Just days before lockdown, Katie Stevenson’s life changed forever. At 32 years old she considered herself young, fit, and healthy. When she discovered a lump in her breast, she did exactly what you should do, she had it checked.
“On paper there was no reason for me to worry,” Katie recalls. “I was 32, young and healthy. There was no reason to think ‘cancer’.”
But it was.
Scans showed that the cancer had not spread, and Katie began an intensive treatment plan at Colchester Hospital. Over the months that followed, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and immunotherapy completing her treatment in August 2021.
Afterwards, life slowly began to settle into what felt like a “new normal.” Determined to move forward, Katie retrained as a life coach, using her experience to help others navigate their own challenges.
Then, in June 2022, she had a seizure while out running.
“I’d fainted before, but this was different. I just knew,” she says. “I told them to scan my brain and they did.”
The cancer had spread. Katie was diagnosed with stage four incurable cancer.
She had surgery to remove the tumour at Barts in London, but after another seizure later that year, she needed further treatment.
Despite this, she continued to rebuild her life, regaining her driving licence and setting herself a new goal: the London Marathon – and she succeeded this year.
Katie, who is now 38, said: “At the start of training, I’d lost confidence. I was terrified of being left by myself, even for two minutes, in case I had another seizure.”
But Katie did it, despite a difficult run, she succeeded.
Katie, who is married to Dan and mum to Freddie, 13, and Bessie, 11, said she’s grateful for all the ongoing care and treatment from teams at Colchester Hospital.
As well as the initial diagnosis, she’s been supported through the Wellbeing Cancer Centre at the hospital and psychological support.
Throughout her cancer journey, Katie has also been supported by a dedicated neuro-physiotherapy team at Colchester Hospital who have witnessed her remarkable progress first hand.
Katie, who is currently receiving immunotherapy, added: “Everyone has been amazing and there are times I wouldn’t have left the house without the support I’ve received. The chemo unit are earth angels. Helen and the team in the rehab unit are just amazing.”
Helen Medel-Gonzalez is a specialist physiotherapist in neurological rehabilitation at Colchester Hospital, which is run by East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust.
She said: “Katie has been a patient of ours for a long time now, and we have seen her journey and how far she has come. When she hits a blocker, she doesn’t sit down and accept it. She gives herself time, finds another way, and continues to push forward.”
Helen added: “Before the marathon we focused on building her lower limb strength, core stability, coordination, balance, and stretching. But it wasn’t just physical, it was also about helping Katie trust and have confidence in her body.
“As Katie is a patient with a lifelong condition, we’ll continue to support her and adapt her treatment to what she might be struggling with or if she has a new goal.”
And life outside the hospital?
Katie said: “Right now, it’s time to really focus on growing my business and my family – who have been amazing throughout this.
“And maybe, just maybe, squeeze in a half marathon before the year is out. Because for me, a full marathon is a definitely a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’.”
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