Friends rally to aid local mom’s battle

Marlaina Browning has a community of friends in her corner as she fights breast cancer and other health issues. 

The Callahan single mom underwent a double mastectomy Oct. 23 after doctors discovered a lump in her left breast in March. Because a medical test showed that she was genetically predisposed to breast cancer, she opted to have both breasts removed. 

“I was in shock,” the 42-year-old said. “Like, my whole world came crumbling down.” 

Plans to have reconstructive surgery were delayed when doctors found growths on both her ovaries, which were removed Dec. 11. Doctors planned to proceed with the breast reconstruction surgery Tuesday in Gainesville. Also diagnosed with hypothyroidism, Browning has a goiter, which is growing and pressing on her trachea. 

Through it all, Browning and son Khariese Anderson, who plays football for the Warriors, have received support from West Nassau Football Booster Club members and others in the community. 

“When I say Callahan is amazing … all the people, they have come together,” she said. “They were cooking meals for me and still, like, bringing stuff over, taking me to my appointments, my son, whatever we needed. Kathy McDuffie, she’s the one that initiated it. But, when I say Michelle Wright, Chelley Ellis, they got a fundraiser together. They made sure my son had a wonderful Christmas. They call. They come over. I mean, that’s what keeps me going. That’s what makes me want to fight harder. You know, it’s been very tough. I mean, like, you go from being a healthy person to like having issue after issue – surgery after surgery.”

Browning tries to stay positive. 

“Some days it’s very hard. I try to talk with my son,” she said. “We have a great relationship. Kids, they don’t really understand the gist of cancer. They just know it’s bad. That people can die from it. And so, I have to explain to him that I am going to be around, you know? This is why I’m fighting. ‘Because I have to fight for you.’”

Browning said that her illness did affect her son in school, so she talked with his teachers. 

“I’m glad I’m in Callahan, because it’s a very small town,” she said. “It’s very loving people – a lot of praying, God-fearing men and women. And I just think that, that’s like the most important thing. I can’t say that enough, because they’re always calling me, checking on me and making sure if I need this or need that.” 

During the holidays, she received a vacuum cleaner and a new stove as gifts. Her friends also surprised her with a decorated Christmas tree in her living room. The vacuum cleaner was wrapped and under the tree. 

“They’ve just been amazing,” Browning said. “I can’t say enough about them and the things they continue to do.”

Wright is happy to lend support. 

“She is a joy to be around and everyone who has helped out agrees,” she said. “I’ve always known I’ve had amazing friends but sometimes they just blow me away. The amount of support has taken a huge amount of stress off Mimi as she has plenty of other things to worry about. It is a blessing that she doesn’t have to worry about paying her rent/bills, etc. and Christmas.” 

Browning is employed as a paraprofessional in the Duval County public school system. She wants to recover as quickly as possible so that she can return to work. Although breast cancer isn’t as prevalent in men, Browning’s diagnosis means that her son will receive his first mammogram when he turns 16. 

She also wants to get the word out to African-American women that a mastectomy doesn’t mean the end of femininity. 

“Because a lot of women, they think it’s something to be ashamed of, embarrassed of – it’s a mental thing,” she said. “I didn’t know how many women were mentally disturbed by their body not looking right.” 

She wants to get well so that she can resume her life and stay active with her son. Khariese is a sophomore at West Nassau and also participates in weightlifting. 

“My fight now is I just want to be cancer-free,” she said. 

Wright would also love to see good fortune ahead for Browning. She drove her friend to Gainesville for the reconstructive surgery. 

“She is so sweet,” Wright said. “I’m hoping that she will go ahead and get these last two surgeries behind her and get back to regular life.”