Spotlight Series

#LOVEBeyondAwareness Ambassador

@meghankoziel

My name is Meghan Koziel and on October 12, 2015, I received a phone call that would forever change my life. At the age of 26, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer Er/Pr + Her2 – stage 2B. I was later identified with a PALB2 genetic mutation.

At this time in my life, I was newly engaged, we just bought our first home, and we’re amidst planning our dream wedding. When I heard the words “you have cancer”, it was as if the ground was falling out from under my toes. I didn’t know what to say, who to tell, or what to do — my world went dark. After telling my now-husband, parents, siblings, and close friends “I have cancer” through text message (because that seemed like the easiest way to break the news)… Then started my journey into the world of being a patient with cancer!

A few days following my diagnosis, I was given a “plan”. Knowing I would be going through chemo and losing my hair, my husband and I decided to move up our dream wedding and were able to plan it with the help of our amazing friends and family in only 2 weeks! The following morning after our wedding day on October 31, 2015, we underwent egg retrieval for fertility preservation — this beginning my journey. 

I was to undergo 16 rounds of chemotherapy (Adriamycin and Taxol) — I made it through 12 rounds prior to having severe allergic reactions, so I did NOT have a complete response to chemotherapy, 33 rounds of radiation (because I was placed into a trial requiring boost treatments due to my lymph node involvement), and countless surgeries including a double mastectomy and multiple reconstructions.

Two years following active treatments, I made the “risky move” to go off my anti-hormonal medications Lupron and Arimidex to fulfill my lifelong dream of being a mom! To my husband and my surprise, 6 months later we found ourselves pregnant naturally! Our little miracle baby would be named after my amazing oncologist Dr. Jane Raymond who ultimately saved my life — and Kendra Jane Koziel was born September 15, 2018.

Mom life is everything and more of what I’ve always imagined. Mom life post-cancer, however, has its own list of challenges. Obviously, post mastectomies I was unable to breastfeed — and formula feeding is an additional expense. The constant fear of recurrence, post-treatment fatigue, and chemo brain still exists, and generalized anxiety is my daily battles. However, once my baby turned ONE I found a void in my life and spoke with my oncologist about trying for one more baby — of which her response was “this will be the last one”. 

I was ecstatic. Just as before, I was weaned from my meds, awaited my cycle to return which took another 6 months, and my husband and I were surprised to fall pregnant again January 2020 — Makenzie Marie Koziel was born August 28, 2020, and our little family is finally complete!

Along with my blog: shesparkleson.com and Instagram, I’ve created a following and daily have people reaching out to me from all over the world for recommendations or just to talk because they are going through their own journeys. I am a full-time mom, licensed occupational therapist,  and also work as a medical marijuana consultant and CBD advocate! I use my journey to share tips, tricks, and pics to encourage other women entering this community that they are not alone! 💕

 

 


(Disclaimer: This webpage may contain general information relating to various medical conditions and their treatment. Such information is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to be a substitute for advice provided by a doctor or other qualified health professional. Patients should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing a health or fitness problem or disease. Patients should always consult with a doctor or other health care professional for medical advice or information about diagnosis or treatment.)

 

 

Love Research Army

We combat the disparities that exist in research by challenging the scientific community to launch studies that are as inclusive and diverse as the people that breast cancer affects.

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