Continuing Megan's Legacy

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to give some more background on Megan's Rack Pack Facebook page. I thought of the idea last week, as a way to honor Megan for many years into the future. While Megan always appreciated everyone's thoughts and prayers over the last 14 months. The one thing that she really loved was everyone's contribution to her Rack Pack. Last summer Megan would check her donation list at least 20 times a day. She sent me a text every time someone donated to her team. Megan was very passionate about this for many reasons. But the number one reason, far and away, was for her daughters.

With Megan carrying the BRCA 1 gene mutation (which greatly increases the risk for breast cancer). Our daughters have a 50% chance of acquiring the gene mutation. This is why we are expanding the Rack Pack, for our girls' future. And all women who will potentially face this awful disease. We want to improve research for early detection, and find the ultimate goal, a cure.

So the goal this year is to raise a boat load of money. I have set the goal at $20,000. Honestly with 1,800 members I think that will be a piece of cake. So far the Rack Pack has raised $7,300 dollars! Thank you to everyone who has already donated, that has put a big smile on my face at the end of every day this week.

After we hit that goal, we are going to party. Not just any kind of party. This will be an epic blast, that people will make sure that they never miss, year after year. Megan's celebration of life party will be held on 9/27/14 in Evansville. Details will be announced at a later date

So I am going to challenge you fellow Rack Pack members. If you donated last year, try to double it. If it is your first time, give a little more than you usually do to other charities. Trust me, Megan will be watching that list.

Just in case you were wondering how serious I am. I just donated $1,000 to the Rack Pack.

Now go make it happen!

Thank you,
Lucas

One last note, please also give to her two other favorite charities, listed below.


*All donation information is listed below*


The group "Megan's Rack Pack" was started in honor of someone who is a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, aunt, and one of our closest friends. Megan was diagnosed in February 2013 with breast cancer, she has had an uphill battle from the start but has remained positive and upbeat throughout. In March 2014 Megan received news that no 35 year old should ever receive....the cancer had metastasized to the lining of her brain. Megan is one of the most kind hearted, giving people I know and what better way to honor her then to join together and pray for comfort and raise awareness in her name. Let's rally together and raise money in Megan's name! Below is the link to make a donation to the many causes important to Megan:

Http://indy.info-komen.org/goto/megan_rosbottom

Henderson, KY shelter for women and children
http://shelterforwomenandchildren.org/

Isaac Miller music matters endowment fund
http://warrickcommunityfoundation.org/home

Follow Megan's story at her and Lucas's blog at:
therosbottoms.blogspot.com

Please give Megan, Lucas, and family their privacy during this difficult time......we will be keeping this group updated on Megan. In honor of Megan please send stories of times with her to Reese and Fiona, 6658 Woodcrest Dr Avon, IN 46123. Please no flowers, gifts, or meals.

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Remembering Megan

As most of you know by now, Megan passed away yesterday evening around 6 pm. She is in no doubt up in heaven as I type this. Because if she is not, well, the rest of us are all in big trouble. I truly believe she hung on just long enough to visit with her close family one more time. I never thought she was going to make it to Saturday morning. But she had over a dozen family members coming to visit. And as always, she never let them down.

Next Sunday the following obituary will run in the Evansville Courier, Indianapolis Star, and Hendricks County Flyer. There will not be a funeral service. Megan always wanted to remain close to our family after passing. Her earthly body will be cremated this week. Her ashes will be placed in the middle of our house. From there she will be able to watch our family as we blossom moving forward. Friends and family will be able to pay their respects every time they visit Reese, Fiona, and myself. After I pass away, our ashes will be scattered at our favorite family vacation spot, along the coast of Lake Michigan. That way we will be together forever.

I will post another blog that should help you find a way to cope with Megan's loss. I wish I could meet with all of you individually, but after this long journey I am just too exhausted. I hope to see you all in Evansville at Megan's celebration of life. See you then!

Love,
Lucas



Megan Rosbottom, 35

Megan Lynn (Nottingham) Rosbottom of Avon, IN passed away on 4/5/2014. She courageously battled breast cancer for 14 months. Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Megan had blessed throughout her very memorable life.

She was born in Evansville, IN to Charles and Shirley Nottingham on 1/27/1979. After losing both of her parents at a young age Megan was always thankful to be cared for and loved by her step mother, Rebecca “Becky” Nottingham of Poseyville, IN.

Megan graduated from North Posey High School in 1997. She continued her education at Indiana University, graduating in 2001 with a degree in Recreational Therapy. After college, Megan held management positions in retail specializing in women’s fashion. In 2003 she married her college sweetheart, Lucas Rosbottom.

Moving to Greater Indianapolis with her family in 2009, Megan found her calling. The highlight of her life was staying at home to raise her beloved daughters, Reese and Fiona. She enjoyed fashion, photography, and always found time for lunch with friends.

