Emilee experienced a number of complex migraines in 2010. A MRI was taken and revealed a brain tumor located in the Broca area of her brain. This area is an extremely delicate location and her tumor was intertwined within her speech and motor functions. The tumor was considered a low-grade slow growing tumor, but due to the location, Emilee's doctors and medical team at the U of M advised her and her family to not operate and monitor the tumor with MRIs.
 

In 2014, during Emilee's senior year of college she went to Mayo Clinic for a different opinion. While there Emilee met with Dr. Fredric Meyer- who was one of two surgeons in the world who could perform surgery in this area of the brain. After looking at the MRI scans, her new medical team saw growth and decided it was time take the tumor out.
 

Emilee was able to complete her student teaching and shortly after graduation had brain surgery. During the surgery, Emilee was put under to remove her skull cap. She was then woken up and talked to her speech pathologist during the tumor resection to make sure the surgery had minimal effects on her speech center. The surgery was successful and removed 90% of the tumor. There were some minor effects on Emilee during recovery. She had some seizures and she was unable to speak for awhile, but that was able to be corrected with speech therapy and medication. Emilee also had chemotherapy and radiation treatments to stunt the growth of the remaining tumor. She continues to monitor the tumor area with a MRI once and year.
 

Emilee is thankful for her amazing medical team at Mayo Clinic, including Dr. Fredric Meyer and Dr. Joon Uhm. This team was able to perform a miracle with the support of Emilee's family and friends, which gave her the opportunity for a healthy life.