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Lauryn “Pumpkin” Efird shared her sister Anna “Chickadee” Cardwell is doing “a little bit better” as she battles cancer.
“She’s been able to still go to the grocery store and still do everyday things, which is actually pretty much a blessing ’cause I know most people at stage 4 and stuff physically [can’t],” the reality star told People on Friday.
Cardwell, 28, was diagnosed with stage 4 adrenal carcinoma in January after going to the doctor with complaints of stomach pain.
Cancer was found in her liver, kidney and lungs.
The “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” alum recently wrapped up her fourth round of chemotherapy.
Efird, 23, also told People that the chemo has actually helped Cardwell.
“The chemo didn’t drag her down as much… when people think ‘chemo’ and things like that, they think older people and instantly, I feel like it makes them sicker,” she said.
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“For her, I feel like it’s helped her. She said her pain is getting better.”
Cardwell’s mother, “Mama June” Shannon, shared Wednesday that Cardwell’s cancer is terminal.
“We don’t know what to expect because the cancer is very aggressive, and it grew from nothing to something huge on the left side of her body really fast,” she told “Entertainment Tonight.
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“She’s stage 4. She’s not gonna go into remission. We’ve all accepted that, so I just tell people ‘one day at a time’ ’cause you never know.”
The “Mama June: From Not to Hot” alum added that Cardwell’s options for her next course of treatment include immunotherapy or clinical trials.
Since the diagnosis, the mother of two has made sparse video updates on her social media accounts.
On June 5, she gave a high-energy food review of a fruit snack brand via Instagram as she sported a pink turban to cover her hair loss. The reality star seemed in high spirits as she rated various snacks for her followers.
Efird confirmed to People that Cardwell had “shaved” her hair off after it began falling out in “chunks.”
“And she doesn’t have any eyebrows or anything,” the TLC star added. “But other than that, physically wise, I feel like she’s doing a little bit better.”
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Efird said that she still holds out hope for her sister.
“Honestly, who’s not to say a year from now they’ll have a cure. The medical field is growing every single day,” she said.
Cardwell’s little sister Alana “Honey Boo Boo” Thompson is also looking for a silver lining during her sister’s battle.
She said, “It is crazy to think that she will not be here probably in five years, but I’m hoping that she can pull through and fight 10, 20 years.”
