Bo Brown Memorial Fund
Our own “due diligence” warrants us to know the story, the reason, and of course where does my donation go. Although detailed, I feel the story of Bo Brown will tell you the fight and hard work and what he endured to “earn “ your donation you worked so hard for.
Bo Brown
Bo grew up in the farming industry harvesting Hybrid Grass Seeds of Texas. At an early age Bo began his legacy as a highly accomplished Certified Welder and contractor. Bo graduated from Southwest Texas State University, (now Texas State University) in San Marcos Texas with a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Management. He later was a part-time Instructor for the University’s Ag. Department.
Looking around Hays and surrounding counties you see some of Bo’s many construction accomplishments. Bo built commercial buildings, homes, stair cases, custom trailers, cattle barns, range fencing and even detailed custom BBQ pits. Bo turned a 40 acre sunflower field into a working cattle farm with thriving Texas native grasses, and a home full of love and wonderful memories.
Bo had a passion for the outdoors. Bo, a licensed boat Captain, was often found sport hunting or fishing throughout Texas and Alaska. He cherished the summers spent at their Alaska cabin with wife Brenda, daughters Whitney and Kendall and his beloved son in law Conor and many friends. When the Alaska salmon ran, Bo ran with them. When the halibut swam deep, he dropped the bait deep, catching a 200 pound trophy he happily shared with their Alaska and Texas friends. Bo proudly hung a set of horns from a Texas Longhorn on a BBQ cabana he built next to their Alaska cabin he had named the “Moose Hooch”. Bo said, “Everyone here has a set of moose horns hanging above the door, but I don’t see any Texas Longhorns. Texas has arrived”.
Bo spent many years active in the youth programs of 4-H, FFA, TCCA, and many other cattle organizations as a Program Leader. As an original coach of the Hays County Livestock Judging Team, Bo not only led many youth to successful competitions; he worked to enhanced their knowledge and respect of the farming and animal industry. He guided and gave advice on many Agriculture Mechanic and animal projects. He believed it was not just about the “winning”, but about helping to grow our future in the overall Agriculture industry.
In 2009 Bo was told he had a skin cancer like many people get from working in the sun. As a welder and working outside, he knew this could happen from the glare and rays of both items. He used sunscreen and wore hats and it still happened. He did as we all are told and “took care of it”. Unfortunately, the dermatologist did not follow thru on the full treatment for his type of cancer. The biopsy showed Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC). MAC is a rare tumor attacking the perineural parts of the body. Cranial nerves (also cerebral nerves), are nerves emerging directly from the brain or brainstem. It travels along the nerve endings. MAC is an aggressive adnexal carcinoma and most commonly occurs in the head and neck region. Bo’s tumor was by his left eyebrow. Bo left the dermatologist office being told they had removed the squamous cell carcinoma (they said they “got it all”) and continued with life. The treatment of radiation was never mentioned and the physician never told him the final biopsy result was MAC. As a Wound Care Registered Nurse I would have looked it up and known he needed radiation to complete his treatment.
In 2012 I noticed a lump that looked like a thick scar on his left eyebrow. I told him he needed to get that one taken care of as it looked like he had another skin cancer. He promptly sought treatment with a wonderful and intelligent dermatologist. Using MOHS procedure the dermatologist removed it. The biopsy came back as MAC. The physician immediately educated us on MAC and took care of setting up radiation. When he checked Bo’s previous records from the first dermatologist, he saw the biopsy results of MAC and asked why Bo did not have radiation. At that time the MAC diagnosis and the need for further treatment was never mentioned. Bo began a long regimen of radiation to the brow and forehead area. I can tell you radiation has much worse effects on the skin than that of the sun. The treatment complete, another MRI done and we were told by the radiologist “it’s done” and to go on back home.
Less than a month later I noticed his left face begin to droop. He was alert, fully oriented and I knew in my heart “IT” was back. More MRI’s, more physicians and then the “best” neurologist in the local area saw Bo. He read another MRI and said he had Bell’s Palsy and to go home, it will pass. MAC, of course does not “pass” and the nerves it was attacking were shown on the MRI, deep into Bo’s head. Desperate, I called his current Dermatologist and he took us in immediately. One look at Bo and that very day he called a neurosurgeon. On a Friday afternoon, the neurosurgeon looked at one of the 4 recent MRI’s and had us at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX the following Monday. We were asked over and over how those “specialists” could have missed seeing it on those MRI’s. I am not a specialist, but even I could see it. We will never know the answer.
Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma is a “mean” cancer and when you mess with it, and “make it mad”, it comes back with a vengeance. Bo’s cancer was now wrapped around the 5th, 6th and 7th cranial nerves. It was 2millimeters from his brain and they could not perform surgery. Bo began Chemo and radiation treatments. He was in Houston everyday, so I rented a hotel room for over 3 months. The cost was less than that of an apartment in that area. Many friends and family would stay with Bo so I could continue to work. After all, we had to pay for the hotel, medications, food, medical insurance and try to pay the bills at home and Houston.
He soon was blind in his left eye and it was decided to remove the eye and left the socket open to try and close like a regular wound would do. MAC saw this as an opportunity, and spread, and spread…
Bo did not give up and would work, and laugh with our daughters and help friends on projects. He continued to live life. The open wound now covered over 80% of his left face. He endured and with an angel on his shoulder Bo kept going. The cancer spread to his left jaw parietal gland and his jaw clenched. The feeding tube they put in came out and Bo would push food up and around his teeth to eat. He would talk with a clenched jaw. He endured.
In October 2014 I contacted Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and spoke with the lead physician of the face transplant team. Within a few days we were now in Baltimore. Almost two months with him in the hospital, and me at a local hotel. Together, we endured. We came home just before our 38th wedding anniversary with a successful left face flap repair. We were told it was the largest one they had ever done. We returned home December 2, 2014.
In February 2015, after a long battle with Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma (MAC), Bo suddenly fell in my arms as I kissed him and said I love you. Bo passed within minutes at our home in Texas.
Bo was a hard worker and a good man As a part time instructor at Texas State University in the Ag. Mechanics department, he instructed his many students about the hazards and effects of welding. Bo asked for a memorial fund to be set up to help current and future high school Agriculture Mechanic students. All donations, (100%) will be used to set up the Bo Brown Memorial Fund, which will benefit the Grand Champion Ag. Mechanic project at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show in his home town of San Marcos, Texas. Hopefully, we will have enough donations to carry Bo’s legacy on for many years. We plan to educate welders and others for many years to always have skin cancer treated by a knowledgeable physician.
I thank you for helping me to continue to fight the battle and educate others with the Bo Brown Memorial Fund. In loving memory, Brenda Brown.
Our own “due diligence” warrants us to know the story, the reason, and of course where does my donation go. Although detailed, I feel the story of Bo Brown will tell you the fight and hard work and what he endured to “earn “ your donation you worked so hard for.
Bo Brown
Bo grew up in the farming industry harvesting Hybrid Grass Seeds of Texas. At an early age Bo began his legacy as a highly accomplished Certified Welder and contractor. Bo graduated from Southwest Texas State University, (now Texas State University) in San Marcos Texas with a Bachelors degree in Agriculture Management. He later was a part-time Instructor for the University’s Ag. Department.
Looking around Hays and surrounding counties you see some of Bo’s many construction accomplishments. Bo built commercial buildings, homes, stair cases, custom trailers, cattle barns, range fencing and even detailed custom BBQ pits. Bo turned a 40 acre sunflower field into a working cattle farm with thriving Texas native grasses, and a home full of love and wonderful memories.
Bo had a passion for the outdoors. Bo, a licensed boat Captain, was often found sport hunting or fishing throughout Texas and Alaska. He cherished the summers spent at their Alaska cabin with wife Brenda, daughters Whitney and Kendall and his beloved son in law Conor and many friends. When the Alaska salmon ran, Bo ran with them. When the halibut swam deep, he dropped the bait deep, catching a 200 pound trophy he happily shared with their Alaska and Texas friends. Bo proudly hung a set of horns from a Texas Longhorn on a BBQ cabana he built next to their Alaska cabin he had named the “Moose Hooch”. Bo said, “Everyone here has a set of moose horns hanging above the door, but I don’t see any Texas Longhorns. Texas has arrived”.
Bo spent many years active in the youth programs of 4-H, FFA, TCCA, and many other cattle organizations as a Program Leader. As an original coach of the Hays County Livestock Judging Team, Bo not only led many youth to successful competitions; he worked to enhanced their knowledge and respect of the farming and animal industry. He guided and gave advice on many Agriculture Mechanic and animal projects. He believed it was not just about the “winning”, but about helping to grow our future in the overall Agriculture industry.
