When Kt was 10 years old she joined the local 4-H club with her young sister Denise, soon to be followed by her younger brother Daniel.    She had her own Arabian horse, Teddy, which helped teach her responsibility and allowed her compassionate and caring nature to grow -- she had to clean and care for Teddy daily, a large assignment for a young child. She did it completely and lovingly.   She won many ribbons and trophy's riding Teddy, which caused her confidence to blossom. At about 15 years of age Kt became President of her local 4H club.  She was a leader and others followed - - - - because she was always very well prepared and confident, and because others trusted her judgment.

Katie worked at my Law Office through high school and college. I quickly learned that she handled every assignment to perfection.   I never needed to spend time managing her.  She did it all.  One day I told Katie I thought it would be a good idea if each of the attorney offices, and support staff work stations, (a total of about 10) had pin boards so that the attorneys and staff would have a place to put many of their important papers.   That was all I needed to say.  To this day each area has the beautiful, fully covered and perfectly trimmed out particle board surround, that Kt made & installed.

Katie's life took a major diversion in 2014.  This is a message I know Kt would want me to deliver so that it may help you, or a loved one or friend. I was fortunate enough to take Katie to almost all of her doctor and treatment visits over the 4+ years and I have all of my notes.  My files are 2' thick and I have reviewed all to write this.

Katie first found out she had cancer by a phone call from her doctor on Sept 5, 2014.   The cancer was in one of her breasts. Katie called it "the dreaded phone call I will never forget".

The diagnosis was "Invasive carcinoma 1.9 cm", plus another smaller spot.

The 1.9 cm was rated as "Level 1 (on a 1-4), and Grade 3 (on a 1-3)". Level 4 means the cancer metastasized and spread to other parts of the body.   The "Grade" means how "ugly" the cancer cell looks. The lower number the better. Katie's #3 Grade meant it was aggressive & fast moving.

"Invasive" means that some of the cells had broken through the tissue wall and could be heading to the lymph nodes where it could then progress into the blood stream and travel to other part of the body.

Katie decided to have a lumpectomy (locate and remove the specific cancer cells), verses a mastectomy (remove the entire breast and thereafter reconstruct the tissue through a reconstructive surgeon).   Her doctor said that with follow up treatment there was only a 7% chance of re-occurrence.

Katie surgeon, the head of the breast clinic, said surgery went well, and that she removed all cancer.  She also removed the first 2 lymph nodes, which are called "sentinel nodes" and located under the armpit.  This is where a cancer cell travels if it moves out of the breast and is heading towards the blood stream.  After surgery Kt's doctor said that a nodes were "clean", with no cancer cells, and all looked good.

Follow up treatment consisted of chemotherapy followed by radiation treatment.

The chemotherapy was first.  Katie chose the harsher of 2 treatment options (7 treatments vs. 16) because it reduced the chance of cancer re-occurring.    The side affects included, among other things, possible neuropathy (loss of feeling in hands and/or feet), total hair loss, bone pain, infection, nausea etc etc. Chemo is a systemic treatment, which means the drugs travel through the entire body. This is both good and bad.  The drugs don't differentiate between good and cancer cells- they kill everything in its path.

The chemo nurses told us that, because of the side effects, 1/2 of the patients quit before they reach 7 treatments. Katie completed all 16.

Katie ultimately shaved her entire head and went wig shopping.  A good friend, who announces for QVC, sent her several wigs.   Kt named and wore them, along with her own self styled purchases.

The chemo was followed by 30 radiation treatment.

Chemo + radiation treatment lasted for 8 months.  On June 24, 2015.  Katie was then pronounced "cured", and that she was expected her to live another 50 years!    No testing was performed to confirm that the there were no more cancer cells in her body. We were later told that the insurance company's "didn't allow such testing".

Katie returned to work and all seemed well.  Life returned to normal.

A year later, in June 2016, Katie noticed pain in her right upper arm an armpit. After testing was performed it was determined that the cancer had returned.

She had a spot on the edge of her liver.  One or more cancer cells had made it past the lymph nodes and into her blood stream.

Her cancer was upgraded to Level 4, meaning it has metastasized.

Later that month Katie switched her treatment to University of California, San Francisco, as it was a leading cancer center in the country.  The downside was that each treatment, with travel, took about 12 hours.

The next 2 years were filled with doctor visits, clinical trials, chemotherapy infusions, countless medications, various surgeries, tests and more tests, injections of all types, and unpleasant side affects.

