CARRYINGYOURLEGACYFORWARD GloriaTaylor,mybelovedgrandmother, whoraisedmewithstrength,love,and unwaveringguidance.Yourwisdom,sacrifices, andenduringspirithaveshapedthepersonIam today.Youareforeverinmyheart.
Mymother,whosememoryIcarrywithme, thoughourtimetogetherwasbrief,yourpresence isfeltineverythingIdo.Ihonoryourlegacywith eachstepItake.
ToallthelovedonesIhavelost, yourliveshavebeenasourceofinspirationand strength.Thoughyouarenolongerhereinbody, yourloveandlightcontinuetoguidemeevery day. Thismagazine,andallthatIcreate,isareflection ofthelessonsandloveyouhaveinstilledinme. Youareneverforgotten,andIcarryyourlegacy forwardwithprideandpurpose.
Withallmylove, ChantalTaylor
ExploretherichandvibrantworldofSouthern Soulwithourcomprehensiveartistdirectory, yourultimateguidetothevoicesandtalents thatdefinethistimelessgenre.Whether you’readevotedfanornewtothescene,our directoryfeaturesanunparalleledcollectionof artists who embody the soulful spirit of the South. OurSouthernSoulDirectoryprovidesbooking informationforallSouthernSoulartists,from establishedstarstoemergingtalent. Additionally,weofferbookingdetailsforDJs, podcasts,andmore.
https://thelegacymagazinemssouthernsoula rtistdirectory.wordpress.com
S O U T H E R N S O U L D I R E C T O R Y
FEATURING ChantalTaylorisadynamicforcein theworldofentrepreneurship,a womanwhohasturnedadversity intotriumphandbuiltaflourishing careerasamagazinepublisher, author,andskincarelineowner. BornonDecember23,1991,in Detroit,Michigan,Chantal’sjourney isoneofresilience,strength,and determination,makingheratrue inspirationformany.
Afterthetragiclossofhermotherat ayoungage,Chantalwasraisedby hergrandmother,GloriaTaylor, whobecameaguidinglightinher life.Gloriainstilledinher granddaughterthevaluesofhard work,perseverance,andthe importanceofeducation—values thatwouldshapeChantal’sfuture. Despitethepersonalchallengesshe faced,Chantalwasdeterminedto riseabovehercircumstances.
Aturningpointcamein2005when HurricaneKatrinaforcedChantalto relocatetoJackson,Mississippi. Thislife-alteringeventmarkedthe beginningofanewchapterforher.
Withdetermination,sherebuiltherlifeandeventuallylaunched TrueEssenceOrganicsin2018,askincarelinethatemphasizes naturalingredients.Theventurewasinspiredbyherpersonalbattle withDesmoidFibromatosis,arareconnectivetissuecancer.Despite enduringrigoroustreatments,Chantal’sperseveranceallowedher businesstothrive,earningherrecognitionandsuccess.In2023,she washonoredwiththeprestigiousEntrepreneurialSheroAward,and herproductsarenowavailableatmajorretailerslikeWalmartand Amazon.
Chantal’spassiondoesn’tstopatskincare.Shehasmadewavesin themediaindustrywithTheLegacyMagazineMs.,whereshe highlightsinfluentialleadersandbusinessesinhercommunity.Her effortshavenotgoneunnoticed,asshehasrecentlybeen nominatedforPublisheroftheYearattheBestofMississippi Awards.Throughherwork,Chantalcontinuestoleavealasting impactontheSouthernSoulandbusinesscommunities.
INadditiontoherentrepreneurial ventures,Chantalhostsapopular podcast,StandingonBusiness, wheresheinterviewsbusiness ownersandartists,further expandingherinfluence.Overthe years,shehascollaboratedwitha widerangeofentertainers, includingC.Lindsey,MazeratiRedd, BigYayo,EarlJackson,andmany more.Herskillsasalinedance instructorandchoreographerhave earnedherthenickname“THEE GOAT”amongherpeers, recognizingherasamultitalented powerhouse.
ChantalTaylor’sjourneyfrom overcomingpersonalhardshipsto achievingextraordinarysuccessis nothingshortofinspiring.Through hermagazine,skincareline,and variouscreativeendeavors,she continuestobuildalastinglegacy, touchinglivesandmotivating otherstopursuetheirdreams despitetheodds.Chantal’sstoryof resilienceanddeterminationisone thatwillinspiregenerationsto come.