In 2009 Bo was told he had a skin cancer like many people get from working in the sun. As a welder and working outside, he knew this could happen from the glare and rays of both items. He used sunscreen and wore hats and it still happened. He did as we all are told and “took care of it”. Unfortunately, the dermatologist did not follow thru on the full treatment for his type of cancer. The biopsy showed Microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC). MAC is a rare tumor attacking the perineural parts of the body. Cranial nerves (also cerebral nerves), are nerves emerging directly from the brain or brainstem. It travels along the nerve endings. MAC is an aggressive adnexal carcinoma and most commonly occurs in the head and neck region. Bo’s tumor was by his left eyebrow. Bo left the dermatologist office being told they had removed the squamous cell carcinoma (they said they “got it all”) and continued with life. The treatment of radiation was never mentioned and the physician never told him the final biopsy result was MAC. As a Wound Care Registered Nurse I would have looked it up and known he needed radiation to complete his treatment.
In 2012 I noticed a lump that looked like a thick scar on his left eyebrow. I told him he needed to get that one taken care of as it looked like he had another skin cancer. He promptly sought treatment with a wonderful and intelligent dermatologist. Using MOHS procedure the dermatologist removed it. The biopsy came back as MAC. The physician immediately educated us on MAC and took care of setting up radiation. When he checked Bo’s previous records from the first dermatologist, he saw the biopsy results of MAC and asked why Bo did not have radiation. At that time the MAC diagnosis and the need for further treatment was never mentioned. Bo began a long regimen of radiation to the brow and forehead area. I can tell you radiation has much worse effects on the skin than that of the sun. The treatment complete, another MRI done and we were told by the radiologist “it’s done” and to go on back home.
Less than a month later I noticed his left face begin to droop. He was alert, fully oriented and I knew in my heart “IT” was back. More MRI’s, more physicians and then the “best” neurologist in the local area saw Bo. He read another MRI and said he had Bell’s Palsy and to go home, it will pass. MAC, of course does not “pass” and the nerves it was attacking were shown on the MRI, deep into Bo’s head. Desperate, I called his current Dermatologist and he took us in immediately. One look at Bo and that very day he called a neurosurgeon. On a Friday afternoon, the neurosurgeon looked at one of the 4 recent MRI’s and had us at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX the following Monday. We were asked over and over how those “specialists” could have missed seeing it on those MRI’s. I am not a specialist, but even I could see it. We will never know the answer.
Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma is a “mean” cancer and when you mess with it, and “make it mad”, it comes back with a vengeance. Bo’s cancer was now wrapped around the 5th, 6th and 7th cranial nerves. It was 2millimeters from his brain and they could not perform surgery. Bo began Chemo and radiation treatments. He was in Houston everyday, so I rented a hotel room for over 3 months. The cost was less than that of an apartment in that area. Many friends and family would stay with Bo so I could continue to work. After all, we had to pay for the hotel, medications, food, medical insurance and try to pay the bills at home and Houston.
He soon was blind in his left eye and it was decided to remove the eye and left the socket open to try and close like a regular wound would do. MAC saw this as an opportunity, and spread, and spread…
Bo did not give up and would work, and laugh with our daughters and help friends on projects. He continued to live life. The open wound now covered over 80% of his left face. He endured and with an angel on his shoulder Bo kept going. The cancer spread to his left jaw parietal gland and his jaw clenched. The feeding tube they put in came out and Bo would push food up and around his teeth to eat. He would talk with a clenched jaw. He endured.
In October 2014 I contacted Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and spoke with the lead physician of the face transplant team. Within a few days we were now in Baltimore. Almost two months with him in the hospital, and me at a local hotel. Together, we endured. We came home just before our 38th wedding anniversary with a successful left face flap repair. We were told it was the largest one they had ever done. We returned home December 2, 2014.
In February 2015, after a long battle with Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma (MAC), Bo suddenly fell in my arms as I kissed him and said I love you. Bo passed within minutes at our home in Texas.
Bo was a hard worker and a good man As a part time instructor at Texas State University in the Ag. Mechanics department, he instructed his many students about the hazards and effects of welding. Bo asked for a memorial fund to be set up to help current and future high school Agriculture Mechanic students. All donations, (100%) will be used to set up the Bo Brown Memorial Fund, which will benefit the Grand Champion Ag. Mechanic project at the Hays County Youth Livestock Show in his home town of San Marcos, Texas. Hopefully, we will have enough donations to carry Bo’s legacy on for many years. We plan to educate welders and others for many years to always have skin cancer treated by a knowledgeable physician.
I thank you for helping me to continue to fight the battle and educate others with the Bo Brown Memorial Fund. In loving memory, Brenda Brown.