Jody A. Brown's third fight with breast cancer

Jody was originally diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer in Fall of 1999.  The type of breast cancer she has is rare due to over of the course of all the diagnosis her blood work has been normal.  Her body does not see the cancer as a bad thing and therefore does not fight against it.  Through many complications with surgery, medications, and treatments (IV chemotherapy, radiation, Tamoxifen, etc.), Jody was able to beat round 1 of the cancer which we named “The Beast” and received the news that she was in remission in May 2000. 

 

Fast-forward to fall of 2015.  Jody began having upper respiratory issues.  Her symptoms included a very distinctive cough, this cough would become worse every time she talked.  Over the course of the next four years, Jody would be seen by many healthcare providers which completed numerous rounds of lab work and chest x-rays.  However, even with a history of Breast Cancer, no doctor would complete a CT scan.  Some of the diagnosis that Jody received was Asthma, COPD, Nasal Drainage, Vocal Cord Disorder, Mental Health issues, etc. 

 

In early 2019, a new symptom was added, when Jody laid down to go to sleep at night, she was fine.  However, upon waking up in the morning, Jody’s face and neck were not only very swollen but would change colors (black/blue).  Within three hours of Jody being awake the colors would fade, and the swelling would go down, but never fully away.  It was at this time Jody and her husband Mike began documenting pictures of this new concern. 

 

It wasn’t until April of 2019, when Jody was able to see a specialty ENT provider that the inevitable diagnosis was found.  This provider was amazing and took the time to listen to Jody, reviewed the pictures, and then decided to scope her throat.  Upon passing the scope, the provider determined that a portion of her epiglottis was dead.  The ENT provider sent her in for an emergency CT scan the following night.  The following Monday, we received the news that there was a tumor within her chest wall.  From there her care team grew as they rushed to figure out what was going on.  

 

After being admitted to the hospital to undergo numerous tests, we found out that there were four tumors throughout her body.  The main tumor resided in her chest wall which was intertwined within her heart (Superior Vena Cava vein), wrapped around her entire trachea, and then ended with a portion crushing her right lung.  We were informed that the swelling and discoloration that began happening while she was sleeping was that of the main tumor cutting off her oxygen supply to her head/neck while she was lying flat.  We were also informed that they believed this was a slow growing tumor which was probably in her chest wall for at least 8 years.

 

On April 25, 2019, we received the news that this was her original breast cancer that had metastasized; she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Metastasized Breast Cancer.  Jody’s decision was to go through treatment a second time to beat the Beast again.  This time around she completed emergency chemotherapy, Neulasta injections, and then oral chemotherapy.  Due to the size and location of the main tumor surgery and radiation were not a possibility. At the end of 2019, we were informed that the treatments worked and even though the scans were clear, she would always hold this diagnosis as no one knew if or when the Beast would return.  It was at this time she began oral chemotherapy in which she was supposed to be on for the rest of her life.  However, after having numerous complications (e.g., cardiac, loss of vision, etc.) to the oral chemotherapy, Jody ended up stopping this form of treatment in July 2020.

 

Fast-forward to the end of 2021 when Jody’s distinctive cough returned once again, along with specified upper respiratory symptoms.  As she went in for her 3-month lab and 6-month CT scan follow-up at the end of January 2022, we received the news that the Beast has returned yet again.  A PET scan confirmed three tumors within her chest wall (same area as before) touching her right lung and trachea.  With this information Jody will begin radiation treatments.  Jody will be receiving radiation treatments everyday (Monday – Friday) for the course of the 6 – 8 weeks.  With the radiation treatments, there will still be various side effects and the potential for more life-threatening issues, like we saw with her chemotherapy treatments.  Only time will tell if this form of treatment will work for the best.  

 

Jody was forced to retire in fall of 2019 due to her second round of cancer.  Her husband Mike recently retired to spend more quality time with Jody, their children, family, and friends.  From the 2019 diagnosis they had depleted savings and had to dip into their retirement funds to help with specified costs.  While they were both working, they had regular medical insurance, but now their medical insurance is limited.   One PET scan alone totals $10,000.  As of now we know that their medical insurance will not pick up the full cost of this scan, let alone full costs of any further testing, scans (e.g., CT scans, etc.), and/or treatments (e.g., radiation, chemotherapy, etc.) that is needed.

The family would like to thank everyone for prayers and support throughout the years. If you are also financially struggling in these trying times we completely understand and would instead wish that you take the time to share this story. Any donation or help would be greatly appreciated!