Please help Cindy Keefer & son Lucas

Hi, my name is Fred Bish. I am a neighbor and a friend of the Keefer family. Keith passed away suddenly from Metatec Gastroesophageal cancer, Junction Adenocarcinoma which is a rare cancer when the esophagus and the stomach join together. It spreads into the stomach and liver.

His sudden death left behind his wife Cindy and young autistic son Lucas.

When I first approached Cindy about GoFundMe, she declined thinking she could manage independently. With no life insurance, it became more difficult than she realized with funeral expenses, medical bills, mortgage, auto repairs, monthly expenses, and everyday living expenses. Life has become a real struggle.

Cindy works mandatory overtime in a factory on her feet, dealing with her health issues. Arthritis in the back and knees, tendonitis in the hands, shoulders, and knees. Type 2 diabetes, and neuropathy in her hands and feet. Even with the overtime, Cindy is struggling to make ends meet, all of this while single-handedly raising their son.

Any donation you can offer will be greatly appreciated.

Please share, it will help a lot.

A note from Cindy

Keith had a barium test for swallowing and was told there was nothing wrong with his upper esophagus, it was down low. His doctor did not

listen.

Keith was first told he had acid reflux, which having acid reflux myself, I knew the symptoms were not correct. He was then sent to a specialist with a diagnosis of Cricopharyngeal Dysphagia, which is when the muscle at the top of the esophagus does not relax to allow food to enter the esophagus. The specialist did a scope of his upper esophagus and told him not to worry, it was not cancer.

When Keith spoke up about not even being able to keep water down, he was told he was not their only patient and not to worry they would not let him die.

A few days later Keith was so weak, I rushed him to the ER, where the ER Doctor immediately noticed that he was jaundiced and ordered a CAT scan. That is when we found out that Keith had cancer of the lower esophagus, stomach, and liver. He was transferred to Pittsburgh. We were told we needed to think about keeping him comfortable when he was released. He never was released and died just about 6 weeks after the first misdiagnosis.

This has been the most difficult thing I have ever had to deal with. I still wait for him to walk through the door.

Keith also has two wonderful grown daughters, two sons-in-law, two grandsons, and two granddaughters. What makes this all the more dad is Shelly and Maggie's mom, Keith's late wife passed away from cancer also.

Please help Cindy and Lucas if you can, every donation will make a big difference, a tank of gas, paying an electric or heat bill, auto repair, or registration. No donation is too small.

Sharing is greatly appreciated.