More Than Stage 4

01/19/2025

01/19/2025

11/05/2024

Go Vote!

11/03/2024

Heidi Klum stole my look this Halloween!! Just missed the mark on the pink hair! 🤣 Heidi Klum

04/17/2024

I’ve said many a times that I’m going to write a book about what not to say to your loved one, friend, co-worker when they unfortunately have to drop the bomb that they have cancer. I have pages and pages!

Telling you makes it real and it’s hard. 7/10 times, we end up consoling the person and ensuring them that things will be ok. This is just hard and it sucks and exhausting….. I hope that this might help someone and know I’m past being raw. My page has turned to humor.

03/28/2024

Last year, I was recovering from my HIPEC, not knowing it would be the beginning of the fierce fight for my life. Complications almost killed me and my cancer came back 3 weeks later. Today, I’m celebrating Orioles Opening Day with my favorite people, remembering a dear friend who is no longer with us, and still ready for what life brings my way. Celebrate your wins. Grow from your mistakes and keep living.

03/08/2024

Today is International Women’s Day and March is also Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. I am surrounded by compelling , dynamic, intelligent, supportive, strong and compassionate women. I am in awe of the caliber of women in all my different circles. Thank you for being my people.

I ask all women to prioritize their health and advocate for any test or scan or help you may need. What I have endured the past 3 years, I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

Stand up and prioritize yourself, your happiness, your goals and your health.

Xo,
Katherine

02/04/2024

Last week, I snuck to Hopkins alone because my pain was just unbearable. I didn’t even tell my parents because the stress of all this is just heartbreaking. My husband stayed home to save face with the kids.

The transition to Hopkins has been going very well. Their urgent care for oncology is top notch. Minimal wait. It’s literally an ER for cancer patients and there are only oncology nurse and docs - they know how to handle you, what questions to ask and most importantly they access ports. This is huge because all the ERs I have visited couldn’t/ wouldn’t and my veins are shot from chemo.

Though the results were inconclusive, my blood work came back “beautifully.” I now have a CT/ PET scan next Tuesday. This machine is one that only Hopkins has. One scan, means one time digesting the radioactive dye and CT contrast - which means it’s easier on your body instead of two separate scans.

As defeated as I felt moving to Hopkins. This really is the best place for me. I’m feeling more confident in my care. Now we wait for Tuesday. And yes… I finally told Mom and Dad. 😊

12/29/2023

Yesterday, I gave blood for a Signatera test. It’s a new test to see if there is any residual tumor / cancer in my system. If anything is detected, I will receive scans 6 weeks - 2 months and be closely monitored to see where the cancer cells decide to make a home so we can act quickly. If all clear, my scans will be the standard 3 month cycle and I will repeat the Signatera blood test in 6 months.

My CEA levels (usual cancer markers in blood) have never been elevated - even while in the thick of it. Funding in cancer research helps make new tech like this to help folks like me.

Even though, waiting to see when the ticking time bomb comes back sucks and is really fu***ng with my head - this could help my future. I’ve never heard of this test and I urge those who are battling this magnificent fight and currently NED, ask your oncologist about Signatera.

Fingers crossed my test comes back clear. (But, I won’t get results for weeks because we just love waiting) 😂