:: brandi - warrior princess ::

I truly believe that people come into your life for a reason. Sometimes it's not apparent at the time, and sometimes it just smacks you upside the head. I met this fierce woman through a program which matches up photographers with families going through a cancer battle. I got paired with Brandi and I couldn't be more thankful. She is truly amazing, as is her adoring, supportive husband and their Miss Independence three year old daughter. Brandi exudes positivity and strength. If I didn't know she was sick, I wouldn't know. She is sweet and loving and happy and in the past year has been in a battle for her life. I asked her if she would mind sharing her story...an increasingly common one...so that others can be inspired and know they're not alone. Here's her story, in her words...

"On October 22 2018 I received the call that all my tests came back positive for breast cancer.  I was 37 years old and my daughter was 2.5, no family history and all genetic testing was clear.  I was 1 out of 8 women who will receive this diagnosis due to environmental conditions. It was a whirlwind of calls and appointments scheduled and on November 22 2018, I had a double mastectomy surgery to remove the cancer as well as a lymph node dissection to be sure for clear margins. On January 3rd 2019 I started my first chemotherapy treatment along with 5 more after that every 3 weeks.  I completed my treatments in May but would then go on to 28 days of radiation and finishing out 2019 with two targeted infusions. I will receive my last infusion on Jan 9th 2020!  

Your life and experience and expectations of how things are supposed to be really does change and it alters every aspect of your life.  Your health is something that should never be taken for granted and even though I am what I think to be one of the "lucky ones", the rest of my life will be filled with appointments, a hopefully manageable level of anxiety and fear and an overwhelming amount of faith and grace to be able to live my days I was given to their fullest."

One of the things I've learned over my many years is that you never know what someone else is going through. Most people don't live their lives with full transparency. It's not our business to know everyone else's, but it is our responsibility to be kind and giving and loving to those who cross our paths. Everyone is dealing with something in their life. Everyone. 

Thank you, Brandi, for sharing your story. I am beyond grateful to now count you as a friend and, even though I've not known you long, I'm so proud of your courage and strength.