Friends recommended a neurosurgeon at Alvord Brain Tumor Center at UW Medical Center – Montlake: Sam Emerson, MD, PhD. Monin arrived home from Florida on a Sunday, and by the next Friday, she’d undergone surgery.
Her doctors suspected a type of high-grade glioma, a type of malignant or cancerous brain tumor that is aggressive and fast-growing. These tumors originate from glial cells, which support and protect nerve cells in the brain. High-grade gliomas, particularly glioblastomas, are the most common primary brain tumors in adults.
Monin was home within 24 hours of her surgery, but waiting for the molecular biopsy results was nerve-wracking; she didn’t know what the tests would reveal. Finally, results came back and showed it to be a grade 3 oligodendroglioma located mainly in the right frontal lobe and close to her ocular center. This type of cancer is malignant and characterized by rapid growth and the tendency to spread in the brain.
Once they knew the exact subtype, Monin’s physicians were able to discuss next steps.
She met with a neuro-oncologist, as well as radiation oncologist, Lia Halasz, MD, who specializes in brain and central nervous system tumors.
“Knowing the type of glioma often will inform us about how well that tumor may respond to some of our treatments,” Halasz said. “For Katie’s tumor, we recommended radiation followed by chemotherapy. Both conventional X-ray radiation and proton therapy could work.”
Monin and her family researched radiation options and talked to friends in the medical field; they also reviewed feedback from patients in private cancer Facebook groups, who expressed the pros and cons of each.
“Ultimately, Ken and I felt strongly that the science behind protons made sense, the fact that they could stop the beam at the tumor, sparing the healthy brain,” she said. “Plus, it’s recommended for children, so we figured it must be good.”
She started proton therapy treatment in October 2024.
“Protons do have the benefit of stopping the radiation from continuing past our target,” Halasz said. “But continued innovation to minimize side effects from treatment is still important. We have participated in clinical trials to better understand impacts to the brain, but it does take many years to get results. Overall, there are a lot of open questions as well as advances happening for gliomas right now.”
Monin’s tumor had grown in the month between surgery and proton therapy, but it responded well to protons. While the likelihood of a recurrence is high, it could be decades before that happens.
Halasz also told Monin that even though there would be increased risks to using radiation again if she had a recurrence, by then there would likely be new options, pointing to new developments in the science of gliomas right now. The FDA just approved a new drug for a lower grade of glioma last year.
“Dr. Halasz was great. She helped me with facts but also optimism,” Monin said. “I was in a dark place, and she was very responsive about addressing symptoms, warning me about what the symptoms might be, and she was very thorough. She showed me how the treatment plan would avoid impact to my vision.”
Early in her proton treatment, Monin suffered some nausea and vomiting, but her care team made medicine changes that helped. She also experienced some fatigue and developed a bald spot and temporary skin irritation and burns.
“The radiation therapists were really lovely,” she said. “It was also nice to talk to people who could understand what I was going through — both staff and other patients. In fact, I connected with a couple of other brain tumor patients. We met in the lobby doing puzzles. We’ve since met up for brunch a couple times and text each other regularly. It was an unexpected benefit to treatment.”
Monin’s family and friends, many from her native New York, came out in force to help. Since the anxiety episode Monin had in Florida could have been a seizure, she wasn’t allowed to drive for a time. Her family and friends took turns coming across the country to drive her to proton therapy and otherwise support her.
“The outpouring of support was so helpful,” she said. “I encourage other patients to lean on their family and friends. Mine sent gift packages of Buffalo Bills swag – including chicken wings! It was uplifting, supportive and I felt cared about and less isolated.”
Monin will receive chemotherapy until mid-2026. She opted for a less toxic oral chemotherapy that starts with a low dose and gradually increases over time. She said she feels good except for the days she has to take chemotherapy pills, which is five of every 28 days. She still volunteers at her kids’ school and while she feels some anxiety and stress about her family’s future, she feels generally good overall, grateful and hopeful.
This summer, the family took a trip to an Oregon ranch with horseback riding. They also had barbecues and visits from friends and family. Monin is now looking forward to the future and already planning for next summer’s vacation, when she’ll be finished with chemotherapy.
