Two years. Multiple surgeries. A rare cancer. Open heart surgery. And now — brain metastases.

Kathy has faced an extraordinary series of medical challenges — including cancer, heart surgery, and now critical infections and brain lesions. She has fought each one with strength, supported by her family. But after two years of non-stop care and medical travel, the financial toll has become too much.

We're asking for help to support Kathy as she continues her treatment and recovery.

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Kathy’s Medical Journey

In 2023, Kathy had a biopsy on what had been a non-cancerous tumor on the left side of her face. The tumor had started growing, and results confirmed a rare cancer: salivary duct carcinoma.

She was referred to Dr. Irish, a Head & Neck Surgeon in Toronto, and flew there with her eldest child for surgery in August. On August 3rd, Dr. Irish removed the salivary duct and 47 lymph nodes — 7 of which were cancerous. The cancer had already spread to surrounding lymph nodes, tissue, and muscle, confirming its aggressive nature. The surgery also caused permanent nerve damage and chronic pain.

Back in Thunder Bay, she began 33 rounds of radiation along with weekly cisplatin chemotherapy. While she tolerated the radiation initially, the chemotherapy made her extremely ill. Without prescription coverage, medications quickly became a large out-of-pocket expense.

Her oncologist, Dr. Del Paggio, had the tumor analyzed in a Toronto lab and discovered it was HER2-positive — which meant it could respond to a targeted therapy called Herceptin. She was started on this treatment.

Unfortunately, chemotherapy had already taken its toll. She lost most of her hearing after only 3 rounds and had to stop the treatment. Following radiation, she experienced severe side effects — radiation burns, extreme mouth and throat pain, and was eventually placed on a prescription liquid diet (Resource 2.0) due to difficulty swallowing.

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Then Came Lung Metastasis — And Heart Failure

In February 2024, just as some of her hearing started to return, scans showed the cancer had metastasized to her lungs. A new treatment plan was developed using two new chemotherapies along with Herceptin.

In July 2024, Kathy received news that the cancer was essentially gone. However, because Herceptin can affect the heart, she was being monitored — and doctors found her mitral valve was no longer functioning properly.

She was referred to a cardiac surgeon in Toronto. In May 2025, after a short delay, Kathy flew to Toronto again and underwent open heart surgery to replace the mitral valve and repair the tricuspid valve. She spent 11 days in hospital and was discharged to recover in Dryden, where close friends could provide support and help care for her youngest child, who is disabled and requires extensive care.

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And Now: Brain Lesions and a Life-Threatening Infection

In June, Kathy was hospitalized in Dryden with an intense headache, blurry vision, and trouble walking. A CT scan revealed a lesion in the brain, and she was prescribed steroids. A few days later, she was readmitted with chest and back pain and diagnosed with a MRSA infection in her blood and chest wound.

She was airlifted to Toronto General Hospital on June 26. There, a TEE (transesophageal echocardiogram) showed infection and buildup on her new mitral valve, as well as signs of bone deterioration in her breastplate. An MRI revealed 50 brain lesions, the largest measuring 1cm x 3cm.

One of her children flew to Toronto to support her. On July 4, she began five rounds of whole-brain radiation at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre under the care of radiation oncologist Dr. Andrew Hope.

As of now, Kathy continues to receive IV antibiotics (Vancomycin) and is being monitored closely. She awaits a repeat TEE to determine whether the infection is responding to treatment or if another open-heart surgery will be needed to replace the valve or debride infected tissue. She currently has a wound vac in place to help remove infection from her chest.

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Why We’re Asking for Help

Over the last two years, Kathy has:

• Traveled back and forth to Toronto multiple times

• Managed long hospital stays in several cities

• Paid out-of-pocket for medications, travel, and special nutritional needs

• Cared for her children, including one with disabilities, while battling through treatment

• Remortgaged her fully paid-off home just to cover essential costs

Her family has supported her every step of the way, but the financial burden has become overwhelming. She now faces continued cancer care, potential repeat surgery, and ongoing cardiac and neurological follow-up, all while navigating a long recovery.

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❤️ How You Can Help

Your donation will go directly toward:

• Medical-related travel and temporary accommodations

• Prescription medications and supplies (no drug plan)

• Nutritional needs (like Resource 2.0)

• Specialized care for her children while she recovers

• Basic living expenses while she continues treatment and healing

Whether you give $5 or $50, every bit helps ease the pressure so Kathy can focus on healing.

Please consider donating — or share this campaign with someone who can.

Thank you so much for your care, compassion, and support during this incredibly difficult time.

With heartfelt thanks,

Kathy’s Family