I have to level with you... I was speaking at the Vestavia Hills Mayor's Prayer Breakfast".   I enjoyed seeing many friends and meeting new ones.  My dashing husband brought  tears to my eyes and many others as he introduced me.   The Mayor was warm and wonderful.  The pastors prayers were moving.

Since the hair has started to grow again, it's been the topic of conversation.  In front of a crowd of distinguished guests, I had to admit my hair has had  many changes in just a  few short few weeks. 

Later a friend told me a lady in the crowd was glad I shared the story of the  changing hair colors.  She said, " I looked at Brenda's hair and said it's not quite right."

I made the point,  my hair color journey doesn't matter... and the bottom line is hair doesn't really matter in the end. But I was trying to be healthy and as close to back to normal as I could be.

In March after spring break the hair was there!  It was just budding.   It was coming back in dark and had a slight wave to it.  But since my boys were anxious for mom to look like their mom again, I dashed to the hair salon and asked them to return me to the old Brenda!  They gently broke it to me that my hair was too short to do normally.  Since the texture and color was different than before, they couldn't say for sure how the coloring would turn out.

I had to take the plunge and be brave.  I didn't know what was on the other side of the coloring process.  I was just glad to be sitting in a hair salon once again discussing the possibilities.  So there I sat with barely enough hair to get color on.  And when it was time to unveil the new "old" me.  I was quite bright and quite yellow.  With the short hair,  the color really stood out.  But I went home to get the grade from my boys and hubby.  

"It's bright!"  They almost said in unison.  Their eyes were as wide as I've ever seen them. I felt like I'd given them an electrical shock.  "But I like it."  My middle son reassured me. 

When I went out into world, I got similar wide eyed looks with nods of approval.  Some would say it needs some work.

"Its a process."  I got used to replying several times a day as I would run into someone I hadn't seen in awhile.  

During March the hair started to grow fast, behind the yellow came the darker color.  A curl started to form from the roots. The changes continued.   The hair needed a little touch up some would say.   So that's what I did.  I went to get a touch up.

That touch up resulted in a bright almost white color that I tried to feel at home in and convince others this was the new me.

But it really wasn't me and every time I'd pass a mirror, I'd startle myself.  I'd pause and say "Is that me?"

It's true I was just happy to have hair, any hair and had to remind loved ones that simply having some hair was a good thing. 

But still I thought, perhaps one more process would do the trick.  Maybe adding some of the darker blond streaks would make me look like me again.  So it was back to the salon.  I sat in the chair and asked for the low lights to be added.  But was warned by the experienced colorist, that it might not look right with hair that's so short.  I had about three quarters of an inch of hair.  It was a lot longer than it had been a few weeks ago.

So we tried it.  An oh my.  She was right.  When the foils came off and the chemicals were washed out.  I looked like a two tone puppy dog.  I had white hair with dark spots.  Some of those spots were oval.  So I quietly headed for the door and a sweet lady said wait.  We can fix this.  My wig looked pretty good at this point.  I thought, so what was so wrong with staying with it for awhile?

I agreed to go back to THE CHAIR,   one more time.  This time they wiped away all the color.  They rubbed and rubbed and rinsed and rinsed and returned me to a golden blond once again.  No it still didn't look like the old me... I was told if I kept trying I could turn my hair purple or pink!

I realize now, it's ok not to be exactly the old Brenda.  I need to celebrate the blessings God has given me. I've learned a lot through cancer, I've grown, and allowed God to mold me and shape me spiritually.  IT'S A PROCESS! Now perhaps I should stay out of  THE CHAIR  for a time and focus on what's really important.  My faith, family, friends and the work the good Lord intends for me to do. 

So thanks for understanding, if I'm too bright, too dark or an unusual color, it's probably not your tv, don't  adjust the color on your set.!

God Bless,

            Brenda

  We've renovated in the past.  So when  my husband and I decided to add a couple of rooms over the garage, I thought, no big deal.  I've been through a kitchen renovation, adding rooms and fixing up a sun room.  I was ready for the chaos.  I was ready for the things stacked and stashed here and there. I was ready to have closets empited into storage units and even the left over clutter that sits in various areas of the house, awaiting a new home.  I was even ready for wall to be knocked down.  But when the heavy rain came, would I be ready and have the faith to relax even when the water rushes into my house? 

It's a matter of faith.  Everytime I want the house to be in perfect order, I remember good things happen in God's time.  Should I feel nervous without a roof over our home?  Think about it... with out that roof,  the rain comes in.  It can cause all sorts of problems.  It can cause wood to rot and belongings to  mildew.   Victims of violent storms know that after the roof blows off many belongings are ruined. 

  Isn't having a roof over your home, a lot like trusting God?  He covers you and wants to protect you.   When we stay covered by the Lords protection we can relax that the storms of life won't soak in and ruin our lives. 

