Noon Update on Joey Keller - Thursday, November 25th, Thanksgiving Day

I spoke with dad (Harold) a few minutes ago and he stayed with Joey last night in his room so Nick and Elizabeth could get a good night's sleep. They stayed at the Ronald McDonald House again and did indeed get a much needed good night's sleep. Dad made mention that the facilities at Riley Hospital are absolutely fantastic, by the way!!!

He said Joey had a good night and is still sleeping alot which is to be expected but when he is awake, he is alert and answering questions and talking a little bit, which is a good thing. He is doing well with moving his legs and making a fist, etc. When asked why he thinks he's in here, Joey said, "I'm here to get rid of the bad stuff in my body."

He had another radiation treatment this morning to continue to aggressively fight the m&m sized cancer spots on his spinal cord. This is huge because this is the cancer that can mess with other organs throughout his body.

They took a fluid sample from his brain today to test it. It is this fluid that passes the cancer down his spinal cord, so we need to pray that this fluid comes back clean.

Joey has been drinking fluids such as apple juice, etc. and when the nurse asked what flavor of juice he wanted Joey responded, "Surprise me." That's Joey isn't it!?! :) Dad actually called back to tell me that Joey just started to eat some Lucky Charms which is good news. We need to pray that they stay down.

They have not received any of the results from the MRI scan yesterday and dad thought they will likely start Chemo next week if his strength returns. At this point, the guess is that he will be moved from ICU to the Cancer Ward on Saturday or Sunday.

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Many of you have been asking about Thanksgiving arrangements. Nick and Elizabeth are welcome to have Thanksgiving dinner at 2 pm at the Ronald McDonald House. Dad said the cafeteria is serving Turkey all day and there is also a church in Indy that is bringing in Turkey dinner today as well.

All in all, it sounds like they are in good enough spirits and are beginning to settle into a new reality of the marathon that fighting this cancer is going to be.

We must keep praying that these tumors on Joey's spine will keep shrinking. That is huge right now.

Thanks everyone for praying and checking in.

We will begin trying to post twice a day. Once near the noon hour and once in the evening each day. Emphasis on try. But thanks for continuing to carry the burden with our family and lift them up in prayer. Your comments and messages are huge!

Matt Keller (Joey's Uncle)