Kelly Stafford Commemorates 6 Years Since Brain Tumor Surgery
Kelly Stafford expresses her gratitude for her ongoing health following a challenging brain surgery.
“Celebrating six years since my brain tumor removal at my favorite place on earth. #hallheaven,” Stafford, 35, shared on Instagram on Thursday, April 17, along with a beach selfie.
Many of Stafford’s friends and celebrities joined in to celebrate this significant milestone in the comments.
“❤️🙏🏽,” sportscaster Charissa Thompson commented, while another user added, “Moms everywhere cherish your spirit ❤️.”
As the wife of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, Kelly underwent brain surgery six months after the birth of their daughter Hunter, now 6. (The Staffords also have twins Sawyer and Chandler, both 7, and Tyler, 4.)
“Immediately, I was like, ‘Take it out,’ although Matthew was somewhat hesitant,” Kelly remembered on a December 2024 episode of the “Absolutely Not” podcast. “He was concerned about the significant risks involved, particularly regarding my hearing, facial nerves, and balance. However, he was amazing throughout the process. I wouldn’t have gotten through it without him.”
After further research, Kelly decided to proceed with a 12-hour operation to have the tumor removed.
“I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t sit up,” she told podcast host Heather McMahan, explaining that the tumor was pressing on her balance nerve. “Matthew remarked that on the first night he saw me, ‘Hunter could sit up way better than I could.’ I was tossing and turning, falling off the bed. It took a long time to relearn how to walk, and I wasn’t able to have my kids around.”
Though recovery was “challenging,” Kelly appreciates how the health scare ultimately strengthened her bond with Matthew.
“I always say that it brought my marriage closer,” she reflected. “It enhanced our family unit. I’m thankful for it… and that’s only because the outcome was positive. Fortunately, it was a good one for me.”
Kelly is known for candidly discussing the highs and lows of their relationship, both on social media and her podcast “The Morning After.”
“There are times when I need to run things by him before podcasts go live,” she shared with Us Weekly in February. “That’s pretty much the only instance. It’s interesting because sometimes I think, ‘Why don’t you listen?’ and other times I’m like, ‘Don’t listen.’ It creates a unique dynamic… but overall, we’re busy, and he’s not really into podcasts anyway.”
