Andrew Pace
Brandi Maxiell, a former cast member of the VH1 reality show Basketball Wives, has been open about her struggles with ovarian cancer. Diagnosed at the young age of 24, Brandi underwent surgery and multiple rounds of chemotherapy before going into remission in 2009. She has since used her platform to raise awareness about ovarian cancer, advocating for early detection and sharing her journey to help others. In recent years, Brandi has faced health scares and potential cancer recurrence, along with severe COVID-19 complications, sparking concerns among her fans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Brandi Maxiell |
| Age | 40 |
| Occupation | Reality TV star, salon owner, cosmetics owner |
| TV shows | Basketball Wives, Basketball Wives LA, Access Hollywood, The Insider, E! |
| Cancer history | Ovarian cancer survivor, diagnosed at 24 |
| Cancer status | In remission as of 2009 |
| Current health status | Hospitalized with severe COVID-19 in 2020 |
| Family | Husband Jason Maxiell, son Jason II |
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What You'll Learn
Brandi Maxiell's ovarian cancer diagnosis and remission
Brandi Maxiell, a cast member of the reality TV show "Basketball Wives", has been very open about her battle with ovarian cancer. In 2007, at the age of 24, Brandi was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has described ovarian cancer as a "silent killer" because it can mimic other health issues and cannot be detected via a pap smear. By the time she was diagnosed, the cancer had already grown significantly.
Brandi underwent several rounds of chemotherapy and fought a tough battle with cancer. She received treatment with a platinum compound (carboplatin), which kills ovarian cancer cells, and a taxane like paclitaxel, a chemical compound that interferes with the growth of cancer cells. These drugs are typically administered intravenously every three to four weeks. Brandi's husband, Jason Maxiell, supported her throughout her treatment and even shaved his head to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.
By 2009, Brandi had achieved remission and was ready to start her life with Jason. They got married in August of that year and were excited to begin a family. However, the cancer and its treatment had impacted her fertility, and she struggled with infertility issues. Despite these challenges, Brandi and Jason welcomed their son, now 11 years old, and she cherishes her motherhood.
Brandi has worn the colour teal to bring awareness to ovarian cancer, especially during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September. She has also reflected on her cancer journey, stating that it matured her and Jason into adults and deepened her spirituality.
In recent years, Brandi has faced health scares, including a severe case of COVID-19 in 2020, which raised concerns about a potential cancer recurrence. However, it is unclear whether her cancer has returned, and she continues to embrace motherhood and share her story as a cancer survivor.
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Fertility struggles following cancer treatment
Brandi Maxiell, a cast member on VH1's "Basketball Wives LA", was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 24. She survived cancer and entered remission by August 2009, and she eventually got married and wanted to start a family. However, the cancer treatment took a toll on her body, and she struggled with fertility issues.
Cancer treatments can affect fertility in women, and this could be temporary or permanent. Treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can harm reproductive organs and glands that control fertility, causing primary ovarian insufficiency, also called premature ovarian failure. This can lead to symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, vaginal dryness, and irregular or absent menstrual periods. Chemotherapy can also reduce the number of eggs in the ovaries, and radiation therapy to the uterus can affect blood flow, increasing the risk of pregnancy-related complications.
Fertility preservation options are available for those who wish to become parents after cancer treatment. These include freezing eggs or sperm, and procedures like intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF, and IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI). It is important to discuss fertility concerns with a doctor or cancer care team before starting treatment to explore options for preserving fertility.
While cancer treatments are crucial for health, their side effects can be challenging. It is essential to consider the potential impact on fertility and explore available options for those who wish to become parents after treatment.
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Husband Jason Maxiell's infidelity during her cancer battle
In 2018, Brandi Maxiell's husband, Jason Maxiell, admitted to cheating on her with 341 women during their marriage. The retired NBA player made the confession on an episode of Iyanla: Fix My Life, shocking viewers. Brandi, who was under the impression that her high school sweetheart had only been unfaithful eight times, was devastated and left the interview in tears.
Brandi and Jason were kids when she was first diagnosed with cancer, and they matured during her treatment and remission. During this difficult period, Brandi continued to support Jason by attending his basketball games in Detroit and making plans to see concerts and spend time with friends and family. Despite her health struggles, she prioritized her partner's career and well-being.
Jason's infidelity occurred during their marriage, a time when Brandi was battling cancer and its after-effects. The stress and emotional impact of coping with a cancer diagnosis, as well as the physical toll of treatment, were significant challenges for Brandi. She also faced fertility issues due to the cancer treatment, which caused her additional distress and impacted her desire to start a family.