Lucas would like to thank all of her medical providers and caregivers, especially Becky and her mother in law Betty Rosbottom. Funeral services will be private. A celebration of life will be held every year on the eve of the Evansville Race for the Cure. For more details please visit the Facebook group, Megan’s Rack Pack.

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A Message From Lucas

Hello Everyone,

Megan has wanted me to update this blog for over a week now. I have, just in my head, probably over 100 times. The problem was, not one of the drafts felt like us. They contained way too much information about scans, tests, procedures, treatments, and more doctor's appointments than I care to remember.

So last night, I finally found the perfect ending to our story. It is us. Yesterday we started the process of hospice care. After the initial meeting, I was immediately relieved. We could finally get back to what we always wished for, always wanted, to be normal again. But what I couldn't tell, was how Megan felt about it.

See we have been fighting an uphill battle for over 13 months. Megan and I both knew it, there was little verbal conversation, we could see it in each other's eyes. This has led to a numb feeling that never leaves. Towards me she has been very distant, starting in November, when her health problems really started to increase.

Taking us back to last night. I was a little surprised. After I had helped her bathe and dressed her wounds. Megan asked me to hold her hand. So I did, it was amazing. I felt like we were back to where it all began, over 15 years ago. It was just us.

Thank you everyone, for everything you have done for us, we are now at peace.

Love always,

Lucas


* Please visit Megan's Rack Pack Facebook group for more information *

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Catch Up Time

 Wow has it really been a whole year, March 1st, 2013, since I started my first round of Chemo?!? Why yes it has! I have completed one round of Chemo, one round of Radiation, started my second round of Chemo (not completely finished with it yet) & an in my second week out of four of Radiation. What a whirl wind year but hey we are getting through this one phase at a time.
 I am not exactly sure how I feel about this last year of my life going through all of this. But I am hoping that I am a stronger person today than I was over a year ago & hoping to inspire at least one person throughout this journey. But I am not going to lie either I am ready for this to be over & behind us all!
 The only good thing that I can say has come out of this year of treatment has been losing my hair. It was very stressful actually having Lucas shave my head that day but I can't complain about my new beauty routine. I don't mind being bald but I still feel as though I need to wear a hat so I don't make anyone around me uncomfortable. I usually don't wear anything at home but when I go out I will wear my hat. I don't like the stares & random questions that I get when I go without. And I don't want anyone else to feel awkward either. It is nice to shower in less than 10 minutes. I mean it is crazy! A quick wash over my head & no shaving then all I have to do afterwards is lotion & put makeup on. It is very nice. I sort of know how it feels to be a guy. I will be excited though to see what my hair looks like when it finally decides to grow back in when this is all finished.
 I also met with my plastic surgeon this week. He informed me that I am probably looking at a lengthy surgery & recovery time for my wounds than what I was originally thinking. I thought it was going to be a minor skin graft & we would call it a day. He is saying that we are probably looking at either bringing skin/muscle from my back or belly region up to cover the areas. This is going to be more of a major surgery than I was thinking & the recovery time will be at least 2 weeks. So of course Lucas said my recovery time will be 4 weeks at minimum. This surgery will not be happening for quite awhile either. I have to be done with Radiation & Chemo & also have a good PET scan before he will do anything. Yuck I said! I was hoping to get this done & over with sooner but I guess I can't argue with the professionals.
 I had normal Radiation on Friday February 28th, 2014. I met with Dr. Givens afterwards like any other Friday. He asked his normal questions & then checked on my wounds & Radiated areas. He wasn't too happy with this new rash that I had & asked a nurse to come in & give her opinion. What was their consensus? Shingles!?!?!? What! Seriously aren't I too young for shingles I asked? I can't believe this one. I am beginning to think that Lucas is right, I am going to have every illness/ailment known to man before this is over with. I am in disbelief of this one. They put me on an antibiotic for 7 days 3 times a day. What fun that is. I just love taking pills!!! I had to call the girls Pediatrician to make sure they were up to date on their vaccinations. Reese has had 1 of hers & is due for her 2nd when she goes for her Kindergarten shots. Fiona hasn't had any because I was going through Chemo when they were going to give her the vaccination (since it is a live virus they didn't want her getting it at that time). The nurse said that they should be fine especially since it is around my left breast area & is constantly covered at all times. You have to physically touch the rash to get it. So lots of hand washing this weekend & for the next week but everyone around me should be fine. Thank goodness. Although it isn't the most pleasant of all things to have. It itches like crazy & is quite sore I am hoping to make it through this new ailment too.
 Two more weeks of Radiation to go. So let's hope they go smoothly!
 Thanks everyone for the continued thoughts, prayers & cards. I greatly appreciate them & hope that they continue to help me through this process.
Much Love,
Megan

