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 About
Landi's Fight - A Lesson in Faith! |
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Her name is Landi Bradner. She is
42 years old. She is a sister in Christ. She is beautiful, inside
and out. She has been married to her husband Derek for 16 years.
She is the mother of 2 wonderful, handsome and intelligent boys -
John Elliott, 13 and Evan, 11. She lives in North Carolina.
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| She has been my best friend for the
last 18 years and we share a friendship and sisterhood not just in this
temporary world down here below...but an eternal friendship that will be
there while we are forever worshiping our Heavenly Father. This eternal
friendship is not the result of anything we have done...it is a gift from our
Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. |
| January, 2008 she was diagnosed
with stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer - a rare aggressive type of
breast cancer. She had so much cancer present in her breast, lymph
nodes
and even the muscle of her arm that her treatment started with 5 months
of aggressive chemo. In July, she will have double mastectomy surgery.
The last step of her scheduled treatment will be 7 weeks of daily
radiation. |
| She has let her Heavenly Father
have this ugly cancer and has allowed Him to turn it into something
beautiful through her. She is trusting Him, she is a true example of
living her faith. She believes in prayer and she has seen the outcome
of many answered prayers. |
| The above 4 paragraphs were written
earlier this year when this page was set up. After undergoing
aggressive chemo and a double mastectomy surgery, Landi's body scan
showed no cancer. The doctors were thrilled and though she was
cancer free. Landi's cancer had moved into her brain and spine -
she went from stage-3 breast cancer to stage-4 brain cancer in the blink
of an eye. The Lord is still working a miracle in and through her.
Today is October 1st - Landi is now a patient at Duke and is in the
fight of her life. She has completed radiation to her brain and
will be starting chemo again next week. Please keep her in your
prayers. |
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She is so gorgeous! |
| This is how brave Landi is - I
asked her for a picture of her with no hair (have you ever seen such a
round and beautiful head?) and she sent me one! She has baby fine
hair growing back - look...her entire head is covered in it! |
| I love to see her in her hats.
She has got some great hats to wear - I think she should keep wearing
them even after her hair grows back! |
| Today is June 2nd. It is a
Monday and she is having her weekly chemo treatment right now. We
are counting down - she has 3 chemo treatments left. I will keep
you posted and let you know how she is doing and when her surgery will
be. |
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Psalm 103 |
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Praise the LORD, O my
soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-
3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your
diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.
9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-
18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul. (NIV) |
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An October 1st Update... |
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Landi had her second
visit with her Oncologist at Duke this week to set-up her treatment
regimen. She sent this email
update... |
We received the results from Duke on
Monday. The 3 small tumors are slightly smaller after radiation and the
spinal mri showed a trace of cancer at the bottom of my spine. My chemo
treatments are to begin on Monday at Duke. I'm waiting to see if I
qualify for a clinical trial of a new cancer drug. There are many
benefits to being in this trial.
My prayers are to regulate my steroids so I can be up again and regain
strength, God's guidance of my Doctors, and no side effects from the
chemo treatments. I have to be at Duke this Thursday for minor surgery
(port installation for chemo) and several scans to see if I qualify for
the trial.
We are blessed to have such Christian friends praying for us.
Thank you for your loving prayers, Landi |
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"The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed,
which a man took and planted in his field. 32Though it is the smallest
of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants
and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its
branches." Matthew 13:31-32 (NIV) |
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"I
tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you
can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move.
Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20 (NIV) |
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I have some more pictures to share with
you guys... |
This is Landi and Derek in March, 2008 at dinner to celebrate Evan's
11th birthday. She was going through chemo and this was her first
evening out in several weeks. They are such a great couple - they
were married 17 years in July. We have been hanging out with them
since before all of us were married. |
This is John Elliott, Landi and Derek's oldest son (14 years old in this
picture), this past summer. He is tall, dark and handsome!
