Kate's Story
My journey started in October of 2012 when my neurologist misdiagnosed me with having had a stroke. For the next 16 months, I would suffer daily with a headache that never went away, a 25 pound weight loss, and exhaustion that made it difficult for me to get out of bed, let alone take care of my three small children. Luckily, I injured myself in December of 2013 and ended up in the hospital. For four days, several diagnoses were thrown around including multiple sclerosis and a brain tumor.
I was assigned a new neurologist, one whom refused to give up on me until I was correctly diagnosed. On January 2nd, 2014, I found out my mass was indeed a brain tumor. I had surgery to have it removed on February 10, 2014, and now have had a second surgery October 21, 2020 at Barrow Neurological Institute. The experiences have changed my life and perspective about everything.
When I came out of surgery, my oncologist told me I had about 2-3 years before I would’ve died as the tumor was growing and compressing vital components in my brain. When faced with my own mortality, it would forever change the way I looked at life … looked at everything around me. Mark Twain said, “There are two important days in your life; the day you’re born and the day you find out why.” I have found my why.
I need to make a difference in people’s lives, those who are struggling physically and/or mentally. I’ve already dedicated my time and efforts into helping the National Brain Tumor Society by being active in helping fundraise and donating a portion of the proceeds from my autobiography to them.
I needed to do more. I am personally committed, as are my family and friends, to raising money to help fund research to find a cure, and to help brain tumor patients and their families by providing support, both physically and financially.