TheRiseof BornandraisedinJackson, Mississippi,DatBoiDrumma,also knownasPrep,discoveredhis passionformusicatanearlyage. Inspiredbyhisoldercousin,Ray,he beganmakingbeatsandwriting lyrics,whichquicklyestablished himasoneofMississippi’stop producersandartists.Hisjourney throughvariousgroupsandrecord labelspreparedhimforhisroleas CEOandownerofTraXtarRecords andBeat2SleepProductionz,both ofwhicharerenownedin Mississippifortheirtop-quality musicproduction.
In2005,TraXtarRecord itsfirstalbum,acompil DALIFE,DALUV,DALUXU diverseprojectfeatured signedtothelabelasw notablecollaborations, YOUNGBLEEDofBodyHe EntertainmentandKam CrookedLettaz.Prepals theMississippiArtistsa Producers(M.A.P.)Coa Volume2,whichshowc fromacrossthestate.
Prep’sproductionprowessiswidelyrecognized,particularlyforhis workonnumerousprojectsfromSouthernartists.Heisalsothetrue producerbehindJamieFoxx’shitsingle“UNPREDICTABLE.”His impressiveportfolioincludescollaborationswithindustry heavyweightssuchasDavidBanner,BooDaBossPlaya,LazyBone, YoungBleed,andJazzePha.
Inrecentyears,PrephasdevelopedadeeploveforSouthernSoul music.Mississippi,recentlynationallyrecognizedas“THE BIRTHPLACEOFSOUTHERNSOULMUSIC,”countsPrepCashmere amongitsfoundingSouthernSoulartists.Hiscurrentproject, GEMINI…MUSTBE2SIDES,issetforreleaseonSeptember11,2024. ThisalbumshowcasesPrepCashmere’sevolution,blending SouthernSoulandCountrymusicvibes.
Theleadsingle,“BOOTWALKREBOOTED,”featuresthelegendary JazzePhaandhastakentheinternetbystorm.Theup-tempo,bassdriventracksamplesNancySinatra’s“TheseBootsAreMadefor Walking,”sparkingaworldwidedancecraze.Thelinedancefor “BOOTWALK”israpidlygainingpopularity.Thefollow-upsingle, “SOUTHERNSOULPRESSHA,”deliversasmooth,groovyvibeand comeswithitsownlinedance.
GEMINIcapturesthedualityofPrepCashmere,reflectingthealbum’s titleandtheme.Withhislatestwork,PrepCashmereisnotjust makingmusic;he’smakinghistory.KeepaneyeonDatBoiashe continuestoshapethefutureofSouthernSoulandbeyond.
TheBackwoodAmbassadorShaping theFutureofMusic LexLuga,knownas“DaBackwood Ambassador,”isamodern-daybrand innovator,marketingexpert,andmusic businessentrepreneurwhoseinfluence hastransformedtheSouthernmusic scene.Withover20yearsofexperience, Lexhasbecomeoneofthemost influentialtastemakersintheSouthern region,recognizedforhis multidimensionalapproachtothe undergroundmusicbusinessandhis unparalleledabilitytodiscoverand promotegroundbreakingtalent.Asthe founderofTheHoodIdolTour,hehas createdauniquesoundstagefor unchartedaudioandmusic, empoweringartiststodeveloptheir authenticityandreachnewh AMississippinative,LexLuga hisdegreeinBusinessAdmin withanemphasisinMarketin JacksonStateUniversitybef buildingaplatformthathas empoweredcountlessaspiri entrepreneursandmusicart vastexperienceincludesrole radioandTVpersonality,FM ProgramDirector,StationGe Manager,TVHost,ArtistMan RecordLabelCEO.
Hisdeepunderstandingofmusicand marketinghasallowedhimtobreak artistsnotonlyinMississippibut acrosstheUnitedStates.
