Why We Care:

Meaghan was a young, healthy vibrant 28 year old attending law school in the winter of 2006.  During her second year of classes she began feeling ill.  She went to numerous doctors looking for help.  Each doctor suggested it was all in Meaghan's head; maybe she was depressed, mentally ill or over-stressed.  Because she was young and had always been healthy the doctors assumed nothing could be seriously wrong.  Enduring extreme pain, bleeding and exhaustion Meaghan kept returning to her doctors looking for help.  Still no one did anything to address any of her health issues.  Meaghan's symptoms became worse with each passing day.  Because no one believed she was ill she continued to attend classes and tried to live a normal life.  Eventually the pain became so unbearable she drove herself to the ER.

The doctors at the Emergency Room also suggested Meaghan's pain was in her head.  However, due to the symptoms she complained of they were required to give her a CT scan.  The CT scan showed Meaghan's pain was NOT in her head.  She had a large tumor on her cervix.  The tumor had grown so large it had crushed her ureters causing her kidneys to rip open.  In February 2007 Meaghan was finally diagnosed with advanced cervical cancer, stage 3b.  The same doctors that had assured her she was fine were now telling her and her family that she would not survive.

Meaghan decided not to give up but rather to fight.  After two weeks of hospitalization and blood transfusions Meaghan was flown to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston Massachusetts.  Upon arrival the doctors were both amazed and horrified.  Amazed at this young woman's spirit and horrified at the pain she was forced to endure.  Teams of doctors attended Meaghan in an effort to diminish her pain and save her life.  Meaghan underwent chemo, internal and external radiation as well as numerous surgeries.  With only a 20% chance of surviving Meaghan and her doctors fought hard against cancer.  In July 2007 she won her battle and was cancer free.

Although she won her fight Meaghan continues to struggle against the secondary effects of her treatments.  Cancer has changed her life forever.  Meaghan returned to law school and is set to graduate in December 2008.

Without the love, care and attention Meaghan received at Dana Farber Cancer Institute she would not have survived.  Because of this Meaghan has dedicated herself to raising awareness and supporting Cancer Institutes.  To learn more about Meaghan and her story visit her blog at www.cancerlost.blogspot.com

We at G.T.B understand Meaghan's story is not unique.  There are many men and women fighting battles against cancer.  At Get The Bean we want to do whatever we can to help fight cancer.  We have decided to donate a portion of our proceeds to various cancer charities.