Meet Katie

In March of 2022, Katie began experiencing severe headaches. After several months of tests and assessments from different specialists, her optometrist recognized brain swelling through a standard eye exam and recommended she go to Nationwide Children's Hospital emergency room immediately. Katie was brought to Nationwide Children's and diagnosed on August 8, 2022, with ganglioglioma, a rare, low-grade cancerous brain tumor by Dr. Jeffrey Leonard, Chief of Neurosurgery and Surgical Director of the Neuro-Oncology Program. Although the diagnosis was shocking to Katie, she also felt a sense of relief. 

“I was at the best hospital in the country to receive short term and long-term care,” shares Katie. “I also felt incredibly supported by my school as so many people were praying for me. That brought me a great sense of peace and hope.” 

Just two days later Katie underwent a 12-hour surgery.

After surgery, Katie immediately began working on cognition and memory. She was determined to work hard as she didn’t want to miss the first day of her senior year. And her hard work paid off. Discharged on August 20, Katie was in attendance for the first day of school on August 24. Though able to return to school, her road to recovery was just beginning. “We had her go through a driving school to renew her [license], she had physical and occupational therapy every week,” says Katie’s mom Chasity, “Eye appointments, MRI’s, oncology appointments, EKG/Echo, neurosurgeon visits.” It has been a year since Katie’s surgery and although her follow up appointments have slowed Katie remains on daily medication and is monitored monthly. But she doesn’t let that get in the way of her plans for her future.

Last week, exactly one year from her discharge, Katie left for her freshman year of college at the University of Dayton in the college of business, focusing on entrepreneurship. Her diagnosis kept her closer to home than she originally intended, but Katie is ready and excited to start her new chapter. 

“Because of the constant care and concern I’ve received from my team at Nationwide Children’s, I feel confident, healthy and ready!", Katie says. “They have helped me get here!"