Former Republican Congresswoman Mia Love from Utah has been facing a personal battle with brain cancer since her diagnosis in 2022. Love, the first black woman ever elected to Congress from Utah, shared her journey with cancer and how faith and immunotherapy have impacted her life.
Love's ordeal began with severe headaches during a family vacation in Puerto Rico, leading to the discovery of a malignant brain tumor. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments, her prognosis was initially grim, with doctors giving her only 10 to 15 months to live.
Refusing to accept the dire prognosis, Love turned to her faith as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for strength and hope. She also sought out Dr. Henry Friedman, a neuro-oncologist at Duke University, who offered her a spot on a clinical trial using immunotherapy.
Immunotherapy, a cutting-edge treatment that harnesses the body's immune system to fight cancer cells, has shown promise in treating certain types of cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the type of brain cancer Love is battling.
Since August 2023, Love has been undergoing immunotherapy treatment at Duke University, with encouraging results so far. The treatment has either halted the tumor's growth or reduced its size during each session, providing a glimmer of hope for Love and others facing similar challenges.
Dr. Friedman emphasized the importance of hope in the face of such adversity, noting that advancements in immunotherapy are making a meaningful impact on patients' lives. While the long-term effectiveness of the treatment remains uncertain, Love remains optimistic and urges others to maintain a positive attitude in their own struggles.
Despite the initial grim prognosis, Love has surpassed expectations and continues to fight against the odds, embodying resilience and determination in her battle against brain cancer.