Since chemo is cumulative, side affects mount with each treatment.   Often when I'd bring Kt home from treatment Steve and I would put her to bed, as she had no strength or energy to walk up the stairs.     It would typically take 1-2 days to recover.

Through all of this Katie, and her husband Steve, focused on their children and "keeping everything as normal as possible". He was a pillar of strength and support for Kt and their children.

All in all Katie had about 50 chemo treatments, plus over 40 radiation treatments to various parts of her body.            The chemo nurses said Kt received more treatments than for any patient they could remember. She lost her hair on 2 separate occasions, which meant getting the wigs out of storage once again.

The emotional "ups" and "downs" of cancer treatment are unimaginable.   Your day is made or broken by test results, which identify all detectable cancer cells throughout your body, and tell you how your vital organs are handling the chemo and functioning.

Katie participated in several "clinical trials", some successful and some not.   During several treatments Katie wore a "Digni- cap" to save her hair. This is a cold cap that covers the entire scalp & remains in place for about 5 hrs during each chemo treatment.    It is hooked up to a machine and keeps your scalp at 0 degrees. Medication was needed to blunt the pain from the cap. They eventually stopped charging Kt for using the cold cap ($400.00 each visit) because they said they had never had a patient get through as many treatments as did Kt.

On October 20, 2016, after a failed clinical trial Kt's doctor told her the cancer had "exploded and her liver looked as if it had received a shotgun blast".  They gave her weeks to live without treatment and a few months with treatment.

Katie processed, looked at the doctors and said, "No, that's not going to happen, what is our best course of action.    I have 2 girls and I'm staying here as long as possible.   I can't leave my girls!"

After months of more chemo Kt was labeled Katie a super responder!  There was no cancer.  Her Dr. called it a miracle.

Unfortunately, today's technology cannot detect microscopic cancer cells that may still be in the body.   Cancer cells are very smart.   When they divide they can change DNA characteristics to avoid the drugs and white blood cells that can destroy them.    It's a continual chess game.

Katie also consulted with leading experts at Moore's Cancer Center at Univ of California, San Diego. Her cousin's husband is also a top oncologist in Napa County and was always available to Kt for helpful advice.

As time passed, after many different drugs had run their course, Katie's cancer slowly spread. This is why you haven't seen her over the past month.  Katie wanted you to remember her as she was.

An international cancer advocacy group (ICAN) was so impressed with Katie that they are naming a clinical trial to honor her in perpetuity.   It is to be called The Katie Engler Winter Breast Cancer Clinical Trial.   ICAN asked Kt to keep a journal so that others could learn from her valiant battle. I have a record of all treatments, responses, medications, Katie's thoughts etc., which is 2' thick, & would be happy to share this with anyone.

Here are a few of Katie's rules in fighting cancer:

1. Manage your own cancer.  You need to read, ask questions and learn everything you can about your specific type of cancer.

Knowledge is power.  Run it, just like you do if you're managing a business, or a team. Learn about your medications and the cell alterations inside you. Study what drugs work against them. Learn the side affects of all your drugs.  Teach your body to "talk to you".

Katie was so knowledgeable in her discussions with her oncologist that the doctor told me that this forced her to be an even better oncologist.

2. Put all your faith in God, without any reservation.  Talk & listen to him.  After all, he makes the final decisions.
3. Change your diet.  Cancer feeds on sugar, stress etc.  Cut out dairy, minimal meat, no artificial or added sugar.  Eat fish, veggies, fruit, artichokes, water and green tea, which are great!
4. Learn about and practice the "Law of Attrition".  Do not allow any negativity to enter your mind.   Positive thoughts only!

Avoid negative people.  You MUST BELIEVE you are going to prevail.    Read the book  - a fantastic interview of 1000 cancer survivors in remission.  (Katie made a CD of her favorite "fight" and uplifting songs that we often listened to as we drove to her cancer treatments.  She would dance in the car and I could see it fill her with confidence.)

5. Don't limit yourself to Western medicine (drugs are helpful but also toxic); take supplements: turmeric, extracts, flax seed oil, Co Q 10, pro biotics, Vitamins C & D, herbals etc.
6. Surround yourself with the best social support possible. Family is sooooo important! Must all be POSITIVE!
7. Exercise at least 1 hr each day, by power walking etc. and lifting weights. Keep your body strong.  You need it to fight the cancer.
8. Avoid stress the best you can.  "Don't sweat the small stuff", and don't worry about what you can't change.      Save all of your energy for fighting the cancer. Cancer feeds off of your stress, to don't give it the opportunity.
9. NEVER, EVER give in to cancer!!  Cancer somehow senses and feeds off it.   It's YOUR life so go live it!         Live each day fully.  Love each day. Love others and be generous and caring. Show compassion for others.  These are words that Kt lived by.

