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| Brandon Sketching on the Porch - prep sketch |
Brandon Layne was first diagnosed with NF1 at the age of 10 in 1991 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee. His parents had never heard of this before but had often about the odd birthmarks but didn't think much of it until his left cheek began to swell and he would have headaches. When he was finally properly diagnosed he was referred to surgeon Dr. Kevin Kelly who ordered an MRI and discovered the growth of a tumor that was 99 percent removed. Over the next 25 years tumors would return and have to be removed one on particuluar causing damage severe enough that bone had to be grafted from other places to repair his cheekbones. They have also been removed from his his left hand and calf and they continue emerge and are being closely monitored. He says the worst thing about NF growing up was the lack of friends which really hurt but he found other ways to occupy his time. Drawing and making up his own stories became a passion that he still greatly enjoys today.
Brandon enjoys talking with people about NF and trying to help them understand it. He is thankful everyday for loving family and his supportive wife Rebekah who is always there for him.
