Brianna’s Biography

Hi, my name is Brianna Bailey. I am 27 years old and was diagnosed with a rare cancer in February 2010.  It is a type of soft tissue sarcoma called Malignant Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (MPNST). The tumor was growing between my tibia and fibula and was found while snowshoeing in the White Mountains. On February 17^th 2010 I received a Below the Knee Amputation (BKA) because a limb sparing procedure was not advised by the tumor board as Mass General Hospital in Boston, MA. As with any disease diagnosis, I was shocked and frightened by the tragic news. Moreover, this type of cancer is extremely rare, and currently has limited research available.  My goal is to increase awareness of this devastating disease.

I was born and raised in Hanover, New Hampshire. I attended the University of Montana and earned my BA in Psychology and Communication in 2006. It was in Montana that I truly developed a love for the great outdoors. I spent the majority of my free time running, hiking, skiing, and snowshoeing. After graduation, I decided to spend a year working for an organization called Nature’s Classroom where my work involved taking kids on outdoor adventures in the Adirondack Mountains at the base of Lake George, NY. I was responsible for taking students on hikes and teaching environmental sustainability lessons and simulations. It was there I knew I wanted to be a teacher!  I attended the University of Vermont and obtained my Master’s of Arts in Teaching in 2008. My two areas of concentration were Language Arts and Science.

Post graduate school, I was hired as a full time science teacher at Newfound Memorial Middle School in Bristol, NH.  For two years I enjoyed teaching approximately 130 eighth-graders Earth science.  I have learned so much about myself personally and professionally and feel fortunate to have worked with young adolescents. I feel the ages that span 10-15 are truly magical years where an abundant amount of learning can truly take place. I’m so happy to be part of their development.

Recently I have been working as a full time 6^th-8^th Language Arts teacher at Waits River Valley School in central, VT. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to teach approximately 80 middle school students the joy of reading and writing. However, this privilege was cut short when I discovered a recurrence of my cancer. I found a lump in my right, upper thigh in October 2010 and biopsies proved it had metastasized. Upon further testing a CT scan revealed it had progressed to my right lung. I was horrified by the progression of the cancer and even more distraught after the doctors told me my best chance of survival was to begin immediate, intense rounds of chemotherapy and radiation to try and eradicate this aggressive cancer.

Currently I am residing at my parent’s house and feel fortunate for the support. My family, friends and co-workers have made my life more manageable in the face of this challenging medical crisis. I would like to thank them and thank you for taking an interest in helping me increase awareness of MSNPT.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Brianna M. Bailey

“The Greatest Wealth is Health”