Patient Stories > Back on the Bench

Back on the Bench

By Alex Osiadacz

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Judge Audrey Moran is known for her strength and fairness in the courtroom in Florida's Duval County. But one of the most difficult cases she's faced is breast cancer that spread to the lining of her brain.  

With the help of a dedicated care team and precise treatment, Judge Moran is back on the bench, and recent scans show something remarkable. 

AN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE 

Judge Moran doesn't shy away from a challenge, whether in her legal career, solving issues in her community or even her health.  

"We were treating the metastatic breast cancer in my abdomen about two years ago now. I began noticing that my balance wasn't very good, and then I started limping," she says. 

I'd gotten to the point where I almost didn't want to try anything anymore, and Dr. Advani really helped me realize this wasn't the time to give up. It was time to keep going. And boy, I'm glad I did. I'm really, really glad I did.

— Judge Audrey Moran

Scans in early 2024 showed the cancer had spread to the lining of her brain and spine. Treatment posed another challenge after Judge Moran developed an infection where a port would deliver chemotherapy into the lining of her brain.  

"I said, 'We're going to have to figure something else out.' My wonderful oncologist, Dr. Pooja Advani, had an idea because a new chemo had come out that she thought might be just the right thing for me," she says. 

A NEW TREATMENT 

Instead of delivering treatment directly into the lining of her brain, Judge Moran's care team was able to deliver a newly approved therapy through her arm. The results were better than expected. 

"The last scan I got of my brain, the results were that the brain cancer has resolved. I couldn't even believe it when I read it on my report," Judge Moran says. 

Follow-up appointments have confirmed that the treatment is still working for the metastasis in her abdomen. Beyond her diagnosis, Judge Moran remains active with her family and career. 

She says, "You know, my life is back. I’m at work. And I'm getting to do what I love."

A REMARKABLE JOURNEY 

In late September, Dr. Advani and Judge Moran had a chance to meet again. 

"It almost brought me to tears to have seen how she was in 2024 when she was going through this journey and the remarkable clinical progress that she has made," Dr. Advani says. 

Judge Moran adds, "I'd gotten to the point where I almost didn't want to try anything anymore, and Dr. Advani really helped me realize this wasn't the time to give up. It was time to keep going. And boy, I'm glad I did. I'm really, really glad I did." 

A version of this story was published on Mayo Clinic News Network.