Support Gretchen So She Can Focus on the Fight of Her Life

On Christmas Eve our dear friend, Gretchen Keyser, heard the words no one should ever have to hear, "You have Cancer." That dreaded phrase was followed by a firm statement. "We must operate immediately." Of course the news was shocking, and all Gretchen could think was that she wanted to spend the holiday with those she cherished, her daughters, grandson, and the rest of her family. She was granted the request on the condition that surgery be scheduled as quickly as possible following the festivities. Since then, life has been a whirlwind. On December 27th, doctors performed emergency surgery to remove two large tumors from Gretchen's abdomen, one on each ovary, and a third from her uterus (discovering that not only did she have a rare form of ovarian cancer, but uterine cancer as well).

Gretchen needs our help! She is about to undergo 6 months of intensive chemotherapy. A port will be placed surgically in her chest in a little over a week. Then, she will be on a strict regimen, receiving 6 hours of chemo every 21 days. She has been told she will likely experience sickness for a good week of the 21 days between treatments. Of course, she will not be working during this time as she will be at high risk (immunocompromised). She will not have the strength or consistency of schedule to hold any kind of position, nor would it be safe to do so. It is critical that she take this time to focus on what matters most, fighting (and resting), so that she can get well.

For many years, Gretchen has worked in the school system in one way or another. First, as an instructional assistant for Canby School District, specifically Carus Elementary. She was amazing as a SPED Specialist, connecting with kids in ways few people are able. Once she moved to Silverton she found herself in a long term sub position in Automotive Mechanics and Science (you may ask yourself how she was able to manage that. But, if you do, you don't know Gretchen as well as you think. Her dad, Bill brought down some old Honda Trail Bikes of some kind for the class to tinker with, and wouldn't you know it, Gretchen had those kids repairing AND riding those two wheeled units around the parking lot it no time). She was no stranger to the world of mechanics having taken a few courses herself in high school. She has worked at various schools and districts over the past few years teaching everything from preschool through high school and subjects from auto mechanics to marine biology (even 6th grade math!- that's an inside joke); including Silver Falls, Mount Angel, and Gervis. Unfortunately all the shop classes combined don't make up for the fact that a substitute teacher doesn't qualify for short term disability coverage. So, there will be no salary coming in to pay the fixed bills that Gretchen and her girls face each month.

Please join me in taking the one thing off Gretchen's plate that we can during this difficult time. Gretchen's greatest wish is that no matter what, her girls are able to continue to go to school. She doesn't want them worrying about her, or how the electricity bill is going to be paid while she's in treatment. They each have so much they've been working toward. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers and if you're able to make a monetary contribution of any kind it it greatly appreciated and will never be forgotten.

God Bless!

Mary Jeanne (Reif) Sheveland -on behalf of Gretchen and the Girls