Keith Cotton Keith Cotton's Journey

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Keith's Journey with Brain Cancer: 
In January 2013, Keith experienced a grand mal seizure while at work and was hospitalized.   Scans revealed that he had a lemon-sized tumor in his brain.  Following a biopsy, he was diagnosed with an Astrocytoma.  The doctors estimate that the tumor had been growing for at least 15 years--it would have have to have grown very very slowly to get to this size without any symptoms.  In August 2013, doctors were able to remove 90% of the tumor in a 5 hour urgency (for which Keith was awake most of the time).  Following surgery, Keith underwent 6 weeks of radiation and 6 months of chemotherapy.  The tumor stabilized foliowing treatment and  Keith had regular MRIs to track any changes.   


We always knew that this type of cancer would start growing again at some point, but we tried to live our lives to the fullest.   Following treatment we took a trip to Paris and the Cote de Rhone region of France.  Our daughter Gracie was born in June 2015 and changed our lives forever.  Keith resigned from WSDOT to be a stay at home Dad.  The two of them had a blast touring local parks and playgrounds.  


In April 2018, our son William was born.  At the end of the month, Keith's MRI revealed new tumor activity.  He began a series of different chemos throughout the summer and fall as well as a course of cyber-knife radiation.   We participated in ceremonies in the early summer and prayed for healing.  We had a great summer full of adventure and time with friends and family. 


Unfortunately, in September,  Keith started experiencing increased symptoms.  His MRIs revealed that tumor cells had spread throughout his brain, including the brain stem.   At the end of September, he decided to stop all treatment and begin in-home hospice care.