‘Real Housewives Of New Jersey’ Alum & Brain Tumor Advocate, 60, Kathy Wakile, Embraces Grandmotherhood With Heartwarming Photos, 10 Years After Daughter’s Brain Tumor Surgery

She captioned her post, “Forty days wrapped in a baby bubble, where time slows and love multiplies. Our hearts are overflowing in ways we never knew were possible.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathy Wakile (@kathywakile)

Wakile, a mom of two who also has a son named Joseph, continued, “Our family is so incredibly blessed by our sweet girl, our miracle, our forever.

“Happiest name day, Xronia Polla Eleftheria ‘Teddi’ Kosmidis 11-05-2025.”

We’re thrilled to see Wakile’s daughter celebrating such a major milestone, especially after undergoing two brain tumor surgeries.

Wakile, now a dedicated brain tumor advocate, previously shared her daughter’s health journey on season four of “The Real Housewives of New Jersey.”

She revealed that her daughter was first diagnosed with a benign brain tumor and underwent surgery at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York at age 10. She had a second surgery at age 20, in 2004, after the tumor—a benign astrocytoma—regrew.

Astrocytoma brain tumors develop from astrocytes, the star-shaped cells of the brain. According to the American Brain Tumor Association, these tumors are usually slow-growing but can infiltrate nearby brain tissue. Astrocytomas belong to the broader category of glial tumors and represent about 60% of all such tumors, according to StatPearls. Research from the National Library of Medicine further notes that grade 2 astrocytomas are most frequently diagnosed in adults and may progress to glioblastoma over time.

Speaking to OK! Magazine about her second diagnosis and procedure, back in 2014, Victoria said, “I was a bit nervous, like why did it happen again?

“But since I was 20, not 10 anymore, I had to face things in the hospital as an adult, which was challenging. However I wanted to be strong and stay positive.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathy Wakile (@kathywakile)

Recounting the most difficult part of her health struggle, she said, “The hardest part of this whole experience is understanding that we all have our daily lives that we live with, [with] plans, goals, expectations… And when something in your health changes, those things take a slight detour.

“It is hard to shift and refocus, but it’s important to do so. One thing I learned—when I was 10, I told myself and family I wanted to be a nurse and help others. After the same experience 10 years later, now that I’m 20, it validated that I am making the right choices, in school for nursing!”

Fastforward to this year, Victoria is set to turn 32 next month, and has certainly come a long way. She completed school and became a nurse in 2019, applauding herself from going from “patient to caregiver” in a 2019 Instagram post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathy Wakile (@kathywakile)

“Watching you grow into the incredible woman you are today has been one of my greatest blessings. You are a shining example of strength, kindness, and resilience. I am endlessly proud of your courage to chase your dreams, your ability to love deeply, and the grace you show even in challenging times,” Wakile wrote.

“Always remember, no matter how far you go or how high you soar, my love for you will remain constant, unwavering, and infinite. I am here for you, cheering you on every step of the way.”

On her birthday last year, her mom praised her for bringing her “light, joy and purpose when she was born.”

She continued, “Today, I celebrate you—your heart, your soul, and all the magic you bring to the world. May this year be filled with endless love, laughter, and success. You deserve every bit of happiness life has to offer.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kathy Wakile (@kathywakile)

Navigating a Glioma Diagnosis: Understanding Your Tumor Type & Treatment Options

A glioma is a type of tumor that originates in the central nervous system, specifically in the brain or spinal cord. They originate in glial cells. Glial cells are supportive cells in the brain which serve to protect and maintain the neurons. They perform these tasks by maintaining the right chemical environment for electrical signaling, creating protective coverings for neurons, and removing debris and acting as scavengers. Neurons are the key cells in the brain and spinal cord which are responsible for transmitting messages in the brain. While the signals and messages that allow you to think, move, and speak are created by neurons, the glial cells are critical in maintaining brain function.

So essentially, a glioma is a tumor that comes from the brain’s own support cells.

“Glioma is a broad term that refers to a whole range of different types of primary brain tumors,” Dr. Alexandra Miller, Director of the Neuro-Oncologist Division at NYU Langone Health, tells SurvivorNet. “So, they’re tumors that originate in the brain and very rarely spread outside the brain to other parts of the body.”

Those glial cells, like many other cells in the body, have the potential to grow abnormally and form a mass, and that is when a glioma is formed. Gliomas, as they arise from the brain or spinal cord, are considered a primary brain tumor. They do not spread from elsewhere in the body. Relative to other cancers such as breast, prostate, and lung, primary brain tumors are relatively uncommon with 80,000 diagnosed per year in the United States. Of the primary brain tumors diagnosed each year, gliomas comprise approximately 25%.