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Doctor Appointments

 A quick recap...I had a Dr appointment last Wednesday, February 5th with my Breast Surgeon, Dr Zusan & Radiologist, Dr Givens. Dr Zusan went just fine. It was pretty much a routine check up. Nothing new noticed on my end & nothing new to note on her end. She did an exam & looked over everything & said we were good to go for another 6 months. We are scheduled to go back & see her in August.
 Dr Givens appointment went well too. He was able to show us my PET Scan on the computer, which was very nice to see. It showed 3 highlighted areas. One on my right side, my left breast area (topical skin) & the possibility of lymph nodes in my left armpit. This was of no surprise to us. We had known about these areas before that is why we were doing this round of chemo. He said we would be able to radiate those 3 areas since they had not been radiated the first time around. I guess they can only radiate a specific spot once? I wasn't aware of that. So he scheduled me for my radiation simulation on Monday February 10th.
 I went in for my radiation simulation this morning, 9am. The nurse told me to expect to be there an hour maybe less. Ha! Two hours later I walked out the door. Seriously they should just say expect to be in the office all day & when you aren't there all day you can be happy! I am not sure how the elderly do it;) So I climb up on the table  & they fit me into my new bean bag contraption. I lay on my back with my arms above my head, head facing the right side & they mold the bean bag to fit snuggly around my shoulder & up area. I have to lay there for about 20 minutes while they do all the markings, I look like a purple sharpie exploded on my chest area. I have all kinds of dots, lines & stickers on me. Of course they say to try & keep these on until they see me next, which I am  not for sure when I will be back. I hope they stay:) I am in out of the scanner in about 10-15 minutes. And we are all done. Dr Givens says that we will be stopping Chemo for the time being. He & Dr Manges think it is best if I just concentrate on Radiation right now & pick up with Chemo after Radiation. He thinks that I will do approximately 4 weeks of daily Radiation. He wants to get me done quickly so I can get back to Chemo. These aren't exact yet Dr Givens is going to go over my tests, simulations etc. before making his final plan for me. The nurse said that they would call me with my exact timeline as soon as Dr Givens gets it finished. I am hoping to either start by the end of this week or early next. I will still be meeting with Dr Manges on Monday February 17th but no chemo that day. SO that means I will get to feel better for quite a while now!!! YIPPEE!
 I am still seeing my wound care nurses for the open wounds that I have on both sides of my chest. I will continue to see her once or twice a week until I have my skin graft surgery with Dr Hsiao. The nurse said today that things are looking better it is just going to take some time. Of course it is. I guess all I have is time right now.
Much Love,
Megan

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PET Scan Results

 To start off today is my 35th birthday. Not sure where all this time has gone!!! But I couldn't be happier with where I am in my life!
 I got the best present this morning as well. Dr Manges came into my appointment & said that my PET Scan was "just fine"! What?!?!?!? Are you serious!!! I asked if anything was glowing on my body & he said no. I just couldn't believe it. I think that I am secretly still in shock!
 They said that the pain I was feeling in my right arm pit area & slight breast region was probably just swollen lymph nodes. So that explains why I am not feeling anything on the right side (since I don't have any lymph nodes there). Which was a great relief. I was super stressing about that pain!
 He wants me to meet with my Radiation Oncologist (Feb. 5th is my appointment) to see what he wants to do with the skin nodules. He is thinking that I will probably be starting radiation soon. And there is a possiblity of an extra 2 chemo treatments. Which at this point I am fine with. I want to make sure we get all of these cancer cells out of my body! I am ready for a healthy year!
 So even though I am having to sit here in the Oncology office on my Birthday I couldn't be happier with my news I recieved.
 Lucas & I are so thankful to all our friends & family for their support & all the prayers that have been said for our family. Please keep them coming because they are obviously doing their job! Keep the good news coming our way
Much Love,
Megan

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Ignorance is Bliss?!?!

Yes I am asking if Ignorance is Bliss?!?!?
 I have my 3rd PET scan this Thursday. Am I ready to get there at 9:30am drink that god awful drink, rest in a plastic recliner for approximately 30 minutes & then be moved in & out of the machine while I lay still on a metal table? All while I try to be as relaxed as possible?
 I am wondering if I am ready for the results??? I know it sounds strange but do I? I mean I have been through 4 rounds of chemo & for sure have 2 more. Did they work? Will the last 2 be more beneficial? Will all this poison kill the cancer cells inside? I am so hopeful that this round of treatments will be my last chemo treatments for quite some time.
 I know that this really might not make the most sense to everyone but I just had to get these thoughts out on paper (I guess I should say screen) & try to process them before the scan on Thursday. It's silly I know I should be used to having these types of tests done I mean I have had everything under the sun done to me this last year. But these PET scans do not get any easier! In fact I think they get a little scarier each time. Try thinking about being scanned, your entire body, & then seeing yourself on a computer screen days later with highlighted areas that are cancer spots. It's just plain crazy to me! But I am going to go with the most positive thoughts I can come up with & hope for the very best with my results on Monday! Thanks for listening to my ramble session tonight. (These thoughts might have seemed more organized at 3:00am but hopefully you get the idea)
Much Love,
Megan

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