Britt's Battle with Cancer and rare LMD

Hi there,

Reaching out to loving family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and other caring individuals…

We would like to share the story of a wonderful human being, Brittney (Oake) Upman, and her battle with cancer.

As some of you already know, Britt is currently fighting for her life and just spent her 33rd birthday in the ICU. This past Spring, Britt started experiencing concerning symptoms that were affecting her health and life in many ways (hearing loss, headaches, etc). She demonstrated strength and persistence as she urgently navigated a variety of doctor visits, tests, medications, and procedures in the months to come. As her health continued to decline, she received the results back of a second brain MRI and another spinal tap.

Things quickly intensified as Britt’s fears were confirmed with a diagnosis of late-stage adenocarcinoma. Sadly, the results also showed that the aggressive cancer cells had already metastasized to her central nervous system and resulted in Leptomeningeal Disease. Leptomeningeal Disease (LMD), also known as leptomeningeal metastases (LM) or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC), is a rare complication in which late-stage cancer cells spread to your cerebrospinal fluid and leptomeninges (the membranes that surround your brain and spinal cord). There have been some advancements in research, clinical trials, and treatments the last couple of years for this brutal disease, however immense challenges remain. Through further advanced DNA testing at Memorial Sloan Kettering and Mt Sinai doctors have concluded that the cancer originated in her GI tract.

Britt’s case is unacceptably rare, and doctors refer to her case as the one in a million. Recently, Britt underwent brain surgery and now has a shunt in place to help alleviate the buildup of pressure on her brain. She continues to fight, and we pray that a combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and proton radiation will make Britt the one in a million to beat this vicious disease and return home to her son, husband, family, and friends.

Britt is a beautiful person inside and out. She is an amazing Mom to her son Jett, and wife to her husband, Mike. She is also an incredible daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and friend to many. Britt celebrated her son’s first birthday in May and would do anything to have more time with him and her family. She is loved by so many and has been there for so many of us.

Thank you for taking the time to read some of Britt’s story and for keeping her in your thoughts. Please continue to send all your love, prayers, positive vibes, and messages of strength. Please follow the link below to make any contribution you can and/or share this page with others as well. Thank you!

We love you Britt <3