Sending Prayers and Support For Cindy Keller

Hi, my name is Landon Keller, and I am raising money, positivity, and prayers for my Mom, Cindy Keller, in the wake of her recent cancer diagnosis...

Last month my mom had a mass (initially thought to be a swollen gland) surgically removed near her lymph nodes on the right side of her neck. The biopsy determined it was malignant. This was a shock, to say the least. We were all having a hard time wrapping our heads around it and coming to terms with it while at the same time trying to get to work on the next steps and staying positive. The official diagnosis is Metastatic Neuroendocrine, Poorly Differentiated, Small Cell Carcinoma.

About a week later, she was accepted to the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Illinois. A big win! On February 15th, we drove up together and met her fantastic team. They performed a PET Scan and saw two masses in her upper chest and several masses on the right side of her neck, all in the lymph nodes. But the origin of the cancer is still unknown...

My Mom is a working RN (an incredible one) with a home healthcare company. She has health insurance, but some things are not covered. She works as a contract nurse, which was more than ideal for her at the time that she accepted the position. Since the diagnosis, her company has been such a blessing. Even after informing them that she has cancer, they renewed her contract for another month. Not only did they renew her contract, but they also have been trying to make it to where her patient load is lighter than usual! They think the world of my mom and we think the world of them! 

As I said before, she does have insurance, but she doesn't have other benefits like paid time off or sick time. She is currently scheduled for 6 rounds of chemotherapy. Each round of chemo treatments takes 3 days to complete, not counting any recovery time needed. Each round of chemo is scheduled 3 weeks apart.

Her first round of chemo started on February 23rd. Her spirits were high, and even though she didn't feel the greatest, she was back to work several days later, until today. Today she received a call informing her that her latest blood labs showed she currently has zero immune system function (due to the chemotherapy). As I type this, she is packing up and coming home. She cannot do her job without a functioning immune system. She also cannot continue chemotherapy if they are unable to figure out how to keep her immune system functioning at a higher level than zero. We're praying with confidence that they will figure something out.

Her specific cancer diagnosis was a little intimidating, but her Oncologist said they have a lot of success treating small cell carcinoma with chemo. However, they still need to find where her cancer originated. Additional diagnostic tests ordered by her Oncologist are not covered by insurance. They cost $3,500 and $2,100. There is also a $6,000 out-of-pocket cost, before insurance starts paying on the medical bills that are covered. Coupled with lost wages during treatment/recovery and the news we received today (about her immune system), it became clear that asking for help would be necessary.

Due to the of the out of pocket costs, necessary  testing (not covered) and unpaid sick time, I am setting the bottom end of our goal at $12,500 and hoping to raise more. I’m sure more costs will come up and more work days could be missed. 

With this money, her doctors will be able to determine the origin of the cancer and set up the best treatment plan to help her fight this. She will also be able to cover some of the cost of unpaid sick time while receiving chemo treatments. I just don't want her to have the constant added stress and worry, when she is already dealing with so much.

My Mother has spent the vast majority of her life taking care of her family, the sick, the needy and the dying. It is her gift and her passion. Her bedside manner is second to none. She is a natural. Connecting with her patients in a real and meaningful way and showing them respect and compassion seems to come easy to her. These same attributes describe her outside of her profession, in everyday life as well. To really know her is to cherish her. She’s a one in a million. 

I've heard dozens of testimonies from friends, people in the community and people I didn't even know about what a difference she has made in the lives of her patients and their families during really difficult times. That's is her calling and she answers it gladly.  My personal belief is that those services she provided will be returned in support and patient care now that she is the one who needs taken care of. 

She is a phenomenal mother and grandmother, and we all love her very much. My kids adore her. As a mother, she does tend to worry about things. She has enough on her plate, and I'd like to help lift as much access worry as possible in a time when she needs to be focusing on her own well being more than ever. 

We are doing all we can as a family. I am also filing for FMLA at my job so I can take extra time off to be there for her when needed and still be able to

keep my job. 

Financial support would be a complete game changer!

I am asking you to please consider donating to this fundraiser; I can't begin to describe to all of you how much it would help.

- Please know that no amount is too small. Many hands make light work! 

- Please know that there are many ways you can help.

- You can share this with others on social media, email, in-person etc.

- Whether you can give or not, we need prayers! We believe in the power of prayer and positivity. We believe in the power of faith in God.

 - Also, if you have a personal testimony about my mother's kindness or character or any words of support or incouragement, please feel free to share that here and/or with her on social media. A little bit of love and validation is healing!

- And please know that however you support my mother and however much you give, we are all extremely grateful.

My entire family would like to thank you and give you a digital hug in advance for your contribution!