Brandi J. Clark

I was perusing the dead and dying section of my neighborhood library, circa 1998. Not a lot of hope to be found.

“Got Cancer? Sucks to be YOU”

“Found a Lump? Too bad Chump!”

“So You Are Having Chemo…Ask for it Shakened Not Stirred”

Okay I made those titles up…shocker…I know…

But there was one book that did stand out, not dismal like the rest,

“Sharks Don’t Get Cancer”

I stared at it. Ok..so was I supposed to find this “finny” or something?

Truth be told, Cancer was not as “in” back then. Sort of…in the closet.

Now there are runs, walks, bracelets and colored blenders.

My biggest peeve was that I was a walking healthy cancer patient wanting to scream

NOT EVERYONE DIES!!!!

Here is my chance.

Ever since my recovery I have wanted to make the best life possible.

I have two kids, post cancer, they only side effect is that they glow in the dark..
no..not really…but can you imagine how wicked that would have been.

I am a district educational consultant that loves presenting to the throngs or small groups of people.

However, I have lost my artistic way. I hope to recapture the “art” of my youth.

Truth be told, I want to achieve the following:

1. Go to the oscars. (as a nominee…not sure in what capacity)
2. Publish a great work of fiction or nonfiction.
3. Move to a country house with a huge veranda and knit on it like an old lady. (I do knit…with chopsticks if necessary).
4. Travel the world presenting and inspiring.
5. Watch my kids achieve their dreams.
6. Witness my husband become a thriving full-time artist.
7. Have my own show with my Mom. (talk, tv…who ever will have it)
8. Teach writing full-time…all ages.
9. Have a store or space that looks like the one from the “Ghost Whisperer”, Season one.
10. Turn education on its head…for the better.

I think life can be divided in parts.

B.K. Before Kids A.K. After Kids…

For me, it’s B.C. Before Cancer and A.D. After Da tumor!

In 1998 I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. I was 22, just married…nearly buried…

To celebrate I went to see Titanic; nothing more uplifting than to watch a boat sink.

But to be honest, I only cried twice; the day I was diagnosed and the other when I discovered I was Stage IV…AKA “end of the line”

My hair was supposed to fall out…it didn’t.

I was supposed to be nauseous…I wasn’t.

I was supposed to lose weight…sadly no.

Chemo-Sabe? My sense of tumor got me through.

The experience has made me stronger.

ŸI hate wasting time.

ŸI don’t think everything needs to be SO serious and…

Ÿ I seek balance in all that I do.

With this blog I hope to inspire until you perspire. I hope that my observations on mind, body, and spirit sync with yours.

In all honesty, I want to make you learn, laugh and love.