Kathy Kuhl survived a rare cancer, ependymoma, a tumor of the brain or spinal cord. скачать в хорошем качестве

Kathy Kuhl survived a rare cancer, ependymoma, a tumor of the brain or spinal cord.

In this compelling episode of the Cancer Interviews podcast, host Bruce Morton sits down with Kathy Kuhl of Minneapolis, Minnesota, who shares her powerful and emotional story of surviving a rare cancer: ependymoma—a type of brain and spinal cord tumor. In 2014, what began as intermittent dizziness, vertigo, and a burning sensation between Kathy’s shoulder blades quickly escalated into something far more serious. After an MRI revealed a tumor in her spinal cord, Kathy was diagnosed with ependymoma, a rare form of central nervous system cancer. From that point forward, her life changed forever. Kathy underwent a critical surgery to remove the tumor, but awoke to devastating news—she had developed paraparesis, a partial paralysis of her lower body. What followed was a grueling rehabilitation journey that included hospitalization, intensive physical therapy, and months of learning how to walk again. Despite significant setbacks, Kathy’s resilience and determination helped her regain much of her mobility. In this deeply human conversation, Kathy opens up about: The early signs and symptoms of ependymoma that were initially misdiagnosed The intense burning pain and spinal cord pressure that signaled tumor growth The emotional impact of hearing the word "cancer"—especially a rare cancer Her experience living with paraparesis and the challenges of rehabilitation The long road to physical recovery and regaining a “new normal” How her diagnosis inspired her and her husband to launch WalkTalkConnect, a nonprofit dedicated to rare cancer survivors, patients, and healthcare professionals Kathy also reflects on how lucky she was to live in the Twin Cities, where access to advanced medical care and rehab resources gave her the best chance of recovery. For those in more rural areas, she acknowledges the journey can be much more difficult—and that’s part of why she’s become such a strong advocate for support and connection within the rare cancer community. WalkTalkConnect: https://www.walktalkconnect.org This nonprofit encourages survivors, caregivers, and clinicians to come together through community walks, shared experiences, and patient stories from those diagnosed with ependymoma, astrocytoma, meningioma, and other rare tumors. It also serves as a valuable cancer resource hub, offering education, awareness, and empathy to those navigating these challenging diagnoses. Recommended Resource: Reconnected: Stories from Survivors of Spinal Cord Tumors by Dawn Standera This book includes moving firsthand accounts from survivors of spinal cord tumors, including those with ependymoma and other rare cancers. Whether you're a cancer patient, survivor, caregiver, medical professional, or advocate—this episode offers critical insight into the rarely discussed world of brain and spinal cord tumors, and the inspiring resilience of one woman’s fight to walk again. Subscribe to Cancer Interviews to hear more incredible survivor stories and learn how individuals are navigating the challenges of cancer—especially the rarest and most complex forms. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: What is ependymoma? Symptoms of spinal cord tumors Diagnosing rare cancers Living with paraparesis Rehabilitation after spinal tumor surgery Emotional and mental health during recovery Building a community for rare cancer survivors Keywords: cancer, ependymoma, brain tumor, spinal cord tumor, rare cancers, brain cancer, paraparesis, cancer survivor stories, cancerinterviews.com, Kathy Kuhl, Bruce Morton, vertigo, dizziness, WalkTalkConnect Watch more episodes on Cancer Interviews to hear firsthand accounts from survivors of rare and difficult cancers: https://www.cancerinterviews.com Share your thoughts in the comments. If you or someone you know is battling a rare cancer, we encourage you to reach out, share your story, and find support through this incredible community. #cancer #ependymoma #braintumor #spinalcordtumor #rarecancers #braincancer #cancerinterviews #kathykuhl #brucemorton #walktalkconnect