He is smart! He loves The Lord! |
This is Evan, Landi and Derek's youngest son (11 years old in this
picture), at his band concert in the spring of 2008. He is so
handsome! He is also smart and loves The Lord. |
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A September
19th Update... |
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Landi had her first
visit with her Oncologist at Duke this week. She sent this email
update... |
sorry it's taken me a while to email
and I will have to mass email this for my energy sake, I haven't slept
more than 2 or 3 hours a night in the past few weeks. my new doctor at
duke has taken me completely off the dilantine (300 mg) a day, she said
that was "old school" and I was thrilled to stop taking it.....she
couldn't believe the amount of steroid I have been on, and they have to
slowly take me off that....God is so good, I am down to 1 a day now (
not 6!) and have had a few 30 minute naps here and there...please pray
that I sleep soon, they said that once I do I may sleep for days.
duke is running tests on me and will finish up next week I will know
more of what my treatment options will be then.....pray for knowledge
for the doctors, as we know knowledge comes from our Lord, they are
baffled by my brain cancer and even told Derek and I that they had never
had a case like this.(maybe one similar)..we weren't sure what they
meant but will definitely ask next time..we think it's because my breast
cancer was not hormonal ( they are retesting original tissue) and I'll
have an MRI to the brain again next week ..we were both sleep deprived
that day and had been there for hours....but what a way for GOD to show
His power, a case that baffles Duke....His hand is in so much, and we
are blessed each day with peace from Him.
We are trying to keep the boys life as normal as possible and I have to
have someone with me at all times..God has given me the energy to be up
in the mornings when they leave for school and in the afternoons when
the get home. I can walk from room to room by myself most of the time,
but need a wheel chair for the rest of the time. I was so grateful that
our insurance has rented us one to use.
please continue to pray for our family, we are all so tired and need
sleep....sorry to mass email but I can only be at the computer for a few
minutes at the time.
I love getting personal emails and read them as often as I
can......forwards slow me down, so if it's not a personal email I would
so appreciate no forwards for right now, some days I have 20 or more and
can't find the ones I need to read because my eyes hurt after about 5
minutes of looking at the screen....and I so love hearing from each of
you it lifts me up so please email about your day and what's going on in
your life, I miss being out and especially being a church! I want to be
there so much.
much love to you all and your prayers are felt and cherished!!!
Landi |
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An August 15th
Update... |
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Landi got very sick
this week - to the point she could not hold her head up. Last week they
told her she had a sinus infection and that was the reason she was
having severe headaches. She went to the hospital Monday and they
discovered she had meningitis. During the tests, they found cancer cells
in her spinal fluid. Her cancer is in her brain and the meningitis is a
by-product of the tumors - causing her brain to swell.
They have already started a heavy regime of radiation. Today (Friday),
they will insert a stint into her brain that will allow them to give her
chemotherapy directly into her brain. The doctors are very positive that
radiation and chemo will take care of the tumors. They have told her
that the cancer is trying to find somewhere in her body to hide and if
it had not been for the meningitis, the brain cancer would not have been
detected.
Hopefully...she will be released from the hospital tomorrow (Saturday).
She has been there since Monday. She is still in quite a bit of pain
from the meningitis, but the brain swelling should be going down within
the next few days.
Please pray for our Heavenly Father to continue to have His healing hand
on her - He is Jehovah Rapha. Ask Him to make Landi a trophy of His
healing touch. Please pray for her body to have the strength to go
through this radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Please pray she will
be strong enough to have her treatments on an out-patient basis. Please
pray for God's peace and comfort to be with Landi, Derek, John Elliott,
and Evan while they are all dealing with this bump in the road. Please
pray that her spirits will stay up and she will keep positive. Please
pray there will be no bad side effects from the chemo in her brain.
Landi trusts her Heavenly Father with this illness. Please
continue to pray for her. |
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An August 8th
Praise Report ... |
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I just received this
email update from Landi. She had her follow-up visits with her
Oncologist and Surgeon this week. She also just had her visit with
her Radiologist to schedule radiation treatments. This is what she
wrote in her email this morning: |
Sometimes when it seems the hardest
times in our life to testify God grace and love for us, is the very time
He is using us for His glory. With 6 1/2 weeks of radiation left to go,
I'm am now cancer free. The doctors are truly amazed at my recovery and
I know that it's through God's grace that I've lived to testify His love
and healing. After radiation there is only a 5% chance that the cancer
will return....isn't that truly amazing?!?!?!
