Final week......Yippy!!!!!

I can't believe its almost been a year. I finished my chemo May 11th and that is such a relief. My surgery is this Thursday May 27th. We have been busy with tests prior to surgery and wrapping up the school year. Blu graduated from kindergarten, the school had a little graduation that was adorable, and Lexi is moving on to 5th grade. Its been a crazy busy year. My surgery is the last step besides check-ups every 3 months for about a year. They don't anticipate my surgery being to rough on me. I should be in the hospital for 3 to 5 days and then a week at home to recover... We are extremely excited but still exhausted and ready for summer. Thank you again for all the support and prayers. Please pray the surgery goes well and their are no complications. We love you and please Pray hard.........Brandi

ONE and Done!!!!!!!!!!

"We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us, they help us to endure. And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God LOVES us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love." Romans 5:3-5

I know that none of us truly want to rejoice when we suffer but the way I see it that's just a part of life. After Michael and I finish climbing this mountain I am sure there will be another one somewhere along our journey in life. The good news is that even though these times "suck" (lets just be honest) they do help us grow and truly appreciate what is important in life. I do feel a sense of strength and confidence knowing that we overcame something that potentially could have destroyed us. I now pray that God will give us a time of peace and restoration. Please don't stop praying for us. We truly want to move forward and not allow cancer to define who we are as a family. I view this as a storm that has been weathered with the help of many. I also have some more good news. As I told you before I met with my surgeon to see when he would remove my illiostomy. I had heard that I would have to wait several weeks after my last chemo treatment which is May 11th. I didn't want to go through the summer with it and to our surprise he said he would reverse it at the end of May. I couldn't believe it. I will hopefully be done with it all by the first of June. We have already planned our vacations and will be ready to roll out of town for most of July. It will be a much needed vacation for my family.We have all worked hard and now its time to rest and allow my children to not hear the word cancer for awhile. I am so excited! Mike and I just celebrated our 12th anniversary. We celebrated the fact that I am alive, that we got through this horrible year, that our kids made it through school under an extreme amount of pressure, and that God and our friends are so good. We had the best support system ever. The Fire Department has been so good to us as well. We truly are so blessed... Thank you again, keep those prayers coming and don't ever give up on all your hopes and dreams.much love. Bran

" I love the Lord because he hears and answers my prayers because he bends down and listens, I will pray as long as I have breath" Psalm 116

Two and threw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all your prayers. God has heard and answered. I know of people who set their alarm twice a day and when they go off they drop to their knees and pray just for us. Well, I had my test results from my P.E.T. Scan and it came back clean again. (thank you Lord). I only have two treatments left and I will be finished. Its hard to believe. May 11th will be my last one. We will finally get to have the summer we have been dreaming about for the past year. AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. Mike and I left the Doctors office today crying but this time they were tears of joy. We were so overjoyed I left without getting my shot and I have to go back tomorrow. DUH! Monday I have an appointment with the surgeon and will hopefully have my surgery in June...(my husband said he will strong arm him if he has too. ha ha) they usually make you wait 3 to 6 weeks for your body to heal from the chemo. I honestly didn't think my body would even be able to handle 6 months of chemo, but I didn't miss one. Its amazing considering I had sick kids almost every time I had chemo, I'm not kidding. They had colds, bronchitis, runny noses, and I never once got sick. God protected me from them all that's the only explanation I have. My doctor also said I could have my port taken out right when I'm finished. I am so thankful. I know there were hundreds of people praying on my behalf and I couldn't be more grateful. My kids are doing well. Blu's playing baseball and Lexi is in dance and volleyball. That alone keeps us very busy. Michael has been doing it all. He said he understands what its like to be a single mom. I don't know what I would do without my guy he is my HERO! My mom is also the one who takes me to all my chemo treatments and then she stays the night with me when Mikes at work. There were many days when I just wanted my "mommy" and she was always there. I love you so much. We had so much help and support I know I will be very busy sending thank you cards. There are so many people to thank and some we don't know who to thank. We come home sometimes and our lawn will be mowed and dinners will be left, or there will be presents left outside for my kids anonymously. Whoever you are we are blessed. Thank you again. Please keep praying for us were almost to the finish line! TWO MORE LEFT!!!!!!!

