The Brown family, best known for starring on Discovery's reality show Alaskan Bush People, have had a trying few months.
During the premiere of the seventh season, the family revealed that Ami, the matriarch, was battling stage III lung cancer. The family, who lived in on an isolated island in rural Alaska, were forced to pack up and temporarily move to southern California so Ami can seek treatment.
A few weeks ago, "Alaskan Bush People Exposed," a Facebook page with up-to-date insider information about the family, confirmed that Ami had completed a round of chemotherapy and "they are scheduled to start filming in a few weeks." However, a more recent update revealed that the 53-year-old matriarch's cancer has unfortunately progressed and she is scheduled to undergo a second round of chemo.
Ami's daughter, Rain also confirmed the disheartening news through a post on Instagram.
"Sadly I can't say how she is doing just yet, but we are all hopeful and faithful," wrote Rain. "Thank you all so much for your support and love in this harsh time."
The 14-year-old also opened up her secret mental health struggle in another Instagram post.
Last week, the youngest member of the Brown family took to Instagram to share that she has been dealing with depression for some time.
Rain posted a photo containing an inspirational quote accompanied with a lengthy caption that delved into the details of her personal struggle.
"For the past few days I've been struggling with some things, such as my depression, life, and some teen girl probs too (ya know a broken nail) and I couldn't figure out why I was in such bad shape I stayed in bed for about four days with minor aches and pains and I couldn't find out a reason, it bothered me so much, I lost any want to be healthy or motivational, I was just a husk," the teen wrote in the beginning of the post.
Rain admitted that there were days when she just felt like "staying in bed," but she's been taking care of herself and trying to get better. She continues to feel "still kinda down and like being lazy," but that's "alright because my body knows what it needs and if that's rest I won't be one to refuse."
"In the time of all this happening I told myself that over and over but it also hit me I had to actually believe it and just let it go and stop being bothered by it," she continued.
The candid teen also had some words of wisdom to impart on some of the fans who may be going through the same experience as her.
"Don't let your depression or dark feelings try to make you feel bad or people make you feel bad for doing what you know is right for you," she wrote.
You can read her entire post below:
While Rain didn't pinpoint what exactly caused her depression, there's a high chance that her mom's declining health was a contributing factor.
"I don't care who you are. I don't care what you've been through. I don't care how old you are. If you hear that your mother has cancer, it's going to shock you," said Rain during the season 7 premiere.. "I just wish I could change it somehow. I'm very scared for her."
You can send well wishes to the Brown family by writing a note on discovery.com/letters-to-the-browns. The network will print it out and give it to them.
