Prayers For Mom: ‘Real Housewives’ Star Bronwyn Newport, 39, Is Staying ‘Hopeful’ As Her Mother Recovers From Emergency Brain Tumor Surgery

Guidance for Cancer Caregivers

The reality TV star, who joined Season 5 of Bravos’ “The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City” this year, shared her mom’s cancer news on her Instagram stories this week, revealing doctors has discovered a tumor in the back part of her mom’s head prior to this week.

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Writing over a selfie of herself seen waiting in the hospital, Bronwyn wrote on Dec. 26, as per People which shared a screengrab of the post, “I hope everyone that celebrates had a very merry Christmas.

“A month ago my dad (who has Alzheimer’s) fell and broke his pelvis. It put an incredible strain on my mom, who has, for almost ten years insisted on being his sole caretaker.””

She explained further, “We noticed more and more that she was struggling to manage what is his normal care required plus the injury. We kept getting her more and more help, live in caregivers, and one of my sisters and I made visits and forced our help on her too.

“However, she kept getting more exhausted and frail. After a few falls herself and a few doctors visit that weren’t productive something clicked in my brain. My mom had similar dizzy, confused and exhausted symptoms almost 30 years ago when she had a brain tumor.”

Newport, who celebrated her 8th wedding anniversary in September, then recounted how she was headed to California worried about the possibility of her mom having a brain tumor again when her mom “had a frail day and a friend took her to the hospital.”

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She recalled having to go straight to the airport to receive the cancer news, which she admitted she was somewhat expecting.

“I don’t remember everything from when my mom was so sick when I was little, but something also felt oddly familiar,” Newport added. “My mom again has a tumor in the back of her skull, in an almost identical location to the one she had Thanksgiving week almost 30 years ago.”

In another temporary post, shared on her Instagram story, Newport said she ‘spent all afternoon with her in the ER, and then Christmas Eve too,’ adding, “I went home that night to be with my dad and one of his wonderful caregivers. Thank goodness you can get pizza delivery for three delivered on Christmas Eve night!”

As for Newport’s new caregiver role for her mom, a woman who she says always takes care of everyone but herself, she said, “I was raised by the best. My mom has always been the ultimate example of compassion and service to others. My whole life I have watched and been dragged alone and eventually learned to participate and enjoy serving alongside her.

“Meals and presents were always homemade for everyone and anyone in her circle. More importantly, my mom would spend hours each week writing hand written notes to people she’d thought about that week. Cards and letters and personal outreach to those who were sad, or scared, feeling alone, needing encouragement. I’ve watched her babysit, clean houses, show up to help pack and unpack moves for everyone she cares about and anyone they care about.”

Newport credits her mom’s generous ways for inspiring her in knowing what to do during her mom’s time of need.

Prior to her mom’s surgery, Newport admitted, “We are so hopeful after a long recovery she’ll be her usual, feisty and amazing self” before addressing “gossip” that has been circulating about her family.”

She said, “The whispers of gossip about my family, and how we have handled trying to allow my mom her independence and letting her come to terms with needing and accepting help have gotten back to me.

“Those who felt my choice to be on Bravo and or posting contractually obligated and pre-filmed things online while I was at the same time trying to quietly help my parents and not yet share about this all…. and then talked behind my back or worse online about me is despicable. Especially those of you who have benefitted from my mother’s kindness to you or your families over the years.”

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Understanding Brain Tumors

Although Newport hasn’t specified what type of brain tumor her mom was diagnosed with, it’s important to understand that brain tumors account for 85-90% of all primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). In 2023, the ASCO estimated that 24,810 adults (14,280 men and 10,530 women) in the United States would be diagnosed with primary cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord.

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord and acts as the main “processing center” for the body’s nervous system. The normal function of the brain and spinal cord can become difficult if there’s a tumor putting pressure on or spreading into normal tissue close by.

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There are many different types of brain and spinal cord tumors and some of which are more likely to spread into nearby parts of the brain or spinal cord than others. Slow-growing tumors may be considered benign, however, even these types of tumors can lead to serious problems.

Meanwhile, symptoms of brain tumors, as a whole, are usually caused by increased pressure in the skull. This pressure can stem from tumor growth, swelling in the brain, or blockage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the American Cancer Society explains.

General symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Blurred vision
• Balance problems
• Personality or behavior changes
• Seizures
• Drowsiness or even coma

Additionally, MD Anderson Cancer Center notes that changes in the ability to smell can also be a sign of brain tumors, and, more specifically, “strange smells” can be a symptom of seizures, which can result from brain tumors.

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It’s important to note that these symptoms are not exclusive to brain tumors. Still, you should always speak with your doctor if you’re experiencing any health problems.

Meanwhile, treatment options for brain cancer depend on a variety of factors, including the size and type of the tumor as well as the grade of the tumor.

Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy are options doctors use to treat brain tumors. Cancer warriors are encouraged to talk to their doctor about their situation and the best treatment options.

Understanding Gliomas

There are various types of brain cancers and tumors that someone may be diagnosed with, so it’s important to understand that a glioma is a tumor originating in the central nervous system (CNS), specifically in the brain or spinal cord. A glioma originates in glial cells. Glial cells are supportive cells in the brain that protect and maintain the neurons. These types of tumors can either be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

“Glioma is a broad term that refers to a whole range of different types of primary brain tumors,” Dr. Alexandra Miller, Director of the Neuro-Oncologist Division at NYU Langone Health, tells SurvivorNet.

“They’re tumors that originate in the brain and very rarely spread outside the brain to other parts of the body,” Dr. Miller continued.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive and lethal form of primary brain tumor. Classified as a Grade 4 glioma by the World Health Organization (WHO), glioblastoma presents significant challenges for treatment due to its highly invasive nature, rapid growth, and resistance to most conventional therapies.

WATCH: Understanding Gliomas

According to the National Cancer Institute, the average survival rate is 15 months with treatment and less than six if left untreated. While there is a five-year survival rate of averaging 6 percent, those individuals will never be cancer-free. They must continue receiving radiation and chemotherapy for the rest of their lives.

Clinical trials help doctors better understand cancer and discover more effective treatment methods. They also allow patients to try a treatment before it’s approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which can potentially be life-changing.

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Within the U.S., all new drugs must go through clinical trials before the FDA approves them. Although the rewards of clinical trials can be great, they also come with risks. Talking to your doctor about this before enrolling in a trial is important.

The Grading System of Gliomas

Gliomas are graded on a scale of I to IV, with higher grades indicating a more aggressive tumor. This grading is based on several factors including the type of glioma, the genetics of the cancer, as well as the appearance of the tumor cells under a microscope. The more abnormal the cells look, the higher the grade, and the faster the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Here’s a quick overview:

• Grade I-II gliomas – These are considered low-grade and tend to grow slowly. “The grade one is a very indolent, benign tumor that basically can be cured with surgery alone,” Dr. Henry Friedman, Deputy Director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, tells SurvivorNet.
• Grade III gliomas – These are considered high-grade and tend to grow more rapidly. Grade III gliomas are typically classified as malignant and typically require more aggressive treatment which can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• Grade IV gliomas – These are the most aggressive gliomas which are locally aggressive and require treatment intensification. Glioblastomas are the most common grade IV glioma, “which is by far the most well known and most feared tumor in the lay population and quite frankly, the medical population as well,” Dr. Friedman explains.

Although Grade IV gliomas are the most aggressive glioma and may require several types of treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, there can be challenges in treating low grade gliomas as well. When making decisions on treatment, several factors are taken into consideration including location of the tumor, ease of surgery and ability to resect, neurologic deficits, patient age, tumor size, and overall health.

How Does Glioma Present? Understanding Treatment Options

Gliomas can present a variety of ways. The symptoms are often non-specific, meaning there is no slam-dunk symptom or key finding that is common to all gliomas. Symptoms can also be related to tumor location, and more commonly the increased pressure caused by the mass inside the skull, which can disrupt blood flow and block the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Based on the location of the glioma there can be associated symptoms that arise including personality and speech changes.

With increased pressure in the skull you can experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and changes in vision.

Other symptoms that can sometimes be seen include:

• Seizures
• Cognitive difficulties, like memory loss or trouble concentrating
• Weakness or numbness in certain parts of the body
• Vision or speech problems

Again, none of these symptoms are specific to gliomas and can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. There are several steps in the workup needed before you can be diagnosed with a glioma.

When it comes to treatment, “The first step is always the neurosurgery. How much can you take out? Is it safe to do surgery? Do you have to rely on a biopsy? Can you even do a biopsy?” says Dr. Friedman. These are all questions and considerations that need to accounted for when deciding what treatment is most appropriate.

