Well, if you haven’t seen the Chain Breaker chat, here’s me letting you know about a wild couple of weeks. My daughter, Eleason, had to go to the ER twice. The first time she was having some major pain from an ovarian cyst, and the second time she ended up getting admitted to the hospital downtown.
Because some bloodwork came back looking strange and because of her history with ocular migraines, her doctor ordered an MRI of her brain. The results showed a blood clot in her back left artery (sigmoid sinus), and some further tests showed a smaller clot in the right side as well.
So, brave face time (especially for mom, dad & brother). Time for big prayers too.
The short explanation is that she’s on blood thinners now. We’re really happy that she doesn’t have to take the shots anymore, because the shot in the hospital really hurt. They did a lot of specialized tests, and we won’t have the results for a couple of weeks. Some of those included genetic testing and tests to see if the clots are building or diminishing. She’ll also have some more vein studies coming up. The plan is to keep her on the blood thinner pills for three months and then repeat the scans.
Please pray for her. And pray for me, my husband, and son that we won’t give in to fear. Eleason has big faith and she is doing fine. She was praying that if anything was there, it would be revealed and not hidden, because her ocular migraines have been really intense and debilitating.
The hospital was exhausting, but we got home on Saturday night and we’re starting to recuperate. Yesterday I took her to pet some puppies because that’s always a mood boost. Afterward we went to the library and we saw that dear old Bianca still has legs. It was a pleasant surprise to still see my debut novel in circulation.
Right before this, I was deep into my fourth novel, and it felt so good to be writing at that level again. Eleason was also deep into writing some new songs.
Her dream has always been music. She basically came out of the womb singing and she plays whatever instrument is put in front of her. Last year she released her first album and this year she added another one. I know it would mean a lot if you went over to Spotify and instagram and followed her as an artist (if you don’t mind).
Spotify link:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Q6foIe7D0oDGCgyxC0GQ7?si=Gklg6LK8QSSy9_i1wdVBiA
And here’s her Instagram link too:
https://www.instagram.com/leaison.music?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&obrf=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
She’s just getting started, and she’s finding her way. Last year she was invited to play at a music festival, and that was a highlight.
Throughout this week, I’ve been thinking about how life is a mix. I know so many writers, artists, and musicians who are dealing with some heavy stuff. Quite a few are in this community, and I am praying for you all.
So often we just see the book deal or the album, but we don’t see the behind the scenes. Sometimes it gets gnarly. Sometimes we’re walking through stuff we never would have wanted. Sometimes the timing is super, super weird.
Sometimes life is working on one side and it’s a challenge on another. Many of my author friends finally received their book contract, but then they also received other horrible news.
I’m not claiming that things have to go wrong when we finally get that big artistic breakthrough. Things don’t always go wrong when the breakthrough comes. Sometimes things just go very, very right — hooray! I love those times!
But no matter what, it’s important to keep creating. Throughout everything, it’s important to stay in community and to tell the truth about what hurts, what scares us, and how those lies keep coming when we’re alone in the dark. It’s not just you, friends, it happens to us all.
Because of this, we are stronger together. And for those of you who have texted me or messaged this week, it’s meant the world.
I was thinking back to my son’s car accident in 2019. It completely shut me down, and I lost the ability to write. The journey out of that was a slow climb and that season is a long story for another time. I learned a lot, but I certainly wouldn’t have asked for any of it.
Many of you have similar stories. I take off my shoes when I hear them, because it’s holy ground. Many of you are still in the process of some heavy stuff, and I want you to know that I see you and I care. I’m rooting for you because I know what it feels like to wonder if it’s all over, and etc.
I don’t want to stop writing this time just because I’m worried and scared. I want Eleason to keep creating too. And I hope that you’ll keep creating in all of your various challenges.
No matter what you’re going through, that thing you’re creating is important. And those things you’ve already created are important too. Let’s hold on to the promise that God will finish what He started in us. It might look weird along the way, and our courage might be tested, but I know that He always keeps His promises.
I’m so glad that I’m in the company of a bunch of brave souls. You all make me better and stronger. I’m thankful for each and every one of you.
Let’s keep going. In our mixing bowls of life, something beautiful is being made. I’m here for it. I want to see those things that will be revealed, and those things that are worth waiting for.
In hope for all our journeys,
Brandy
P.S. If you’ve been struggling too, tell us about it in the chat. Don’t feel like you can’t talk about your hard thing just because I’m talking about mine. Is there a fear knocking at your door, or a “you’ll never make it” kind of a thought? Have you had a hard week? We’re here to help. Don’t stay isolated. Post a comment so that lie can lose its power.