Mother of 3 young children is a survivor of grade 3 brain cancer

Mother of 3 young children is a survivor of grade 3 brain cancer

Katie

I live in the Washington D.C. area with my husband and kids, boy/girl twins and a younger daughter. I am structural engineer and drafter. I was diagnosed with a glioma in June 2013, which later was officially diagnosed as grade 3 astrocytoma. After a successful craniotomy followed by concurrent radiation and chemotherapy, I was deemed cancer-free in December 2014.

During my treatment and shortly after, I was studying to pass an exam that would certify me to work as a structural engineer, which I passed! I had extreme fatigue and lingering changes in taste from the chemo treatments, not to mention being more forgetful from the surgery itself and taking sleep medications. My husband had to do the majority of the housework and childcare. It’s now been a year since my last chemotherapy treatment and I’ve only recently gotten my full energy and stamina back. This success would not be possible without my support network and my medical team.

I’m fundraising for Race for Hope to help others in my situation and to give back to the brain tumor community. I hope to pass on my successful outcome to others.

Opinions expressed within this story belong solely to the author and do not reflect the views or opinions of the National Brain Tumor Society.