MUSKEGON, Mich. — A nurse, who has spent years helping others, now needs help for herself.
Kim Keeton said just before Christmas she started feeling unwell.
“The best way I've been able to explain it is it felt like I was in labor, like I just had terrible stomach pains with like pressure, I don't know and it wouldn't go away,” said Keeton.
After an emergency room and doctor visit, Keeton learned the worst news — she has a high-grade stage four neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Keeton's diagnosis is a rare form of cancer that was found in her colon and liver and usually impacts those in their 60s.
Keeton is only 39 and by the textbook answer, may not live until she is 45.
“I was kind of a feeling of disbelief," said Keeton’s Brother, Mike Hayes. "And you kind of go through all of the stages of grief, very quickly, quick succession and they come in waves of different you know, sometimes it's anger like how we not catch this sooner or disbelief or just overwhelming sadness."
To make things worse, Keeton said she’s struggling with her insurance provider to not only get the treatment her doctors said she needs, but also pain medication she's been prescribed.
She currently is receiving chemotherapy, but her doctor said immunotherapy would be better for her.
Her family has created a GoFundMe page and a meal train to help pay for not only her medical expenses, but also basic things her family needs.
“Seeing Kim in this position that she needs that assistance, it's just you kind of jump into action and take over as best you can,” said Hayes.
Keeton also said she hopes her story inspires others to get tested regularly, so that if someone has cancer, doctors can detect it earlier rather than later.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.