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FILLMORE — Not long before the onslaught of the pandemic and only days prior to turning 16 years old, Gracey Fuller received the earth-shattering news that she was one of about two in a million people to be diagnosed with angiosarcoma.
In August 2019, Gracey began experiencing intense pain in her right breast, but it wasn't until Dec. 19 that year when her cancer diagnosis was confirmed. Doctors didn't initially think she had cancer, according to her mother, Jamie Brunson.
Gracey Fuller is a cheerleader for Millard High School, and her physician thought she had maybe gotten a hematoma, or bad bruise, from cheering. After receiving a breast ultrasound, she was told she didn't have cancer but that she had an infection, so she went on antibiotics. But after taking those for awhile with no positive results, her doctor sent her to see a breast surgeon.
The surgeon immediately detected a mass during an ultrasound, but still didn't think it was cancerous. However, she wanted to have it biopsied so they could remove it, and though they suspected a hemangioma at one point, they ultimately learned of the angiosarcoma.
After undergoing a really invasive mastectomy, Gracey and her family received the news that there were no clear margins from the surgery and she had to start chemo right away. A lifelong dream of traveling to Hawaii with her family was halted for Jamie Brunson as she and Gracey stayed behind while the rest of their family vacationed during what ended up being the week everything shut down due to the pandemic.
Fortunately, the treatment worked and Gracey was cancer-free by the summertime.
For a month or so, things were looking up for the young, vibrant teen. In August 2020, however, she experienced intense pain that prevented her from even being able to stand. This time, the cancer had spread to her ovary and right buttock, and she had to start chemotherapy once again.
In the spring of 2021, she stopped treatment and things were looking great. She continued to live normally, but by November of that year, new tumors were detected, including one in her lung that challenged her ability to breathe. That tumor was removed around Christmastime, according to Brunson.
At the end of January this year, Gracey — now a high school senior — started her third round of chemo. But by Mid-March, they had to stop the chemotherapy treatment. The cancer had spread throughout her body, and the chemo wasn't working. Doctors removed her other ovary at the end of March.
Jamie Brunson said it was around that time that Gracey said she didn't want to know her prognosis — she just wanted to live in the present moment. She believed in putting mind over matter, and didn't want to get in her head.
Gracey has a goal of walking with her graduating class to receive her diploma on May 25.
"She lives in the moment," Brunson said. "She tries not to worry about the future, worry too much about the past, and she's taught me how to just make the best of what you have and make the best out of it."
Gracey told KSL.com in an email that she found courage to fight through this trial by deciding she could make the best of what she was dealt.
"I could use it as an excuse to be gloomy or be happy and enjoy what I can," she wrote.
Although she is living with this intense physical trial, Gracey Fuller continues to make straight-A grades and has even been known to cheerlead on the same day as chemo treatments. Gracey said her schoolwork has been a good distraction and her teachers have been amazing to work with.
"She just hasn't let anything hold her back, she hasn't used it as an excuse, and (she's) doing her homework," Brunson said.
Gracey's mom said her daughter has been strong-willed, stubborn and determined her entire life.
During the last 2½ years, both Gracey's community and perfect strangers have rallied around them, offering support. Jamie Brunson said there's no way the family could have made it through any of this without the support. It lifts their burdens so they can focus on what they really need to.
"No matter how bad your situation or journey is, there will always be something good," Gracey said, adding that the most important part of her life is spending as much quality time with her "close people" as she can.
One of the many kindnesses shown by others is money donated to send Gracey Fuller and her family on vacations together. They have gone to Florida multiple times and have hopes of going to California at the end of May. Gracey wants to make as many memories as she can with her 5-year-old brother so he doesn't forget her when she's gone from this life.
"I'm beyond grateful. … Most the time, I don't even have words … I don't even know how to explain it," Jamie Brunson said. "There's been times I've come home and our lawn was mowed, or like, our checking account went into negative and someone at the bank — we live in a small community — they realized our checking account went into the negatives, and they pulled together and brought it out of the negatives."
Gracey's principal, cheer team and teachers have all been supportive, Jamie Brunson said. Even teens from a rival high school recently brought a care package. A GoFundMe* was also set up for the family and Brunson said they are thankful for any help they get. It helps them to be able to focus on Gracey and make the best of what they currently have together — because they all know, it may not last long enough.
*KSL.com does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
