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youthjournalism.org
Meg Reed, who is fighting breast cancer, with her daughter Lexie and Queens of Pink from the Think Pink Organization. The group presented Reed with a check to help her with the cost of treatment. In the back, from left, are Lexie Reed, Kristyn Boswell, Meg Reed, Jade Kingham, Kaley Willis, Pam Courmier, Toni Wilcox, Joyce Bennett. In front, from left, are Celise LaFleur, Brynlie Drounett, Brenlee Vincent, Cerenity Harmon and, Linley Wilcox.
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By Kaley Willis
Reporter
Youth Journalism International
SULPHUR, Louisiana, U.S.A. – Imagine this: You have just found out you
have cancer. What if it was one of the rarest and most unidentifiable forms of
cancer? For Meg Reed of Moss Bluff, Louisiana, this is a reality.
have cancer. What if it was one of the rarest and most unidentifiable forms of
cancer? For Meg Reed of Moss Bluff, Louisiana, this is a reality.
Reed, a teacher at Moss Bluff ElementarySchool, was diagnosed with metaplastic breast cancer on March 6. Also known as
metaplastic carcinoma of the breast, it is an extremely rare form of breast
cancer found in less than 1 percent of breast cancers.
It’s a cancer that begins in one type of cell
and changes into another type of cell. Treatment is aggressive, and definitely
takes a toll on Reed.
and changes into another type of cell. Treatment is aggressive, and definitely
takes a toll on Reed.
“Right now I’m taking FAC chemo,” she said. “It
really puts a strain on heart, I’m just recovering from an intense treatment
from a week and a half ago.”
really puts a strain on heart, I’m just recovering from an intense treatment
from a week and a half ago.”
FAC, a combination of three drugs being pumped
into the body at about four and a half hours at a time, is a common form of
chemotherapy used for breast cancer.
into the body at about four and a half hours at a time, is a common form of
chemotherapy used for breast cancer.
The cancer doesn’t always respond to regular
treatment, Reed said.
treatment, Reed said.
“I’d normally start off with that and then go
to another type of chemo.”
to another type of chemo.”
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youthjournalism.org
Meg Reed and Kaley Willis
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The cancer is treated aggressively, and if it responds
to the chemotherapy used, then doctors will keep on with it.
to the chemotherapy used, then doctors will keep on with it.
Aside from chemotherapy treatments, family is
another big aspect in helping Reed cope with her breast cancer.
another big aspect in helping Reed cope with her breast cancer.
A mom of two, she tells how her family is
affected by her diagnosis and how they help her deal with it.
affected by her diagnosis and how they help her deal with it.
“We have all come to terms with it. My
daughter keeps my soul up, my son makes sure I actually understand what’s going
on with treatments and everything, and my husband keeps it all together,” said
Reed.
daughter keeps my soul up, my son makes sure I actually understand what’s going
on with treatments and everything, and my husband keeps it all together,” said
Reed.
“I know now that I just need to slow down and
realize that God is in control. The only advice I have for people is to make sure
to continue regular self-checkups.”
realize that God is in control. The only advice I have for people is to make sure
to continue regular self-checkups.”
Cancer or no cancer, there’s no doubt about
it that Reed is an incredibly remarkable and very strong woman who will
continue to touch the lives of many.
it that Reed is an incredibly remarkable and very strong woman who will
continue to touch the lives of many.
