Brain cancer sucks- help Kelsey beat it!

2/18/25

Currently on round 3 of 9! Time is going fast, thankfully. This round of infusion did not have as much fatigue or ad many headaches as the previous rounds, which has been a welcomed change. Praying my chemo week is the same.

I had an MRI done during the last visit which showed some increased growth; HOWEVER, there is no blood flow, so it is most likely inflammation. I agree with this assessment based on the lack of physical symptoms. Last time there was growth, I knew before having the MRI as I had return of some symptoms. One thing about dealing with all of this for over a year, you start to really learn and listen to your body. For now, we stay the course of going to NYC every 3 weeks for the infusion, taking chemo and another study medication during week 2, and getting 1 week off before going back again.

I also saw my endocrinologist who was very happy with everything. My Cushing’s syndrome (which is too much cortisol) has mostly resolved. This was caused by having to take high doses of steroids due to massive swelling in my brain. Cushing’s causes extreme weight gain, body hair growth, muscle loss, round face, along with a plethora of other symptoms. As I have tapered off the steroids, so many of my symptoms have improved, including losing 65lbs. This alone has helped me feel so much better. My Grave’s disease (hyperthyroid) has increased slightly but we have made the necessary medication changes to correct that. Overall, really good news!

Man, this has been a wild ride! It has been such a learning experience as a patient and also as a medical provider. I am thankful to have God, my family, loved ones, and community behind me. The prayers and support are crucial

Please come out and join us for a fundraiser at First Christian Church, 1211 Hull Rd, Ruidoso, on Saturday March 29th from 12-5pm. This has been organized by Dr. Munchies y Mas and House of Nails (love you guys)! There will be a full menu available from the food truck as well as order ahead whole slicked brisket. If you can’t make it, other donations are always welcomed on GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/4766b678) or Venmo (@Kelsey-Stierwalt). I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful community. Come out, have some fun, and enjoy some amazing food!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

-Kelsey

UPDATE:

2/7/25 (never posted – updated post coming soon)

 

Well, it's been a roller coaster!

 

Monday (2/3), I had an iron infusion which was much needed due to my levels being low from bleeding. Little did I know, my Medicaid had ended. I did not find this out until Tuesday when I was headed to my physical therapy appointment. I had no clue that Social Security Disability payments count as income when you are being evaluated for insurance. Because I “make too much” with disability, I lost Medicaid. Good lesson to pass along to all of you. I am currently pursuing other avenues of insurance but that means I will spend the month of February with no coverage. The clinical trial I am in currently will cover the study mediation but nothing else. So, I will be responsible for labs, any imagining, and chemotherapy, along with flights, lodging, food. Not what I was expecting at all, especially after fighting with Medicaid for a month to get prior authorization for this trial in the first place. Ugh, our system is so backwards.

 

In other not so great news, my neuro-oncologist from Lennox Hill is leaving. She has been with me from the beginning of this journey and at this point feels like an old friend. There was never anything but complete trust in her care. She is such a beautiful soul, tough but kind. I am thankful for the time I had with her. She will be greatly missed! Thank you, universe, for blessing me with her. In the meantime, I will use the wonderful oncologist from Sloan-Kettering who is the head of this drug trial.

 

Even with all the roadblocks, I am still confident I am on the right path. I think sometimes we have to show how steadfast we are and then blocks will clear. I would appreciate some smooth sailing soon, though ;)

 

As always, any form of support is much appreciated and needed (prayers, cards, monetary donations, etc).

 

Mailing address:

PO Box 1780

Alto, NM 88312

 

Venmo:

@kelsey-stierwalt

 

Together we will make it through the next 7 months and beyond. Thank you all for the support! <3

1/22/2025

 

Hi Everyone,

 

Great news…I got into the study at Sloan-Kettering!!!

 

There are 9 cycles in the study, each of which is 3 weeks long, so about 7 months. Day 1 of the cycle is when I will get the infusion in NYC. There is no option to have it done closer to home. Days 8-14 I will take chemotherapy along with a new medication, orally at home. I will have a week off and then head back to NYC for another infusion. This pattern continues the entire time or until things worsen (praying they don’t). After 9 cycles, the infusion and one oral medication will stop. I will continue the other oral medication until it stops working, praying that it never does. It will be grueling but is needed to avoid another surgery. I am anxious but ready to get started. I have a lot of hope and feel this is the right path for me. Being part of a study will not only help me but will also help others in the future who are in a similar situation.