A sweet lady who watches our newscasts sent me a story about another woman who was in the late stages of her cancer battle.  She was in such pain, she decided to stay home instead of going to her treatment.  She was hurting.   In her pain, she called out to God and said, "God, I don't know you or anything about you but I want to put myself in your hands and turn things over to your will."

Then this woman's friend heard her quote scripture.  It was Isaiah 58 " Then your light will break forth like the dawn.  and your  healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard."

This woman's friend said, I thought you never read the Bible?  She replied, I've never opened a Bible.

But how could she quote scripture?

The story went on to report that the woman who had cancer, was healed.  She didn't have to deal with it again.  The Lord covered her with his Love, healing and wisdom.

I've decided, I'm not going to worry about the roof anymore.  I'm  just going to trust that the Lord has me covered roof or no roof!

  It's a joy to hear from each of you and know that your encouragement has meant a lot.  Thanks for supporting me through all the changes lately. 

   It's a joy to report about the faith of people in our community on ABC 33/40's Matters of Faith.  In the last couple of weeks I've reported on people who say their lives were changed when they heard the voice of God.  One man said he'd been an alcoholic for 13 years and he heard God speak.  He put the drink in his hand down and told his wife they were going to church.  His wife also heard that voice that night. 

Then, a woman who had been a drug addict said she too heard the voice of God.  He told her to open her home and make a place for children after school to do their homework and get something to eat.  She does this for free.  Churches have started to support her by providing food.

It seems I'm hearing more and more stories about how God is working in miraculous ways.  I'd like to hear your stories and share them with others.  If you have a story of how God worked in your life, please respond to this blog. 

I believe your stories will help encourage others walking the same walk. 

   The grass is sprouting... and so is my hair.  I love spring.  Even though the weather is still a bit of a roller coaster, you know spring is beating out the frosty mornings.  The brown grass and bare trees, are bursting with buds.  There is hope life is returning. It seems almost  impossible for life to spring from something that looks dead. 

It also seems impossible for a bald woman to regain a full head of hair.  But thank the good Lord... my head is budding too!  Soon, after spring break, you will see a new hair do.  During my test runs without the wig, I've seen the look of shock on some people's faces.  Some even ask why I cut off all my hair.  Not everyone knows about my recent second bout with cancer.  But even though the hair seems short to some, it's very long to me right now... considering I had nothing but skin up top for awhile.  No pun intended, bare with me while this hair grows back to the old style.  I'm taking polls right now some people like my hair short... others want it to return to the normal long length. 

I'd love to hear your input on the subject.  Just as many people voted on my wig style, I'd love to get some opinions.  But we all know the important thing isn't hair, nails, eyelashes or any other material thing on this earth.  I'm blessed with hair or wit h out hair.  God has been good through this battle.. I have a loving family, friends and my ABC 33/40 family.  God has revealed more blessings than hair during this time.   And recently my doctor used the words you are cured!  Yes, life can spring forth even when things seem bleak.  And you too can get through anything just keep the faith. Praise God!

    OH Wow!  Did you see that?  My oldest son exclaimed.  A small red car ran off the road and fell into a ditch.   The car landed on its side.  The roof of the car was smashed up against a tree.  Several drivers stopped to help.  Some dialed 911,  others went to the car.  I witnessed a man pulling a young girl out of the car.  I prayed if anyone else was in there they would be ok.  The young girl looked shaken up.  But she didn't seem to have any obvious injuries.   A 911 operator was asking if there was anyone else in the car... but there was no one else.

    Total strangers didn't hesitate and went into action.  It amazed and touched me on this particular morning.   As a newscaster on the news I tell you about  the bad things that happen.  The people who've made bad choices.  People who choose to hurt innocent people.  But on this morning.  I saw God's hands at work.  I saw a man so intent on saving someone.  He pulled this girl out of the overturned car.  Held her in his arms and gently put her down.  I saw he had a small black bag.  I guessed he was probably a doctor.   One woman was in a nurses scrubs.   Another was asking a number of a family member or a friend that she could dial.  In a matter of seconds after the accident during morning rush hour,  this young lady was surrounded by people willing to help.  People who obviously didn't take time to consider if they should or shouldn't help.  They just did it.  Yes, I saw God at work on this particular morning.  Christian singer Sara Groves recently quoted a missionary who said stop asking why doesn't God do something and start allowing God to work through you.  On this  morning.   God's hands and heart were on the side of the road with this frightened young woman, calming and caring for her.  --  God Bless!

