A young Auckland mother has been diagnosed with incurable brain cancer two years after she began her battle with breast cancer.

Reflecting on her sister’s journey, Buchanan said it began when they were both contacted by a cousin in 2022 who told them she had tested positive for the mutated BRCA2 gene.

The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are found in everyone and are commonly expressed in breast cells and other tissues, where they help repair damaged DNA. But they can mutate and increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer.

Buchanan said that as soon as her sister heard the news, she decided to get tested, which revealed she also had a BRCA2 gene mutation.

“She went and had an MRI and that’s when she was diagnosed with breast cancer,” she said.

“She didn’t take any chances, she had a mastectomy and of course she was so devastated by it because she had a 6-year-old and a 3-year-old at the time.”

Many women who test positive for the gene mutation choose to have their breasts removed, which reduces their risk of developing cancer by 95%.

“She did everything she could. She had radiation and chemotherapy,” Buchanan said.

Cancer was found in several lymph nodes on the right side, which were subsequently removed.

Buchanan said Kendal was then cleared until early 2024 when she suffered a severe seizure at work.

“She had been having migraines for a long time, so she went to see her GP… That’s when she was diagnosed with brain cancer.”

An encapsulated tumor was discovered, which she had surgery to remove before radiation therapy to the brain.

“A few weeks ago she felt terrible and thought it was just the radiation, so they did a scan and saw that the cancer had spread throughout her brain,” Buchanan said.

She said the cancer had affected the meninges, the layers of membranes that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord.

Last Monday, Kendal went to see a specialist and was told she had two months to live.

“But a week has passed and she will definitely die in the next couple of days. She has deteriorated greatly.”

She said Kendal, who turned 34 in early October, had had an “amazing” time on her two-year journey and “really wanted to fight for her children.”

“She told her son and daughter, ‘I’m fighting so hard for you and mommy isn’t going to give up… I’ll do everything I can to fight this.’

Her mother described her as “our Toa Wahine”. warrior woman.”

A Givealittle fundraiser set up to help with the day-to-day expenses of Kendal and her children says the BRCA2 gene has “cursed” the family.

“Unfortunately, Kendal was told she was incurable. For now, we just want to support the kids,” the page reads.

Buchanan said her sister lived for her two young children – Ezra, 8, and Cohen, 5 – and everything she did was aimed at giving them a good experience.

Earlier this year, Kendal took to social media to reflect on the last 12 months, saying; “I had to go through a lot.

“Through surgeries, procedures, infections, bruises, chemotherapy, radiation, skin changes, body changes (inside and out), lack of energy, bone density infusion, menopause, and I couldn’t count the number of hospital visits I’ve been to … and all this time raising two beautiful tiny people,” the message says.

“So I won’t survive this year. This year it will be about life.”

Reflecting on her sister’s life, Buchanan said she loved skulls, which was uncanny since she was destined to die during Halloween.

“She always, always liked skulls and coffins and death and all that stuff. She’s very much that kind of girl. And now that she’s passing away on the eve of Halloween, it suits her very well.”

She described Kendal as someone who “just loved being with her friends and family.”

Kendal’s journey has been “really hard” for her cousins ​​- many of whom also tested positive for the BRCA2 gene.

“They are very scared that they would potentially have to go through this. We have already lost many members of our family young.

“Not only positive people, because we love them. Our brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles have to fight this gene now that they have witnessed Kendal’s suffering.”

Buchanan said her sister had been an inpatient hospice patient in Oakland for the past three days, surrounded by friends and family.

“Everyone has been there for her for the last few weeks. All our cousins ​​traveled everywhere and spent time with her.”

Benjamin Plummer is an Oakland-based reporter covering breaking news. He worked for Herald from 2022.

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