The Kelso Battle

Kelso's Kick "C's" Butt

November is a month that is hard to face for our family. In November of 2015, our father Scott Kelso, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Not long after the news, he began chemo treatment which was then followed by a very invasive surgery that took place at Mayo Hospital in Rochester, MN. After recovering from surgery he then underwent radiation treatment and spent six weeks living out of a extended stay hotel in Rochester, MN while taking treatment. After radiation he had more chemo therapy. This past fall after another monthly scan he received the news that the cancer is back and is now in his stomach lining. With the news of the spread, he began another kind of chemo which was very strong. Scott continues to chug along with every obstacle that is thrown at him and through all of the doctor appointments.

In November of 2017, our mother, Kelle Kelso, found a lump in her breast. After a mammogram and a biopsy it was confirmed that she was about to begin the battle against breast cancer. In December Kelle and Scott sat side by side at the local doctors office and began chemo therapy together. Let that sink in, husband and wife, through sickness and health, taking chemo together.

In May, after Kelle finished her rounds of chemo, she then had a double mastectomy and reconstruction surgery at Mayo's. After healing from surgery, radiation in Peoria, Illinois began. She is receiving a radiation treatment five days a week for six weeks. Once radiation is complete she will then consult with her team of doctors to find out the next step.

The word cancer stings and is a hard concept to understand. What makes it even harder in this situation is that a husband and wife are both battling this together. Kelle is a seventh grade English teacher at a public school and Scott is a self employed farmer. Their health insurance is covered through Kelle's job at the school. Two years ago Kelle took time off from work to help take care of Scott during his treatments and surgery. She is now being faced with having to take more time off from teaching to care for herself as well as her husband while they both undergo treatments.

While having to take time off from work, they will be faced with many financial burdens; medical bills, insurance coverage, trips to Rochester, MN and Peoria and just missing time from work.

Please know that Scott and Kelle are two of the most giving and kindest people I know. If we could help them just even a little, it would help ease the worries of the financial troubles they will face. Most importantly, just keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Positive thinking and prayers go a long way.