Meghan H. - Quilt Finished in 2007

Born: April 8, 1989

Illness: Wilm's Tumor stage II

Meghan's Story

written by mom Sue

Our daughter was dx with a stage II Wilm's Tumor on 9/24/05 at 16 years old. The cancer relapsed to her lungs on 8/9/06. We pray that God will help Meghan to bravely fight this disease and to give her a healthy and happy future.

Meghan was always a happy, healthy, athletic child until September of 2005. At 16 years of age, she had some blood in her urine and the doctor's couldn't find the cause. With no other symptoms, she continued her busy life. Our family traveled to Peoria, IL for Meghan's Uncle Mike's wedding. At the rehearsal dinner she became very sick and we took her to the ER. The blood had clotted in her uereter, they did a catscan, and found a Wilm's tumor, stage II, FH. She then went by ambulance back to Chicago where she had the tumor and her right kidney removed. Four days later she had her first chemo treatment. She was discharged from the hospital the next day and attended her H.S. homecoming dance that night!!

Meghan has completed 6 months of chemotherapy. Her resilliance and positive attitude has inspired us all. She returned to Irish Dancing 6 weeks after surgery. Although it has been a struggle, she has gained back most of her strength and competed in the National Championships in San Diego, CA on June 28th. We couldn't be prouder of our daughter.

On August 9, 2006 Meghan had a relapse of the Wilm's cancer to both lungs. In the following months, the cancer did not respond to standard chemotherapy. Meghan had a stem cell transplant in February 2007.  Currently she is attending her first year of college.