'Sister Wives' Janelle Brown, 54, Disclosed Skin Cancer Scare a Day before Son Died at 25

In a heartfelt revelation on Instagram, Janelle Brown of "Sister Wives" shared her recent scare with skin cancer, a story overshadowed by the subsequent loss of her beloved son, Garrison Brown, the very next day.

Janelle Brown, "Sister Wives" star and one of Kody Brown's many wives, has recently been through a whirlwind of emotions. Besides mourning her son, Garrison Brown's, tragic passing, Janelle faced her own health challenges and opened up about it only a day before Garrison's death.

The matriarch bravely discussed her skin cancer scare and treatment, sharing her story on Instagram in a bid to raise awareness and encourage others to take their health seriously.

In her post, she disclosed her battle with basal cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer she had removed shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic began.

She has since established a routine of undergoing an annual head-to-toe check, which recently led to a recent discovery and procedure. "Today I had 2 pre-cancerous spots frozen and a tiny lump removed from my lip," she said a day before her son died.

Despite the inconvenience and slight discomfort of these medical appointments, Janelle emphasized their importance, stating, "2 pre-cancerous spots stopped in their tracks. Worth it." She also shared a picture of the discoloration on her inner lip where the lump was once in place.

In her post, Janelle didn't just share her personal ordeal; she also seized the opportunity to urge her followers to remain proactive about their skin health, highlighting the importance of regular checks and vigilance, even with preventative measures like sunscreen in place.

In 2021, she also shared about the non-malignant basal cell carcinoma on her face, which she openly discussed on Instagram. Sharing a photo and her journey, she wrote, "I started to see what looked like a scar develop in an area on my lip where all of my cold sores for the past two decades have erupted."

She initially thought it was nothing but a new cold sore forming, but the scar never developed into anything more. Over the following year, it began to grow. Janelle used different scar medications to treat it to no avail.

When she finally had it checked, doctors discovered that it was a non-malignant basal cell carcinoma that needed to be removed. Fortunately, it was successfully taken out.

Janelle further underscored the relentless necessity of protection against sun exposure in her post. "This place on my face just looked like scar tissue and because I had cold sores there since my early 20s - it honestly did not occur to me to have it even looked at," she wrote. Her proactive approach and timely medical intervention allowed for early detection and treatment of her condition, for which she expressed gratitude.

Throughout these health scares and life's everyday hurdles, Janelle has consistently found support in her son, Garrison. Before his passing, Garrison was a pillar of strength for his mother, assisting her with practical tasks like hauling trailers and organizing belongings.

In 2023, Janelle shared her appreciation for Garrison's help through an Instagram tribute that included pictures of her son. "Im so grateful for my kids and bonus kids," she wrote.

A year before helping his mom with her belongings, Garrison also did his own fixing as he packed up his things and moved out of their family home. Garrison Brown made 2022 the year of independence as he secured a residence merely a twenty-minute drive from his father, Kody Brown's, home, notably valued at $890,000.

Garrison's new dwelling was modest yet inviting, spanning two floors with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, perfectly catering to his needs. Flooded with natural light, the 1,441-square-foot property featured fresh wood flooring and a welcoming fireplace on the first floor.

Additionally, the home included a small fenced-in courtyard and backyard, providing a serene outdoor space for relaxation and enjoyment. Records revealed that Garrison had taken out a $336K loan to finance his new Arizona home. He had agreed to repay the loan in full by January of 2052, embarking on the journey of homeownership at a relatively young age.

However, Garrison's decision to purchase his own home was not without its own set of circumstances. His move came after a feud between Garrison, his mother Janelle, and his father Kody had reached its breaking point, with tensions escalating over family COVID rules.

Garrison's decision to move out was a culmination of this ongoing conflict. Kody had imposed strict guidelines for celebrating holidays during the pandemic, insisting that if his sons wanted to maintain social lives, they should find their own living arrangements.

"I'm making all the sacrifices, and I'm asking everybody else to simply meet that level of sacrifice so that the family can exist," Kody stated firmly, emphasizing his expectations regarding adherence to his rules.

However, Garrison's compliance with his father's rules had been inconsistent, leading to further discord within the family. He had disregarded Kody's guidelines, prompting heated exchanges between family members.

During a particularly tense confrontation, Garrison challenged his father's authority, expressing defiance against his directives. Janelle tried defending her son, claiming he was close to securing payment for a new home and had been saving in the past months.

Kody Brown retaliated, expressing frustration with Garrison's behavior and indicating his intention to enforce consequences. "I tolerated a lot for a very long time until I realized that I was being lied to or deceived," he remarked. "I'm on the verge of washing my hands of it. I'm gonna have Gabriel and Garrison move out of the house."

Tragically, a year after moving into his own home, Garrison's life came to a devastating end. Reports surfaced indicating that Garrison had passed away, with indications suggesting suicide. Authorities responded to a report at Garrison's residence, where they found him deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Janelle confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media, mourning the loss of her son, who had been a cherished presence in their lives.

As previously reported on March 6:

Robert Garrison Brown, known affectionately to the public as one of the bright young faces on the hit TLC series "Sister Wives," has died, leaving a community in mourning and a family grappling with an unimaginable void.

The Flagstaff Police Department, responding to a distressing call on the morning of March 5, 2024, arrived at Robert's residence to a tragic scene. The 25-year-old, who had established his independence with his own home after moving away from his family, was found deceased.

Lieutenant Charles M. Hernandez II of the Flagstaff Police Department disclosed that Robert's younger brother, Gabriel, age 22, made the heart-wrenching discovery. The preliminary investigation suggests a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with no indication of foul play. As the Flagstaff PD continues their meticulous investigation, the absence of any apparent foul play leads them to approach this as an apparent suicide.

Robert's journey on "Sister Wives" commenced in 2010, at the inception of the series. Viewers were introduced to the polygamous family, with Robert's father, Kody Brown, at the helm, married to multiple wives, including Robert's mother, Janelle Brown. The show not only captured the dynamics of Kody's relationships but also highlighted the upbringing and lives of the Brown children, with Robert becoming a familiar, endearing fixture.

The recent years saw changes in the Brown family dynamic, including the divorce of Janelle and Kody in the previous year. Despite the changes, the children's bond throughout the adversity remained resolute. The children often posted one another on social media, with Robert being no exception.

Robert's passage into adulthood was marked by a commendable interest in serving his country. Initially aspiring to join the Army, Robert found his calling with the National Guard, a commitment that spoke volumes of his character and his desire to contribute to something greater than himself.

TLC, home to the series that chronicled Robert's upbringing and his family's unique lifestyle, released a statement expressing their devastation at the news of Robert's passing. The network extended their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the Brown family during this extraordinarily painful time.

Janelle shared poignant photos of her son on Instagram during his time of service, her words painting a portrait of a mother's love and a tribute to a life cut tragically short. "Kody and I are deeply saddened to announce the loss of our beautiful boy Robert Garrison Brown," her caption read. "He was a bright spot in the lives of all who knew him. His loss will leave such a big hole in our lives that it takes our breath away. We ask that you please respect our privacy and join us in honoring his memory."

In a solemn acknowledgment of their bereavement, Robert's family chose his own Instagram platform to communicate the news. A statement read, "Our beloved brother/son Robert (aka Garrison) passed late last night. We appreciate the love and support from all those who have given it." It concluded with a plea for privacy during their time of profound grief.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text "help" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.