 

The plan is for my mom and me to head back to NYC on Sunday. On Monday, I will have the remainder of the intake including labs, EKG, and updated MRI. Thursday, I will get my first infusion. We will then head home the following day. Rinse and repeat.

 

Thank you for the prayers, good vibes, and positive energy. It makes all the difference for me through this wild journey. We are still working on a few events to fundraise; as soon as we have the details, I will pass them along. Support in any form is welcome including cards, which I always enjoy receiving. My mailing address is PO Box 1780, Alto, NM 88312. Please consider donating to GoFundMe (https://gofund.me/d3308c5f) or Venmo @Kelsey-Stierwalt. Asking for donations and help is very difficult, even now, over a year later. Trust me, I would much rather be working, taking care of patients, not being the patient. I pray this study will get me back to a place where I can give back again. In the meantime, I am trying to take care of me. Your help and prayers ease the stress during this time.

 

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

 

Love, peace, and blessings,

Kelsey <3

1/16/25

 

NYC here we come…again!

 

After a month of going back and forth with insurance, I finally got a prior-authorization to come to the study! My Mom and I are on our way to NYC today and have an appointment with Memorial Sloan-Kettering tomorrow. This will be for screening to make sure I would be a good candidate and that I fit the study criteria. Unfortunately, I do not have much more information than that. All of the details will be discussed tomorrow at the appointment. Thank you to everyone for the prayers and positive vibes, they have carried my family and I through this past year. Unfortunately, with new growth, the process and fight are basically starting over again, brain tumor 2.0.

 

We are still taking donations here on GoFundMe, which I hear a lot of people do not like to use. My Venmo is @Kelsey-Stierwalt, last 4 digits are 5899. We also have some upcoming fundraisers as well, details at a later date.

 

With lots of love,

Kelsey

UPDATE from Kelsey:

12/9/24

Hi friends, here’s the latest update…

My most recent MRI was a perfusion study which looks at blood flow in the area of change in my brain. Unfortunately, this is new tumor growth and not tumor death, which was the hope. This means my current chemotherapy is not keeping the cancer in check. Lots of options have been discussed including another brain biopsy for updated staging, brain surgery to debulk the tumor, radiation, or clinical trials to try different medications. I am not gung ho on another brain surgery or radiation unless it is absolutely necessary. I had a lot of physical deficits and memory issues from the last round of treatment that I am returning to a new “normal“ from. As function is my main priority, our next step is to find a clinical trial that I meet the criteria for so I can try a combination of medications. Hopefully, this will manage the tumor better. If not, I will have to proceed with another surgery and possibly another round of radiation. Due to the location of the new growth, side effects from surgery could be cognitive which is very scary.

This is definitely not the news any of us wanted and is actually quite heartbreaking for me and my loved ones. The past year has been the hardest of my life. The thought of having to do it again is exhausting, especially when coming from a place of such fatigue already. However, the other option would be to do nothing, which is not really an option at all. Not having commercial insurance adds a huge additional layer of stress onto all of this as Medicaid does not cover services out of state. I have been with my oncologist and neurosurgeon in NYC for all of my care and do not want to give them up during this crucial time. That means all of my care with them will be out of pocket. However, considering it is my brain, there is no price tag too high. I know it’s a difficult time for most of us financially, but if you can, please consider donating.

I have faith that this will still end up okay; that this is a speed bump not a finial destination. But I know I will have to fight even harder for the next few months. Please continue praying and sending good vibes our way. As always, we can take every piece of positivity we can get. Thank you so much for all of your support over the past year. It’s hard to believe I’ve been fighting this for that long. Now is not the time to give up but the time to rally the troops and fight harder.

With love and gratitude,

Kelsey

From Kelsey 7/22/24

Hello! It has been some time since my last update with lots of things that have happened since then.

I went to New York several weeks ago to meet with my entire cancer team. I had a specialized MRI of my brain and neurosurgery was happy with the regression of the tumor after surgery, chemo, and radiation. The plan remains to continue on five days of chemotherapy every month for the next year. The surgeon was able to get a little over 50% of the tumor out; the remaining tumor will need to be monitored with an MRI about every three months. This will continue until something changes such as increased symptoms or growth of the tumor.

