Support Brooke's Journey
Below you'll find detailed medical information, timeline updates, and ways to help. This page is updated regularly to keep everyone informed about Brooke's progress and needs.
brookewjames
1h
As much as I wish it weren't true, the diagnosis is clear: I have cancer.
Non-Hodgkin's aggressive B-cell lymphoma.
Some of you already know, but many don't. And since so many have been reaching out, it feels easier to share all at once.
Almost three weeks ago, I delivered our healthy, beautiful baby boy. It was everything I hoped for—I got my dream delivery. But instead of breathing freely, I was gasping for air. Rib pain grew until I couldn't even stand without choking. Lying down was impossible, so I sat upright night after night, feeding my newborn while fighting just to fill my lungs.
Twelve days later, I broke down and went to the ER. After hours of waiting, the doctor said:
"Your left lung is collapsed with more than a gallon of fluid pressing against it. There's a large mass in your chest. It's pushed your heart over, and your right lung isn't at full capacity either."
Since then, I've had over 5 liters of fluid drained, two biopsies, and two hospital stays. Now it's confirmed: aggressive B-cell lymphoma. They found two other spots, and I'll have a PET scan to check the rest of my body. I've been admitted again for my first week of chemo. The plan is 6 cycles: one week in the hospital, then home for about a week and a half, then back for another week of chemo (about 6 months).
The hardest part: last night was my last night breastfeeding my baby boy. That has been such a heartbreak. We've been graciously gifted donated breastmilk, and I'm hoping we can continue to find support in that way.
Through all of this, I've been carried—by Andrew, my mom, my mother-in-law, a friend and a sister who even feed my baby when I can't—and by so many prayers and acts of love.
What helps most right now is anything that takes weight off Andrew's shoulders: play dates for the kids, meals, visits, or simply bringing some normalcy. If anyone has breastmilk to share or could even help as a wet nurse, it would mean the world.
This still feels like a bad dream, but we're holding onto hope, gratitude, and faith. Grateful for every kindness. Grateful for this beautiful boy in my arms. And grateful for a community that keeps lifting us when we can't lift ourselves. ❤️
Diagnosis
B-Cell Lymphoma
Diagnosed
September 13, 2025
Treatment
6 months planned
Family
Dad (Andrew) + 4 kids, ages 8, 6, 3, 2 weeks
Baby Born
Brooke's 4th child born healthy - a beautiful baby boy!
Initial Symptoms
Fluid buildup in lungs, difficulty breathing
First Hospital Visit
Fluid drained from lungs, biopsy taken
Return to Hospital
More fluid buildup, oxygen levels dropping to 87%
Oncologist Consultation
Dr. Lincoln Nadal consultation and diagnosis discussion
Heart Ultrasound with Contrast
Heart ultrasound with contrast completed for treatment mapping
PET Scan
Full body scan to establish treatment baseline - completed September 15th
Port Surgery
Surgery to install chemotherapy port - completed successfully! Brooke woke up happy and recovered well from sedation
Treatment Begins
Chemotherapy started September 15th and is ongoing. First round is 24 hours long - Brooke is currently in hospital about halfway through and doing well so far
Additional Test Results
Pathology results to determine exact lymphoma subtype
Hospital Stay
A few more days at the hospital after chemo starts
Home Recovery
Return home for recovery period between treatment cycles
📏Tumor Sizes & Locations
Primary Mass (Mediastinum)
Size: 16 x 8 x 9 centimeters
That's 6.3 x 3.1 x 3.5 inches
About the size of a fist
Location:
Front of chest, behind ribcage
Between the lungs (mediastinum)
Causing fluid buildup around the lungs (Pleural Effusion) and what made Brooke's left lung collapse
Secondary Masses
Small chest mass: 2 cm
About 0.8 inches
Near the primary tumor
Abdominal mass: 4 x 2 cm
About 1.6 x 0.8 inches
Behind stomach, against back wall
Aggressive B-Cell Lymphoma (Non-Hodgkin's)
A form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma arising from white blood cells
Biopsy confirmed aggressive B-cell lymphoma. This is a cancer of the lymphatic system that affects B-cells (white blood cells that help fight infections).
Sister Had Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Sister was diagnosed at age 18, successfully treated and cured
Family history of lymphoma, though different type (Hodgkin's vs non-Hodgkin's). Hodgkin's generally has better outcomes.
