Woman Gets Diagnosed With Cancer, Visits 7 Wonders Of The World In 13 Days

Published 8 years ago

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Getting a serious diagnosis can be devastating, but for some like Megan Sullivan it can also work as a wake-up call.

When the doctors told her she had skin cancer, Sullivan decided that there was no time to waste. Instead of withdrawing from the world, Megan decided to go on an epic journey in search of the 7 Wonders of the World.

This was the result: 12 countries – 15 flights – 28,211 total miles traveled – 5 hotel night stays – 1 confiscated tripod – 7 wonders – 13 days, and a new outlook on life: “to live more now.“

(h/t: boredpanda)

Day 1: Chichen Itza

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It all started in Yosemite Valley where I had been training for three years to climb the Nose route on El Capitan. I was 2,000 feet up when I took a terrifying 50-foot fall. After a fall like that, I started to question everything… from why am I putting myself into these scary situations to what is driving me to seek out these ambitious climbs?.. What am I trying to prove to myself, or better yet, to the world?

Day 2: Machu Picchu

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Like something out of a movie… A week later I was hit by a car while riding my Vespa and then diagnosed with skin cancer during a routine check-up. In three weeks time I was handed the trifecta of bad luck.

Day 4: Cristo Redentor

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My friends and family only half-jokingly recommended me to purchase a giant human bubble to live in. But after realizing how expensive and very inconvenient to my dating life that would be, I had this great moment of clarity: I survived.

Day 6: Colosseum

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In my lifetime, the greatest learning moments have come at a time of tragedy and loss. From loss comes radical change, for it opens up a space that is yearning for something new.

Day 8: Petra

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After the worst month of my life, I started to rethink how I was living my life. I came to this amazing realization… that the only thing stopping me from having everything that I ever wanted in life was simple: me.

Day 11: Taj Mahal

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I would always say, “there isn’t enough time or money” but those were just excuses. What I was really afraid of was failure. I needed to stop thinking that my goals were impossible and start thinking that I have the power to decide how I am going to live my life every day.

Day 12: Great Wall of China

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The only regrets that I have in my life are from the missed opportunities that I never took a chance on. This year I took a chance and I will continue taking chancing to experience the greatest adventure of all: my life.