Much love,
Landi |
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"We accept man's
testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of
God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the
Son of God has this testimony in his heart." I John 5:9-10 (NIV) |
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A July 15th
Praise Report ... |
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Landi had surgery on
July 9th. She had a double mastectomy, almost 100% of the
left-side lymph nodes removed, and tissue removed from her left arm.
The surgeon did not have to take the muscle in her left arm. The
lymph nodes and breast tissue on her right side are cancer-free. |
 She is at home
recovering. She is in quite a bit of pain - she says under her
arms hurt the most. She is doing very well. Thank you to
everyone who has been praying for her - please continue to pray for her
healing. She still has radiation to go. |
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Praise The Lord for
His healing touch! He is Jehovah-Rapha (Exodus 15:26)! |
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"'I will restore you
to health and heal your wounds,' declares the LORD..." Jeremiah 30:17
(NIV) |
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PS: Landi just called me and she
has received her official pathology report from her doctor and she has
"totally clean margins"! No cancer! No tumors! Praise
The Lord for His healing touch! |
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A June 27th
update ... |
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"Is any one of you in
trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.
Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray
over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord.
And the prayer offered in faith
will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.
If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to
each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer
of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:13-15 (NIV) |
| Landi just got the results of her
MRI and there is no sign of cancer in her body - there is "complete
resolution" of her tissue! Praise The Lord!
They see no tumors and her lymph nodes are normal size! Our
Heavenly Father has touched her with His healing touch. Thank Him
and Praise Him! |
| Landi's surgery is scheduled for
July 9th. After surgery, she will have 35 radiation treatments. |
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"Dear
friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health
and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along
well." 3 John 2 (NIV) |
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Psalm 103 |
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I will exalt you, O
LORD,
for you lifted me out of the depths
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.
O LORD my God, I called to
you for help
and you healed me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the grave;
you spared me from going down into the pit.
Sing to the LORD, you saints of his;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may remain for a night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When I felt secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."
O LORD, when you favored me,
you made my mountain stand firm;
but when you hid your face,
I was dismayed.
8 To you, O LORD, I called;
to the Lord I cried for mercy:
"What gain is there in my destruction,
in my going down into the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me;
O LORD, be my help."
You turned my wailing into dancing;
you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever. (NIV) |
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An email
update from Landi on June 17th... |
Hi Everyone,
Sorry for the mass mailer but with the pain I have in my left arm it's
the easiest way for me to type right now. I want to say a huge "THANK
YOU" for all of your prayers, cards, meals and words of encouragement.
I'm doing tremendously well, and feel strong even after my treatment
yesterday, I've gained 20 pounds as of yesterday on the steroids the
doctors have put me on. Only 1 more dose next week and I will be done
with my chemo part of treatment.....Praise the Lord!!! They told me that
very few make it through all 16 so I'm truly giving praise to God for
that and of course all of the miracles we have experienced over the past
five months. He has been my strength through all of this, and I am
thankful for each of you He's placed in my life that love our family and
have faithfully prayed for Derek, the boys and myself. Your friendships
are a blessing to each of us.
Your prayers are cherished more than you'll ever know, here are the
upcoming dates for specific prayer:
Monday, June 23rd Last Chemo Treatment Regional Cancer Center
Thursday, June 26 MRI to determine how much cancer is gone and to access
for surgery (Moses Cone Hospital)
Wednesday, July 9th Surgery at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro at 11
am - I am scheduled to be in the hospital for 2 days and then home for
recuperation.
Thanks again.....Much love,
Landi
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans
12:12 |
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Mother's Day, 2008 - John Elliott, Landi, Evan, and Margaret |
| Landi looks so cute in her wig - I
love the cut!
She is so beautiful! She felt well enough to go to church and
enjoy Mother's Day on this Sunday. She is sitting in her mother's
sun room with her two sons, John Elliott and Evan after church. |
| In Landi's
Own Words... |
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Cancer is
an ugly word that affects most families whether you are the patient or
someone you love has dealt with this devastation. Our family is no
exception with the diagnosis with cancer, my grandfather, who passed
away from cancer in 1997.