   Before I glue on my eyelashes... I look to see if there are any sprouts of lashes coming through.  I'm amazed each day when I inspect the top of my eye lid.  There is one  lone eyelash that is so long and firmly grounded in the skin.  I wondered what made this one single eyelash stick it out when all it's other comrades jumped ship. It took the tough stuff (chemo) and hung in there anyway. Why weren't the other lashes as tough as this stubborn one?  I came to the conclusion that single eyelash was still there, because God intended for it to be there to remind me to hang in there too!

  It made me think about people who stick out the tough times...   Rick and Sherri Burgess recently lost their 2 year old son.  They are carrying on for God and in honor of their sweet son.  When I interviewed Rick this week.  He was more determined than ever to do God's will, to work for the Kingdom of God.  He's hanging in there... because he says God has called him to help save others... to share the gospel.   He admits he alone couldn't carry on the way he does... He says God has held him up to be able to witness to others through his grief.  To see Rick and listen to him, I could feel God's awesome power.  The video of Rick witnessing at Bronners memorial service is among the most watched in the entire world.  Rick says he heard from thousands who's lives have been changed.  And many of Rick's sisters and brothers have risen up to offer support and love to this wonderful family.  God is holding the Burgess family firmly in his arms.

Another man who has hung in there through the ages is Emil Lang.  He's 105 years old.  He's still walking, talking and getting out of his house to go to church!  I know through the years he's endured heartaches, deaths of loved ones and tough times.  But he hasn't given up.  He has kept going and kept worshipping God through good times and bad.  In fact when I asked him about his secret to longevity he chuckled and said my church.  He says Shades Mountain Baptist is the reason he's lived this long.  He's rarely missed a Sunday in decades.  I just imagined how the church members must have supported him through tough times over the years.  I imagined the meals that must have shown up on his doorstep during family illnesses as those meals appeared at my front door during my cancer battles.  It's God's love shining through the church to a wonderful man with a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face despite the fact he must an aches and  pains.  With a cane he quite nicely moves along the corridors of the church and reminds me that no matter how tough things get,  and even when it defies what's humanly possible, we  can hang in there with God's help.

Two weeks after completing my last radiation treatment, I completed the Mercedes half marathon!  I know it sounds crazy to run a half marathon shortly after completing chemotherapy and radiation but I did it to honor my Lord and Savior and thank him for allowing me to keep moving.  I also did it for those who can't.  I did it for those in the chemo chair and in the bed who can't get up before dawn and lace up their shoes to run 13.1 miles. 

   My dear friend Brenda Clark had been training for the half marathon and was planning to run in my honor and another friend recently diagnosed. She slowed her pace down to take time to walk with me when I couldn't run for the past  several months.  But the farther I got past the chemo,  I ran a little more and a little more.  My first victory of the year came a few weeks ago at my Conquer Cancer run in Hoover.  For the first time in many months I ran an entire five mile course.The following weekend, I asked if I could help  Brenda with her long run.  Last weekend we ran and walked eight miles.  After that long distance, I felt great.  The crazy thought entered my head that even though my body had been beaten up by chemo and hit with radiation, I could still possibly run a half marathon.  I started to giggle a little and then a lot.  The thought simply tickled me.  Was it possible that  I could really run a half marathon so soon after treatment?  Just a few weeks earlier I remember my legs swelling and buckling  beneath me.  It hurt to move, no less run.  But  the truth is  "All things are possible with God. "  and  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."  Phillipians 4:13.

So I signed up!  As usual, the doubts started to creep in my head  the night before.   What was I doing?  I haven't even really trained for this race.  The distance was too long.  Sure I'd run 8 miles the week before... but I hadn't trained for 13.1 miles!  Even my dear sweet husband said the night before," I didn't really think you were going to do this?"  He was concerned. That made me concerned because he's usually right.  But I figured I'd do my best and keep my cell phone handy just in case I needed to call for a ride home.

My clock radio startled both of us at 5:20 am.  I apologized to Doug for the early wake-up call.  I was groggy and didn't want to leave the sheets, but headed for the running gear.  Brenda Clark arrived to drive us and another friend to the big race.  Again, during the drive there, I wondered what I was doing.  I hadn't trained! 

The runners were coraled like a heard of cattle.   More than 2-thousand runners ready to either earn a personal best or just simply finish.  I prayed to simply finish without injury.  The half marathon for the two Brenda's was good exercise, but also great for hours of chatter. 

  The weather was great... a big blue sky and temperatures in the sixties.  We got a chance to see up close parts of Birmingham, Homewood and Mountain Brook.  On this day the miles were long and my hair very short... but it's coming back after the effects of chemo.  I wondered how all this was possible... and thought that chemo and radiation was like training for a marathon.  Even though it was hard each day, I'd keep on moving with the help of God.  Even though I wasn't out there training for the marathon, I was being trained by the good Lord on how to persevere and keep on moving even when I didn't feel like it.  Chemo is a lot like a marathon... it's a hard uphill battle at times, can create aches and pains, but reaching up for the Lord's help can get you to the finish line!

