Lexi and her cousin Presli

Hope you had a great weekend! Mike, the kids, my friend Kathy, and her two kids, went to the cabin this weekend. The weather was beautiful and cool. Kathy had never been there so it was fun showing her around. We actually stayed up until 2:oo a.m. talking. Oh my gosh, were way to old to be doing that. We were sooooooo tired the whole next day but we had so much fun riding motorcycles and hanging out. Okay, my surgery is scheduled for October 26th at 1:30 in the afternoon. That's the day after Blus' birthday and like I mentioned before it gives me a little more time to put on weight and get healthy. I've gained ten pounds and would like to gain ten more. (don't you all feel sorry for me I have to eat ice cream every night HA HA) I've never in my life tried to gain weight its so weird. Second, Mike and I saw my oncologist yesterday and no matter what I will have to get four months of chemo if my body can take it after I have healed from my surgery. We will use different chemo drugs but were going to at least try. I have to admit I did get upset even though I knew that's what he might say. I guess I wasn't really ready to go there (emotionally) but I know its the best thing for me. My doctor is ultra conservative and that has been his plan from the beginning. He told me the goal is to have 1 hard year to give me 40 more good years. Mike and I say AMEN TO THAT!!!! Everybody wants to know SPECIFICALLY what to pray for so I'm going to be specific. 1. That I'm cancer free after surgery. (or right now would be fine to.) 2. That their are no complications with surgery and no infections. 3. That my family and I have no fear, and peace that surpasses all understanding. I would really be grateful if you would join me and all the people who are praying for me and my family in praying for these specific prayers. Prayer has truly given me peace through this time in my life. I pray for all of you to and thank God that so many people have us in their prayers. We are so blessed and lucky. I can't even tell you how many people that I don't even know come up to me and tell me I'm on their church prayer lists and they won't stop praying until I'm healed. How cool is that! Alright I've talked your heads off. Enjoy this weather and have a great week. Thank you again Pray Hard! love you Brandi
one of my favorite verses. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME Philippians 4:13

This picture just makes me smile.......

I know its been a while since Iv'e written but we just met with my surgeon yesterday. I will find out the exact date of my surgery on Monday, but it will for sure be at the end of October. That gives me five weeks to put on weight and get as healthy as I can prior to surgery. Mike and I both love our surgeon. Lets just put it this way, he is extremely confident ha ha and we like that. He asked me if I was ready to go and I said absolutely lets do it. I will be in the hospital anywhere from three to five days if all goes well. He will go in (maybe with a robot) which I hear is very cool and take out the tumor as well as any tissue around it ( a pretty substantial amount). They will then send the tissue out to pathology and that will determine wether or not we are done, or I may have to go round 2 with chemo. I want you to know that my hope and prayer is that I'm done after surgery, but I also want you to know that I have made peace with whatever I have to do. God has taken care of me throughout this ride and he will continue to do so until this process is over.
Secondly, prior to me starting chemo my best friend Kathy and about 20 other women came to my house and prayed for me...We had so much fun. We ate dinner sat on the floor and sang, laughed, cried, and prayed. It was a time for women to encourage women and it was a blast. Were going to do it again before my surgery so I will let you know the date as soon as I find out the exact date of my surgery. If this isin't your cup of tea its totally okay. Please don't feel obligated to come. I would only want you there if you want to be there. And most importantly its not a time to be sad! We like to have fun.
The kids and Mike have been doing extremely well. Emotionally Ive been doing pretty good. I do have my hard days especially when I get to tired but for the most part I have a tremendous amount of peace. I know its because of all the people who pray for us everyday. It gives me such great comfort to know that people have surrounded my family with prayer. Words cant describe how grateful we are to have such beautiful great friends. Honestly we couldnt have made it without you. Thank you again for all you have done. We are humbled from the bottom of our hearts. I love you guys. Brandi

And I pray that you being rooted and established in love, may have the power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide, and long, and high, and deep, is the love of Christ for you.Eph.17

WEEPY GIRL........

So Michael and I went to see Dr. Halepota today for a check-up since leaving the hospital...I'll admit I had a very weepy day. I was upset because it was taking me so long to gain weight and feel better... They were like "you do know you were in the hospital for a month on feeding tubes right". Oh I don't know whats wrong with me. For some reason I was struck with the realization that this is going to be a hard year. HA HA... What is wrong with me? So the next step is to go in and get the tumor out if there's still one left and clean out any remaining tissue. I see my surgeon next Thursday so he will let us know when our surgery date will be scheduled. Depending on the surgery they will then know if I have to go for more chemo. Of course my prayer is that I don't. Please join me in praying that I am healed healthy and whole. Most of you know I do a devotional every day to keep me focused, positive and not have pathetic pitty partys for myself. This one was especially meaningful to me. Sorry its a little long one.

FOLLOW ME ONE STEP AT A TIME. THAT IS ALL I REQUIRE OF YOU. IN FACT THAT IS THE ONLY WAY TO MOVE THROUGH THIS TIME. YOU SEE HUGE MOUNTAINS LOOMING, AND YOU START WONDERING HOW YOUR'RE GOING TO SCALE THOSE HEIGHTS. MEANWHILE, BECAUSE YOUR NOT LOOKING WHERE YOUR GOING, YOU STUMBLE. AS I HELP YOU GET BACK ON YOUR FEET, YOU TELL ME HOW WORRIED YOU ARE ABOUT THE CLIFFS UP AHEAD. BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN TODAY, MUCH LESS TOMORROW. OUR PATH MAY TAKE AN ABRUPT TURN, LEADING YOU AWAY FROM THOSE MOUNTAINS. THERE MAY BE AN EASIER WAY UP THE MOUNTAINS THAN IS VISIBLE FROM YOUR DISTANCE. IF I DO LEAD YOU UP THE CLIFFS, I WILL EQUIP YOU THOROUGHLY FOR THE STRENUOUS CLIMB. I WILL EVEN GIVE MY ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU,TO PERSERVE YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS. WALK BY FAITH TRUSTING ME TO OPEN THE WAY BEFORE YOU.... THANK YOU JESUS LOVE BRAN

Look at that face.......

Blu lost his first tooth last nite he said "it was the coolest thing that ever happened to him", and he cant stop smiling.....sooooo cute.

So all is good. All I have been trying to do is eat and gain weight. I lost 30lbs in the hospital so its going to take me a while. The next step will be meeting with my surgeon in two weeks while my body recuperates and see when he wants to do surgery... I'm looking forward to this as well because its just one more step to get to the finish line. I heard that compared to what I've already been through the surgery is a piece of cake. Possibly 5 days in the hospital. (easy peasy)ha

Prior to my surgery my best friend is going to come over one nite and have food, prayer and worship. We bring pillows and sit on the floor its very casual. We did this prior to my chemo and it was just a very encouraging experience for all of us who are going through difficult times and need a little boost. I'll let you know when it is, trust me if its not your thing you will not hurt my feelings. I have a friend who just went into surgery this morning for a lumpectomy or possibly masectomy. Please send your prayers to her this morning. I know shes in good hands and will beat this as do many women every day. I'm so proud of their heart and strength to stand steadfast during this time of battle.. I love you guys. Hope you have a wonderful day and stay strong. sissy

Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying my presence. Walk by faith,not by sight,trusting me to open up the way before you. psalm 18:29