I was seen by pulmonology for the blood clots in my lungs. They repeated some lab work, which has dramatically improved, thank the universe. As I do not really have any symptoms from these, the plan is to follow up in three months. At that time they will perform a walking test to make sure I am getting enough oxygen with movement. They will also repeat an echo to make sure that my heart has recovered from the strain the blood clots put on it.

My biggest issue currently is my adrenal glands which make hormones for the body. Since I’ve been on steroids for so long, my body is struggling to start making its own steroids again. I am currently working with endocrinology to help get my body back online. It has been going so so. With the insufficiency, I have a lot of fatigue, restless legs, foot burning/pain, muscle and joint pain, balance issues, and brain fog. Thankfully, these wax and wane every day and I do not always have all of these symptoms at once. The full body and foot pain, however, have become pretty constant which is difficult. Honestly, this is worse than having brain surgery itself. Go figure :)

Unfortunately and sadly, during all of this I had to resign from my job (long story) and have lost my insurance. It is a very scary thing to experience in the middle of a cancer battle. Please continue to send prayers, good vibes, and mojo my way.

On a good note, I feel the best I have felt mentally for quite some time which I am so grateful for. Thank you for the support during all of this. It means more than you will ever know. <3

From Kelsey 5/27/24

Hi friends!

Unfortunately, I was not doing/feeling well last weekend which prompted us to go to the Emergency Department the Sunday before last. It was found that I have several blood clots in both lungs and both lower legs. Honestly, it felt like I was dying and consider myself lucky and blessed for pulling through. I was then transferred to Albuquerque to a larger hospital for care where I stayed several days. I am currently on a blood thinner to help with the clots. There was discussion of putting in a filter which was decided against due to the risk with my cancer. I was discharged Wednesday and returned to the ED Friday night for new/worsening symptoms. I was diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency and given steroids (which I had finished just a few days prior) and pain medication. My body has been on steroids for so long that it was unable to handle the stress of the blood clots. Once it received steroids again to help it with the stress of these new medical conditions, everything improved. I am now back home at my apartment in Albuquerque with my parents to make sure everything goes okay before returning to Ruidoso.

It has been a really tough journey. I honestly feel worse this time around than I had previously, including after my brain surgery. However, I think we are headed in the right direction but not out of the woods yet.

Keep all the prayers, positive thoughts, and good vibes coming. We really need them to get through all of this. <3

From Kelsey 4/17/24

Hi friends! I know it has been some time since the last update. Recovery has been up and down but overall in the right direction. As my brain continues to heal and I taper from the steroids I have had an increase in seizures. However, it is still a low number and most of the time I am able to stop them from progressing to a full desire with at home medicine.

I did have one full motor seizure several weeks ago that required Emergency Department evaluation with CT scan. The scan was normal thankfully. An MRI several days confirmed the tumor looks better and symptoms/seizures are to be expected during this healing process. This was further confirmed by the tumor board in NYC.

For now, the plan is to continue to taper down on the steroids every 5 days. During the taper, I will remain out of work to allow for peaceful healing at home. I will also continue chemotherapy 5 days/month for the next year. Next step is to have a specialized MRI in NYC at the end of May to recheck everything.

Your continued support, prayers, good vibes, positive mojo are all appreciated! Please keep them coming.

From Kelsey:

Hi Friends!

Unfortunately, I have had multiple unprovoked seizures in the past week. One intense enough that it required me to go to the Emergency Department for further evaluation. Thankfully, I was discharged home after having everything checked out. The next step is to get another MRI to try to find out what may be going on.

Please send extra prayers and good vibes my way! They are very much needed at this time.

Thank you <3

3/12/24:

Finally back in my sacred mountains in New Mexico recovering from an extremely grueling battle with brain tumor treatment in NYC. Words will never be able to express my gratitude for the plethora of blessings throughout this whole journey. I know the universe has been there through it all; along with the love and support of you all.

I am still quite symptomatic and my recovery will take some time but I faith that every day will continue to show improvement. Your continued support is integral to my progress as love is the great healer.