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. I will lead you on a path where you will not stumble...I will watch over you like a Shepherd...I will turn your mourning into gladness; I will give you comfort and joy instead of sorrow. Amen love ya Bran

" FOUR and NO MORE!!!!!!! (my dad said that)

Can you believe I actually have four left and yes I still have my hair. (people ask me that all the time HA HA) It's a little thin but I'm thankful for every bit of it. Okay, all of our wonderful friends and family always ask what they can do for us, so this is what I'm asking. Next month is going to be a very significant month for me. Mike and I have hoped and dreamed that we will be finished by June (exactly one year from when I was diagnosed) so that over the summer my body can heal, and we can have precious time enjoying our family, vacationing in cool weather, and move forward with our lives. That has been our hope since the day I was diagnosed. I have a PET scan April 8th. If that is clean I will have three chemo treatments left. May 11th will be my last one. How cool is that right before my kids get out of school. And then we can schedule my surgery to reverse my illiostomy. It was temporarily placed so that my body would have no chance of infection. Like I have said before I have very conservative Doctors. I see my surgeon April 19th to possibly set a date for June and then I will be finished. (ahhhhhhhhhh)! So I'm asking all my prayer warriors to get on their knees and pray. God has had his hand on my family throughout this journey. My children have persevered along side Mike and I. We have tried to maintain somewhat of a normal life for them and we could not have done it without our amazing support group. I will never stop thanking you for the kindness we have been shown. We have had our share of really bad days but we also have very good days. I say this because I know their are people who read my blog that have also been diagnosed with cancer and I hope that this encourages you; that their will be an end. It has been a long year I know you are just as tired as we are. Mike and I have so much to be thankful for. Thanks for hanging in there with us it means so much to my family. Brandi
THIS IS MY HOPE:
And the God of all Grace who called you to his eternal glory in Christ; after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power forever. Amen 1 Peter 5-10

A "little" help please........

Alright, I just finished number seven. Yippee! I only have five left can you believe it. I was diagnosed on June 26Th of 09 and I will be finished in June 2010. The doctor said "give me one year and I will give you forty" and he was right. Oh, what a year it has been! I now have two more treatments this month, two next month, and one the second week of May and then I'm done with chemo. Please continue to pray for me and my ongoing recovery. I'm actually feeling pretty good since I just had chemo yesterday. I don't know if my body is actually adjusting to the chemo, or if I actually don't care how I feel because, I just want to get this party over with! God is hearing and answering all of our prayers. Last week both Mike and the kids got sick and I barely caught a glimpse of it. Mike was so worried, he didn't want to through our schedule off by me getting sick, but I just kept on praying. Yesterday I went in to get my blood checked to make sure I could get chemo and they said my blood work was excellent. God is so good. Like I said he hears our prayers and I am so thankful. Now for a quite sad story that has really effected me.

Right after I was diagnosed and started treatment another women who is about ten years younger than me was diagnosed with cancer as well. She is a mother of two and her kids are about the same age as mine. We went through similar treatment and surgery and I thought her prognosis was good. It was just brought to my attention in the last few days that her cancer has spread and she was told by her Doctors that she only has a short time to live. I heard that she is writing letters to family members, and writing out birthday cards to her children so the will have something to open from her on their special day when she is gone. This pretty much hit home with me. My heart feels like it has been broken into pieces thinking of this mother writing cards to her precious children. I think we as mothers can totally relate to how difficult it would be saying goodbye. I was devastated and cried for two days. Then I realized I wanted to help in some small way so this is what I thought. I wanted to raise donations anonymously for this mother so that she can buy a small gift to give to each one of her kids along with the card from their mother for there birthdays. I know its short notice but I am under the impression she doesn't have much time so I wanted to have the money to give her buy my next chemo appointment which is March 16Th. I know most of us are struggling financially so it can be as little as five, ten, or twenty dollars. The amount is not as important as the fact that they know their are people who care about them and want to show them how much we care by doing something nice. I also ask you to please pray for these children and keep them tucked away in your hearts. Like I said I'll take anything I can get so please don't feel embarrassed if you can only donate a dollar its okay. God will bless these children more than we can ever imagine. Here is the address to send money or just a letter of encouragement if that's all you can do. Remember we just want them to know that they are loved. The address you can send the money to is: 1228 E. Emille Zola Phoenix AZ. 85022, or for those who live close just drop it by the house. Remember we don't have a lot of time and she doesn't know any thing about it. I'm trying to keep it as anonymous as possible. Thank you again this has truly shaken me and I really want this family to know that we care for them. Thank you so much for hearing my heart. We love you. Mike,Brandi,Lexi, and Blu God bless.

