Help Support Kate’s Recovery After Brain Surgery

Because sometimes life changes with one MRI… and one brave decision to keep going.

My name is Kate Wittmer, and just a few months ago, I was a busy mom of three, a wife, a business owner, and a woman juggling the beautiful chaos of daily life—never imagining that I’d soon be preparing for brain surgery.

In April 2025, an unrelated hospital stay led to an MRI that revealed something unexpected—a lesion in my brain, located in the left frontal lobe. We named it “Patricia” to make light of something heavy, but the truth is, Patricia has changed everything.

Follow-up imaging confirmed it is a cavernous malformation that has bled, grown in size, and now causes a noticeable shift in my brain (a 4mm midline shift with mass effect). While I am beyond grateful it’s not cancerous, it’s still dangerous. And it’s progressing.

After much prayer, consultation, and emotion, we’ve made the decision to move forward with brain surgery at Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis—a leading neurosurgery center equipped to handle rare cases like mine.

What’s Ahead:

We don’t yet have a confirmed surgery date, but it’s expected to happen very soon (within the next couple of weeks). Recovery will be intense—I’ve been told to plan for 6 to 8 weeks of downtime, where I’ll be unable to work, drive, or care for my family the way I’m used to.

And that’s where I need your help.

Why We’re Asking for Support:

As a self-employed mom, taking time off doesn’t come with a safety net. My business supports our family alongside my husband’s income, and I’ll be losing all of that income while also continuing to pay the overhead to keep my business alive during recovery.

All funds raised will go toward:

• Travel, lodging, and food during our time in St. Louis for surgery

• Medical expenses not covered by insurance

• Household bills, business overhead, and utilities during recovery

• Childcare and evening help with our three kids so Jeremy can continue to work

• Groceries, cleaning, and support with daily tasks while I heal

Jeremy and I work opposite schedules to make things work financially and give our kids the care they need. But during this time, everything shifts. We need help covering the gap—and any amount makes a difference.

If you know me, you know how deeply I love being a mother. My biggest priority right now is doing everything I can to prepare and protect my family through what will be one of the most challenging seasons of our lives. This surgery is necessary—but it also means a sudden halt to my ability to provide financially and physically for my kids in the way they’re used to.

This fundraiser is about making sure our children’s lives remain as stable and supported as possible—that their routines don’t fall apart, that they feel safe, and that Jeremy and I can focus on healing and holding it all together.

If you feel called to help—even just a little—it would mean the world to our family.

We are walking into the unknown with faith, courage, and the hope that this will lead to a healthier, longer life for me… and more time with the people I love most.

From the bottom of my heart—thank you for your love, your prayers, and your generosity.

With deep gratitude,

Kate