I love hearing from you all as it reminds me what an awesome community I have behind me. However, speaking on the phone is not the best way as it requires a lot of energy. Social media, text, or snail mail are better as it allows me to respond when able. However, sometimes there may not be a response as I balance my healing with energy levels.

Image

3/6/24:

TWO DAYS LEFT OF TREATMENT!!!

Stay strong, stay positive, and never give up!

Love to you all <3

3/4/24:

“Hope is the one thing that can help us get through the darkest of times.”

Four more days of radiation and chemotherapy left!!! Thank the Universe!!! <3

Unfortunately, my brain has been very inflamed and irritated from treatment. This led to a seizure two days ago and a lot more symptoms. Although they are unpleasant, they are to be expected and will likely continue for a few weeks.

We leave NYC on 3/7 and could not be more excited. It has been such an amazing experience to receive world class care here; however, I am ready to be back in the Land of Enchantment.

I will get an MRI in four weeks, in NM, to check the progress of treatment on the tumor so far. At six weeks, oral chemotherapy will start again which will be five consecutive days/month for one year. Further treatment will be dictated by the MRI and response to other treatment.

Please keep the prayers, good mojo, love, and monetary support coming! Any and all of it helps and is enormously appreciated.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! <32/28/2024:

Gratitude

Let us count our joys,

Life’s precious moments,

That beam a sparkle of sunshine

On our hearts and souls.

-Adele Basheer

Hi Friends! Today marks 7 more days of radiation and 12 more days of chemotherapy! WOOOO! What a wild and crazy journey it has been.

Thankfully, my seizures have been under better control for the past few weeks with change in medication. This has given me more freedom to leave our lodging and get some fresh air and exercise. It lifts my spirits and has been healing for my soul. Thank you for the prayers and good vibes which have played a huge role in helping to control the seizures as well.

Overall, I am having more symptoms such as lethargy, brain fog, and ride sided tingling/heaviness. All of which are to be expected with my treatment but can still be hard to deal with on a daily basis. These symptoms are expected to continue for several weeks after treatment ends and will likely worsen during that time. Although I have increased fatigue, it can be hard to rest due to the steroids which cause increased energy. It is a hard balancing act which I take day by day.

I am so blessed to be here in NYC with an absolutely stellar medical team! Being away from home has been extremely difficult but I do not question being here for my care. I would love to look out my window to see New Mexico mountains and gorgeous sunsets, snuggle my puppy and hang out with my family, and just return to a normal life. However, I know those days are approaching fast and it fills my heart with so much joy to countdown to it.

When I was first diagnosed, I did not know how any of this would play out. Then the universe coordinated it all. The support from you all have kept me propped up along the way. Thank you all so much for the emotional, spiritual, and monetary support. They are all equally appreciated and continue to be needed. I was uncomfortable having a GoFundMe started for me at first but am so thankful it was. I have so many amazing people around me and sometimes monetary donations are the best way to help. Being away from home in an expensive city, covering cancer care cost, along with day-to-day expenses can be overwhelming. Having your support has eased that burden tremendously. Thank you!

I want you all to know how much I appreciate each one of you, from the bottom of my heart. So many blessings have been bestowed upon me and I do not take any of that for granted. Although the updates here have become fewer, the need for support has greatly increased as treatment is taking a toll on me. Unfortunately, the energy to update as often has decreased dramatically. I will continue to update as able as it means the world to have you on this journey with me. <3

“Rest and be thankful.” – William Wordsworth

2/12/24 update:

Hi Friends! Today marks brain radiation treatment 14 of 30 (occurs every weekday afternoon at the hospital). It is also day 21 of oral chemotherapy as this is taken every night at home.

I was told the cumulative effect of treatment would start to become very apparent around week 3 and they were not messing around with that one! It was like being hit by an NYC delivery truck; one day doing great, the next down and out. I awoke to a focal right sided seizure in the early morning on Thursday which lasted about 1-2 minutes. This was followed by sporadic episodes of partial right arm and leg seizures, alternatively. I took what medication I had; however, the arm twitching/partial seizure continued for 2 hours which required us to call 911 after consulting with my neurosurgeon. I do not recommend being carried down 4 flights of stairs in a NYC walk-up in a wheelchair. May have been more nerve wrecking than the actual seizure itself, haha. Let’s just say the emergency personal in the city are amazing and earth angels, without question.

