Turning compassion to action- helping Brandy fight

Hey everyone! Meet our friend Brandy, the most selfless, giving, caring, and positive person we've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

Brandy is employed with O'Reilly Auto Parts, and many have been lucky enough to meet her while on her delivery routes to the local car dealerships.

In April of this year, she was being treated by her primary care physician for an ear infection and pain in her neck and ear. Worried that the meds weren't helping because of unbearable pain, she went to the ER and underwent a CAT scan, where an ear infection turned into a diagnosis of stage 4 head and neck cancer of the parotid gland.

She started 2 rounds of chemotherapy, the first being 6 sessions, 3 times a week.

Brandy worked through every single session. She'd go to work in the mornings, leave for chemo, and go right back to work to finish her shifts.

She was able to complete the first 6 sessions and started her second round, but unfortunately, had to cancel chemo after she got severely sick and could no longer work. Selflessly, Brandy put working to take care of her family over her health and decided to not continue chemotherapy.

On July 29th, she had surgery to remove the parotid gland and a second tumor mass surrounding another unidentified cancer.

She is currently undergoing proton therapy for 6 weeks, 5 days a week, to kill any cancer cells in her nasal pharyngeal area and against her skull base, surrounding her removed parotid gland. Again, clocking in, working a few hours, leaving for her treatment, and clocking back in to finish her shift.

Proton therapy has caused 3rd degree burns in her mouth, making her unable to eat or drink much of anything. A few weeks ago, at one of her appointments, her doctor informed her that her organs are being affected from the lack of nutrients she's getting from the inability to eat/drink.

Yet still, she's at work every single day. We've never heard her complain and haven't ever heard a negative word. She comes in smiling, talkative, and though you can physically see her pain and exhaustion, she'd never let you know.

In addition to her cancer diagnosis, Brandy has been the sole provider of her household for the past few years.

In 2016, her husband was diagnosed with a rare form of epilepsy. In 2020, he had a neuro-pace device placed in his brain to help shock his brain in the event of a seizure. He is permanently disabled, and the doctors project by the age of 45 he will have full onset dementia.

Brandy also has 3 children and a 1-year-old grandson she cares for in her home.

Aside from being our vendor and friend, she is also one of our customers. In August of this year, she traded in her vehicle after no longer physically being able to get in and out of her low-sitting sedan due to the toll her treatments were taking on her body.

We've been able to alleviate some of her financial strain by paying off her vehicle, hopeful to bring peace of mind and ensure transportation to ongoing and upcoming appointments.

Brandy's next PET scan is the 2nd week of December and while prayers are what she and her family need most, we're hopeful that our community can come together to raise funds to cover medical expenses, groceries, and household bills.

We understand that times are difficult for everyone, but if you're able to help at all, it would be greatly appreciated. A donation, a share, and/or a prayer, all are valuable.

If you've made it this far, thank you for reading!