Episode 18 is the powerful story of how Ironman athlete, Meghan Newell Davis was given a terminal diagnosis of scleroderma not long after the birth of her son. At the top of her game, and in perfect health, Meghan chose the Mirena IUD as her method of birth control after giving birth. Shortly afterwards she began to develop debilitating pain and was losing the ability to pick up her son, change his diaper and even walk. Doctors dismissed her symptoms and no one knew how to help. Finally she found a doctor with answers. And it wasn't good. There was no cure and it was terminal. Meghan was devastated.
She was sent to Duke University and given the option to have a stem cell transplant. But there were hurdles to cross, could she qualify for the treatment, would insurance cover it? And the costs could run up to $300,000. Meghan activated her warrior spirit and was determined to beat the odds. The treatment was difficult. Radiation and chemotherapy were undertaken to kill everything in her body, in order to receive the stem cells back in and pray for a good outcome. All along, Meghan's mantra was "Austin Davis, Austin Davis, Austin Davis" her son's name. And, although she was very angry at her faith, she clung to it, listening to Christian music over and over.
What Meghan didn't realize was that the transplant was only the first part of the journey. Leaving the hospital to go home, she had to learn to use her muscles and body all over again. She had to learn how to walk again and making it to the mailbox was a huge victory.
Meghan is doing remarkably well and considered scleroderma free. She has begun training again for an Ironman, knowing it will take time, but she is fierce in her determination. Above all else, Meghan fights to be a Mom for her beloved son.
Meghan graduated from Radford University with a BS. in Exercise Science Health Education Commercial Corporate Fitness with a minor in Nutrition. After graduating she worked as a Rehab Specialist for a Chiropractor in Northern Virginia. She received her Chiropractic Certificate from Parker University and became a Chiropractic Assistant. She came across the Ideal Protein protocol at her Chiropractic office and had excellent results with weight loss and balancing her hormones. Instantly she knew Ideal Protein would be her passion and became an Ideal Protein Coach and Business Developer for Ideal Body Wellness in Northern Virginia. She has been with Ideal Protein for over ten years. She moved to Myrtle Beach with her husband 4 years ago and became the Founder and Clinic Director of Ideal Body Myrtle Beach.
Ideal Body Myrtle Beach is the first Ideal Protein clinic in the Grand Strand Region. Ideal Protein has become an incredible tool in Meghan’s life. Not only did it help balance her hormones but it helped her recover from her Stem Cell Transplant after being diagnosed with Scleroderma after her son was born. She lost over 50 pounds after battling Chemotherapy/Radiation and Steroids for treatments. She utilizes Ideal Protein as her Sports Performance Nutrition when training for her Ironman races.
In her spare time, Meghan is an advocate for Scleroderma Awareness and Stem Cell Transplant for Duke Medical University.
If you, or anyone you know, is suffering from scleroderma, please feel free to reach out to Meghan.
Connect with Meghan Newell Davis
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