Jennifer Willman Ketola

Jen Ketola is 39 years old and has been happily married to her highschool sweetheart Josh for 14 years. They have two beautiful girls, Jonnie 9, and Cece 7. Jen is a hairstylist and owner of Halla Salon. She is deeply committed to her community and donates countless hours to numerous organizations. She is president of the contemporary center which provides enrichment programs to all ages. Jen is the ultimate people person and one can't help but be drawn to her bubbling personality. She has planned countless get togethers for family and friends and is the glue that binds people together. She is positively one of the happiest and most out going people you will ever meet. FUN is her middle name. This is her story. Jen sought out chiropractic care in February for back pain. On Tuesday April 18th, her chiropractor ordered a x-ray because her back wasn't improving and that's when they discovered she had a compression fracture in her T-10 vertebrae. She had a MRI and labs drawn that friday. On saturday evening she received a phone call with MRI results stating her compression fracture was related to cancer. She was instructed to go immediately to MGH ER to be evaluated for risk of paralysis if impingement on spinal cord. That night she had a CT scan and was admitted. On sunday, Dr. Coccia neurosurgeon overseeing Jen's case gave the CT results. The cancer originated as a mass in her right breast and metastasized into her spine, has two small lesions on liver, and some lymph node involvement as well. Another fracture in spine was found and she had vertibroplasty that afternoon to stabilize the two vertebrae. Dr. Sheetal Acharya hematology-oncology is also caring for Jen and did a breast biopsy. Their immediate concern is to slow the progression of her spine which has been severely damaged. Jen was discharged home Monday awaiting the biopsy results which will dictate her treatment plan. This is only the beginning of a very long and challenging road for Jen and her family. She's not able to lift any weight and it is unknown at this time the capacity in which she'll be able to work. There has been an outpouring of support from people wanting to know how they can help. This fundraiser account has been established to help ease the financial burden of medical treatment, loss of work, and bills. Any donation will be greatly appreciated. Please keep Jen and her family in your prayers. Life is an echo. What you send out, comes back. What you sow, you reap. What you give, you get. What you see in others exists in you. Remember life is an echo. It always gets back to you. So give goodness. -author unknown