Thankfully my work-up at the Emergency Department was normal meaning it was not a stroke or something else in the brain besides the known tumor/cancer. As radiation and chemotherapy progresses, the brain swells which can trigger seizures. The problem is my brain has been swollen for months so did not have any extra room to accommodate the new swelling, which triggered the seizure. As always, I received the most excellent care at Lenox Hill. I was evaluated by my neurosurgery team, the ED physician, and the neurology team who specializes in Epilepsy (seizures). As my seizures have changed, instead of being full body with loss of consciousness like previously, they have localized to my right side and I am awake for them, they changed my medication to better treat this type. It has been a rough few days as I continue to have partial seizures daily, often multiple/day. Thankfully, the duration and frequency has decreased. However, I have been pretty much apartment bound for fear that one will occur when out and about. This actually happened after radiation treatment on Thursday and Friday. My care team states this is to be expected and is monitoring closely and making medication changes as needed. I was told that this is now likely the normal until treatment ends. The hope is that this is truly only brain inflammation and not tumor/cancer progression.

This is definitely the most rattled I have been on this journey and request lots of extra prayers for these seizures to stop or at least become more manageable/less frequent. Again, this is all very normal but it is really hard when you are the on going through it. Send those good vibes my way! As of now, my last day of treatment is 3/6. I have follow-up with neurosurgery, medical oncology, and radiation tomorrow in person. I have also started physical therapy to help with right sided foot/leg residual effects from surgery. Pray that I will be able to continue with this, despite the seizures, as it will make a big difference in my daily life.

Overall, the blessings keep coming! I can see them all around and am so grateful; just need to make it through these next few weeks. I am hopeful these are minor setbacks and my healing continues on a steep forward trajectory. Request for prayers, good mojo, healing universal energy, whatever you would like to call it, please send it our way. Physical cards of encouragement are also wonderful to receive and read; please contact Nikki for the NYC address if interested.

I am so thankful to have such a wonderful community supporting me through this. I truly can feel the love and encouragement from all of you. I know the support is there but definitely needing a boost at the moment! Please continue to support me and my loved ones through this journey in anyway you can. I will never be able to show/express all the love and gratitude I have for you all.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! <3

From Kels:

Finally a GoFundMe update…

Hi everyone! It has been some time since my last update but things are going well. I have spent the past few weeks at home with my family in New Mexico recouping and healing after surgery. It was wonderful to be back in my sacred mountains.

My mom and I returned to NYC Monday to settle in for 6 weeks of treatment. We were blessed to find an Airbnb just 4 blocks from the hospital. This allows an easy walk to and from appointments and treatments. I had my confirmation radiation mask fitting on Tuesday which was a perfect fit!

Today wrapped up my first week. The first round of oral chemotherapy, which I take at home, was Tuesday night and will be every night for the next 6 weeks. My first radiation treatment was Wednesday and will be every weekday for 6 weeks. It only takes about 10 minutes for the treatment. So far, I have some fatigue and brain fog afterwards in the evenings. Overall, I still feel decently well the rest of the time. However, the effects are cumulative so I know it may get worse before it gets better. That being said, I feel so supported by all of you and my wonderful medical team at Lenox Hill. As hard as it is to be away from home during treatment, I know the universe has put me in the best hands possible. This hospital is such a place of healing. I am so grateful to be here!

Thank you for helping make all of this possible with your donations, love, support, prayers. I understand how blessed I have been to be able to seek out the best care, which is in a large part, because of you. Thank you, thank you, you! So much love to you all <3

1/8/24 update:

I am headed back to NYC this morning for my radiation mapping appointment tomorrow. This consists of scanning my face/head and making a mask to wear during radiation treatments. The goal is to protect as much of the healthy tissue as possible while directing the radiation beam to the cancerous tumor. The mask actually snaps to the table so I can’t move which is both creepy and cool lol. The mask making appointment takes about an hour to scan and the mask will take 2 weeks to be ready. I will return to NM during that time to spend much needed time with my loved ones. Once the mask is ready, I will head back to NYC for 6 weeks to receive radiation and chemotherapy treatment. Chemo starts the night before radiation and will be a daily pill for 6 weeks. Radiation will be 5 days/week, so every week day, for 6 weeks. The radiation treatments take about 10 minutes to administer. Fatigue will be the most bothersome symptom and is cumulative, meaning it is not bad at first but builds over time. Radiation of the brain causes a lot of swelling which in turn makes one not feel very well.

