In late 2017, on the verge of starting a family, Kat had several indicators of something being out of the ordinary with her health. Test after test came back inconclusive but a colonoscopy found something she didn’t expect. A 6cm tumour sitting in her bowel. It threw Kat her & husband Mick for six but the next day she was prepped for surgery to have it removed. The surgeon said everything was routine and went perfectly fine, however hours later Kat was back in surgery due to internal bleeding. She spent the next 4 days in Intensive Care. At the same time she was also diagnosed with ITP (Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), a condition where your immune system attacks its own platelets.
Over the next 15 months Kat went through Chemotherapy, the removal and preservation of an ovary, a failed IVF attempt and mental health issues. This was all done with an infectious smile on her face and an unwavering care for others around her.
Finally, Kat was happily in remission, making plans with Mick to move onto the next exciting chapter of their life together, the possibility of building or purchasing a home & contemplating starting a family together, until January of this year.
Kat noticed a small lump in her abdomen around the site of one of her previous surgeries. Surgery was booked to have it removed and a biopsy confirmed their worst fears. It had returned. A further CT/PET scan revealed even more devastating news, 3 tumours located in and around the site of the original tumour from 2018. She was referred to a specialist in Brisbane who conducted further scans and consulted with many other surgeons to make a game plan for the removal of the tumours.
Kat underwent a gruelling 6 week Radiation/Chemotherapy plan and on 25th August 2020, she underwent a radical, 17 hour surgery in Brisbane. She spent the following week in Intensive Care & will now spend up to the next 3 months in Hospital in Brisbane recovering from surgery.
The physical and mental toll will be immense but she will do it with a smile on her face and love in her heart. Even before the surgery she was more concerned for how everyone else was doing over her own feelings. She truly is a strong, remarkable, caring woman.
The battle Kat is in, she did not choose, but is the one she's been forced to take head on.
Kat's husband Mick remains working in Toowoomba & is commuting to Brisbane to be with Kat whenever & however he can, given the current environment & restrictions in place to keep Kat & other patients in hospital safe.
Contributing to this fundraiser will ensure that Kat, Mick & their family can spend as much time as possible together, supporting each other & Kat during her extensive recovery. These funds will cover medical expenses, travelling costs, recovery expenses & every day bills that still need to be paid, so that they do not have unnecessary stress. All funds will be directly transferred to Kat & Mick's personal bank account so that their expenses are automatically taken care of, which they focus on being together.
Kat & Mick truly are a beautiful, genuine, caring, local Toowoomba couple. On behalf of them both, any support you could give would mean more than you will ever know.
Thank you so much for your support.
Regards,
Johanna Jesse
Friend & work colleague of Kat & Mick Watherston