Katie's Support Team

My connection with Katie started over 30 years ago when Miguel , Katie’s father, began to work for Disability Rights New Mexico. Miguel lives in Northern New Mexico and worked for decades for DRNM on behalf of people with mental illness at the state hospital, known as BHI or Behavior Health Institute. Sometimes Miguel was the only connection people with serious mental health issues had. He often brought them hope and support while they received treatment. Let’s do the same for Miguel and his daughter, Katie. Here’s Katie’s story as told by her family:

Friends and Family,

Kathryn (Katie) just celebrated her 31st birthday in January. It is something we are all grateful for. Katie lives in Albuquerque, NM, and in December 2018, she traveled to Arizona for her Grandmother’s 95th birthday and to spend time with our family before Christmas. She had not been feeling well for a while, and began to notice swelling and leg pain that made it difficult for her to walk. She was examined at the emergency room and then immediately admitted to the Cobre Valley Medical Center in Globe, Arizona after blood tests found she was extremely anemic. CT scans reveled blood clots from hip to ankle in her left leg. The scans also revealed a well developed cervical tumor. We were devastated to learn that Katie had cancer. She was kept under close observation and given blood transfusions to increase her red blood cell and platelet counts. Medical staff at the hospital were amazed she was able to walk into the emergency room on her own because of how anemic she was.

Katie was transferred by ambulance to the Banner University of Arizona Medical Center/Cancer Treatment Center in Tucson. There she received blood transfusions and treated for pneumonia with partial pulmonary embolism. Katie had a biopsy to determine whether the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and was treated to prevent the blood clots from traveling to other parts of her body to avoid life threatening blockage.

The biopsy showed that the cervical cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. She was diagnosed with stage four cervical cancer. It is hard to write these words. We were all shocked and understandably upset to discover the extent of her illnesses.

Katie was able to leave the hospital on Christmas Day. It was an amazing gift and one for which we cannot sufficiently express our sincere gratitude. Without the expertise she received at both facilities, we believe she would have experienced a far different outcome.

Katie began chemotherapy on January 3rd and completed her fourth round on March 8th.  She undergoes a full day of chemotherapy infusions every 21 days and spends at least a week in Tucson recovering and attending other medical appointments.  Katie will have radiation after the activity on the tumor and lymph nodes decrease. 

Katie has made an amazing recovery from when she was first admitted to the hospital in December. The doctors are pleased with the chemotherapy results. Her last PET scan showed a decrease in the size and activity of the cervical mass and metastasis in her lymph nodes. The latest ultrasound also revealed that the clotting in her abdomen and left leg is resolving with treatment.

Katie is unable to work and incurs expenses to travel and stay in Tucson for continued treatment. We welcome your support at Katie fights to regain her health. Thank you.