'Inspiring' brain tumor survivors bond through St. Luke’s support group in Meridian, on river

Jim Kuhn knows how life can change with a brain tumor diagnosis.

He has navigated different health care systems. He’s had a complicated surgery and he’s fought the tough battle to try to return to a normal life.

Because of his experiences, Kuhn’s perspective has made him an invaluable member of a group that meets each month at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center.

“Some of the newer members, when they come in you can just see the … terror, the anxiety, the unknown,” Kuhn said. “Since I have more experience, I can talk about how we’re all walking down a similar road.”

Paige Wilson, a St. Luke’s nurse navigator in neurosurgery, co-facilitates the group, along with Slee. She said often it feels like she almost gets as much out of the monthly meetings as the members.

“It’s inspiring, the way they encourage each other and share their lives with each other,” Wilson said. “They’re very open, for the most part, and there have been some really amazing conversations.”

In her role as a nurse navigator, she has already worked with most of the members as they dealt with their surgeries and aftercare.

“Having Paige as an advocate has been pretty amazing,” Smith said. “She gets stuff done.”

For her part, Wilson said she is humbled to be able to help patients like Smith.  

“It’s incredible to just be a part of their lives,” Wilson said. “I feel very honored that people let me walk alongside them when they’re going through something like this.”

In the end, that’s how the support group has helped everyone who attends it, by walking alongside each other.

Ben Slee is the neurosciences cranial program manager at St. Luke’s. He started the Brain Tumor Support Group – with help from colleagues – at the urging of Dr. Edward Duckworth, a St. Luke’s neurosurgeon.

Slee said it has been an inspiration to be able to take part in the discussions at the support group.

“There is a lot of emotion, and people do lean on each other,” Slee said. “What’s really neat is that some of the people who have been in the group for a while and have been through treatments, they can help people who are in the middle of treatment and just kind of walk them through the process and give them hope, give them encouragement.”

Slee said that’s the kind of perspective that a patient like Kuhn has provided, and continues to provide.

Kuhn was living in southeast Washington in the winter of 2020 when he started having severe headaches. He was frustrated with his health care options in the area, so his sister-in-law suggested he reach out to Dr. Duckworth.

“St. Luke’s, that organization … I’m glad I was able to find it for my medical care,” Kuhn said. “It probably saved my life.”

Kuhn, whom Slee called “a fantastic mentor” now lives in the Seattle area, but he attends the support group meetings each month virtually.

Dine Smith had brain surgery last summer, and he’s found comfort in the give and take among the support group members.

“I’ll tell other people about (the support group) and they wonder why I go,” Smith said. “But having people of like minds sharing their experiences has helped with my coping.”

“The more you get to know each other you realize that we all have similar strains and struggles,” Kuhn said. “The unknown is one of the worst parts about having a brain tumor, and one of the best things I’ve gotten out of the support group is knowing that I’m not alone and knowing there are people out there that are having the same issues I’m having.”

Interested in attending?

If you are interested in taking part in the monthly support group call Ben Slee at 208-381-4217 or Paige Wilson at 208-617-0672 or email [email protected] to register. The group meets the first Wednesday of each month in the lower level of the Meridian Medical Center. Participants can attend virtually or in person. The group is not just for patients of St. Luke’s. Anyone in the community who has had a brain tumor – of any type – can become involved in the group.