope to many others. I have such an immense passion to inspire others to live their unlimited potential; to take their trials and challenges and use them to lift themselves to a higher level emotionally and spiritually.
A long chain of “coincidences” and events have provided me with a fabulous idea for a series of books that will provide hope and inspiration to those facing any of life’s challenges. One of my current challenges is cancer, but challenges come in many different forms. Addiction, disease, abuse, rape….. the list goes on and on. No one is immune to challenges. We all face trials and we can all learn from and inspire each other!
The first book I am writing, titled “Soaring Above”, will honor many ordinary people who have turned their trials into triumphs. If you have been inspired by a family member, friend, or neighbor by the way they have handled their major challenges, please nominate that person to be in my book on the nomination page.
“Soaring Above” will be the book you will race out to buy a family member when they are diagnosed with a serious illness. “Soaring Above” will be the book you will give a friend when they have just lost a loved one. “Soaring Above” will be the book you keep on hand to grasp to when you feel your pressures crumbling in around you. “Soaring Above” will be the book you’ll read with your children so that they may understand true courage, strength, and beauty.
Please nominate your inspirational heroes and watch for “Soaring Above” coming soon!!!