All of this is new and uncharted territory for me, as a patient, which brings some anxiety. However, I feel so supported by the universe/powers that be/my spiritual committee/whatever name one would like to call it, that I do not have any fear. I am ready to tackle this head on and know I can handle anything coming my way; although, it will be difficult at times. My next task is to find housing for this 6 weeks. This is where your finical contributions mean the absolute most! I cannot describe how blessed and grateful I am for all of you helping ease this finical burden of seeking care away from my home. I know that I am in the best hands with my medical team and am so thankful to have this opportunity. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! It was hard to ask my community for help but everyone has been so gracious. It has been heartwarming to experience all of the love from everything. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

1/5/23 (Kelsey): Wanted to check in with you and give a little update. I saw my care team of neurosurgery, oncology, and radiology oncology on Monday. I then flew back that evening to spend a few days with my loved ones. I was doing great until lunch time the following day when I had my first ever seizure. It was very scary for all of us 911 was called and I got transported to the hospital. They wanted to admit me at the podunk hospital we were at but had to transfer me first due to not having neurology. Thankfully neurology at the big hospital did not agree with admission so instead I was started on anti-seizure medication and discharged home.

Thankfully, all is well here again! I fly back to NYC Monday to have my radiation mask mapping and CT made on Tuesday at 0700. Then fly to NM that afternoon. It takes about 2 weeks for the mask to get finished but they will try to rush it. So looking at chemo and radiation starting the week of 1/22.

What a ride! But a blessed one!

12/29/2023 update (Kelsey): Today marks one week post-op from having over 50% of the cancerous brain tumor removed! It is still so surreal but in the best possible way. Thank God for modern science, my stellar neurosurgeon, Dr. D’Amico, and his team. The care I have received at Lenox Hill is world class and beyond compare. I do not have any pain, the incision is healing beautifully, and my overall symptoms have decreased. My mom and I are still in NYC at our hotel recovering, recouping, and trying to process everything. Follow-up with neurosurgery and oncology will take place on 1/2. At that time, I should be cleared to fly and will be returning to New Mexico for several weeks to continue to recover. I am so excited to get back to the Land of Enchantment, endless blue skies, and my sacred mountains. I cannot wait to see my beloved dachshund, Zeus, my partner, my family, and loved ones. NYC has been a godsend and I have enjoyed the hustle and bustle. Thankfully I am well enough to stroll the neighborhoods, slowly with a walker, but am getting out and about all the same. We were even able to go to Rockefeller Center to see the Christmas windows and tree. Such a magical place! I am still experiencing some sensory changes in my right foot and lower leg although they are improving every day. I have faith that once the inflammation calms down and my brain shifts back, the symptoms will completely resolve.

This has been such a wild, crazy, beautiful ride. I will never be able to comprehend how blessed I truly am. Thank you all for the thoughts, prayers, and mojo because I know that is holding myself and loved ones up. The current plan is to return to NYC on 1/29 to begin radiation and chemotherapy for 6 weeks. Unfortunately, the whole state of New Mexico does not have neuro-oncology. Due to this and wanting to stick with my amazing neuro team, I will be back in the big apple soon. I count my blessings everyday that I am able to seek out this care, mostly due to your financial generosity. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I look forward to returning to work to help patients through their health journeys, just like mine now.

Be kind, take care of each other, and spread the love out into the world! There is enough tough times for all of us, be apart of the joy and solution. Together we got this. From the bottom of my heart, I am eternally grateful for you all! <312/25/2023: MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! I have had so many miracles already but the best Christmas miracle is I have been discharged from the hospital today!

I will be staying with my Mom and Dad at our hotel in NYC for the next 1-1.5 weeks to allow for more healing to occur before flying back to NM.