LexLuga’scommitmenttoexcellence isevidentinthenumerousplatforms hehascreatedandmanaged, includingSSCMarketingGroup,Hood IdolMagazine,HoodIdolRadio,IT’sLit TV,andJukeJointTV.Asasyndicated radiopersonality,Lexisheardon nearlyadozenstationsacrossEurope andvariousU.S.states,including Mississippi,Florida,Texas,Ohio,North Carolina,Tennessee,Illinois,Georgia, andAlabama.Hisworkinthemusic industryhasearnedhimover100 awardnominations,winningnearly half,includingthe2022Radio PersonalityoftheYear,IndustryMVPof theYear,andMajorImpactoftheYear. ehasalsoreceivedover30plaques rhelpingartistsachievechart uccess.
exLuga’sinfluenceextendsbeyond hemusicindustryasheregularly ervesonmusicpanelsnationwide ndteachesthebusinessofmusic ongsidesomeoftheindustry’smost otablemoguls.Hisdedicationto rtistdevelopmentandmentorship ashelpedmanyrisingstarsrefine heirvisualidentitiesandbranding, ettingthemonapathtosuccess.His terviewswithnotablefiguressuchas eezy,MasterP,Tyrese,andPeabo ryson,aswellascountlessup-andomingartists,havesolidifiedhis atusasakeyfigureintheindustry.
AtthecoreofLexLuga’sphilosophyis acommitmenttostayingtrueto oneself,investinginpersonalgrowth, puttingGodfirst,andvaluingfamily. Thisguidingcreedhaspropelledhim totheforefrontofthemusicindustry, wherehecontinuestomake significantstridesinartistpromotion anddevelopment.Hisunwavering dedicationtohiscrafthasnotonly earnedhimaccoladesbuthasalso madehimarespectedmentorand leaderwithinthecommunity.
LexLuga’sjourneyfromthestreetsof Mississippitobecominganational figureinmusicisatestamenttohis relentlessworkethic,faith,andvision. Whetherthroughhissyndicatedradio shows,hisHoodIdolTour,orhis variousmediaventures,Lexremains ommittedtopushingtheboundaries what’spossibleinthemusic usiness.Hisabilitytoconnectwith tists,audiences,andindustry ofessionalsalikehassetanew andardforwhatitmeanstobea stemakerintoday’sevolvingmusic ndscape.
sLexLugacontinuestoinnovateand spire,heispoisedtoshapethe tureofmusicforyearstocome.His gacyisoneofempowerment, uthenticity,andadeeploveforthe tofmusic,makinghimapivotal gureintheongoingevolutionofthe outhernmusicsceneandbeyond.
Thick&ProudSisters:Empowering Women,BuildingCommunity Thick&ProudSisters(TAPS)isa dynamicall-womenorganization foundedoveradecadeagobyFunmi “Queen”Franklin.Withthe empoweringmotto“LivingAFullLife, WithAFullMind,InAFullFrame,” TAPSwasestablishedtoprovidea safeandsupportivespacewhere plus-sizewomencanembracetheir authenticselveswithoutjudgment. Thissisterhoodoffersitsmembersa senseoflove,belonging,and unwaveringsupport,makingitavital communityformany.
Eachyear,TAPSwelcomesanew classofsisters,celebratingtheir inductionwithashowcaseevent. Althoughanewclasswasnot inductedduringtheorganization’ 10thyearduetotheFounder’smu neededhiatus,thetraditionofthe showcasecontinued.Thisperiodw transformedintoatimefor celebration,reflection,andgrowt Afterthoughtfuldiscussion,the sisterhooddecidedtocontinueth TAPSjourneyundernewleadersh committedtostrengtheningthe organizationandbetterservingit members.
TAPSthrivesoncollectiveeffort,with eachmembercontributingtothe growthandsuccessofthesisterhood. TheupcomingTap-O-WeenPartyin Novemberwillraisefundsforthe annualshowcase,nowscheduledfor March2025.Thisevent,themedasa KentuckyDerbyBrunch,willproudly introducethenewsistersof2025.
Inadditiontoitssocialevents,TAPSis deeplycommittedtocommunity service.Theorganizationhosts fundraisers,supportseducatorswith teacherbasketgiveaways,and organizesinitiativestofeedanduplift thecommunity.Filledwithtalentand compassion,thesisterhood recognizestheimportanceofshowing loveandsupporttothosewho dedicatethemselvestohelpingothers.
FormoreinformationaboutTAPS eventsandhowtosupporttheir missionofempoweringplus-size womenandgivingbacktothe community,stayconnectedwiththem onsocialmedia.
