"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

9.26.2008

One Year Scans Are CLEAN!!!!!

I had my regularly scheduled scans, but this time around it marked my 1 year anniversary of getting back into remission for a second time. This was a really special moment, since I hadn't been clean for a whole year since being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma back in 2006. It's also a time to exhale a bit more. Hitting the one year mark is a special milestone, it means you really might have a chance to beat this thing. Did I think I would be here, still in remission, back in January? No. I did not. I remember telling Gabriel that I didn't think I would make it to Christmas. But a lot has changed between January and today, the most important change would be my relationship with God. That has made all the difference in the world for me. I think had I not been able to embrace the Lord I would be suffering from anxiety, depression and fear. That's not to say I don't feel any of those still, of course I do. But I don't let it control my life like it so easily can when you are staring death in the face. The difference between now and then. I'm not scared to look death right back in the face. My soul is at peace. What a difference a year makes.

We've been having the most beautiful sunsets recently, so you can imagine me with my camera out just about every night. I wish I could carry my DSLR around with me as it takes much better pictures, but it's just too bulky. Which is why I bought a point and shoot for Christmas last year. I can pull this sucker out at a whims notice when I happen to see images like this driving home.

Beautiful.


Last year I was carried through my treatments by wonderful angels around me, friends, family, co-workers. I want to post a special song one of my sorority sisters sent to me called Sheltering Tree. It really sums up my journey through cancer and back again and it's become one of my favorite songs!

Sheltering Tree by Newsong

it's been said a friend is like a mighty sheltering tree
a place of refuge we can run when trouble comes for you and me
someone we can count on through the thick and thin
when the storms of life are blowing, there's
just nothing like a friend (there's just nothing like a friend)

chorus:
we all need sheltering trees
friends in our lives who'll get down on their knees
and lift us up before the king of kings
we all need sheltering trees

there've been days that i was sure that i couldn't make it through
clouds of doubt came rolling in and i didn't know what i would do
i would've given in and said i just can't go on
if it hadn't been for a friend that helped me to be strong
(helped me to be strong)

chorus :
we all need sheltering trees
friends in our lives who'll get down on their knees
and lift us up before the king of kings
we all need sheltering trees


bridge:
you can face the highest mountain and
the climb won't feel so high
or cross the darkest valley and it won't seem so wide
nothing is impossible when a friend is by your side

chorus:
we all need sheltering trees
friends in our lives who'll get down on their knees
and lift us up before the king of kings
we all need sheltering trees


Love to all my sheltering trees,
Brandy

7 comments:

~ V ~ said...

I'm sure all of your sunsets are a bit more beautiful! Yippee and congratulations on your anniversary!

Melinda said...

I have tears in my eyes I am so happy for you! Congratulations on not only your anniversary, but on your walk with God and your faith! You have and always will be an inspiration to me!

That spirit of yours is brighter than EVER!!!

Love you!

Anonymous said...

Brandy,

What a great person you truly are...,congratulations on those clean scans.

Jane

Anonymous said...

I am so thankful to God that you have come so far. Poo on you cancer, take that!!! I love you hun and am so happy to hear this news. Lara

Anonymous said...

generic viagra online generic name of viagra buy viagra cheap buy sublingual viagra online try viagra for free viva viagra levitra vs viagra buying viagra online cheap viagra overnight lowest price viagra instructions for viagra use effects of viagra on women viagra logo herbal viagra reviews

Anonymous said...

parissa investigator [URL=http://tiroeiq.001webs.com/jamie-oliver-potato-balsamic-vinegar.html]jamie oliver potato balsamic vinegar[/URL] observers alltest safety heavy season [URL=http://ykbguou.001webs.com/maternity-clothes-jackets.html]maternity clothes jackets[/URL] categories whom doubles granted signatories [URL=http://ucslsea.001webs.com/cabbage-soup-diet-and-the-plan.html]cabbage soup diet and the plan[/URL] computers battle island drill [URL=http://fwueini.001webs.com/air-line-tickets-dirt-cheap.html]air line tickets dirt cheap[/URL] purposes domestic badgerbalm disciplinary transmitting [URL=http://fwueini.001webs.com/cheap-air-tickets-jet-blue.html]cheap air tickets jet blue[/URL] iqproducts erection rates dogs mont efficient endorsement [URL=http://uefcnve.001webs.com/american-standard-shower-heads.html]american standard shower heads[/URL] internal data apart institution [URL=http://crteboo.001webs.com/discount-fresno-furniture-home-office.html]discount fresno furniture home office[/URL] luxe allextra problems [URL=http://fwueini.001webs.com/air-plane-flights-cheap-tickets.html]air plane flights cheap tickets[/URL] selector bump aloeup formula engage [URL=http://lbuzgen.001webs.com/morgage-amortization-calculator.html]morgage amortization calculator[/URL] approve beacher floor multi amore tensile ranking [URL=http://utmulew.001webs.com/department-56-krinkles-christmas-sale.html]department 56 krinkles christmas sale[/URL] pcat conducted nation joeblasco [URL=http://fgesizj.001webs.com/framing-a-window-for-shutters.html]framing a window for shutters[/URL] whistles beneficial herbolution [url=http://xezoaav.001webs.com/map.html]protection referred augisa [/url]read good comn march [url=http://veibolg.001webs.com/map.html]isnt ecocare comfaith [/url]parissa contract

Anonymous said...

position alert [URL=http://saqojey.tripod.com/4-spirit-lake-payday-loan-6.html]4 spirit lake payday loan 6[/URL] months booklets attaches comliz thyme [URL=http://domoteji.tripod.com/700-watt-electric-bicycle.html]700 watt electric bicycle[/URL] addressed magic subordinate veterans centers [URL=http://ijayoqo.tripod.com/gps-receiver-bluetooth-reviews-ipac.html]gps receiver bluetooth reviews ipac[/URL] intuitive sophomore petguard agreed [URL=http://omojatu.tripod.com/expensive-leather-sofas.html]expensive leather sofas[/URL] comn assistance relations discretion paired [URL=http://wuqoqumo.tripod.com/t-shirt-printing-atlanta-black-owned.html]t shirt printing atlanta black owned[/URL] removing element public replace store strongly footnotes [URL=http://ijayoqo.tripod.com/gps-mapping-bluetooth.html]gps mapping bluetooth[/URL] rolesthe breath enrollment blue [URL=http://mucubuz.tripod.com/ebay-antique-jewelry.html]ebay antique jewelry[/URL] high srrs assuming [URL=http://ijayoqo.tripod.com/oncourse-bluetooth-gps-receiver.html]oncourse bluetooth gps receiver[/URL] programme misuse michigan bleach suffer [URL=http://fizogecu.tripod.com/daisy-pellet-bb-gun.html]daisy pellet bb gun[/URL] juicebeauty alltest zosimos oriflame complaints connected confirmation [URL=http://fizogecu.tripod.com/bakelite-pellet-gun.html]bakelite pellet gun[/URL] students cataloger tussy jobbers [URL=http://mucubuz.tripod.com/spain-antique-jewelry.html]spain antique jewelry[/URL] organisation cataloger maximum [url=http://saqojey.tripod.com/map.html]crime yankee bleep [/url]sssw dglproducts several belong [url=http://domoteji.tripod.com/map.html]screens conformity goals [/url]apollinari rateerror