Many times on our trips home from treatment Kt would have me stop so she could give a homeless person $5.00.   Even though she could hardly stay awake, or hold up her head, Kt was concerned about others.

Cancer is your body fighting itself from within.  You need to create an environment where cancer cannot grow.            Somehow these steps create a hormone release inside the body, which is critical. Katie incorporated all of these choices into her life, and they allowed her to live much longer than was expected.

You also need to learn of the different philosophies of treating cancer.  Old school is treating the organ "with what we typically use on it", regardless of the specific mutation.

Cutting edge includes specific genetic sequencing and profiling of the altered genes.  Tests look at the cancer cell on a molecular level and identify them. Clinical trials then target these specific altered genes to see what drugs works.  You treat the specific altered cell based on its DNA, not just on which organ it has infected.

That's about all I want to say.  Except for 1 last thing:

Many have praised me for always being with my daughter and supporting her through her treatments.   They said it was a great gift from me to KATIE.  WRONG!!  It was Katie's greatest gift to me.    Allowing me to spend so many one on one hours with her was priceless and allowed me to learn so much more about her.  To witness her tremendous courage and strength, and her compassion for others MADE ME THE PROUDEST DAD IN THE WORLD!!

So, now you know what Kt went through for the past 4+ years. You could never tell by looking at, or observing her.   She always looked "perfect".   Her bright smile was always there. She didn't want her condition to affect others.   In all the hours, and over all the months/years I never heard Kt complain about her cancer. I never heard a "why me".   She accepted it, processed, and then determined her best course of action to fight it.

SHE DID IT HER WAY!!!!!!!!
And now Katie is in heaven.  So cancer-----------KATIE WON!!!!!

—Paul B. Engler, 7.1.2018

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Who was that tall, beautiful blonde? Our dearest, one-in-a-million Katie left this world and entered heaven on June 27, 2018, at about 5:00 am.  Katie was the whole package, with poise, intelligence, compassion, beauty, presence, character, loyalty, generosity, etc., etc.  In addition to her family, she loved God, life, people, Maui, Tahoe, sports, the Giants, nature, fashion, and the beach.  She was both a doer and a giver.  She was the glue of her family and of whatever she undertook.  A fierce competitor and intensely loyal to her employer Chevron, she reached a high level in management, bonding with many of her colleagues and making long lasting friendships - an accomplishment in which she took great pride.

Katie lived her first couple of years in S.F., and then moved with her family to Contra Costa County.  She graduated from Christ the King Grammar School, Pleasant Hill, Carondelet High School, Concord, and then from St. Mary's College, Moraga, in 1994, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications.  Katie and her husband, Steven Winter, whom she married in 1996, lived in Walnut Creek for the past 20+ years where they were raising their two daughters.

Katie was diagnosed with breast cancer four years ago and began her journey of treatment and of learning everything she could about the disease, becoming an "expert" and putting much of what she discovered into her own life style.  She refused to let cancer affect her life, never allowing it to slow her down.  She continued her love of life, NEVER giving in.  Katie was a leader, always smiling, laughing, encouraging, and inspiring those around her, in both her professional and personal life.  She was supported by her many fantastic friends, her devoted family, the many nurses at UCSF, and her favorite oncologist, all of whom she loved dearly.

Katie was devoted to her husband Steven, and their two priceless daughters, Maddie and Bridget.  She was the loving and cherished daughter of Paul and Rita Engler, who were privileged and honored to have her as their oldest child.

She is also survived by her sister Denise Engler Lynch (Jeff), brother Daniel Engler (Leah), nieces Emerald and Roslyn, aunts Phyllis Engler & Judy (Robert) Harms, uncle Dr. James Engler (Gail), and many cousins.

A vigil will be held at Christ The King Catholic Church, 199 Brandon Road, Pleasant Hill, 94523, at 7:30 pm on Sunday July 1, 2018.  A funeral mass will be held at Christ The King Catholic Church at 1:00 pm on July 2, 2018.  Reception to follow at The Gardens at Heather Farms, 1540 Marchbanks Dr., Walnut Creek, 94598, beginning at 2:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: "Winter Family Support" at gofundme.com, https://askican.org, or the American Cancer Society.

