Brandee's Boys

Back in July 2019, Brandee was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. This came as a huge shock to everyone at the time. Brandee began Chemotherapy treatment in August, which eventually turned into seven rounds. Brandee was an incredible woman and warrior, and we all watched in amazement as she demonstrated her strength and will to beat cancer.

Every scan and every doctor’s appointment during this time was good news. The chemo was working and everything was going well. Then in January 2020 she had mastectomy surgery. Two weeks following the surgery Brandee’s doctors gave her the all-clear. She had beaten breast cancer.

During this time, she was doing excellent, doing yoga, exercising to get healthy, eating well, giving herself every chance to live a long and cancer fee life. Her happiness revolved around loving her husband and children and spending every moment with them. A wonderful time for her and her family as they basked in her new found health.

Then it all changed in May of 2021 when Brandee found a new lump in her breast. The biggest fears of the family returned with the initial scans revealing that the cancer was back. These scans showed that the cancer had metastasized from her breast to her liver, sternum, and spine. In November of 2021 scans outlined the cancer had spread and that Brandee had several shattered vertebrae in her neck, highlighting the strength of this wonderful woman as she had not slowed down for a second.

After a long and courageous battle Brandee Alison Baker passed away peacefully on September 16, 2022 at 9:00 am. She was with loved ones and will be missed dearly. She leaves behind two small children, her husband and her loving extended family.

Brandee’s oldest son RJ is 9 years old and has been the same warrior he saw in his mom. He has been such a strong big brother to his younger brother throughout this whole experience. RJ and his mom Brandee shared in a mutual love of animals and art which brought them closer. RJ is on his way to being the next Robert Bateman (Brandee’s favorite artist).

Brandee’s youngest son Ethan is only 5 years old and has cerebral palsy. Cerebral palsy is a group of disorders that affect movement, muscle tone, balance, and posture. This means that Ethan cannot walk and struggles with daily activities. This does not mean that this has slowed him down by any means but it does add a lot of financial stress for the family in the way of accommodations, assistive devices, and other medical equipment. Ethan has also been a warrior like his mom.

Brandee loved these two so very much and wanted nothing more than to guide her boys through life. It is now up to us to hold the torch and help her husband honour her wishes. Ryan is left without his soulmate and a beautiful, loving, amazing woman by his side. He has lost a confidant, a wife, and his best friend. However, Brandee knows he too will be a warrior and raise their children in memory of their mother to be strong, amazing, wonderful little warriors too.