NYC at Christmas time is magical and am looking forward to experiencing some of that in person. I hope you all have a wonderful day filled with love and joy! We will never be able to express our gratitude but will not stop paying it forward. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

12/24/23: I have been moved to a regular floor from ICU for monitoring as things are going well! My MRI from last night to check everything post operatively looked great. I have recovered full sensation in my right hand and my right foot and leg have recovered about 80-90% of sensation. I am up walking with a walker and have dramatically improved from yesterday. Anticipated discharge from the hospital is 12/26. Will stay in NYC for 1-1.5 weeks after leaving the hospital before I can fly home. From there will recoup for 4-6 weeks then return to NYC to start radiation and chemo.

Thank you so much for the love and support through this all! Please follow for updates on here and social media as it is difficult to respond to everyone via text/IM for both myself and loved ones. Keep the positive thoughts, prayers, and mojo coming! They are making a huge difference. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

12/23/23 (from Kelsey): Good morning from NYC! Surgery yesterday was successful at removal of about 50% of the cancerous tumor.

My neurosurgeon was ecstatic with this as it provides much needed space for my brain to move back to where it should be. This will help greatly with my symptoms, pressure on the brain, and prognosis. I woke up from surgery feeling great. I actually think I’m funnier than before! How is that possible?!

I have some right sided changes, mostly tingling/numbness, that are expected to improve as the brain swelling subsides. It hasn’t even been 24 hours since surgery so I trying to remember to be patient. I ask for prayers that total resolution of symptoms occurs quickly!

Overall, I am doing so well and know it has a lot to do with all the support from you all. Thank you Upon discharge from the hospital, I will need to stay in NYC for 1-1.5 weeks before I am able to fly home. I am so grateful to have my amazing parents by my side through this and am hoping to see the Rockefeller tree all decorated soon

Please continue to keep us all in your thoughts and prayers. Please continue to donate and share. Everything helps!

From the bottom of my heart and soul, thank you!

Kelsey is out of surgery!! Doctor very pleased with outcomes - 50% + tumor removal - maybe a week before released to fly- when we get more I will pass it on. Excellent mentation. Numbness in two fingers expected to get better.

12/21/23: (from Kelsey) I will be having brain surgery first thing in the morning in hopes of removing up to 70% of the tumor, which is amazing! The functional brain MRI provided much needed information about approach and safety of surgery; information we did not have previously. Removing that much of the tumor will help tremendously with symptoms and outcome. Dr. D’Amico (neurosurgeon) and his team are absolutely amazing! They have my full confidence and I am in awe of their expertise every time we speak. Such blessings!

The surgery will take about 5 hours on average. After which, I will go to neuro ICU for a few days. Once able, I will be discharged from the hospital and return to New Mexico for 4-6 weeks for recovery. Then I will return to NYC for 6 weeks for radiation and chemotherapy. Radiation will be 5 days/week for those 6 weeks and chemotherapy will be daily during that time. After which, I will take a 4-6 week holiday from chemotherapy then start again, 5 times/month, for 12 months. The chemotherapy is an oral pill so can be done at home in New Mexico.

Overall, I cannot express my gratitude enough for the care I am receiving here. Just as importantly, the love and support from all of you has left me amazed. I am so thankful for each and everyone. I can feel the love and support around me always. It is such an amazing feeling to have while headed into a nerve-wrecking surgery and recovery. Please keep it all coming! <3

12/20/23 (from Kelsey): Hi friends! I was admitted to Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC Monday evening. A functional MRI of the brain was done and results are pending, hopefully will have later today. This will help the neurosurgical team know what actual functions of the brain the tumor is interfering with. Once these results are back, a decision on surgery will be made. The timing of chemotherapy and radiation will depend on if surgery is performed.

Overall, I am in high spirits and feeling blessed to be at a hospital that specialize in complex brain tumor treatment, including surgical and non-surgical options. If I have surgery, it will happen on Friday 12/22 (as of now). My mother is in NYC by my side during the day in the hospital and staying at a hotel at night to rest and recoup. I am hoping my partner, dad, and brother may be able to join us in NYC for surgery (if decided on) and Christmas. My earth angel who helped orchestrate this amazing journey came by last night to see me and brought world famous cookies! Chocolate helps everything, always 

Thank you to everyone for the love, support, prayers, good thoughts, financial contributions, everything! Please keep them coming! It has been truly amazing to connect and reconnect with so many amazing people. I will never be able to express the gratitude both myself and loved ones have for each and every one of you. Thank you for making this possible and easing the very real financial burden of being diagnosed with a life limiting diagnosis. Thank you, thank you, thank you! <3 Kelsey