CraftingaLegacyofCreativity andElegance Since2016,AndreaMoore/Goodwinhas beenonaremarkableentrepreneurial journeythatbeganwithhertalentfor creatinghandmadejewelry.What startedasasmall-scalecraftendeavor soonevolvedintosomethingmuch larger,asshediscoveredherpassionfor eventplanninganddesign.Recognizing thepotentialtomergeherartisticskills withherloveforcraftingunique experiences,Andrealaunchedher business,MooreAppealEventPlanning &More.Throughhercompany,shehas madeithermissiontocreate unforgettablemomentsforherclients, blendingcreativityandprecisionwith eachevent.
Andrea’sjourneyhasbeendeeply rootedinherlovefordesignandthe unwaveringsupportshereceivesfrom herfamilyandfriends.Itisthissupport, coupledwithherdriveforperfection, thatpusheshertocontinuallyrefineher craft.Fromintimategatheringstolarger celebrations,eacheventAndreaplans isinfusedwithherpersonaltouch, ensuringthatherclients’visionsare broughttolifeinspectacularways.Her dedicationtoexcellencehasbecome thefoundationuponwhichherbrandis built.
Asherbusinessgrows,Andrearemains focusedoninnovationandexpansion. Sheiseagertotakeonmorediverse projects,rangingfromcorporateevents toweddingsandbeyond.Withhereyeon thefuture,Andreaisconstantlyexploring newtrendsandtechniquesintheevent planningindustry,ensuringthather offeringsremainfreshandtailoredto eachclient’sneeds.
Andrea’ssuccessstemsnotonlyfromher creativetalentsbutalsofromhergenuine passionforcraftingmeaningful moments.Shebelievesthateveryevent shouldbeasuniqueasthepeoplewho celebrateit.Whetherthroughintricate décor,personalizedpartyfavors,or carefullycuratedexperiences,Andrea ensuresthatherclientsfeeltrulyspecial.
Outsideofherwork,Andreaenjoys spendingtimewithherfamily,traveling, andattendingrodeos.Theseactivities allowhertounwindandstayinspired, providingherwithfreshideasthatshe bringsintoherwork.Herabilityto balanceherpersonalandprofessionallife isatestamenttoherdedicationand strongworkethic. Lookingahead,Andreaenvisionsabright futureforMooreAppealEventPlanning& More.Asshecontinuestogrowher businessandexpandhercreativereach, sheremainscommittedtodelivering exceptionalserviceandunforgettable experiencesforherclients.Her entrepreneurialjourney,fueledby passionandcreativity,servesasan inspirationtomany.
TheSoulfulOdysseyofaSouthern MusicTitan Sidney“Sid55”Jones’journey throughthemusicindustryisataleof resilience,passion,andtherelentless pursuitofartisticmastery.Bornin LakeProvidence,Louisiana,Sid’slove formusictookrootearlyon,withhis firstinstrument,thesaxophone, guidinghimthroughhisformative years.Hisdedicationtomusicledhim toMilwaukeein1979,wherehis purchaseofakeyboardin1983, inspiredbythelegendaryGeorge Duke,becamethepivotalmoment thatsethismusicaldestinyinmotion.
Sid’scommitmenttohiscraftwas unwavering.By1984,hejoinedthe bandLoveShine,wherehebeganto honehisskillsasamusician. However,lifepresentedits challenges,includingthebirthofhis childandanear-fatalmotorcycle accidentin1986.Theseevents temporarilypausedhismusical aspirations,buttheydidnotdiminish hisdetermination.By1988,Sidwas back,immersinghimselfintheworld ofgospelquartets,blues,andR&B, withhisfingersdancingacrossthe keysashepouredhissoulintohis performances.
In1995,Sid’smusicalevolutiontook anotherturnashebeganblending gospelandjazz,creatingauniqueand vibrantsound.Hisnightswerespentat Milwaukee’shottestnightclub, Sonny’sonBroadway,wherehe workedasabouncer.Here,Sid absorbedthehustleandgritofthe musicbusinessfromthestreetwise owner,learningtheropesofpromoting showsforiconslikeMCBreed,Kool MoeDee,andTooShort.This experienceshapedSidasbotha musicianandapromoter,imbuing himwiththedriveanddetermination tosucceed.