Dear friends let us love one another,for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love

1John 4:7-8

MY HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!

OKAY, 6 MORE......YIPPY....The count down is on. Thank you for all your prayers, my blood work keeps coming back great and I haven't even caught a cold this year. That's amazing! I have two kids that come home sick almost every time I have chemo and God continues to protect me. I also have not lost my hair and probably won't. Can you believe it....My doctor said I would. And I was very close to just shaving it off but deep down I kept hoping for the best. My Pet scans keep coming back negative. Six more treatments and one more Pet scan and I will be released with a clean bill of health. Can you tell I'm getting excited? May 4th will be my last treatment as long as I don't get sick..Please continue to pray that I stay on schedule, I know God continues to hear and answer. We had a wonderful Superbowl with all our friends. I have not laughed that hard in a long time. We also took the kids camping this past weekend. We went on jeep rides and rode motorcycles all weekend. It was so much fun and the weather was beautiful. My chemo treatments still hit me pretty hard for about three days, but the good news is that I bounce back pretty fast until the next one. I know I say this a lot but Mike and I are still so humbled by all the food, gifts, C,D's, and letters. Sometimes I just hand the letters to Mike because I can't read them without crying..My family, friends, as well as our Fire Department family has been so good to us. We are so thankful to have you in our lives supporting us and praying..Thank you again, words will never be enough to express our gratitude. Luv Brandi

My devotion today: Learn to appreciate difficult days. Be stimulated by the challenges you encounter along the way. As you journey through rough terrain with me, gain confidence from your knowledge that together we can handle anything. This knowledge is comprised by three parts: your relationship with me, promises in the Bible, and past experiences of coping successfully during hard times. Look back on your life, and see how I have helped you through difficult days. If you are tempted to say "yes but that was then, this is now, "remember who I AM! Although you and your CIRCUMSTANCES changed dramatically I remain the same. This is the basis of your confidence! The Lord is compassionate and gracious. As a father has compassion on his children so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. Don't give up!

NUMBER FIVE

I had someone tell me the other day that they were so upset because it seems like many people who were good people are going through very difficult times in their lives and he was very angry asking why would God allow this? Don't get my wrong there have been many nights where I lay awake crying and wondering why God would allow this to happen to me and my family. I've been angry at times and spend useless hours trying to figure out the meaning of all this pain and suffering Mike and I feel. In studying I found that it says "The experiences that come to the children of God are not by accident(Rom 8:28)" We have a loving Heavenly Father who controls the affairs of this world and who has a purpose behind each event and trial." In James 1:2 It says "that we should expect trials, not if, but when they come". In the Bible it says that every trial has a divine purpose, to grow us in relationship with Christ, to build patience, endurance, and character, and compassion for others." It is Satan who comes in and tries to tell us that God doesn't love us or care about our pain. In first Peter 5:10 it says "And the God of all Grace who called you to his eternal Glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while will he himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. To him be the power Forever and ever". My worst days are when I start questioning God and trying to figure out why this is happening to me. Thats when I start feeling hopeless and having pity party's which are really pathetic and self destructive. After tomorrow I will have 7 treatments left. My prayer is that I finish strong with a good and thankful attitude. Please pray for me that I have peace and joy and an unwavering faith and trust in my Father in heaven. And truly believe "That God works all things for good for those who love him and are called according to his purpose"(Romans 8:28) If you yourself are going through hard times I would encourage you to read Psalm 34. Parts of it say The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him and he delivers them. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. And a righteous man may have many troubles but the Lord delivers him from them all, he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. If I didn't believe and trust that God is a good loving compassionate God who has a purpose for all suffering I would feel hopeless and helpless. In Romans 8:23 it says "Therefore Christians should not be Swift to speak and complain when trials come rather they should be swift to hear the word, trust it, and obey it. After all God works out his will in our lives when wee are patient not when we are angry" Thank you again for all the prayers and support from family and friends. That is what sustains my family. We love you and are so grateful to all of you. Please pray that I finish strong.Love Brandi