It’s been two months since Ami Brown announced that she had been diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, and now the Alaskan Bush People is giving her fans an update on her current state.
In a new interview with People, 53-year-old Ami revealed how the disease has ravaged her body (she’s already lost 39 pounds off of her already small frame), and how her husband Billy and their kids are helping her through her treatments.
“I realized early into this that it’s very easy to want to give up and just die. And on the pessimist side, it could be my last days,” she told the magazine, adding that doctors have stated the survival rate for what she has could be less than 3 percent. “But I have the will to fight.”
In his own interview with People, Billy discussed how heartbreaking it is to see his wife in pain.
“She’s the strongest person I know, so if she’s saying it hurts, it really hurts,” Billy said. “She tries to hide it from everybody but four or five times a day she bends over like a baby and cries…She put out seven babies without a grunt. I’ve always had a lot of respect for Ami, but I’ve got a lot more now. She makes me feel like a wuss.”
Billy revealed that Ami’s diagnosis was grim.
“He said, ‘It’s cancer. And there’s no primary but we’re gonna call it lung cancer. At least 3B. It’s in both lungs, in the middle and sides of the lungs.’ We know if it’s in the brain, it’s over. And if it’s in the stomach, that’s bad but this cancer can be right where it is and go anywhere. It can go to the brain. It hasn’t traveled to any other organs, but that’s what they’re saying is next. Any time we talk to anybody, it’s bad news.”
The Brown family has relocated from their “Brown Town” home in rural Alaska to Los Angeles, where Ami is being treated. Billy said that, while it was hard to leave his home, he knew it was best for his wife. Most of the couple’s seven kids are in California to support their mother.
“Freedom is having a family so strong and so with you that you can get through anything,” he told People. “Freedom is being with your family. I can’t lose that. I can’t live without her. I can’t lose her. I just pray every day that we’ll get good news.”
His said his kids are struggling to deal with their mother’s illness.
“Some of them don’t want to admit that she’s so bad,” Billy said. “They’re all trying to get through it as best they can but no one knows what to do. I do what I can.”
Ami has allowed her journey to be filmed for ‘Alaskan Bush People’ (the season finale aired on Wednesday), and in her interview, she explained why she let cameras capture the hardest moments.
“[I wanted to] let people see what we’re going through because there are a lot of people that are going to be told one day that they have cancer. And that’s scary,” she said. “I hope if people watch the show and see what I’m going through and it will take away a lot of their fear.”
In July, Ami and Billy’s son Matt posted a photo of his parents with two fans. In her interview, Ami stated that she is frequently recognized by other cancer patients and fans who see her in California.
Discovery has made it possible for fans to send well wishes to Ami and the Brown Family. If you’d like to send a message, click here.
18 Responses
Ami an family.Im praying every night for you get threw this.My heart hurts.God is with you.Your strength is powerful.Your soul is beautiful.You are such strong women..a heart of gold.Love you Ami.I will pray for you always….God Bless….sincerely yours…lisamarie from NH
praying for you and your family
Ami I think of you as my friend and I pray for you I hope everything goes well and you beat this terrible thing that has happened to you Be brave and know your fans are playing for you
Evelyn Morehead a Ohio fan and sister
I’ve watched this show since day one and wondering why they don’t keep there fans updated. Very disappointed. We care. They have become family.
I agree. It would be nice to be updated on Ami condition. Since we’ve watched it so long I feel we should also know how she is doing.
I just love and admire you ..Iam truly heart broken with this diagnosis..I know your faith and the love of your family will get you through this..God bless you all!
Praying for god’s will to be upon ami and the family.. sending prayers … love…. hugs to the Bush family ????????????????????
Ami May God bless you . Be strong and know I am thinking of you everyday. Have been watching your program ever since it was on TV here in South Africa.
Hi Ami hope your feeling as could as you can. I love all you guys, love the show. I really don’t no what to say except God bless you and hope everything turns out fine. You seem like a good women. I just hope your ok soon. God Bless. Karen Cleveland
So sorry to see Amy in so much pain and for the kids my heart goes out to all of you,and you all are in my prayed and thoughts. Its not fair but I lost both my parents of cancer within 2 years..so I know what,your going thru.its hard but stay strong for your parents kids.hugs and prayers to all.
She does seem so sweet and she passionately loves her kids. This has to be so scary for her. Prayers to her and hoping she feels comforted being surrounded by her loving family.
Having lost my own father to cancer, I can tell you one thing. No matter what the outcome, the Browns will never regret this time they’ve spent coming together to take care of Ami.
F— cancer, and go Brown family!
Have ye verified ANY of this story? What hospital is she in? Has anyone spoken with a doctor? I am sorry, but this family are proven, convicted liars that stole thousands of dollars from Alaska. Please, just verify that she IS ill and go from there. IF she is, I pray she heals. I truely do.
God bless you .Pastor Deborah hartwell
Prayers to the Browns ??
This just breaks my heart, she is the sweetest person ?? I hope and pray she beats this *prayers and positivity to the Brown Fam*
I don’t watch the show, but wish Ami nothing but the best. I hope she keeps her strength and willpower strong to overcome the cancer and that it doesn’t spread.
About a month ago I started watching their show on our Discovery and I can’t imagine how their kids are feeling because even though they are mostly adults, they value their mother and are such a close knit family so it must break their hearts. All the best to the family on this hard moments.