Meghan Couture Megs dream team

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting. My name is Deb  and I am Meghan's Mom. I will be helping her by being co-author of this site. This all started a couple of months ago when Meghan started to have significant back pain. We thought it might have been from a fall down stairs. One urgent care visit turned into two doctor appointments, x-rays and then appointments a to specialist for her pain, spine and orthopedics. On December 21, 2016 Meghan went to see Dr. Braun at his Waterbury clinic. He was wonderful and Meghan felt so happy after her appointment with him. He validated her pain and ordered us to get more blood work immediately and MRIs on her neck, chest and pelvic area. The next day her Dad, Tom, brought her to CVMC for blood work and the MRI. By the end of that day Meg was being admitted to UVMMC Shephardson fourth floor. We didn't realize what was really happening until we reached the Shep 4. Meghan's step dad, Jason and I, were nervous beyond belief. We were under the impression that admission was for anemia and more tests. Well...that was correct but there was so much more we didn't expect! Meghan continued to be in significant pain and severely anemic. That Thursday night was a blur, with little to no sleep, blood transfusion and pain medication. Friday entailed bone marrow biopsy and meeting Mary (favorite nurse of all time!!) Meghan sang and smiled through the biopsy while I smiled back at one brave young lady. More meds and more waiting. We reached out to family and close friends who were scared and anxious like us. Aunt Judy came first to the hospital and applied make up to Meg's  pale face. Next Meg's Dad, Tom, came. He was happy to see Meghan and relieved that he was here. Friday afternoon we met with Dr. Ades. He seemed baffled by what was going on and wanted more information and tests. While the nurses and doctors tried to control Meghan's pain her family waited anxiously for answers. Unfortunately Meghan needed to be in the hospital until Christmas eve afternoon. She was released and was able to spend special quality time with her Dad, brother and family members for the holiday. Meghan returned to the ER for a short visit on Christmas day after uncontrollable pain. She came home and we waited for her appointment with Dr, Bradeen at UVMMC on 12/27/16. That is when it happened Dr. Bradeen had to break the news to Meghan that she has cancer. The bitch of it all is they don't know what type of cancer this is!  Meghan was again admitted for anemia and more tests. After two blood transfusions and an MRI and neck biopsy we sit in the hospital on Shep 4 room 465 supporting and loving our daughter through this painful and confusing  journey.  She is ready with a port placed in her chest for whatever course of treatment they decide is best. While we still don't know the specific cancer we know its going to be the battle of a lifetime! Meghan continues to amazes us with her resiliency and bravery. All prayers, positive thoughts and healing vibes are welcomed. Meghan and I will continue to keep you (our family and friends) updated.