On the Journey With...
Brandy Bryant
Every now and again, I will find myself scrolling through the internet looking for testimonials about cancer survivors. I can’t exactly explain it, but there is something about hearing stories of people who move from fear to courage and despair to hope that renews my own heart and mind. Brandi’s story did that for me. Perhaps it will do the same for you!
Brandi Bryant’s journey to a lung cancer diagnosis began subtly, with a persistent evening cough she initially dismissed. Even when wildfire smoke intensified it or long walks left her breathless, the possibility of anything serious seemed remote. It wasn’t until these symptoms persisted, leading to a chest x-ray, that doctors suspected something, initially thinking it might be sarcoidosis or pneumonia. Despite antibiotics and further x-rays, including one that revealed fluid around her heart, Brandi, guided by medical reassurances, remained unconcerned about cancer.
The reality shifted after the holidays when an inconclusive CT scan led to a biopsy. Brandi, with her background in scientific publishing, grew increasingly worried as her research pointed to cancer. On January 30, 2018, accompanied by her ex-husband, she received the life-altering news: she had Stage 3B, ALK+ lung cancer. Despite the shock, Brandi found immediate hope at a lung cancer conference, where meeting thriving patients and seeing a man’s simple pile of pills ignited a crucial sense of possibility. Before starting treatment, she even managed a planned Disney Cruise with her children, gaining her oncologist’s blessing.
I was so grateful for that conference. At that point, I was rolling in devastation and fear and being able to meet so many lung cancer patients who were doing well gave me hope. It was there that I met a man – who has become a dear friend – who pulled a pile of pills out of his pants pocket, opened his hand to show me, and told me that was what he takes every day. That gave me the hope I didn’t know I needed.”
Brandi’s treatment began in mid-March 2018, involving an arduous six weeks of radiation and chemotherapy, followed by a year of immunotherapy. A severe bout of C. diff and high fevers during chemotherapy led to a hospital stay and the discovery of malignant cells in her heart fluid, escalating her diagnosis to Stage 4. Faced with a divided medical team, Brandi chose to stop chemotherapy and switch to targeted therapy—an oral regimen of eight pills daily. This new protocol initially brought exhaustion, but within weeks, her condition improved markedly.
Just seven weeks into targeted therapy, Brandi’s scans were clear, showing no evidence of disease, a status she maintains nearly four years later. While her physical health rebounded, she faced a period of severe depression a year post-treatment, wishing she’d sought therapy earlier.
I went from please let me survive to let me thrive. But a year later, everything hit me and I struggled with serious depression. I wish I had had a therapist and I highly recommend that anyone with this diagnosis, particularly the newly diagnosed, find a therapist. Interestingly enough, the pandemic helped me to heal emotionally, gave me time to slow down and move forward.”
Now, with a vibrant spirit, Brandi embraces life fully, having excelled as a mom, traveled internationally, and planned a cross-country trip. She actively advocates for lung cancer awareness through a Speakers Bureau, transforming her challenging experience into a powerful voice of hope and insight.
“I’m using my lungs to advocate!”
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so troubled within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
Psalm 42:11
Hope is a weird thing, no? It’s that thing we all want and try to hold on to but it never quite feels like we thought it should in the moment when we need it most.
A friend recently said to me that hope is the thing we find in the hardest places and it feels hard because that’s where we use it most. It blew my mind. I don’t know if I was thinking of hope as the thing that takes us out of the hard places or makes them not so hard. But it truly is the thing we are clinging to when all the things we can be sure of have failed.
If hope feels hard it’s because you are using in the hardest parts of your life. It’s not visible, it’s hard to be sure if you really have a hold of it. And the only place that it’s really trustworthy is when you put hope in God.
Man. I wish it was easier but I’ve learned through my own valleys it just isn’t. It can’t be. Otherwise it wouldn’t be hope. It would be assurance.
Wherever you are clinging to hope this week, my prayer is that it somehow anchors you to God in the surest of ways. Even if it feels weird, it will hold fast. And may you know God’s presence in the clinging.
Caregivers Corner with
The Top Three Needs
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
As I talk to fellow cancer warriors and listen to testimonials of those in the middle of treatment, there are three basic needs that I see coming up with consistent regularity. And for those who are in that support position (trying to be attentive) there are so many needs, it’s hard to know exactly where to give the focus. So, having a little check list can be extremely helpful!
Here are three key actions to keep at the forefront of your mind:
- Be an Empathetic Listener: Create a safe space for them to express any emotion they’re feeling, from anger to sadness to fear, without judgment. Your role is to truly “hear” them and validate their experience, letting them know you’re fully present.
- Offer Specific, Tangible Help: Instead of vague “let me know” statements, offer concrete assistance like bringing a meal, picking up groceries, or helping with childcare. Always follow through reliably on any commitment you make.
- Respect Their Fluctuating Needs: Understand that their energy levels and what they’re capable of can change day by day. Be flexible if plans need to shift, and openly communicate to ensure you’re meeting them where they are emotionally and physically.
From a pastoral perspective I would also add the importance of prayer – praying with and for the one who is walking through this challenging season matters more than we know – not just in the hopes of a divine intervention, but as a deep expression of personal care.
As caregiver and author Rosalynn Carter wisely said, “There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Your loving support makes an immeasurable difference.
Worship Moment
With Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: If I Could Have Anything (Spotify and Apple Music)
Band: Housefires/Blake Williams
From: “How to Start A Housefire” (2022)
Listening to this song really stopped me in my tracks.
