10/08/2025 The latest update!

Asking for help. We are on our way but still have a long road ahead! Your support matters so much and we are overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity!

We just began a meal train since we are starting to realize more and more how helpful that is through this medical journey. If you would like to prepare a meal please sign up for Kaisa's Meal Train!

An Update From Kaisa:

Hello friends!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted an update regarding my cancer journey, so here it goes.

As of this Thursday (10/9) I will have completed three out of the six (scheduled) rounds of chemo! So yay half way! I am tolerating the treatment quite well— no reactions during infusion, but I’m having more symptoms in the days following chemo (super not fun).

One thing that I was able to purchase thanks to the GoFundMe is my CoolerHeads cold cap. It is a device that I wear on my head during infusion— it freezes my hair follicles limiting the amount of chemo that circulates through that part of my body, and allows me to preserve my hair! With that it has also preserved my dignity. I am very open about my diagnosis, but it is very comforting to be able to walk through the world and not have people assume that I have cancer because of how I look. Cold capping is a very new process at Dartmouth; I am one of the first 10 people to go through it. My hope is that one day this device will cost less to future patients and I am spreading awareness by sharing my own experience. (I’ll post a picture of how awesome I look with it on )

You can learn more about cold capping here:

Cooler Heads Scalp Cooling . . . And here is a totally awesome pic of me in my cooling gear! Yes, it is very cold!

But look here! I still have hair! Have you seen my new do in person yet? I think Shawn likes it!

Coming up in November I will have more imaging done to check the status of my cancer and to plan for surgery in January. I am very optimistic about the outcome! I feel strongly about that is because after my first infusion I could no longer feel the lump that started this whole process. Imaging will involve an ultrasound of the tumor in my breast, and possibly an MRI, CT or PET scan.

While I do have my bad days of only being able to lay on the couch or stay in bed, I am incredibly grateful for how well I am doing. My people have really rallied together to support me and my family during this really difficult process. There have been meal drop offs, care packages, thoughts, prayers, cards, donations and so many heartfelt conversations— to say thank you doesn’t feel like enough! I would not be doing this well without all of the love and support coming my way.

It's been a joy to be working with cut flowers again! I started selling flowers to our friends Lorraine and Jacque at Amber Moon, and hope to continue to do so as long as the weather permits. This has been a great way to feel more connected to the Keene community (the best).

With the outpouring of donations to the GoFundMe, I have been able to rest, relax and truly focus on healing. I still work when I can, but my stamina isn’t what it normally is. Any contributions made are extremely helpful! If you can’t donate please feel free to share this post.

Thank you thank you thank youuuuu! I’m beyond grateful for all of the love and support. I’m going to continue to fight the good fight!

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8/15/2025: Breast Cancer. The words we hear all the time hoping it never applies to us. In this case the unfortunate reality is that it landed right in Kaisa Jarrell's front yard this summer. Most of you who see this, will know who she is if you are local to the Keene area. She is a local staple and highly recognizable in the community in which she lives.

In the beginning of July, she discovered a lump under her armpit. She made an appointment to be checked out by her OB/GYN. After that appointment, she was scheduled for imaging - a mammogram and an ultrasound. She is not at the age for regular screenings so she did not think much of it. It was more precautionary than anything (so she thought at the time). The results came back with words that she would not be able to unsee. "High chance of malignancy." Next was a biopsy. The results came back with the unfortunate news. Invasive Ductal Carcinoma that has spread to the axillary lymph nodes. The doctor managing her case noted that due to her younger age, this was likely an aggressive cancer. Things kicked into high gear from there. That is why we are here now.

Research is underway, family meetings were called, phone calls with insurance companies and financial aid departments at two different hospitals. It's all overwhelming. It sounds crazy, but in the last two weeks she's gone from biopsy to more appointments than she has had in her entire life. Ultrasounds, echocardiogram, CT, bone scans, MRI, oncology education, chemo consults, cold capping programs, mediport installation, surgical consult . . . and things have been piling up. Both financially and emotionally. If you can believe it, the last two weeks are adding up to about $40K! Yikes! In two short weeks- a mere vacation to some people, she has gone from the vision of health to being almost unable to work due to all the appointments. Of course, this is anything but a vacation. She needs your support to help cover treatment and expenses related to her diagnosis. Being that she was a perfectly healthy woman in her mid-thirties, her insurance plan is bare bones. This fundraiser is to help with the expenses that have piled up as a result of her diagnosis.

Kaisa has lived in Keene, New Hampshire her entire life. In fact, she takes pride in "skipping down the streets, shaking hands and kissing babies", as she often says! She is a familiar friendly face to most locals- you might know her from her time at Green Wagon Farm or The Monadnock Food Co-op, or perhaps Julie's Garden! Maybe you play softball with her or have seen her tending the gardens at Bretwood golf course. Maybe your kids play Cal Ripken baseball and you have seen her cheering in the stands with her partner, Liz! If you know her, then you know the bright and beautiful spirit she brings to the world!

Kaisa would do anything for a friend or neighbor in need. Let's pay all the good she has done forward. She needs to focus on treatment, healing, family, and kicking some serious cancer butt!