Sept. 23, 2008 Update:

Hello friends! Here’s some encouraging news.

I got the results of the first MRI scan that I’ve had following the first round of the chemo drug I am using to stop the growth of my brain tumor.

The doctor was encouraged and so I am now starting the second cycle.  They have reduced the dose a little in hopes that I will feel better when I’m on it.

I feel blessed and lucky to have an option like this available to me and believe this may finally make it possible for me to put this behind me for good.

I’m enjoying the time with my family and am getting ready to send one of my daughters off to college.

I continue to be thankful for your good wishes, thoughts, and prayers.

Warm regards,
Kathi Goertzen 

July 1, 2008 Update:

Dear friends,

I wanted to give you a little update on how things are going since my brain surgery in April.

I've recovered from that and have just completed my first 'cycle' on a chemotherapy drug that will hopefully stop the tumor from growing once and for all. There were some unpleasant side effects and it didn't make me feel too good, but I know now I can handle it and am positive and hopeful about a good result. Remember, Cougars are tough!

I will be getting my first check-up and MRI to check the progress this week and hope to be back to work by the time the kids are back in school!

I can never thank you enough for the wonderful words and energy and prayers I've received. It's been amazing!

I'll see you soon back with my KOMO family.

Kathi

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You can contact Kathi by submitting a message online.

June 26, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO 4 News anchor Dan Lewis:

I have a quick update on my co-anchor Kathi Goertzen, who is recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Kathi just wrapped up her first two weeks on an experimental drug that hopefully will knock out the little bit of tumor doctors couldn't remove.

The chemotherapy drug, which has shown positive results fighting kidney cancer, is being tested in a drug trial that Kathi's enrolled in at the Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Kathi is spending her time here in Seattle but does need to return to New York every once in a while for checkups to see how the drug is performing.

I talk to Kathi quite often. She's doing well and is in great spirits. She's close, but not quite 100 percent.

She'll get another checkup right after the Fourth of July, so we'll keep you posted.

May 23, 2008 Update:

Kathi is returning from New York today, where she has been getting treatment at Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

She is now in a clinical trial and is on an experimental drug used to treat kidney cancer.

Doctors have some hope that the drug will be effective in treating the kind of tumor she has.

Kathi sent an e-mail today asking that we all change up our prayers a little! She needs help with this new drug:

"If you wouldn't mind switching your prayers to ask that it works with no side effects that would be wonderful!"

May 19, 2008 Update:

Six weeks after her third surgery in ten years, Kathi Goertzen is doing very well. She and her doctors have just mapped out their strategy for the next step in her treatment for a brain tumor. 

Kathi's long time co-anchor Dan Lewis went to see Kathi and talk about the plan:

Click here to watch Dan's interview with Kathi

May 15, 2008 Update:

To my KOMO friends and viewers,

I wanted you to know I'm doing really well on the road to recovery!

I'm getting my strength back, am going for some walks, am having fewer headaches and less soreness where they did the surgery. I am convinced that all the good thoughts, wishes, and prayers are making a huge difference.  

The next step of treatment will involve a chemotherapy drug that will hopefully stop this tumor from growing once and for all. I will probably start on that next week.

I look forward to being back when I'm able, and thank you again for all the support. It has been such a help for me and my family.

Warm regards,
Kathi Goertzen

April 30, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO 4 News anchor Dan Lewis:

Good news about our friend and co-worker Kathi Goertzen. I talked to her today; her recovery from brain tumor surgery is going well.

Some test results just came back and the early indication is the news is good. Doctors are pleased with what they're seeing.

Kathi will meet with them next week to decide the next step in her treatment. She sounds great and can't wait to get back to work.

She has something else to celebrate today too -- it's her birthday so she's spending time with family and friends.

Happy birthday Kathi!!!

April 22, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO News anchor Dan Lewis:

We have an update tonight on Kathi Goertzen, who's been away from the anchor desk for nearly three weeks now because of surgery for a brain tumor -- her third surgery for that in ten years.

Kathi is doing well. She's still resting a lot but is also getting out and about, taking walks and getting some exercise.

When I talked to Kathi today, she sounded good. Her voice and her spirit are strong. She'd love to be back at work - and will be soon, but right now she and the doctors are waiting for some test results to determine the next step of treatment.

Kathi asked me to once again thank you for all the e-mail, cards and prayers. They mean a lot to her. We all look forward to having Kathi back at KOMO. We'll keep you posted on how she's doing.

April 16, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO News anchor Dan Lewis:

I just talked to Kathi and she says she’s getting better every day. She’s still a little sore from her third surgery in 10 years for a brain tumor but now nearly two weeks after the operation she’s beginning to get out and get a little exercise. Kathi’s sister Peggy is visiting from out of town – providing some tender loving care. They went for a nice walk today. Kathi said that was great. She feels good!

Kathi is in a bit of a holding pattern. Her doctors are waiting for some test results and one day very soon they’ll be mapping out their strategy for the next phase of treatment, which could possibly include radiation. We’ll keep you posted on that.

But for now Kathi’s recovery is going very well and she’s looking forward to getting back to KOMO to anchor the news real soon.