Brandi and Jason have a son together, Jason Maxiell II, who was six years old at the time of the 2018 interview. In the aftermath of the episode, Brandi shared images on Instagram without her wedding ring, leaving people questioning whether she had separated from Jason. However, she has since posted photos with her wedding ring, and it is unclear if they have remained together.
Brandi has expressed that her focus has shifted to being a mother and caring for her son, demonstrating her resilience and dedication to her child's well-being despite the challenges she has faced in her marriage.
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Cancer-related health scares and hospitalisations
In 2007, Brandi Maxiell, a cast member of the VH1 reality show "Basketball Wives LA)", was diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the age of 24. She underwent surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy before being declared cancer-free in 2008. By August 2009, she was in remission and ready to start a family with her husband, NBA player Jason Maxiell. However, the cancer treatments had taken a toll on her fertility, and she struggled with several failed IVF treatments.
In 2017, Brandi experienced a cancer-related health scare when she started feeling pain and tenderness in her breasts. Due to the link between ovarian and breast cancer, she sought medical advice and was referred to a breast cancer surgeon, Dr. Kristi Funk, for a breast exam and genetic testing. Dr. Funk performed the necessary tests to determine if she had any genetic predispositions to breast cancer or other types of cancer associated with ovarian cancer, such as uterine cancer, sarcoma, or brain tumors. This incident caused concern and highlighted the ongoing impact of her previous cancer diagnosis.
In 2020, Brandi faced another health challenge when she was hospitalized with severe complications from COVID-19. She experienced difficulty breathing due to the infection and was considered high-risk and immunocompromised due to her history of ovarian cancer. Her sister, Jayde Penn, requested prayers for Brandi's recovery, and fortunately, she was eventually released from the hospital. This hospitalization was unrelated to her previous battle with ovarian cancer but underscored the ongoing health considerations she faced as a cancer survivor.
Brandi has openly discussed her cancer journey and the impact it had on her life, including her struggles with fertility. She has embraced motherhood and shared her experiences to raise awareness and provide support to others facing similar challenges. She has also used her platform to share information about ovarian cancer, wearing the color teal to bring attention to National Ovarian Cancer Month in September.
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Raising awareness about ovarian cancer
Brandi Maxiell, a former cast member of the VH1 reality show "Basketball Wives LA", has been very vocal about her battle with ovarian cancer. Diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the young age of 24, Brandi has been in remission since 2009 and is now a proud mother to an 11-year-old son.
Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the "silent killer" because it can mimic other health issues, and it cannot be detected via a pap smear. The subtle symptoms of ovarian cancer, such as bloating, weight gain, and abdominal pain, can be easily mistaken for regular menstrual cycle fluctuations, making it harder to catch in its early stages.
Brandi has used her platform to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and the impact it can have on fertility. She has been open about her struggles with fertility following her cancer treatment, which included several rounds of chemotherapy and surgery. Despite the challenges, she was able to get pregnant with the help of IVF and gave birth to a healthy baby boy.
Brandi's husband, NBA player Jason Maxiell, has also shown his support by shaving his head to create awareness about ovarian cancer. In addition, Brandi wears the color teal during National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month in September to bring attention to this deadly disease.
To detect ovarian cancer, doctors may perform a genetic test to check for gene mutations such as BRCA and Lynch syndrome, which are associated with an increased risk of not just ovarian cancer but also other types of cancer like uterine cancer, sarcoma, and brain tumors. Treatment for ovarian cancer typically involves a combination of platinum-based compounds like carboplatin, which kills ovarian cancer cells, and taxanes like paclitaxel, which interfere with cancer cell growth. These drugs are administered intravenously every three to four weeks, and most women can continue their daily routines during treatment, although they may experience increased fatigue.
Brandi's courage and advocacy have helped shed light on the unique challenges of ovarian cancer, and her story serves as a reminder of the importance of early detection, effective treatment options, and the need for continued research and awareness.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Brandi Maxiell from Basketball Wives has had ovarian cancer. She was diagnosed at 24 and went into remission in 2009.
In 2020, there were concerns that Brandi's cancer had returned. She had to be hospitalised due to a severe case of COVID-19 and its associated complications. However, it is unclear if her cancer returned.
Brandi experienced classic symptoms of ovarian cancer, including bloating, weight gain, and abdominal pain. After seeking medical advice, she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and immediately underwent surgery.
Brandi underwent surgery and several rounds of chemotherapy. She was declared cancer-free in 2008 and entered remission in 2009.