It reminded me that at the end of the day, what I truly long for isn’t success, recognition, or more stuff—it’s Him. Just Him. His presence, His peace, His voice in the middle of chaos. That’s where I’m full. That’s where I find rest.
When you find yourself chasing things or just feeling the weight of life, take a minute and sit with this song. Let it realign your heart. It’s not just music—it’s a reminder that what we really need has been available to us all along.
May I be like Mary
Open to the movements of Your heart (thank You, Jesus)
Blessed in the keeping of Your promise
A faithful friend of God
May I love Your presence, Jesus
More than any gift You’ve given me
More than any crown I could receive
More than all my dreams
If I could have anything
Let it be Your eyes on me
Every time I catch Your gaze
My world starts changing
I don’t have that much to bring
Just a simple song to sing
If I could have anything
Let me be an offering (if I could have)
If I could have anything
Let it be Your eyes on me
Every time I catch Your gaze
My world starts changing
Poetic Encouragement on
Judas Ate Too...
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
“Think about this for a second. Jesus knew.
He goes into that room with His disciples.
He knows He is going to be betrayed.
He knows it is Judas who will turn against him.
He knows that He has been sold out for a handful of silver.
Stabbed in the back by one He has poured His life into.
Yet, in that room, hours before the death of Jesus,
Judas ate too.
Jesus fed Judas too.
Jesus prayed for Judas too.
Jesus washed Judas’ feet too.
I struggle to fathom that kind of love.
A love that would feed the mouth that deceived you.
A love that would wash the treasonous feet of the traitor.
A love that could forgive even the vilest of betrayals.
I honestly struggle to comprehend it.
And then, suddenly, I realize that I’m Judas.
And in that moment, I’m so thankful and altogether overwhelmed that
…Judas ate too.”
Pastor Nic Burleson
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
I know there is a lot of conversation about the value and necessity of supplements – and what we really need, but I am convinced that zinc is essential. I take 25mg everyday. It’s an important mineral for human health, playing a crucial role in immune function, wound healing, and cellular repair.
• Immune System Support – Zinc helps activate T-cells, which are essential for fighting infections. It has been shown to reduce the duration of colds and viral illnesses when taken at the onset of symptoms.
• Wound Healing – Zinc is necessary for cell division and collagen formation, making it critical for wound healing, tissue repair, and reducing inflammation.
• Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects – Zinc helps neutralize oxidative stress and reduce inflammation, which can protect against chronic diseases.
• Gut Health and Digestion – Zinc contributes to a healthy gut lining, preventing conditions like leaky gut syndrome and promoting better nutrient absorption.
• Hormonal Balance – Zinc supports testosterone production in men and plays a role in regulating estrogen and progesterone in women.
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion
From very early in life, we’re told to “think things through,” “don’t be too hasty,” and “think before you act!” While that’s all good advice, it’s possible to overdo it—especially with things outside our control. I believe that may be the official definition of being obsessive.
But simply hearing “stop doing that!” isn’t necessarily helpful; the real question is, what do we do instead? In this later season of life, I’m learning several things that have genuinely helped:
- It’s a Trust Test. I’m convinced that many of these matters are at the core a trust test. Can I truly turn ‘this’ over to God in a real and meaningful way? Can I open my hands and say (as often as I need to), “Lord, this is yours. I know you know about this, and it’s better in your hands than mine.”
- Journaling Helps Clear My Head. I’ve picked journaling back up again. I used to do it regularly but let it go somewhere along the way. I’ve been reminded how helpful it is to get things out of my head and onto paper. Processing as I write is a truly beneficial practice. Once it’s on the page, I feel like it’s out of my head, and I can legit focus on other things.
- Getting Comfortable with Not Knowing. This is huge for me. Because of my limited understanding and perspective on the “bigger plan,” I simply won’t know everything I’d like to know when I’d like to know it. And thankfully, I’m becoming increasingly okay with that.
So, to my fellow obsessive over-thinkers, take a few moments to ponder this one with me.
A Healing Prayer
By Richard Rohr
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
Sometimes (even as fellow sufferers) we need to raise our eyes to the broader community that also stands in need of healing. This prayer offered by Richard Rohr, echoes the sentiments of so many of us.
“Loving God, you fill all things with a fullness and hope that we can never comprehend. Thank you for leading us into a time where more of reality is being unveiled for us all to see. We pray that you will take away our natural temptation for cynicism, denial, fear and despair. Help us have the courage to awaken to greater truth, greater humility, and greater care for one another. May we place our hope in what matters and what lasts, trusting in your eternal presence and love. Listen to our hearts’ longings for the healing of our suffering world. Please add your own intentions . . . Knowing, good God, you are hearing us better than we are speaking, we offer these prayers in all the holy names of God. Amen.”
Would you be willing to check it out?
For the last month my brand strategist (Doreen Genmark) and I have been working on updating my YouTube Channel. We have spent many hours building out the playlists, filming, editing, and uploading new material.
It has become the hub for all my video content, Pocket Prayers, Cancer Pastor videos, SideWalk Conversations (podcast), Piet’s POV and “From the Stage” (speaking engagements from various places around the community).
If you haven’t taken an opportunity to check it out, please take a moment to stop by to subscribe – like and share any content that you find meaningful. We would be most appreciative!
Support the work!
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects related to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
https://www.patreon.com/c/pietvanwaarde
