‘Scary’ Tumor Battle: ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star Bird Brown, 28, Is Getting Help From Cancer Survivor Mom

But in a recent post to Instagram, she gave a shout-out to her lung cancer-surviving mother Ami Brown, her sister Rain Brown and her late father Billy Brown, who died of a seizure at age 68 in 2021, for their support during her health struggles.

“One year ago today I got my surgery to remove the [borderline] tumors,” she wrote on Instagram.

“It was a hard fight and I'd be lying if I said it wasn't scary but it's a fight I didn't do alone and I'm so thankful to everyone that was there for me specially my mom who was there every day and rain who never left my side and I know da would have been there and was looking down the whole time. And it's a fight that isn't over yet but One thing I know is with faith and family anything is possible.”

In response to the post, Ami Brown took the time to pen a heartwarming comment to show her love and support for her daughter.

“Baby girl, you were so very brave that day,” she wrote. “I wanted, to walk with you, to the operating room. It broke my heart seeing you wheeled away. Due, to Covid, I was unable, to accompany you, but know how very proud, of you that I was, and am, of you.

“May many years of good health fill your life! Blessings my sweet! I love you! More!”

 

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A post shared by Bird Brown (@snowbird907brown)

What Type of Tumor Did the ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star Have?

Bird Brown said she had borderline tumors removed. What does this mean?

Having a borderline ovarian tumor, according to The University of Chicago Medicine, means that the tumor is “not invasive but also not completely benign [noncancerous].” They are often referred to as "low malignant potential" tumors and some are more likely to spread than others.

Treatment for “nearly all borderline tumors” only requires surgery, but patients need to continue long-term follow-up care. In a previous video for her followers, Bird explained what her follow-up care has entailed.

"They could come back," Bird said of her two “very large” tumors. "Likely that they will. So, I've been having a close eye kept on me. Getting my blood work done every two months, just about. And, you know, just making sure they haven't come back."

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Bird said she had “fully recovered” from the surgery during that video, but explained that doctors were monitoring a “fluid buildup” in her scar tissue. Now, she’s faced with the difficult decision of whether or not to undergo a hysterectomy to reduce her risk of cancer.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and, most likely, the cervix. The surgery can also include the removal of surrounding organs and tissues such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Finding Support During a Health Battle

It’s no secret that cancer or any other health battle can be both physically and emotionally exhausting. That’s why it’s important to have friends and family in your corner to support you when you need it most.

But finding that support is not always simple. When Robyn Smith was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, for example, she wasn’t sure how she’d build a support system because her job meant that she wasn’t home very often.

Thankfully, her church community stepped up. And her pastor even made the effort to regularly bring Smith home-cooked meals.

Finding Support Through Her Church Ovarian Cancer Survivor Robyn Smith's Story

"[My pastor] would bring over like six meals that he had cooked all in that day, so they were super fresh, and I would chow through those," she said. "My appetite would never be better than that.

"I don't know what he did, but they were magical meals… It's amazing how things turn, and what you need you actually get."

Kate Hervey, on the other hand, turned to TikTok for support during her synovial sarcoma battle. After receiving her diagnosis as a young college girl, she decided to share her journey to social media.

Inspiring College Student, 20, Builds Community on TikTok Sharing Her Cancer Journey During COVID-19

"One thing that was nice about TikTok that I loved and why I started posting more and more videos is how many people I was able to meet through TikTok and social media that are going through the same things," Hervey said.

"I still text with this one girl who is 22. If I'm having a hard time, I will text her because she will understand. As much as my family and friends are supportive, it's hard to vent to someone who doesn't know what it's really like."

Now cancer-free, Hervey says she couldn't have made it through without the love and support of her TikTok family.

"I feel like I've made an impact on other people and they have made an impact on me through TikTok, which is crazy to say," she said. "I can help people go through what I've been going through as well."

Overall, know you’re not alone if you’re faced with a health battle. Finding support during your time of need can make a huge difference, so it can be helpful to try to be vulnerable with some people.

You can turn to friends, family, social media, community groups, mental health experts or a variety of other places for support. There are no right or wrong answers when it comes to finding support, but it’s important the effort is there.

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