April 15, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO News anchor Connie Thompson:

I spent some time with her Monday night and she's coming along.

She got her sutures removed yesterday.  She's still dealing with some pain -- especially in her shoulder from part of the surgery -- and trying to get her energy back, but she's in good spirits.

Her next step is post-surgery treatment to deal with the parts of the tumor the surgery couldn't reach.

Kathi says she's still going through the more than 7,000 e-mails from viewers and they're a tremendous help, so keep the prayers and good thoughts coming.

She's hoping to be back in a few weeks.

April 9, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO News anchor Dan Lewis:

I spoke with her on the phone today and she sounds great and says she's feeling better everyday - but the surgery was just a week ago - and even though Kathi's doctors feel like the surgery went even better than they had hoped, she's going to need a few weeks to recover.

Kathi told me she took about 4 hours today to listen to voice messages you have left for her, plus she read e-mail and opened cards. She says it's hard to describe how much that means to her.

"I just appreciate every single one," she said. "There are so many wonderful people and it's an extraordinary opportunity when you do we don't always get a chance to talk to those people but I just feel very lucky to have so many reach out to me. It's unbelievably supportive and it feels really good."

Kathi told me she gets a little frustrated because she wants to get better faster, but she realizes she can't force that so she's taking things one day at a time.

April 7, 2008 Update:

Update from KOMO News Director Holly Gauntt:

I spoke with her this morning. She is doing very well! Her sense of humor was fully in tact! She called me at home and told me to quit slacking off and get to work!

The best news is that she is going home today! As you know, she has been struggling with nausea, that’s in part because of the location in her brain where they did the surgery.

She feels much, much better than she did Friday but is sore and tired. Most of all, she just wants a good night’s sleep which is hard to get in a hospital.

She is surrounded by her family and very relieved that, as she says, "the worst is behind her."

She has read some of the many emails that have come in and says she knows the prayers and caring thoughts played a role in her successful surgery!

April 6, 2008 Update:

We have some great news today about Kathi’s progress. Sunday afternoon, Kathi’s husband Rick called the newsroom and handed the phone over to Kathi.

It’s the first time we’ve had a chance to hear directly from Kathi since her surgery last Thursday to remove a brain tumor. She sounded just like the Kathi we know and love.

With her usual positive attitude, Kathi told us that "every day it’s gotten better." 

She moved out of intensive care today. Her doctor is so pleased with her progress, Kathi may be released from the hospital as early as Monday.  She’ll continue recuperating at home over the next several weeks. 

We continue to pray for a good, strong recovery for Kathi.

April 5, 2008 Update:

This has been a very good day for Kathi. This morning she got out of bed for the first time since her surgery on Thursday for a brain tumor - Kathi's third surgery to battle this tumor in 10 years.

After an uncomfortable day yesterday Kathi - with a very positive attitude as always - was up and walking the halls at the hospital (maybe looking for a news story). Yes, she's still feeling some pain and discomfort as would be expected but today she's doing a lot better.

Kathi will spend one more night in intensive care and still plans to go home sometime next week.

There's still a lot of recovering to do so we're all saying our prayers for Kathi and her family but things are going well. Kathi is making great progress.

April 4, 2008 Update:

Kathi is recovering from brain tumor surgery at the hospital and is still in intensive care. She's been talking to her family and they've been reading emails sent in by KOMO viewers.

Kathi's husband describes the emails as "amazing." He wants you know how much they appreciate the love, support and prayers.

As you can imagine after surgery like this, Kathi will have some ups and downs. Nothing unexpected has happened but Kathi has had an "uncomfortable" day. Her doctors expect quick improvement on that as the days go on.

Everything is still on schedule to get Kathi home sometime next week and back at work in the weeks ahead. But what's most important right now is not setting any goals on when those things will happen but to focus on a good, strong recovery.

Kathi's husband says she looks great and her attitude is as positive as ever! All of us at KOMO are still saying prayers for Kathi and her family and we know you are, too. We thank you for that.

April 3, 2008 Update:

Kathi's husband, Rick, called the KOMO newsroom on Thursday afternoon and said Kathi's surgery went "better than expected."

She went into surgery about 9 a.m and the surgeon came to see the family at 3 p.m. Kathi is now in recovery and the doctor says they "got more of the tumor than they thought they would."

Kathi woke up at the end of the surgery, which the doctors were very happy about. She is still awake, and squeezing fingers.

She "sailed right through," Rick said.

Kathi will be in recovery this afternoon and then moved into intensive care overnight.

April 2, 2008:

To my friends and KOMO viewers,

Thanks so much for the very kind words and thoughts as I face this health challenge.

I will have surgery to remove a brain tumor on Thursday April 3rd.  I expect to be in the hospital a few days and recovering at home after that.

I so appreciate your prayers and good wishes. I plan on being back to KOMO News as soon as I’m able.

Kathi Goertzen
KOMO 4 News

Click here to watch a video message from Kathi


You can contact Kathi by submitting a message online or calling 206-404-5284.

Updates from Kathi will be posted on this page.

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