
Kyleigh McGovern’s voice swells with pride when she speaks about the special way her mother has about her.
“Any time we’ve had a family vacation or cruise, we always make these lifelong friends,” McGovern said. “She’s bright and so friendly – she’s just awesome.”
It’s a radiant personality that Brandy McGovern grew up with, a Destrehan High alum, former member of the Desty Darlings and former River Parishes Fall Festival Miss Queen of Hearts.
This year, Brandy welcomed her first grandchild into her life – Kyleigh’s son – and next month Kyleigh’s sister is due to deliver another grandson. Nonetheless, what should be a joyous time has been a very difficult one for their family.
Recently, Brandy, 43, fell very ill – she found she could not eat anything and was rapidly losing weight. It was the culmination of
approximately a year of feeling less than 100 percent. Previous trips to the doctor had yielded no real answers or solutions.
But this time, the situation necessitated a trip to the emergency room, and the news was not good.
She was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, news that came as an obvious shock to both she and her family.
“It was a shock,” Kyleigh said. “We just thought, sometimes you go about your day and you have some pain. Even when it became more constant, I don’t think she ever thought it was cancer, and especially not (pancreatic). But they say you usually don’t have any real signs until it’s already Stage 4 … it’s very scary.”
Kyleigh said the doctor’s prognosis for her mother was just two years, but also that her mother is a fighter and recently began her first chemotherapy treatment. She will undergo three different chemotherapy treatments aimed at shrinking the tumor and alleviating her pain.
Since her August diagnosis, she’s undergone surgery to remove other masses that doctors found as well.
“There’s a larger mass that they can’t remove, and that’s what they’re trying to shrink,” Kyleigh said. “It’s hard for her and it’s hard for
us. She’s fighting through it, but it’s hard.”
If chemotherapy is unsuccessful, Kyleigh said doctors indicated a clinical trial could be the next step.
Brandy’s outgoing nature accompanies a very giving personality as well. Some of the things she enjoys sharing most are her tasty creations in the kitchen – Kyleigh said her mother’s gumbo is renowned by all who know her, and that cooking is a passion of hers in general.
“That gumbo is so good,” Kyleigh said. “Even our friends in other states are like, ‘send me some over!’”
She also said that Brandy has been incredibly supportive for Kyleigh and her two siblings their entire lives.
“We’ve gotten so close the past few years, and having the baby she’s been helping me in so many ways,” Kyleigh said. “I did Desty Darlings as well, and she was there for every performance … she makes sure we have everything we need to succeed.
“Growing up she was always a second mom to my friends. We could talk to her about anything. She’s always been the ‘cool mom.’”
One thing that has become very apparent during the past several weeks: Brandy and the McGovern family are beloved by many. There’s been an outpouring of support through different fundraising efforts, including a GoFundMe page (titled Support Brandy McGovern’s Cancer Battle) that has raised almost $14,000 to help offset medical expenses.
“She has her down days, but she definitely feels all the love and support,” Kyleigh said. “People who don’t even know her but have had cancer too have reached out to share their story. It’s been incredible.
“We won’t stop fighting for her.”