Young cancer survivor staying involved

WASILLA — Meghan Thompson is a typical 16-year old. She is very active in school, has goals of attending law school following graduation and enjoys writing.

She is also a cancer survivor.

The young lady from Houston was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of six. Thompson said although she was young, she remembers the timeline that led to her diagnosis. Thompson said she had gotten quite sick and at the same time, her parents discovered a lump in her groin.

“My dad took me to the doctor. It was over Christmas break. I was at the hospital all day,” Thompson said. “They did all kinds of tests…and then more tests.”

Thompson said the doctors at Mat-Su Regional Hospital decided she needed to be flown to Providence Children’s Hospital in Anchorage. There, doctors removed the mass, biopsied it, and determined that it was cancerous. Following surgery, Thompson said she recalls being couch-bound for about three weeks and not feeling well for the duration.

Throughout the ordeal, she said her dad, George, was constantly by her side. Her mother, Gretchen, spent as much time as possible with her when she wasn’t commuting to work.

“I had great family support. Mom and dad, and my grandparents were there,” Thompson said.

Like any six-year old, Thompson bounced back and resumed being a kid. Following surgery and recuperation, she said weekly doctor visits were the protocol. Soon, the visits became every several weeks, monthly, bi-annual and then just once a year.

“I’ve been going for follow-ups once a year for the past five years,” Thompson said.

Thompson said she has remained cancer-free since the original diagnosis. To date, the only reminder of the ordeal is a 7.5-inch scar. Thompson said she considers herself very lucky.

“With ovarian cancer, it’s really hard to find. Most women die from it,” Thompson explained. “There usually aren’t any symptoms and you don’t notice (symptoms) at all until you are at stage four. (Annual) Screening is really, really important.”

Cancer is diagnosed on a scale of stage 1-4. The lower the number, the less advanced the disease. By the time a patient reaches stage four, the disease is usually terminal. Thompson makes it a point to participate in various cancer-awareness events. That includes, “Let Every Woman Know.”

The Alaska-based non-profit organization is run by volunteers, a part-time staff member and a small board of directors, many of whom have been touched by gynecologic cancers. Survivors, family members and friends; physicians and medical professionals; cancer support professionals and compassionate community members are all involved. The organization is dedicated to raising awareness, sharing information and saving lives through local education of all Alaskans and support for those women living with gynecologic cancers.

Part of the Gynecological Cancer Foundation, the event is held each February. Thompson said its participants spend two days in classes, discussions, and sharing. She has participated for the past three years. She also volunteers with various local organizations that deal with cancer. Most recently, she was the grand marshal for the annual Trick-or-Treat in the Heat (TOTITH) event at Settlers Bay Golf Course in Wasilla.

Her involvement in cancer awareness is just part of a very busy schedule. A junior at Colony High School in Palmer, Thompson is on the school’s rifle team. Thompson said she loves the sport. It not only allows her to travel across the state to compete, but includes trips to the Lower 48. She will soon head to Boise, Idaho, for competition.

Thompson also loves writing. She is a member of the Society of Creative Anachronism, which is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. SCA boasts more than 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. She also writes the organization’s newsletter.

The CHS junior is also dual-enrolled at Mat-Su College in Palmer. With 17 college credits under her belt already, when she graduates May of 2018, she will already have an associate’s degree. But Thompson doesn’t plan to stop there.

“I want to be a geologist and I plan on going to law school,” said Thompson. “I would like to go to Harvard but that might be difficult to get into. There are a couple of other schools on the East Coast. Stanford has a shooting team!”