Why Some Gliomas Return After Surgery or Radiation Therapy

Once the biopsy is obtained and the diagnosis of glioma is made, various treatment options can be recommended. The recommendations take into account the type of the glioma, the tumor grade, and well as patient specific factors including tumor location, size, your age, and overall health.

The main treatment options are:

• Observation – Some gliomas that are benign, small, and without symptoms or tumors located in inoperable locations can be recommended for observation.
• Surgery – Surgery is often the first-line treatment for gliomas, with the goal of achieving maximal safe resection where the largest amount of tumor is removed without causing significant neurologic deficits. For low-grade gliomas, surgery alone can sometimes be curative.
• Radiation therapy – This uses high-energy x-rays to target and kill tumor cells. Radiation is often used after surgery to target residual tumor cells.
• Chemotherapy – These medications kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alongside radiation, or following radiation and is often used in higher-grade tumors.
• Targeted therapy and immunotherapy – These are newer treatments that are designed to target specific genetic mutations in the tumor or to stimulate the immune system to fight the cancer. Their role in the treatment for gliomas is continuing to evolve.

The important thing to remember is that every treatment plan and recommendation made by your healthcare team is personalized based off of details specific to your disease, your overall health, and treatment goals.

Living with a Glioma

Low-grade gliomas can sometimes be cured, but they may come back, which is why it is important to be monitored closely with regular examinations and imaging.

“Gliomas are unique tumors in that they’re very infiltrative tumors,” Dr. Miller adds. “So it’s almost like if you throw up a handful of sand, you can never pick up every grain of sand. We know that there are always tumor cells that are scattered beyond the margins we can see on an MRI. Even if a best case scenario where a surgeon can take out the majority of the tumor, we know that there are residual cells that are there that have to be monitored over time.”

In higher-grade gliomas, like glioblastomas, the follow up and post-treatment course can present more of a challenge as they can often recur. The important thing to consider is that the decision to provide treatment is always made with the goal of providing the best possible outcome while also managing symptoms and side effects.

Molecular Testing for IDH Inhibitors in Glioma Patients

Stepping Up as a Caregiver & Learning How to Ask for Help

A caregiver can be a partner, parent, child, friend, or neighbor. But it should be someone who is willing to put in the time and effort to understand the diagnosis, and follow the medical team’s recommendations.

“I encourage caregivers to come in to visits with my patients, because in that way, the caregiver is also listening to the recommendations — what should be done in between these visits, any changes in treatment plans, any toxicities [side effects] that we need to look out for, changes in dietary habits, exercise, etc.,” Dr. Jayanthi Lea previously told SurvivorNet.

“The work is extremely hard.”

How to Be a Better Caregiver for Your Loved One

Caregivers should be willing to share what they’ve learned while caring for their loved one day to day, letting the doctor know about any side effects or other problems that arise.

They also need to be willing to take a backseat sometimes. “Step back a little bit and let the patient speak for themselves. Let them express what they are feeling,” said Dr. Lea. “That is so important for the patient’s overall quality of life and well-being.”

With the role of caregiver, the first thing to understand is that there is no shame is asking for help. This can be an overwhelming time for both patients and their caregivers, too.

‘A Sacred And Blessed Calling’: Managing Life As a Caregiver

Through interviews with expert advisors, social workers, patients advocates, and more, we’ve come up with a checklist of helpful steps caregivers can take throughout the journey

Here is a list of duties that caregivers help take on:

• Attend doctor visits with the patient
• Help the patient take notes/ask questions
• Provide transportation to and from treatment
• Accompany the patient during treatment
• Help keep track of side effects
• Link up with a social worker/patient navigator
• Help with day-to-day activities
• Provide emotional support

Social Workers/Patient Navigators Can Help

Social workers or patient advocates can be a huge help for caregivers.

As a caregiver, you may want to enlist the help of one of these employees who often work for medical centers for guidance on treatment options, financial assistance, where to seek mental health resources, and so much more.

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“Patient navigators can function differently at different hospitals,” Dr. Kathie-Ann Joseph, a surgical oncologist at NYU Langone Health’s Perlmutter Cancer Center, told SurvivorNet.

“We have a really wonderful program at [NYU] where we used lay navigators meaning they’re not nurses, although you can use nurses or social workers that pretty much help newly diagnosed cancer patients through the continuum of care.”

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

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