On December 23, 2024, Melissa was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent several tests and met with an amazing team of doctors. It was determined that she had two main tumors along with several smaller ones in between. On February 6, 2025, Melissa underwent a radical double mastectomy. During the procedure, the doctors were unable to achieve clear margins and discovered that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and surrounding tissue. As a result, she was diagnosed with ER +, PR +, HER2 - Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. This discovery meant she would need both chemotherapy and radiation as part of her treatment plan. On February 21, she underwent another procedure to have her port placed, and she is scheduled to begin chemotherapy on March 13. Her treatment will consist of 20 weeks of chemotherapy, starting with an intensive 8-week phase (with treatments every other week), followed by 12 weeks of weekly appointments. This will be followed by an intense 3-week course of radiation. As with any cancer diagnosis, this journey has been incredibly difficult for Melissa, her family, and the many people who love her. It has been remarkable to witness how many people have stepped up to help, support, and encourage her family. Their love and generosity have lightened her burden significantly, and for that, we are deeply grateful. Even more than that, it has been incredible to see how God is working in the midst of circumstances that feel insurmountable. He has been faithful, and we have full confidence that He will continue to reveal Himself to all of us through this journey. Psalm 30:5 has been a source of encouragement for Melissa from the very beginning: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." As her family, we choose to hold on to the promise of joy—seeking glimpses of His goodness even through the weeping. Thank you, truly, for loving and walking with my sister. With love, Karen