I'm so sorry you're all getting the news like this... below are the two emails I've sent out to my small group and friends from church... they tell the story of how I've been diagnosed with breast cancer. My parents are in Houston with me now... my brother and his wife live 20 minutes away... and my best friend Alyson Pope Miller is literally sitting by my side... I'm surrounded by love and support.

This is the first email I sent out Tuesday 7/14/09:

I don't quite know how to start this email... I want to say without hesitation that God is GOOD, he is FAITHFUL, and his plan IS perfect.

Some of you may have heard by now... I wanted to be sure and fill you in.

Today (Tuesday) I received biopsy results... I have breast cancer.

As you all know, I turned 35 in June... my mom has SURVIVED breast cancer twice... and her doctor years ago drilled it into my head that I needed to start getting mammograms at age 35. So, 2 days after my birthday, I got one. Then about a week ago, I got a call... they needed to do some more films and an ultrasound, so we did... then they needed to to a biopsy... so we did that this past Friday July 10th... they took tissue from one side and also did a biopsy of a lymph node that looked suspicious... they told me it would be anywhere between Tuesday and Thursday when I got the results.... today at 5pm I got the call.... both samples are positive for Carcinoma.

Specifically, I have Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS) ... you can go to the website www.breastcancer.org and search for it. It is a great source for accurate information, and you will find that as cancer goes, it's a "good" one to have and very successfully treated. The possible twist is the lymph node... it may not be too difficult to treat, or it may be a sign that there is more to the story and therefore more steps needed for treatment.

Tomorrow (Wednesday) at 4:15 pm I am meeting with a surgeon who is going to review all of the test results with me and talk about a plan of action from this point forward. After that, we should know alot more about the scope and general time frame of what we're facing.

God was with me EVERY step of the way on this journey this week and I can honestly say that He provides a peace that transcends all understanding. I had just finished with my last patient of the day when I got the call. My best friend Alyson came to my work and followed me home... she helped me pack a bag and I'm staying with her for a few days. My parents will arrive in Houston in the morning, and my brother will join us. All of them will be with me tomorrow for the appointment. I feel so blessed and loved.

To my small group.... Girls, I love you all dearly. Please know that I wasn't trying to keep this from you. It happened quickly and was overwhelming at first. I had to tell the people at work because I had to suddenly be away for doctor visits... and I had to tell my family and best friend. Church was the one area of my life that seemed to be contained... I knew that this past Sunday might be the last "normal" Sunday I had for a while, and I wanted to savor it.... Thank you all for praying for me and supporting me... and THANK YOU Casey for being my "messenger", especially after I hung up on you! (ask her about that story :)

Please pray that I will be able to think of all of the questions I need to ask at the appointment tomorrow.Pray for my mom and dad to have safe travel from Arlington in the morning.Pray for wisdom and discernment in the decisions over the next few days.Above all else, pray that God will continue to be glorified through all of this... I will update you when I know more.
In Him,Meredith (Mer Mer)

This is the second email I sent out Wednesday 7/15/09:

My sweet Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Thank you all so much for your text messages, calls, emails, and most of all your prayers.
Today (Wednesday) was a good day and God again provided peace. The highlight was when I was filling out the forms at the doctor's office... Under my information the form asked for spouse's name- I wrote "to be determined" :) I still believe... even now... I still believe :)

The appointment with the surgeon went well... God provided exactly the doctor I needed to talk me through everything with compassion, wisdom, and sound medical advice. As you can imagine, today has been a long day and I'm exhausted, so I'll just cut to the chase:I do have DCIS according to my pathology reports which usually is a very contained, easily treated type of cancer.However, that is not the path that we're going to take. The lymph node biopsy was positive... that means that I also have an invasive form of cancer... DCIS normally stays sealed in the ducts only.... the cancer in the lymph node had to come from somewhere, so either there's a tumor hiding that did not show up on the films or ultrasound (unlikely), or the more probable explanation is that it's microinvasion, meaning the cancer cells leaked out, but did not clump together and grow into a tumor large enough to see or feel.

Because of the positive lymph node, the fact that it's an invasive cancer, and that it is rapid growing and aggressive means that Chemo is necessary and will probably start in the next 2 weeks. Most likely 21 day cycles, ie. get a treatment, then feel sick for 3-5 days, then feel good for 2 weeks, then get another treatment. I'll need 6-8 courses of chemo total... then 21 days off for my body to rest... then surgery which will mean 4-6 weeks recovery time.

There's still some testing we need to do to decide a few more things about whether radiation is necessary and how and when we will investigate for any more lymph nodes that might be involved. So, the next step is I need to talk to an oncologist. My surgeon is going to try to call in a favor with an oncologist he knows to get me seen tomorrow, and I have some other high-placed connections that are checking as well, so I'm confident I'll be seen soon.

Prayer requests:
1. That God makes it abundantly clear which oncologist I need to see and that I have total peace and confidence in the decision
2. Continued strength, peace, and good sleep for my parents, brother, sister-in-law, best friend Alyson, and myself
3. Clarity of mind to know all the best questions to ask and wisdom to navigate the treatment options

I have shed some more tears today, but still know God is in control... His plan is good, and His timing is perfect.I appreciate all of the offers for help... I can't begin to tell you how blessed and loved I have felt the last 24 hours. The main thing you can do for me right now is pray. In the coming weeks and months, there will be more specific needs, and I promise to be honest and ask for what I need and allow you all to minister to my needs along the way.

Some of you have been asking about my job... again God's plan is good... he has me at a job where the people genuinely care about me and are completely supportive. My boss (the doctor I work for) tonight told me he is "behind me 1,000%" and will support me in any way he can... translation: even though I may need 3-4 times my allotted time off this year, he will work it out with me. Then he asked me to "keep him abreast of what's going on"... Did you just laugh out loud?... "abreast"- get it?! Ha Ha...he didn't realize he had said it until I cracked up laughing.

I think that's all for now... I'll update you again soon.
In Him,
Meredith