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12/14/23 update: NYC here they come!!! Kelsey and her mother will be flying to New York on 12/17. The following day they will go to Lenox Hill hospital where she will be admitted for a functional brain scan. This will give the neurosurgery team the needed information about how the brain tumor is affecting function. Based on the review of records and telehealth appointment with Dr. D’Amico that occurred several days ago, he would like to treat this tumor aggressively including with surgery to “de-bulk” or remove part of it, something she was previously told was not an option. Having the functional brain scan information allows an educated discussion to be made about surgical vs non-surgical options. After that is decided, medical treatment will also begin with chemo and radiation concurrently. Based on the treatment time frame given from an oncology consult in New Mexico, radiation would occur 5 days/week for 33 treatments (6 weeks). There are no neuro-oncologists in the state of New Mexico so Kelsey would stay in NYC while receiving these treatments. She is looking forward to seeing NYC during Christmas but is sad to leave her partner, family, dog, and support network in NM. However, as she is so young with a very serious medical condition, she needs to see people who specialize in these types of tumors and treatment. She is so thankful to have the opportunity to see these experts in NY! Your financial support greatly reduces her stress of being away from home, staying in an expensive city over the holidays, and also being away from work for several months. Thank you for your generosity, love, support, prayers, good mojo, all of it! Please keep it coming so we can support her and her loved ones during this difficult time. <3

update: for those of you asking for Kelsey's venmo it is https://venmo.com/u/Kelsey-Stierwalt. reach out with any questions! Thanks so much guys. Kelsey is blown away from

your love and support! ❤️

Friends and colleagues of Kelsey Stierwalt are organizing this GoFundMe campaign to help Kelsey deal with the financial realities of a newly diagnosed brain tumor. After several months of vague symptoms, a debilitating headache took Kelsey to the Emergency Department where she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Biopsy on November 20 that she has an aggressive astrocytoma, grade 3. The tumor is wrapped up in the brain stem which means they are unable to remove this surgically. Due to this, medical treatment including chemotherapy and radiation are the only options. Immediate-ASAP treatment is needed to slow the growth. She is currently receiving care in her home state but is seeking out a second and possibly third opinion due to the aggressive nature, her young age, and hope to minimize collateral damage during treatment. Kelsey was fortunate to connect with a neurosurgeon at Lenox Hill Brain Tumor Center in New York City and has scheduled a telehealth consult for this coming week. However, because Lenox Hill is outside of New Mexico, this consult has to be paid for out of pocket.

We are fundraising to help Kelsey have the financial flexibility to choose what care is best for her regardless of geography or the arbitrary rules of the world of insurance. She has been seeking out energy work, which nourishes her spirit and buoys her mind, but is also not covered by insurance. She has been out of work since the diagnosis and is unsure if or when she will be able to return to work. Your contribution will help Kelsey and her family navigate a devastating diagnosis and provide Kelsey the grace and dignity she deserves during this challenging time.

Kelsey is currently a physician assistant working in Women’s Health in Albuquerque, a true passion for her. She went into medicine to make a difference and care for others, a calling she has had since she was a little girl. She has previously worked in Primary care and Urgent care in Maine, where she attended PA school and lived for 9 years. Now she finds herself in the role of patient, while facing a very different future than she had anticipated. We have loved working with her and being her friend, and she is the type of person you want as your medical provider. We want her to get better so she can get back to her calling. Kelsey is hesitant asking her community for help, but we insisted that you would want to know what she was going through and how to support her. So, we are providing a way for you to do just that!

Kelsey would love to hear from family and friends, though she has limited bandwidth to respond to everyone. However, just receiving the messages of love and support go such a long way! Handwritten cards/letters are always extra special to receive. She loves to read, listen to audio books, and enjoys doing puzzles with her family. She plans to start a new hobby to help shift the focus to something enjoyable during this scary time and would like to start learning to crochet. The Woobles crochet kits would start teaching the skills while providing adorable end results. lilies are her favorite flower. If you do not have her contact information, please reach out to the organizer to further discuss.

Thank you for your support! <3