Karen’s Story

Site created on May 18, 2022

Karen is currently being treated for Primary Central Nervous System (CNS) Lymphoma after collapsing at work in early April which sent her to the hospital. Immediately following Karen’s collapse (which turned out to be a seizure) at work, an MRI of her brain showed a “spot” which, when Karen returned for a follow-up visit a month later, had spread aggressively. A biopsy was subsequently performed to determine the nature of this cellular growth, which ultimately resulted in the diagnosis of Primary CNS Lymphoma, an aggressive, fairly rare disease, that starts and stays in the central nervous system (brain, eyes, and spinal cord). An additional MRI and opthamological exam showed that the lymphoma has not spread to her eyes or spinal cord. 

Karen started chemotherapy/cancer treatment on May 18, which in addition to very high doses of methotrexate, includes other drugs aimed at the cancer cells. The high dosage of chemotherapy drugs is needed in order to penetrate the blood-brain barrier.  Due to the aggressive nature of the treatment, she’ll be in the hospital for 4-6 days at a time; one day of treatment and then recovery/monitoring. Karen will receive that treatment every other Monday for 8 treatments (so about 15 weeks), approximately through the end of August. 

Newest Update

March 31, 2024

Journal entry by Karen Weber —

Happy Easter to all of you! 

I had my quarterly MRI on Thursday and am thrilled to report that I remain Cancer-free!!  Always such a relief.  I'm even going to have my chemo port removed. It hasn't been working well for IVs at my MRIs, so it will be surgically removed. It can always be put back in if ever needed.

I will have my next MRI in June. 

I've also been rehired to tutor for the 2024-25 school year. Life is good.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. I am so grateful.

Love,

Karen

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