Elli Thatcher credits her supportive family with helping her through a 10-year struggle with her health. She is pictured here with her brothers Joey (left) and Cameron. Click through our gallery to learn more about Thatcher's story.
Elli Thatcher credits her supportive family with helping her through a 10-year struggle with her health. She is pictured here with her brothers Joey (left) and Cameron. Click through our gallery to learn more about Thatcher's story.
Courtesy Kristin Thatcher
Thatcher met Dr. Matthew Old when she started working on the surgery floor at the James Cancer Hospital. Coincidentally, his expertise allowed him to diagnose her rare tumor and devise a plan for the intricate surgery required to remove it.
Thatcher met Dr. Matthew Old when she started working on the surgery floor at the James Cancer Hospital. Coincidentally, his expertise allowed him to diagnose her rare tumor and devise a plan for the intricate surgery required to remove it.
Courtesy Kristin Thatcher
Thatcher has remained incredibly positive throughout the entire ordeal. She was all smiles before her procedure.
Thatcher has remained incredibly positive throughout the entire ordeal. She was all smiles before her procedure.
Courtesy Ohio State James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute
Thatcher's mother, Kristin, also works at the same hospital as the director of patient access.
Thatcher's mother, Kristin, also works at the same hospital as the director of patient access.
Thatcher's procedure required five surgeons specializing in neck, ear, brain and vascular surgery due to the tumor's precarious location at the base of her skull.
Thatcher's procedure required five surgeons specializing in neck, ear, brain and vascular surgery due to the tumor's precarious location at the base of her skull.
Courtesy Ohio State James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute
Thatcher's father, who was diagnosed with cancer in the fall, has also helped her during her recovery.
Thatcher's father, who was diagnosed with cancer in the fall, has also helped her during her recovery.
Courtesy Ohio State James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute
Thatcher says that the hospital has become her second home and she has bonded with the staff, both through working with them and being their patient as well. Fifty staff members were there to greet her with cheers and balloons after she returned to work two months after the surgery.
Thatcher says that the hospital has become her second home and she has bonded with the staff, both through working with them and being their patient as well. Fifty staff members were there to greet her with cheers and balloons after she returned to work two months after the surgery.
Courtesy Ohio State James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute
Thatcher's left leg was affected by the surgery, but through physical therapy exercises, and using a brace and boot, she is already walking again and is expected to fully recover.
Thatcher's left leg was affected by the surgery, but through physical therapy exercises, and using a brace and boot, she is already walking again and is expected to fully recover.
Courtesy Ohio State James Cancer Hospital & Solove Research Institute
Thatcher is looking forward to spending more time with her friends and enjoying a normal college experience this year as a sophomore at The Ohio State University.
Thatcher is looking forward to spending more time with her friends and enjoying a normal college experience this year as a sophomore at The Ohio State University.
Courtesy Kristin Thatcher