Asthenewmillenniumdawned,Sid’s journeyledhimtoNashville,wherehe exploredtheworldofcountrymusic andstudioengineering.Upon returningtoMilwaukee,Sidtookabold stepbybuildinghisownrecording studio,asanctuaryforhisartistic rebirth.Thisstudiobecamethe birthplaceofcollaborationswith industryheavyweightslikeHollywood Scott,MDforJohnnyTaylorandMel Waiters.Eventually,Sid’stalentsled himtobecomethekeyboardistfor FloydTaylor,delvingdeeperintothe richsoundsofsouthernsoulmusic.
Sid’stalentsasaproducercametothe forefrontin2008whenheproduced hitsforFloydTaylor’salbum“AllofYou AllofMe.”
Thissuccessopeneddoorsfor collaborationswithsomeofthe industry’sbiggestnames,including SyleenaJohnson,andBrandy.Despite facingsignificanthealthchallenges andsurvivingalife-threatening shootingin2015,Sid’sindomitable spiritneverwavered.In2023,he establishedSid55MultimediaGroup LLC,atestamenttohisenduring influenceonthesouthernsoulmusic sceneandhiscommitmentto nurturingnewtalent.
Today,Sidney“Sid55”Jonesstandsas atoweringfigureinthesouthernsoul genre,hisjourneyatestamenttothe transformativepowerofmusic.His storyisnotjustaboutthemelodiesand rhythmshehascreatedbutalsoabout theliveshehastouchedandthe communitieshehasupliftedthrough hisart.Sid55’slegacyisoneof resilience,passion,andthe unwaveringbeliefthatmusichasthe powertoheal,inspire,andbringpeople together.
BesuretocheckoutSid55’snewdebut albumwhichwillreleaseNovember 29thonall streamingplatforms.
DESMOID TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH SeptemberisDesmoidTumorAwarenessMonth—atimetobring attentiontoarareandoftenmisunderstoodconditionthataffects thelivesofmany.Desmoidtumors,thoughcancerous,canbe aggressiveandchallengingtotreat,deeplyimpactingpatients’ qualityoflife.Thesetumorsarisefromconnectivetissuesandcan occurinvariouspartsofthebody,leadingtocomplexand individualizedtreatmentplans.
AtTheLegacyMagazineMs.,werecognizetheimportanceof spreadingawarenessaboutdesmoidtumors.Bysharingstoriesof courageandresiliencefromthosebattlingthiscondition,wehopeto notonlyinformourreadersbutalsoinspiresupportforongoing researchandadvocacyefforts.
Thismonth,let’sjointogethertohonorthoseaffectedbydesmoid tumors.Throughincreasedawarenessandunderstanding,wecan makeadifferenceinthelivesofpatientsandtheirfamilies.Let’s amplifytheirvoices,sharetheirstories,andcontinuetopushfor advancementsintreatmentandcare.
Everyvoicematters.Everystorycounts.Let’sshinealighton desmoidtumorsandworktowardsafuturewherenoonehastoface thisbattlealone.
NavigatingLife’sJourneyswith ResilienceandFaith CarolineMoody’sremarkablestory beginsinSeptember2018,achapter shereferstoasthefirstjourney.Atjust thirty-fiveyearsold,shewas diagnosedwithampullarycancer,a raretypeofsmallintestinalcancer.At thetime,shewasadevotedwifeand youngmothertotwolittlegirls,a three-year-oldandafifteen-monthold.
Thisdiagnosisledtoalife-saving Whipplesurgery,duringwhichitwas discoveredthatthecancerhad metastasizedtoherliverandlymph nodes.Fortunately,theskilledsurgeon wasabletoremoveallevidenceofthe diseasewithnegativemargins Carolinethenunderwentsix chemotherapyaspartofher treatment. Givenheryoungageandthe thecancer,heroncologist recommendedgenetictestin suspectingshemighthavef adenomatouspolyposis(FA conditioncharacterizedbyt developmentofhundredsto thousandsofpolypsinthela intestine.Itwasconfirmedin 2019.
Topreventfuturecancer,Carolineunderwentanothersurgeryin September2019,whichinvolvedacompletecolectomywitha temporaryileostomyandthecreationofaj-pouch.ByNovember,the ileostomywasreversed,andthej-pouchwasconnected.Despitethe challenges,Carolinefocusedonhealingfromthesurgeries, chemotherapy,andsurvivingseeminglyimpossibleodds.
Lifewithanewdigestivesystemwasfarfromperfect,butCarolineand herfamilyadaptedtowhattheycalledthenewnormal,cherishingeach dayasagift.
