I’m lucky when it comes to lots of things in life as long those things don’t involve money. I won’t bore you with brags about being lucky but my latest luck is totally worth a brag. Not only did I finish my first round of chemo last week–12 infusions of Taxol and Herceptin– I finished it WITH HAIR. Yes, hair. ON MY HEAD. And blood counts that were never *even a bit* affected by treatment.


To put this into perspective, my wonderful and amazing chemo nurse, Nurse J, said she has treated hundreds of patients with Taxol and only a couple haven’t lost their hair. Same with the blood counts– it is rare that someone makes it through chemo without dips in white blood cell counts.
Before I started chemo, I had no idea what to expect. When would I be bald? How fatigued would I be? Would I be able to get off the couch? Go out with my friends? Continue doing yoga?
At the outset of my treatment, my family came over and did an insane cleaning of my house, surely expecting that I’d be too tired to do that sort of stuff.
My talented and beautiful cousin Caitlin, who does makeup and styling to the stars, came over to cut my long locks short in anticipation of impending baldness. She kept my hair and started researching how to make wigs. My lifelong friend Sheryl, a professionally-trained fine art photographer, came and documented the event.
And then I never went bald.
In fact, the months of chemo turned out way easier than I imagined in pretty much every way. I continued doing yoga and exercising. I still saw my friends and had fun and even went skiing. I was perfectly capable of cleaning my house (even though I rarely show off my full capabilities in this arena).

The ease of my chemo experience was thanks in part to the fact that only one of the two drugs I received was the typical carpet-bombing, kill-everything-in-sight-including-hair-cells-and-mouth-cells chemo drug. The other drug was a “targeted therapy,” which means it attacks only the cancer cells. And attack it did. The Herceptin I got shrunk my formerly-gigantic breast tumor to the point where my oncologist can no longer feel it manually.

I have struggled intermittently with depression, but in general, my cancer angst has lifted. For now, I’m not worrying about dying. Living, however, can get complicated and overwhelming while raising two young kids, especially when you throw cancer into the mix. But one thing is certain: Kids have a special foolproof way of making sure you don’t dwell on cancer and your own needs. Depending on the moment, this can be either a very good or a very bad thing. Luckily the scales usually tip toward good.


Meg, you simply amaze me!! I am in tears reading this!! You are gifted, talented, strong, and beautiful woman!! Love you and so excited and beyond grateful about your progress thus far!! xxoo
Thank you so much, Kerri! Us talented and strong chicks gotta stick together… thank you for your kind words. Means a lot!
Megan you are amazing! You keep up the good attitude. Attitude is half the battle and it looks like your doing a great job on the fight. Hug those babies every day and tell them how much you love them. We are so very proud of you. Love Uncle Bruce and Aunt Nancy
Thank you, Nancy! Thinking of you guys every day. XOXO.
One gutsy lady!! We are proud to Know you. Katy/Dick chapman
Awww, thanks Katie and Dick! I am so happy you read the blog. Made my night. XOXO.
It’s all that love Meg and your incredible attitude. I was talking with Joseph Welch just today during my body session about how doctors don’t focus on the ‘anomalies’ like you and like me with post polio yet therein lies the mysticism and the wonder of healing. I am so over the moon happy for you Megs and I know that you are a bearer of a hero’s journey and story that needs to be told so that others can be open to possibility beyond what the doctors tell us. #rockstar #rockon
Very true, Mary… looking beyond what the medical establishment suggests and recommends is crucial. By taking care of our bodies with the right food and and the exercise we NEED, amazing things happen.
What great news and do keep up that attitude as it will be your best ally. Thoughts, prayers and love are always with you.
Thanks, Mrs. Isaac. You are the best!
Im so happy for your acomplishment……..what a woman you are!!!!!
I have been following your blog and its so nice that you finally got great news, I always say Prayers are the most powerful weapon we have!
Thanks, Dianne! It’s been many years since I’ve seen you, but remember you as an inspiration to me… your kind words mean so much. Thank you!
You Go Girl!!!!!
Thanks, Cathy! I loved your last comment on my other blog post, by the way. I totally remember you and think about you guys frequently. Hope all is well in NH!
Win!! This is awesome news. And the pictures of the kids are too cute.. Great writing filled with great news just made my night. Sweet!
Thanks, Jess! I am always humbled to get a writing compliment from a great writer… that made my night!
You said it! We have, for better or worse, the constant distraction of kids who always need us, and that distraction can be such a good and necessary thing mentally. I am beyond thrilled to hear that the heceptin/taxol 1-2 punch did its job!
Thinking about you all the time and sending positive energy your way! Your sense of humor and optimism are an inspiration. And I’m pretty sure no one has ever looked as good as you while undergoing chemo! xoxoxoxo
Megan you have such a way with words. I am so pleased to hear the treatments have helped. I can’t speak from experience but I think your positive attitude throughout this process has made a big difference! Way to go! Keep kicking cancers ass!
🙂