—Paul Engler

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Katie and I were destined to be friends.  We both went to Carondelet High School.  Katie would want it known that I was one year ahead of her, and it was not until our daughters were in third grade at St. Francis of Assisi that we met.  When we met, there was an instant connection.  True Love I’d say.  She had a fun-loving spirit; and like my cougar pals she was strong in her faith, fiercely loyal to her family and friends and always up for a good time.  Carondelet meant so much to both of us and we wanted our daughters to have a high school experience similar to our own.  We both had this vision for our daughters, and thanks to plans being realized and timing being perfect, our paths were meant to cross.

Katie was smart, funny, kind and caring.   She noticed what was meaningful to others, remembered their birthdays, special milestones, and any reason to celebrate.  I cannot count the number of times she had fresh flowers for me, little angel notes or words of encouragement.

She was a “do-er” and would volunteer to take on projects big or small.  When Maddie and Megan were in fourth grade, I thought it would be fun to have a father daughter dance for the kids at St Francis. I asked Katie what she thought, and she was in 100%.  She took on decorations, and I had no idea what that would mean.  She was a professional.  Her creativity was endless.  Her vision for the school gym was incredible.  We worked with a few other moms to pull it together; the girls and their special guests had a wonderful time; and it has since become a tradition at St. Francis.

Katie was always put-together.  She looked like a million bucks whether it was Saturday morning at a soccer or lacrosse game or Saturday night at a party.  Friends would often comment on how together and beautiful she was.  She told me once, that even though everything looked totally together she would often feel like her sock was half way off in her shoe.  That was the hardest part of her fight.  Her sock was just a little off. Not many knew it and she wouldn’t tell you, but despite her best efforts that sock was just a little out of place. 

When Katie was first diagnosed she was obviously concerned for her health but equally as concerned for my well-being.  She knew that I had recently lost a very dear friend to cancer and she did not want to hurt me.  She had extra love and care for me and I think initially was a little guarded with what to say as it related to her treatments.  Fortunately, Katie and I were very open with each other.  We had honest conversations about our hopes and dreams; worries and fears.  We loved our family, our life and our dreams for the future.  In talking it through we agreed that Katie’s story and journey was uniquely hers and we would see where it led together.

Luckily for both of us, Katie was very open to leaning into her faith.  We talked about our faith and the power of prayer often.  We saw miracles in the ordinary and were convinced that Katie’s recovery could be the miracle story we so wanted.  When the cancer came back, we knew prayer needed to be a part of the treatment plan and we wanted to embrace the power of collective prayer.  We were not really sure how to make it all work, but all we needed was to know our intentions and the pieces fell together. 

One of our first answered prayers was finding Marcia Horn and iCAN.  The news of Katie’s metastasis was devastating, and the doctor’s outlook was not great.  Katie was told she had a few weeks without treatment to potentially one year with treatment.  This outlook was not acceptable.  By the grace of God, we found Marcia.  A friend of a friend had referred us.  Within hours Marcia returned my initial inquiry and that evening she was talking to Katie about her diagnosis and treatment regimen.  Marcia told Katie first and foremost NO ONE can put a timeline on her future.  New advances were happening every day and everyone’s cancer was unique with no certain road map. This confidence and assurance in options completely changed Katie’s outlook. She had hope.  The road would be tough, we just needed hope.  Marcia gave Katie hope as well as an advocate to help navigate this difficult journey.  Katie surpassed the doctor’s original guesstimate of weeks to a year.  We did not look at a timeline and we treasured each day we had.  Some days were harder than others, but as Marcia said, there were new developments and options with each passing day. 

I am so grateful that Katie was in my life for her friendship, her humor, her love and her faith.  Cancer was not something that would define her or get the best of her. She was all-in for Maddie and Bridget, Steve, her extended family and friends, and every special occasion that came her way.  She is the only person I have ever known that had a theme cocktail and paper lanterns for almost any occasion.   Katie fought beyond all measure.  A couple of times she was a super responder to treatment and Doctors could not figure out “what is “it” about Katie”. 

All of us who knew Katie, knew what “it” was when it came to Katie.  We might not be able to put it in one word or even one sentence, but it was something we felt; something we experienced and something we will so dearly miss.  Maddie and Bridget have so much of their mom in them.  They have her strong spirit, her loving heart, and her ability to connect with people and leave them feeling so loved and important.  

We keep Katie and her memory near.  She is a part of our family gatherings, our prayers and our love of a good time.  I am so lucky to have had Katie as my friend. 

xoxo

—Heather