Mandy Brown Mandy "I am the Storm"

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     On December 10, 2021, my sister, Mandy learned she had breast cancer.  She called the Women's Breast Center to find out the results of a breast tissue biopsy, as some spots were seen on her annual mammogram and her whole life changed.  This news, especially right before Christmas, was nothing short of devastating.  Having only told her daughters, sisters, and mother, Mandy dealt with this blow, privately, through the holidays, to spare her friends and extended family the worry and not rob them of any joy during the holiday season.


     After meeting with a surgeon, on December 21st, Mandy learned she would have to  have a partial mastectomy.  Initially, Mandy was told this would be followed by a month of radiation as the MRI showed a small tumor, but nothing was seen on the chest wall nor in any lymph nodes.  Mandy then prepared for the surgery, scheduled for January 14th.  Unfortunately, Mandy woke up from the surgery to learn that although the tumor, was in fact small, the cancer had spread to several lymph nodes. A total of 16 lymph nodes were removed; four of six sentinel nodes were found to have cancer. These findings told the doctors that the cancer was much more aggressive than originally believed.  This was not the news we all wanted to hear.  In fact, this was Mandys worst fear.  This meant that now she would have to have 18 months of chemotherapy along with some radiation.  this has involved many appointments and scans leading up to her chemotherapy sessions.


     The chemotherapy plans is for Mandy to have a four hour session every three weeks, for a total of six treatments.  This initial round of chemo will contain four medications and will be the sessions in which she will incur the most and harshest side effects.  Following this protocol, her treatment will drop two (lesser evil) of the medicines, every three weeks, most likely along with radiation, for the remainder of her treatment plan.


     In the beginning Mandy was hopeful, as the news was a good as a breast cancer diagnosis could be.  Mandy woke up from surgery and was shocked and angry at what was found.  Mandy and her village are ready to rage war on this cancer.  As would any mother, Mandy's immediate thoughts were of her children and the worry of not being able to be here for them. She will be victorious as she has throughout any, and all trials incurred throughout her life .  This family is full of warriors and survivors and Mandy is THE STORM!