Help our MOM fight stage 4 Cancer

Media Coverage
http://wsls.com/2015/08/20/salem-zumba-fest-to-help-woman-fighting-for-her-life/ ‌

http://www.roanoke.com/community/sosalem/zumba-fundraiser-for-keshia-gravely-to-be-held-at-salem/article_7a1f8185-6f8b-5ec5-8eb0-905cae7e6044.html#.VdnFy4smswI.gmail

http://www.virginiafirst.com/news/bojangles-helps-neighborhood-needs#.VduIqzEYaJg.mailto

http://www.roanoke.com/community/sosalem/shiloh-baptist-organizes-zumbafest-in-honor-of-church-member-keshia/article_8efdf42c-54ad-52ee-b1d9-2cde159b80c0.html?mode=jqm


My name is Keshia Gravely and my story began last May when I went to the doctor for what I thought was a bad cold.  I was diagnosed with a bad case of bronchitis and sent home with several antibiotics and an inhaler for the coughing,  wheezing and shortness of breath.  After several weeks of taking the medications, the symptoms became progessively worse. I went back to the doctor and pressed to have a chest x-ray.  They scheduled an emergency CT scan for that same day and I was admitted into the hospital where they drained over 2 liters off my heart and lungs. I was eventually diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Stage IV Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.  I was told I would receive six rounds of chemotherapy and that it should be cured or in remission after a few short months.   Scared and confused I realized my life would change forever. Being a wife and mother of three boys, I was determined to continue to live my life so that I could feel as"normal" as possible.  Despite the weakness and struggles I endured during the treatments, I still worked my full time job.  It was a blessing that Raleigh Court Health and Rehabilitation allowed me to work and keep my mind from focusing on all the fears of the unknown.





In October 2014, I finished my last round of treatment with the hope that the cancer was gone.   The petscan showed that  the cancer was in remission.  My next scan and follow-up appointment was  scheduled for mid January 2015.  However, early January a lump showed up on my neck while I was at work. Terrified,  I immediately contacted my doctor. I went through a series of tests and biospies.  The tests revealed that the cancer was back and progressing rapidly.



I am now facing a new round of more aggressive treatments and a Stem Cell Transplant at MCV Medical Center in Richmond VA.  Due to new complications, I may not be able to use my own stem cells for the transplant. This would require a donor. Typically, the most effective donors are biological parents. Since I was adopted and my adoptive parents are deceased, I have no knowledge of who my biological parents are.  This creates a problem since the donor list is very small for minorities.



The transplant will require me to be admitted to the hospital for a minimum of 8 weeks and require my husband and I (possibly our children) to relocate to Richmond for that period of time (could be longer if there are complications).  This will take a drastic toll on our family.  The temporary relocation will exhaust all of my PTO and FMLA benefits and cause me to lose my insurance. In order to maintain my policy,  my premiums  will cost 1,097.00+ per month to maintain coverage to ensure I have medical coverage during this time. Previous medical bills have accumulated and now the pending bills will be more than we can withstand.

My prayer is that God would lay it upon your heart  to help decrease the stress of my medical bills, insurance premiums, travel/lodging and household responsibilities. I will forever be humbled and grateful  for your thoughtfulness, generosity and selflessness during these trying times.  May the love of God shine upon you.

God Bless you,

Keshia

"Fight Like A Boss!"

#teamkeshia