4th Child Born August 27th
Healthy baby boy born just weeks before diagnosis
Baby is healthy and doing well. Timing of diagnosis so soon after birth adds complexity to treatment planning.
6-Month Treatment Plan
Chemotherapy every 3-4 weeks for approximately 6 months
Standard treatment duration for this type of lymphoma, with treatments spaced to allow body recovery between cycles.
Exact Lymphoma Subtype
Could be DLBCL, double-hit lymphoma, or primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma
Why it matters: Determines specific treatment approach and intensity
Complete Disease Staging
Full extent of cancer spread throughout the body
Why it matters: Determines treatment intensity and duration - affects prognosis
Bone Marrow Involvement
Bone marrow biopsy completed - results pending
Why it matters: Affects treatment plan and prognosis significantly
Specific Chemotherapy Regimen
Will be either R-CHOP or dose-adjusted R-EPOCH
Why it matters: Different regimens have different side effects and schedules
Hodgkin's vs Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Sister had this)
Cancer that spreads in an orderly manner from one lymph node group to the next
- • Contains Reed-Sternberg cells
- • More predictable spread pattern
- • Often diagnosed at earlier stages
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (Brooke has this)
Cancer that can appear in various parts of the body simultaneously
- • Does not contain Reed-Sternberg cells
- • Can spread unpredictably
- • More diverse group of cancers
Possible B-Cell Lymphoma Subtypes
Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL)
Most common type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Fast-growing but often curable with treatment
Usually R-CHOP chemotherapy
Good - 60-70% cure rate
Double-Hit Lymphoma
Aggressive lymphoma with specific genetic changes
More aggressive than standard DLBCL
Dose-adjusted R-EPOCH (more intensive)
More challenging but still treatable
Primary Mediastinal B-Cell Lymphoma
Starts in the chest area (mediastinum)
Often affects young adults, especially women
R-CHOP or dose-adjusted R-EPOCH
Generally good outcomes with treatment
What's the difference between Hodgkin's and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma?
The main difference is in the type of cells involved and how the cancer spreads. Hodgkin's contains Reed-Sternberg cells and spreads in an orderly pattern, while Non-Hodgkin's (like Brooke has) can appear in various parts of the body and spreads less predictably. Hodgkin's generally has better cure rates.
Why are there different subtypes of B-cell lymphoma?
Different subtypes behave differently and require different treatments. Some grow faster, some respond better to certain medications, and some have different prognoses. That's why the exact subtype testing is so important for planning the right treatment approach.
What does 'aggressive' mean in cancer terms?
Aggressive means the cancer grows and spreads quickly. While this sounds scary, aggressive lymphomas often respond very well to treatment because the fast-growing cells are more vulnerable to chemotherapy.
How will treatment affect daily life?
Treatment will be given every 3-4 weeks for about 6 months. Side effects vary but may include fatigue, nausea, hair loss, and increased infection risk. Many people can maintain some normal activities between treatments.
What's the prognosis?
The medical team is calm and confident about the treatment plan. Brooke feels calm and confident and excited to be healed of this and address underlying health issues she didn't know she was dealing with. The team has expressed optimism about successful treatment outcomes.
How does having a newborn affect treatment?
Having a newborn adds complexity to treatment planning, especially regarding infection prevention and energy management. The medical team will work to balance effective treatment with family needs.
🍽️Meal Train
We have a meal train set up to help coordinate meals for the family during treatment. You can sign up to bring meals or donate gift cards.
🔗 Sign up here:
https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/4g8g0m📧 For gift card donations:
When donating gift cards (DoorDash, etc.), use this email: a@eyeballdivision.com
🍼Breast Milk Support
If you are willing to donate breast milk and have a young child or baby and you're still actively breastfeeding, and you would like to donate. Accepting any donations or if you know somebody, especially a call-out if you know anybody who has a baby that's a similar age. For example, if there was a mom that had a 2-month-old baby that had extra breast milk that she wanted to donate, that would be extra valuable to find milk closer to the age of the newborn if possible.
👶Childcare & Family Support
With 4 kids (ages 8, 6, 3, and 2 weeks), any help with childcare takes weight off Andrew's shoulders.
- • Play dates for the older kids
- • Babysitting to give Andrew breaks
- • Simply bringing some normalcy to the kids' routines
💝Other Ways to Help
- • Gift cards for gas, groceries, or household needs
- • Help with transportation to medical appointments
- • Visits to bring encouragement and normalcy
- • Prayers and emotional support