MEGAN SCHELLHORN
Hello, I’m Megan. In May of 2021, I was diagnosed with HER2-positive breast cancer, just after my 39th birthday. I had found a lump the previous October and had it checked immediately, but the ultrasound didn’t show anything concerning, according to the medical team. The lump grew over those six months, and though I felt ridiculous, I asked for it to be checked again. This time a biopsy was ordered, and I found out I had cancer on MyChart. It was an absolute shock, and I had no idea what to expect going forward. I felt like my world had been turned upside down; I started treatment just 16 days after my diagnosis. My treatment consisted of 6 rounds of TCHP chemo/immunotherapy, a bilateral mastectomy, 25 rounds of radiation, and continued immunotherapy treatments to round out a full year. After a lot of soul searching, I opted for no reconstruction.
While I know being a breast cancer survivor has shaped me, it absolutely doesn’t define me. I am a mom and wife, a teacher, and a Christian. I spend most of my spare time with my family and extended family. I’ve been married to my husband, Jonathan, for 17 years, and we have three kids, ages 12, 9, and 5. We live in Warren, Ohio, where we both grew up, and our kids attend school in the same district we both graduated from. I teach high school video production, broadcasting, and yearbook, and I have my Master’s degree in journalism from Kent State University.
We are surrounded by an amazing community who has uplifted and supported us throughout my diagnosis and at every step of treatment. It’s so beautiful and humbling to be on the receiving end of so much kindness. Something I have learned along the way is that no matter how many amazing people you have rooting for you and rallying around you, there is something unique about having the support of breast cancer survivors during your treatment. I was blessed to have a couple survivors who reached out to me, specifically the parent of a former student of mine, and the daughter-in-law of a family friend (that was Shannon – and now we are starting PLTW together). Having their encouragement was different somehow; I knew they had experienced many of the same things I was experiencing, and I didn’t feel like I had to put on a brave face for them. The reality of cancer treatment is hard for some people to witness, but I knew I didn’t have to hide anything when I talked to them. Their encouragement mostly came in the form of texts and phone calls. In fact, I had never even met Shannon in person until I was almost finished with the full year of my treatment. The support of these two women, as well as the other breast cancer survivors I met along the way, is what inspired me to create Pink Lights the Way. I want everyone to have someone who truly understands this journey in their corner during their breast cancer treatment.
SHANNON STYER
Hi! I’m Shannon and in March of 2021, I was diagnosed with stage 2, Triple Negative Breast Cancer at the age of 34. There is no history of breast cancer in my family, so the news was a shock, to say the least. My treatment plan consisted of 16 weeks of IV chemo, a lumpectomy, 19 rounds of radiation and 6 months of oral chemo.
I am a wife and a mom of 2 boys, Joseph James (JJ) and Austin. My husband, Brent, and I have been married since 2016 and have been together for almost a decade. My boys were 3 and 1 when I was diagnosed. I finished breastfeeding my youngest a month before I discovered the lump in my breast. I was raised in Cortland, OH and moved to Cleveland, OH to attend college at John Carroll University. I obtained a Bachelor’s Degree and am currently a Senior Human Resources Manager. My family and I reside in North Ridgeville, OH. My roots, my connections, my life are in Northeast OH.
I did not have to go through my cancer journey alone. I had an amazing support system of family and friends. I also found support with a high school friend, whom months earlier was diagnosed with the same type of breast cancer and completing similar treatment. She is my lifeline, my biggest cheerleader and I could not have made it through the process without her. She is my inspiration to want to provide support to others going through this journey. Pink Lights the Way was created for this sole purpose and I am forever grateful to be able to be a part of this team.