AsCarolinedelveddeeperintoherdiagnosisinJanuary2020,she learnedthatFAPinvolvedmorethanjustpolyps.Amongtheassociated complicationsweredesmoidtumors,which,whilenotguaranteed, posedasignificantrisk.BySeptember2021,aroutineCTscanrevealed areasofconcerninhermesentericarea,markingthebeginningofwhat Carolinereferstoasthesecondjourney.
Thescanrevealedamesentericmassthatwaslateridentifiedasa desmoidtumor.Heroncologistreferredhertoaspecialistatthe ClevelandClinic.AlthoughamedicationcalledSulindacwasprescribed toreducethetumor’sgrowth,asubsequentscanshowedtheemergence ofapelviccyst.Overtime,thecystgrewaggressively,promptingabiopsy thatconfirmedittoowasadesmoidtumor.
AftertryingatargetedtherapydrugcalledVotrient,whichunfortunately madeherseverelyillandfailedtoslowthetumor’sgrowth,Carolinewas admittedtothehospitalinJuly2022.Themedicalteamdecidedon exploratorysurgery,whichtookplaceonJuly20.Thesurgery,lasting threeandahalfhours,wassuccessfulinremovingtheinfectioncaused bythedesmoidtumor.However,duetothetumor’sextent,apermanent ileostomywascreated,andCarolineunderwentatotalhysterectomy.
Despitethelossofthej-pouch,the surgerywaslife-saving.Followinga nineteen-dayhospitalstay, Carolinewasdischargedand continuedwithroutineCTscans. Thesescansconsistentlyshowedno evidenceofdesmoidtumors, includingtheoriginalmesenteric tumor. However,inJuly2023,ascan revealedchangesinherabdomen, raisingconcernsaboutapossible desmoidtumor.Afterconsulting withherClevelandClinicspecialist, itwasdecidedthatcryoablation,a minimallyinvasiveprocedure was thebestcourseofaction.The proceduretookplaceinNovem 2023,andtheresultswere promising,withthemass decreasinginsize.
Caroline’sjourneywithfamili adenomatouspolyposisison butshehaslearnedtonaviga eachchallengemomentby moment,findingblessingsev themostchallenging circumstances.
WritinghasbeenanessentialpartofCaroline’shealingprocess.In September2020,shepublishedherfirstmemoir,GodisGood:A JourneytoCompleteHealing.Despiteinitiallynotplanningtowritea secondbook,shewasencouragedtocontinuesharingherstory.Her secondmemoir,GodisGood:AJourneytoCompleteTrust,was publishedinDecember2023,chroniclingthesignificanteventsthat followedherfirstjourney.Throughherwriting,Carolinehopesto inspireothersastheynavigatetheirownvalleysandmountaintops.
Caroline’sstoryisatestamenttothepowerofresilience,faith,and thehealingprocessofsharingone’sjourney.
At47yearsold,Dr.JignaGarasiaPatel standsasabeaconofhopeand strengthformany.Diagnosedwitha raredesmoidtumorin2016,herjourney wasfraughtwithchallengesduetothe tumor’srarityandaggressivenature. Despiteundergoingtwosurgeriesand consultingnumerousdoctors,the tumorcontinuedtogrow,leavingher andherlovedonessearchingfor answers.
Inherrelentlesspursuitofhealing,Dr. Patelembracedvariousalternative therapiesofferedbyherfamilyand well-wishers.Thispath,though unconventional,eventuallyledhertoa momentousvictory—becomingtumorfreeinAugust2019.Sincethen,Dr.Patel hasremaineddisease-free,living withouttheneedforfurthertreatment.
Apracticinggynecologistandinfertility specialistinGujarat,India,Dr.Patel channeledherexperiencesintowriting BeyondMedicine:TheStoryofHealing, Faith,andResilience.Thisbook,aimed atsupportingboththeDesmoid communityandanyonefacinglife’s struggles,hasresonateddeeplywith readers.Injusttwoandahalfmonths post-publication,ithassold1,400 copies.
Dr.Patel’sjourneyisatestamenttothepowerofresilience,faith,and thewillingnesstoexploreeveryavenueinthefightagainstdisease. Throughherbook,shecontinuestoinspireandupliftthoseinneedof hopeandencouragement.
