From Diagnosis to Determination: Brandie’s Story of Hope During Sarcoma Awareness Month
Honoring Sarcoma Awareness Month
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising visibility for one of the rarest and most complex forms of cancer. Sarcomas account for less than 1% of adult cancers and include over 80 distinct subtypes that affect connective tissues like muscles, fat, and bones.
This month, we’re highlighting the powerful story of Brandie, a nurse, traveler, and fierce advocate, whose experience with uterine sarcoma reveals the resilience, strength, and urgency behind increased awareness and specialist care.
A Life Interrupted
Brandie, a registered nurse living in Northern California, was leading an active, fulfilling life—traveling, working as an educator, and enjoying time with her cat Toby and her partner Brad. But in the summer of 2021, she began experiencing worsening pelvic symptoms, which she attributed to fibroids—something she had been told about years earlier.
“I just assumed it was a fibroid,” Brandie said. But after an elective hysterectomy, she received devastating news: it wasn’t a benign growth—it was a rare and aggressive uterine sarcoma.
The Battle Begins
What followed was a whirlwind of treatments: two chemotherapy regimens, extensive radiation, and multiple surgeries. Despite her medical background, Brandie was blindsided by how aggressive and resistant sarcoma could be. “Sarcoma doesn’t behave like other cancers,” she shared. “It’s its own beast.”
When treatments failed and her tumor grew, Brandie took control. She traveled to top institutions—M.D. Anderson, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and City of Hope—in search of hope. It was at City of Hope where her story took a turning point.
A Serendipitous Discovery
There, Brandie met a surgeon whose Instagram handle—@SarcomaSurgeon—she had come across during early research. That same surgeon led a 14-hour operation involving five specialists to remove her tumor, reconstruct her organs, and save her life.
“My insides have been like MacGyvered,” she said, reflecting on the complexity of the surgery, which involved partial bladder and colon removal, ureter rerouting, and vascular grafting.
Finding Hope Amid Setbacks
Post-surgery, her doctor said something she hadn’t heard before: “I consider you to be cured.” For the first time since her diagnosis, Brandie allowed herself to feel a sense of victory. But just three months later, a small lung nodule—metastatic sarcoma—was discovered. It was surgically removed, and follow-up scans in January 2024 were clear.
Living with a New Normal
Though cancer-free, Brandie now navigates life with physical challenges: nerve damage, a colostomy, and severe urinary complications. But she faces it all with remarkable grace.
“Nobody has to know I have a colostomy. It’s honestly improved my quality of life,” she said. “I can travel again. I can plan girls' trips. I can live.”
Advocacy and Awareness
Brandie shares her story to empower others facing sarcoma. Her message is clear:
“If you’re ever diagnosed with sarcoma, the first thing you do is find a sarcoma specialist. Not just an oncologist—a true sarcoma expert.”
She also reminds us that support doesn’t end with remission. “I’ll be scanned every four months for the rest of my life. The fear never really goes away.”
A Call to Action
Brandie’s journey is a powerful reminder of the importance of early specialist care, patient self-advocacy, and continued support for survivors. During Sarcoma Awareness Month, let her story inspire action—donate to sarcoma research, support patients navigating rare cancers, and most importantly, spread awareness.
Because behind every statistic is a survivor like Brandie—fighting with heart, healing with hope, and living life on her own terms.
About the Patient Story
The Patient Story shares authentic patient experiences with compassion and scientific rigor. Starting with cancer and expanding to other conditions, the platform combines patient narratives with medically vetted information on symptoms, clinical trials, insurance, and support—presented in a human-centered way.
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This blog was reviewed by Dr. Sourabh Kharait.
This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your treatment plan, hydration strategies, or diet. The information provided here is based on general insights and may not apply to individual circumstances.
