Monday, Aug. 24, 2009

'Keep me in your prayers': Belleville nursing student has battled brain tumor for 10 years

Katie Lundy is studying at SIU Edwardsville to become a nurse.

Someday, Katie wants to care for others like so many have cared for her during her 10-year battle against an inoperable brain tumor on her optic nerve.

Over the past seven years, the annual Katie Lundy Foundation Golf Tournament has raised more than $104,000 for the Children's Miracle Network and her foundation. The eighth annual tournament is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13, at Clinton Hills Golf Course in Belleville.

Katie is 20 years old. Ten years ago this October, while she was a student at Roosevelt School in Belleville, something wasn't quite right during a routine vision screening at school. She was diagnosed with Optic Pathway Glioma, a brain tumor on her optic nerve. Brain surgery followed but doctors couldn't remove a (benign) tumor. They could only take a small piece to biopsy.

The years since have been filled with highs and lows. Chemotherapy. Remission. Tumor growing again. Radiation. Going back to square one. Doctors say her condition is "chronic," meaning she likely will deal with it the rest of her life.

Last summer, Katie started another round of chemotherapy and lost her hair. She had just graduated from Belleville West High School and getting ready to start college.

Last November-December, she was hospitalized for 19 days with extremely painful peripheral neuropathy in her legs, feet and hands. It made walking up steps a painful challenge. It forced Katie to often shuffle more than walk.

Katie kept her spirit. When she was released from the hospital, there were two weeks left in the first semester. She was determined to finish. So, Katie and her mom, Karen Lundy, went back to college together. Mom slept in the dorm and helped Katie get to class.

Katie finished the semester with a B average. Better news was the neuropathy went away in March 2009.

Earlier this summer, Katie noticed her vision was changing. Tests confirmed her peripheral vision had suffered. Doctors confirmed the tumor was growing again. In early August, she entered a special chemotherapy clinical study for children with recurring brain tumors. The study is being done at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Katie and family will spend considerable time in Chicago for the study to monitor her reaction to the chemotherapy. All expenses, treatments and travel will not be covered by health insurance and will be paid by the family.

Through it all, Katie and her family have had the constant and overwhelming support of friends, family and neighbors. That was exemplified in January 2008. More than a thousand friends and family members packed Panorama Lanes in Belleville for a Lundy Family fundraiser. Those same friends, family and neighbors are planning a fundraiser for the Lundys on Sept. 12, the night before her charity golf tournament. The Katie Lundy Festival will be held at Heritage Hall at Althoff Catholic High School in Belleville. The event will include games, silent auction, raffles and food.

Katie enjoys college life. She joined Alpha Phi sorority. This summer, she moved off campus in Edwardsville and attended summer school.

Her life remains as normal as it is abnormal.

On her golf tournament flyer, Katie said, "I want to thank my parents, Taylor (sister), my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, teachers and neighbors for your ongoing support. It really helps me get through the rough times knowing that you guys are always there for me. Please remember to keep me in your prayers. ..."

You get a feeling that someday, Katie Lundy will be a good nurse because she cares, and because she knows how good it feels to be cared for.

How You Can Help

What: Katie Lundy Festival includes game, silent auction, raffles and appetizers

When: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 12

Where: Althoff Catholic High School's Heritage Hall, 5401 W. Main, Belleville.

Cost: $25 per person

For reservations, or to donate items for the silent auction or raffles, call Kim Rawlings, 234-0951, Kathy Kernan, 257-1509, Chris Petterson, 210-7098, or Lynn Barger, 670-7659.

What: Katie Lundy Foundation Golf Tournament

When: Sunday, Sept. 13. Lunch, 11-noon; 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Silent auction from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Where: Clinton Hill Golf Course, Belleville.

Benefit: Proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle Network and Katie Lundy Foundation.

Cost: $110 per person/$440 for foursome. $125 for tournament sponsorship; $30 for dinner only.

Information: 235-0580 by Sept. 6.