God Bless,

 Brenda

  It was the day after the Brenda Ladun Conquer Cancer Run.  It was Sunday and supposed to be a day of rest.  I thought I might be able to steal a few minutes in the easy chair.  My oldest boy was running a fever so we all decided to stay home.  However my younger two boys had their eyes fixed on the creek in the back yard.  I heard them talking about going to the waterfall.  Then I heard them talking about going under the road through the tunnel just above the creek.  I know I've just finished radiation and chemotherapy and I"m supposed to rest a lot.  However this sounded a little treacherous.  So I invited myself to watch over them.

  When my eight year old went to the closet to get the wading boots for the gang, which included himself, his brother and a neighbor,  I said whoa.  No one goes up the creek without mom!  Yes I want to give them time on their own to be boys, but I also wanted to make sure this was a safe trek.  So I too pulled on the black knee high rubber boots.  I was laughing that my doctors would probably shake their heads at seeing me go into the creek on a cold day and gingerly step from mossy rock to mossy rock to head up the creek.  Once I realized I could slip and fall and end up a soaking wet mess on this cold day, I decided to take it slow.  As I tried to watch over the boys, I also was focused on stepping on the next rock.  In my field of vision came a hand.  It was a strong but gentle hand.  It was my eleven year old.  He was looking after me,  looking after him!  I gratefully grabbed his strong hand which is now bigger than mine.  I thought If either one of us goes down then we're all wet!  That would be quite a memory.  But inch by inch we made our way up the creek. 

   It was beautiful, exhilarating, peaceful and liberating.  The sound of the rushing creek made me want to stay here until dark.  I looked up to see the tunnel they had talked about with wide eyes.  On this day Indiana Jones had nothing on us!  The tunnel which seemed to hold up the road above the creek was beautiful.  It had green ivey dangling from it as if it was a curtain.  We stopped to take pictures and crawled.  I was relieved to see it was big and wide and rectangular ... and it didn't appear to pose an impending danger. 

   Then we spotted it!  It was the waterfall.  Our expedition was a success.  The water was rushing down the rock wall.  It rivaled some pictures of waterfalls I'd seen taken in other parts of the world.  It was beautiful.  And to think this is just about a hundred yards or so from my house.  It felt like we were miles away from civilization but we were practically in our own back yard.  I was brought back to reality when my cell phone rang.  Yes, we were in civilized territory.  It was my dear friend Sabrina... I told her she wouldn't believe where I was!  She too has three boys.  She laughed and said I just did that last week!  We chuckled at how wonderful it was to raise boys.  You just don't know where they will lead you.  They are fun, adventurous and have a great sense of fun. 

I know raising girls must be fun, but I've never raised a girl.  As for boys just about every day and every thing turns into an adventure.I love the wonder I see in their eyes as they are discovering new territory.  As a result, as the mother of boys, I've enjoyed them allowing me to be one of the gang and to revisit what it's like to be a kid again.  Since I've had boys, I even have a new appreciation for bugs! 

  Wow!  What an incredible day.  Saturday began with a check on the weather.  James Spann was at his post as promised at five am.  The temperature hovered above freezing.  We were blessed that the temperature didn't dip a degree or two.  So it was safe for people to drive to the event.  But I didn't expect what happened next. 

With the temperature in the high 30's, I expected many people to stay in their nice warm beds.  But when I arrived... there were lot's of people setting up.  Valerie McLean was at the helm from Trak Shak,  The Birmingham Track Club, The Junior Executive Board of the American Cancer Society, American Cancer Society volunteers and workers as well as vendors,  saxophonist - Vann Burchfield, vocalist Linda Plowman Fikes, Sabrina Thomas, Wanda Mckoy and many many more working to make sure Veteran's Park in Hoover was ready for the big Conquer Cancer Run.   My jaw dropped.  People continued to pour in to participate in the race.  At eight am the starting line was full with what appeared to be about five-hundred people.   Despite the cold weather and the threat overnight of icing, they came.  But that's what I love about cancer survivors, their friends and family and runners.  They are not easily scared off.

This was an event where we could all show a little true grit.  We all had a mission and a purpose.  We were all unified in the want, desire and prayer to find a cure for a dreaded disease.  I pray the money we helped raise all 65,000 dollars  (at latest count) will ease the burdens of those in their battle and help fund researchers to find a cure!  Cancer you'd better run.  Seeing the unity on this particular day I was so encouraged at how powerful it is when a group of passionate  people get together. 

   Thank you all for a fantastic day and the encouragement that we are closer today than ever to a cure for cancer.  Keep on running and training for next year.  Soon I hope we could call it THE BRENDA LADUN, WE CONQUERED CANCER RUN!