Real Stories
Megan is determined to live life to the fullest
Cancer has taken so much from Megan over the past two years, and she is still undergoing treatment, but that’s not going to stop her making the most of every moment.
Megan was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2019. Now at 18, cancer has disrupted Megan’s life for over two years, making study, socialising and following her passion for fitness a challenge. She is thankful for your support and the support of her close school community who are raising awareness and money for Redkite to support her and other children facing childhood cancer.
When I first found out I had cancer it was simply too difficult to talk about. I had cancer and I was scared, so I would only say the full diagnosis.
I was lucky enough to do most of my chemo as an outpatient, but I still had to come in every day most of the first two cycles.
But then I’ve had lots of inpatient chemo. I was feeling really lonely during my last cycle of chemo. I wanted to just go to school or go home but I was stuck in the hospital room.
Something that helped in the early days of treatment was my support bag from Redkite. I received it on my second day of treatment and going through its contents made me smile. It was like a big goody-bag full of all kinds of nice things. It was fun to go through because I wasn’t feeling the best. There were also information booklets that were really good.
“That Redkite bag represents that I am a cancer kid, but the good parts. It’s a symbol of my strength and courage.” – Megan
I am now 18 and I have just started radiation therapy which I will have 17 sessions of. Apart from that I have now endured 13 PET scans, 11 hospital admissions, 10 cycles of chemotherapy, 9 surgeries, 9 biopsies, 3 failed treatments, 1 relapse, 1 stem cell transplant, and countless blood tests, transfusions, scans and so much more.
I know I can connect with a Redkite social worker whenever I choose and I know I am in charge of the conversation. As a young person with cancer, having that freedom and control makes a difference.
Cancer has taken so much from me these past two years, including my senior year at school. But it has also taught me to live each day to the fullest and to just keep swimming.
If you get caught up in the bad you will miss all the good.
When a young person is diagnosed with cancer, Redkite is there for them. They can talk to a Redkite social worker about anything and everything, helping to make the most challenging experience of their life a little less daunting.
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