The Grading System of Gliomas

Gliomas are graded on a scale of I to IV, with higher grades indicating a more aggressive tumor. This grading is based on several factors including the type of glioma, the genetics of the cancer, as well as the appearance of the tumor cells under a microscope. The more abnormal the cells look, the higher the grade, and the faster the tumor is likely to grow and spread. Here’s a quick overview:

• Grade I-II gliomas – These are considered low-grade and tend to grow slowly. “The grade one is a very indolent, benign tumor that basically can be cured with surgery alone,” Dr. Henry Friedman, Deputy Director of the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke, tells SurvivorNet.
• Grade III gliomas – These are considered high-grade and tend to grow more rapidly. Grade III gliomas are typically classified as malignant and typically require more aggressive treatment which can include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
• Grade IV gliomas – These are the most aggressive gliomas which are locally aggressive and require treatment intensification. Glioblastomas are the most common grade IV glioma, “which is by far the most well known and most feared tumor in the lay population and quite frankly, the medical population as well,” Dr. Friedman explains.

Although Grade IV gliomas are the most aggressive glioma and may require several types of treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, there can be challenges in treating low grade gliomas as well. When making decisions on treatment, several factors are taken into consideration including location of the tumor, ease of surgery and ability to resect, neurologic deficits, patient age, tumor size, and overall health.

WATCH: Focusing on positivity and emotional health.

How Does Glioma Present? Understanding Treatment Options

Gliomas can present a variety of ways. The symptoms are often non-specific, meaning there is no slam-dunk symptom or key finding that is common to all gliomas. Symptoms can also be related to tumor location, and more commonly the increased pressure caused by the mass inside the skull, which can disrupt blood flow and block the flow of cerebral spinal fluid. Based on the location of the glioma there can be associated symptoms that arise including personality and speech changes.

With increased pressure in the skull you can experience symptoms such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, and changes in vision.

Other symptoms that can sometimes be seen include:

• Seizures
• Cognitive difficulties, like memory loss or trouble concentrating
• Weakness or numbness in certain parts of the body
• Vision or speech problems

Again, none of these symptoms are specific to gliomas and can be caused by a variety of medical conditions. There are several steps in the workup needed before you can be diagnosed with a glioma.

When it comes to treatment, “The first step is always the neurosurgery. How much can you take out? Is it safe to do surgery? Do you have to rely on a biopsy? Can you even do a biopsy?” says Dr. Friedman. These are all questions and considerations that need to accounted for when deciding what treatment is most appropriate.

Why Some Gliomas Return After Surgery or Radiation Therapy

Once the biopsy is obtained and the diagnosis of glioma is made, various treatment options can be recommended. The recommendations take into account the type of the glioma, the tumor grade, and well as patient specific factors including tumor location, size, your age, and overall health.

The main treatment options are:

• Observation – Some gliomas that are benign, small, and without symptoms or tumors located in inoperable locations can be recommended for observation.
• Surgery – Surgery is often the first-line treatment for gliomas, with the goal of achieving maximal safe resection where the largest amount of tumor is removed without causing significant neurologic deficits. For low-grade gliomas, surgery alone can sometimes be curative.
• Radiation therapy – This uses high-energy x-rays to target and kill tumor cells. Radiation is often used after surgery to target residual tumor cells.
• Chemotherapy – These medications kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be used alongside radiation, or following radiation and is often used in higher-grade tumors.
• Targeted therapy and immunotherapy – These are newer treatments that are designed to target specific genetic mutations in the tumor or to stimulate the immune system to fight the cancer. Their role in the treatment for gliomas is continuing to evolve.

The important thing to remember is that every treatment plan and recommendation made by your healthcare team is personalized based off of details specific to your disease, your overall health, and treatment goals.

Navigating a Glioma Diagnosis

Being diagnosed with a glioma can be overwhelming, but understanding your specific tumor type and the available treatments can help you make informed decisions about your care. Here are some steps to take if you or a loved one is facing a glioma diagnosis:

1. Work with a Specialized Medical Team: A neuro-oncologist, neurosurgeon, and radiation oncologist can help guide your treatment plan.
2. Ask About Genetic Testing: Some gliomas have specific genetic markers that can influence treatment decisions and prognosis.

• Consider Second Opinions: Seeking a second opinion at a major cancer center can provide more treatment options and access to clinical trials.
• Stay Informed & Engaged: Learn as much as you can about your diagnosis and ask your doctors about the latest research and treatment advancements.
• Seek Support: Support groups, counseling, and patient advocacy organizations can help you navigate the emotional and practical challenges of living with a brain tumor.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor

If you are facing a glioma diagnosis, understanding all the new information you are getting can be really overwhelming. Consider taking the following questions to your doctor at your next visit.

• What type of glioma do I have?
• Is there a standard treatment approach we will take?
• Should I undergo genetic testing?
• How will I be monitored after treatment?

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

Learn more about SurvivorNet's rigorous medical review process.

---