BrookeBiller’sstoryisdeeply intertwinedwiththatofhermother, Julie,whowasdiagnosedwith familialadenomatouspolyposis (FAP)andGardner’ssyndrome. Brookewatchedhermotherendure countlesssurgeriesovertheyears, aharrowingexperiencethatlefta lastingimpactonher.
Initially,Brookewastoldshedidnot haveFAP,soconcernsabout desmoidtumorsandrelated conditionsseemeddistant. However,inApril2022,Brooke discoveredalumpinherbreast,a findingthatcaughtheroffguard, especiallysincetherewasno traumaorapparentcause.The lumpcamebackinconclusivefor cancer,butasitcontinuedtogrow, surgerywasdeemednecessaryto removeit.Thisledtoapartial mastectomy,requiringtwo surgeriesinOctoberandDecember of2022.
Complicationscontinuedinto 2023whenBrookewas misdiagnosedwithhematomas, exacerbatedbyherhemophilia. Laterthatyear,shereceivedthe unsettlingnewsthatshehad desmoidtumors—oneinher pelvicregionandanotherinher upperrightquadrant.Thelatter tumor,measuring16cmacross, posedasignificantchallenge.
Brookebegantreatmenton December30,2023,facingher diagnosiswithremarkable courage.Throughoutthis journey,herfaithinGodhasbeen hercornerstone,providing strengthandguidinghertoward newtreatmentoptions.
Brooke’sstoryisatestamentto thepoweroffaithandresilience innavigatinglife’smost challengingmoments.
TheJourneyofaSurvivor LisaBoylan’slifehasbeendefinedby manythings—workingasa receptionistforaworld-renowned rockband,servingasalocal televisionspokes-model,and designingsurfingt-shirts.These experiences,whilefunandexciting, paleincomparisontotheprofound impactofherbattlewithcancer,a journeythathasreshapedherinways sheneverimagined.
Lisa’stumorhadaname—“Designer Tumor,”atitlethatspoketoitsrarity andthedarkhumorsheadoptedto copewithherdiagnosis.Herjourney beganinOctober2008,whenshe discoveredalumpintheupperright quadrantofherabdomen.What followedwasafrustratingprocessof misdiagnoses,frombeingtolditwas merelyalipoma,abenignfattycyst, tobeingdismisseddespiteher insistencethatsomethingwas seriouslywrong.
Itwasn’tuntilMay2009thatasurgeon finallyrecognizedtheseverityofher condition.Afteranincisionalbiopsy, Lisareceivedthedevastatingnews: shehadaDesmoidtumor,atypeof soft-tissuesarcoma.Althoughnonmetastatic,thislocallyaggressive tumorcouldinvadeorgans,muscles, andnerves,withpotentiallyfatal consequences.
Facedwiththerealityofhercondition, Lisafoundherselfatacrossroads. Surgerywasscheduled,andwithin weeks,herlifeturnedupsidedown. Theproceduremeantshewouldbe unabletoworkorcareforhertwo youngsons,ages7and2,plungingher familyintofinancialuncertainty.Yet, eveninthefaceofsuchoverwhelming challenges,Lisarefusedtogiveinto despair.
Sherallied,seekingoutfinancial supportfromthemilitary,cancer organizations,andeventheSalvation Army,determinedtokeepherfamily afloat.Theoutpouringofhelpfrom lovedonesandcharitable organizationsallowedhertofocuson herrecovery,knowingherboyswere ingoodhands.
Lisa’ssurgerywasasuccess.The entiretumorwasremovedalongwith partofherabdominalmuscle,which wasreplacedwithmeshtopreventa hernia.Despitethegruelingrecovery, markedbypainandfrustration,she maintainedhersenseofhumor, sharingcandidupdateswithfriends onsocialmedia.
Now,twomonthspost-operation, Lisa’slatestCTscanisclear.The cancerisgone.Yet,sheacknowledges thattheemotionaltollofher experiencemaytakelongerto process.Humorhasbeenhershield, butbeneathitliesavulnerabilityshe isstillcomingtotermswith.
Today,LisaBoylaniscommittedto helpingothersbyadvocatingfora cure.Sheisasurvivor,havingfaced thedarkestmomentswithcourage andresilience.Eachdaywithher familyisatestamenttoherstrength, markinganewmilestoneinher journeyofsurvival.
