A look back at Kelly Stafford’s fight after brain tumor diagnosis this year

Stafford had tumor removed

DETROIT – Kelly Stafford, the wife of Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, discovered she had a brain tumor earlier this year.

That discovery led to a 12-hour surgery and a fight to return to her normal life.

Back in the spring, Kelly Stafford shared on Instagram that she had been diagnosed with acoustic neuroma, a slow-growing tumor on the main nerve leading from the inner ear to the brain.

Matthew and Kelly Stafford with a picture of Kelly's brain showing a tumor that was removed. (WDIV)

READ: Kelly Stafford’s post about brain surgery

Kelly Stafford’s symptoms started in January.

She said she would feel dizzy and lightheaded. She visited a local emergency room, but that didn’t help.

Matthew Stafford was concerned and reached out to the Lions team doctor, who recommended an MRI. That MRI revealed the tumor.

Kelly Stafford had the tumor removed during a surgery that had the potential to cause hearing loss and facial paralysis.

The Staffords decided to return home for the surgery at University of Michigan Hospital with Dr. Byron Gregory Thompson Jr.

Hear more about Kelly Stafford’s story in the video above.


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About the Authors:

Hank Winchester is Local 4’s Consumer Investigative Reporter and the head of WDIV’s “Help Me Hank” Consumer Unit. Hank works to solve consumer complaints, reveal important recalls and track down thieves who have ripped off people in our community.