“I am a runner, a mom, a wife, a healthy eater. I go to church, I’m kind, I have cute clothes – this does not happen to people like me. With an almost one year old, I don’t have time for CANCER. How in the WORLD could I have lymphoma? I’m too young for cancer!!!” were the words of Meredith Greenstreet. In a 45-minute session with a doctor, her shortness of breath (diagnosed by three other doctors as asthma) is now life-changing. Chemo begins the following Wednesday.
Meredith Greenstreet | Recipe for Life
Her doctor at U. T. Southwestern appeared to be in her early thirties, someone Meredith could relate to. She was introduced to her oncology team of seven shortly after checking in for chemo. Meredith VERY DIRECTLY states to the team, SHE will beat this cancer and if anyone on the team thinks otherwise, they should be assigned to a new case!
Halfway through the case, with prayers from around the world and a sense of humor, Meredith got a diagnosis that she was 96% curable. The scary process made an impact on Meredith’s life. She found out who her true friends were and became close to extended family that she had not really known before. Meredith found out from this experience what was important. She even states that the cancer may be a blessing in disguise.
Her presence is inspiring, because she shares this story of being diagnosed with cancer, her husband shaving her head and wearing her “new look” with confidence. But what struck me is how Meredith now sees life a little different, and she focuses on the things important to her, because there is no guarantee of tomorrow. Check out Meredith’s Recipe for Life!
- Meat (Life fulfillment) of Meredith’s Recipe: Meredith’s son Benjamin who took five years to conceive. Even with past filled with successes of a Division 1 volleyball scholarship, great marriage, successful career and beating cancer, Benjamin is the best thing she has ever done, bar none.
- Health of the Recipe (How Meredith maintains health): SLEEP! Even as a child, Meredith enjoyed her sleep. She believes we heal during sleep. Meredith listens to her hunger cravings and focuses on healthy eating.
- Nourishment of the Recipe (How Meredith manages her life): Exercise is Meredith’s source of calm. Whether in the gym or running, getting lost in the music that plays through the earphones gives her a sense of release. Yoga helps her re-center and she calls on God to get her through her frustrating moments. Faith is Meredith’s foundation.
- Binder of the Recipe (People Meredith holds close): Raun, her husband, and her family. When the cancer treatment began, they sat down and figured out a plan of action. Meredith’s family is tight and they are her foundation and strength.
- Complexity of the Recipe (The extended network): God first, family and positive friends. Cancer has let Meredith know who the real friends are.
- Recipe on a budget (Financial goals): With an unexpected illness, the Greenstreet’s quickly learned that they needed some work in this area. This process includes planning for their son, Benjamin’s future. A work-in-progress.
- Spice of the recipe: (Hobbies and interests): Travel with Raun defines them as a couple. Their son, Benjamin allows them to see life through his eyes.
When the ugly head of cancer stared Meredith in the eyes, she quickly learned that her possessions and the latest fashions were not going to save her or give her any sort of strength with such a serious challenge presented to her. What once seemed important was not AT ALL. God sat beside her in the front seat as she handed her frustrations over to him. She knows her family even better because of her journey and she has decided to accept a little help from her friends and family and doesn’t hesitate to ask for it when in need.