My story with
cancer began in October of 2007 when I experienced pain and changes in
my left breast. The doctors were sure it wasn’t cancer and with a
mammogram showing no signs of cancer they treated me for months as if it
were a clogged breast duct. When my health began to get worse and the
pain unbearable, an MRI was performed revealing stage 3 breast cancer.
Of course there is devastation in hearing those words “you have
cancer.” Questions ran through my mind, most prevalent, how will I tell
my children? My husband Derek and I have 2 sons, ages 13 and 11, my
concern was for my family and how this would affect them and how would I
ever make it through this. My faith in God was being put to the test,
and I turned to Him for strength. He has NEVER let me down through this
whole experience. My prayers have been answered in ways too numerous to
mention. What started out as an ugly diagnosis, when given to the Lord,
has given me strength and has strengthened my family. Prayers have been
answered in a mighty way, physically for my continually healing,
financially He has provided for us in ways I never imagined, and
spiritually we all have grown in our daily walk with our Lord.
I am currently
still in chemo treatment and still have months of recovery ahead,
including surgery and seven weeks of radiation. Each morning I give
this to the Lord, and each day He gives me the strength to face what
comes my way. Proverbs 3:5, 6 “Trust in the Lord with ALL thine heart:
and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge
Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” I don’t know what the future
holds for me, but I do know who holds my future. If you don’t know
Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, please don’t waste another day
without Him. Life is too precious, cherish each moment and live for the
One who created you. He loves you more than you will ever know! Thank
you for letting me share my story. |
| ...Landi wrote this on 5/23/08 |
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Christmas, 2007 - John Elliott, Derek, Landi, and Evan |
| What a beautiful family!
Landi was diagnosed in January, 2008 with stage 3 inflammatory breast
cancer. She had been experiencing pain since the fall of 2007.
Inflammatory breast cancer does not show up on a mammogram. |
| She knew she was sick when this
picture was taken. They were treating her with antibiotics for
infected glands, but she was not improving. She found out not long
after Christmas how sick she really was. |
| From Me... |
| Landi and I met in March, 1990.
We quickly became friends. It wasn't long before we both knew our
friendship was more than just a casual friendship - there was a deep
love for each other growing inside both of us. Landi was dating
Derek, now her husband. She introduced me to someone...who
introduced me to Bud in May - just 2
months after we met. We got married in 1991 to our husbands.
We had fun during the dating and engagement time, but we are closer now. |
| We moved from VA to NC at the same
time. Landi and Derek moved back to VA when John Elliott was born.
We stayed in NC until 2007, when we moved to AL. John Elliott and
Evan are our godsons and we love them like they are our own sons.
We hate living so far away (we are about 11 hours away from them now)
and love to go home to see them. We miss them so much. |
| Landi and I both have Jesus Christ
as our Lord and Savior. She is a wonderful Christian wife, friend
and mother. She has witnessed to me and everyone she comes in
contact with during her treatment. She trusts our Heavenly Father
and He is healing her through her aggressive chemo treatments which will
last for about 5 months. Then, she will undergo a double
mastectomy - she also has lymph nodes and muscle tissue that must be
removed. After her surgery, she has 7 weeks of daily radiation
therapy to go through. Whew! That's a lot! |
| She is so strong through The Lord.
She faces chemo each week with a smile - encouraging and praying for
other cancer patients. She knows others are praying for her and
she gives God all the glory and praise for her favorable medical reports
(the chemo has rid her body of the live cancer cells - she says it looks
like an eraser has been at work). She has wonderful family and
friends that bring in meals and handle other chores for her - her church
has been a great support system for her. I'm so thankful she has
everyone there to help. |
| I believe Landi will be a Trophy of
God's Healing Touch when this is over. She will be a wonderful
source of encouragement and information for other women with breast
cancer. She will come out on the other side of this illness closer
to The Lord and with a stronger faith in Him. |
| We will continue to pray for Landi,
Derek and the boys every day! We will keep you updated on this
page of our website. I am going home to be with her after surgery
at the end of July and I will let you know how she is when I get home.
I have so many wonderful customers that email and call me about her and
want to know how she is. |
| 5/23/08 |
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