I Thought It Was Anxiety – But It Was a Brain Tumor! - Kelsey | Brain Cancer | The Patient Story

Kelsey Stokstad, a young mother from Winona, Wisconsin, began experiencing numbness and tingling in her left arm in May 2023. Initially dismissed as anxiety, her symptoms escalated, leading to a seizure that prompted an emergency CT scan. The scan revealed a 4 cm brain tumor, a shocking diagnosis that brought memories of her grandfather’s battle with a glioblastoma.

In this cancer vlog, Kelsey opens up about her emotional journey, from navigating the uncertainty of her diagnosis to undergoing surgery and starting treatment. She emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and shares how she found strength in her family and medical team while facing this life-changing news.

Thank you, Kelsey, for sharing your story to help others.

#braincancer #braincancerawareness #cancerpatient #cancersurvivor #patientstories #thepatientstory #cancertreatment #cancerprevention #cancersymptoms

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Chapters:
0:00 Meet Kelsey
0:28 First symptoms of brain cancer
4:28 My brain tumor and surgery
9:12 The hardest months of my entire life
13:29 Chemotherapy and side effects
16:35 Incredible clinical trial connection
19:05 The impact of cancer on my family

Join Our Community:

[cathytauscher]

Please please please insist on a Brain MRI every 3 months. A Grade 3 Astrocytoma even with good genetic markers is still unpredictable. My daughter had a GBM and she never went greater than 3 months. She also had good genetic markers, but her surgical team and oncologists at JHH advised that even with good markers they wanted to very closely survey her brain for a small changes. She was diagnosed in 2012 and had a very good quality of life until the last 12-18 months. Nicole was 0.07% of people with a GBM who survived greater than 10 years. Stay positive you are NOT a statistic and I hope you have DECADES of good health!

[janetl]

This same exact thing happened to my 24 year old husband. He had all the same symptoms you had. The seizures scared me to death, and it took almost a week for the drs to figure out what was wrong with him. This was 40 years ago. He had a cancerous tumor the size of an orange in the back right side of his head. He had 35 radiation treatments every day on his head. I know the treatment would be different now. He lived 18 months after he was diagnosed. The last 4 months was pretty rough. He left me with a 2 year old and a 6week old newborn tiny baby girl. I was 24 years old with no skills in 1985. He gave me the best 5 years of my life and I know I’ll see him again someday 😢
I’m so thankful cancer treatment has come so far and your treatment will have a different outcome than my sweet husband. Bless you ❤❤

[lt]

My daughter got brain tumor in 2015. Thankfully, it was removed and she needs no followup. Numbness and tingling were her first symptoms.
Yes, life is fleeting. I’m thankful for the Gospel of the lord Jesus Christ. None of us are promised tomorrow.

[dd-duqt]

I am a testicular cancer survivor. You have such a positive attitude and I will pray that God will heal you completely of the brain tumor.

[harrycrandall]

I am a glioblastoma survivor—9 years! If you are near a major hospital like Mayo, go there. They have lots of studies for brain tumor patients. And, make sure you get regular MRIs. Praying for you.

[pasqualitractor]

O boy, you are such a sunshine. I wish you and your family all the best.

[PeterPeikos-wyho]

God Bless you I’m a Cancer Survivor …….. Stay Strong and Brave !!

[RobertWWD]

I was diagnosed with Epilepsy when I was 2.
I had a Brain Tumor surgically removed when I was 8.
24 years Seizure free.

[mondealwaysjesus]

The number of people getting diagnosed with cancer in the USA, some with no history of it in the family, I'm almost convinced it's the food. The pesticides and over processed foods. A lot of American food products are banned in European countries, because it's below grade. A lot of Africans who travel to the USA for business and conferences say they didn't enjoy the food, that it tasted like chemicals.😢 I'm a South African, based in my country🇿🇦These stories, all that sadness, that agony saddens me and angers me quite a bit too really....

[heidischmidt]

Hey Kelsey! There's so much in our stories that's the same. I also have astrocytoma, IDH1 mutant, but grade 4. My tumour was also 4 cm in diameter and was near the top of my head in my right frontal lobe. I just wanted to say hi and best of luck, from someone going through much the same thing (although my diagnosis and surgery was just this past July 2024).

[candyvigil]

Your little girl is adorable. You're being such a strong momma. I hope you have many, many years of happiness. Thanks for sharing your story.

[raquelarredondo]

You r so full of sunshine! I pray you end up cancer free! Keep up the great spirit! ❤❤❤❤

[caitlynboheme]

No one is promised tomorrow. You’re so beautiful and such an inspiration to everyone going through brain cancer and everyone in the future who will. The lord is with you every step you take until you are home in his warm loving embrace.💗

[Villager]

Your surgeon has incredible beside manner❤

[HABenji]

You are a beautiful human on the inside and out. Your positive demeanor is inspiring.

[juliekelderman]

Praying for you and your family for a complete healing.

[clarkfischer]

Kelley, I'm just next door in MN. I'm a 62 yo retired RN. I'm also a dedicated Christian. Please find the most in every day. My prayers go out to you. God bless you child.

[Scorpiomuse]

Blessings to you for your bravery. I, too, was diagnosed with Astrocytoma level 4 IDH Mutant in August 2024. I am currently taking 12 cycles (about to begin my 5th) of temozolomide chemotherapy after finishing radiation back in October. You evoke emotions of hope and preserverance. I want to connect with others who have been through this as well, and I am grateful for discovering your journey. May you continue to live in your beautiful moments and share your story with others who need it. ✨️ 💖

[phillysanders]

I wish you the very best and many years of happiness. God bless you.

[SunnyDazedAndConfused]

Fellow (bone) cancer survivor here 💕 (33 years now!). I know what you mean by weird connections/coincidences…. My little sister went into veterinary work, and she ended up at our local University (which has one of the most prestigious veterinary schools in the country). Turns out, dogs unfortunately get the same cancer that I had (& pretty frequently 😢) ! Her boss (head of the teaching hospital) worked with my surgeon to work on transitional treatments that are tested on dogs, and translated to kids with bone cancer! (& we eventually learned that he scrubbed in on my “leg saving” (tumor was in my tibia) surgery more than 3 decades ago!

So all of the dogs that go to the teaching hospital for chemo/radiation/surgery for treatment of osteosarcoma, are helping kids who also get that cancer. They truly are “man’s (or kids) best friend! ♥️🐾

So proud of your great attitude, and I know that your grandpa would be so happy to know that he (unknowingly) saved the lives of others in the future, and that one of them is you!! 😊