Katie Krell
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Mike Keeler, originally from Lee, first visited the Emergency Room on Monday, June 14, for a swollen throat and a hoarse voice. After being diagnosed with tonsillitis and given antibiotics, he was sent home. His symptoms began to worsen and he went to his doctor a few days later to receive two steroid shots.
Once again, Keeler was sent home, only to return to the Emergency Room at South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) the next morning. He began to lose muscle function in his airways, arms and eyes and was intubated and mildly sedated at SGMC. There, doctors ruled out the possibility of a stroke. He was later transferred to Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, where he is currently under the care of a specialist in the Neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Keeler received five plasma transfusions in an attempt to “clean” his blood of the problematic proteins and replace them with new plasma. The treatments helped greatly, with a noticeable improvement. Following the treatments, however, he developed pneumonia, from which he is still recovering. Keeler is currently still on a ventilator, although he is no longer intubated and was given a tracheotomy.
Although there is no definitive diagnosis, doctors think Keeler may have an autoimmune disease known as myasthenia gravis, a disease in which the immune system may attack its own tissues and cause an interruption between nerves and muscles. This can result in muscle weakness and respiratory issues.
Katie Terry, Keeler's sister, has organized a GoFundMe page to help pay his medical expenses. They have set a goal of $2,500 and have raised $1,710 so far. If you would like to help, the page can be found through GoFundMe by searching “Medical Support for Mike Keeler” or by going to https://gofund.me/5b9d25c4. There is also a benefit account set up for Keeler at Madison County Community Bank. Anyone can contribute to the account by visiting the bank and letting their teller know they wish to deposit into the Michael Keeler Benefit account.
Keeler's family will be hosting a Benefit Dinner and Concert fundraising event on Friday, July 30, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the C&D Bistro. Music will be provided by Neutral Ground and other local artists. They will be serving plates of brisket, BBQ pork or chicken, and all will come with sides. Tickets for plates can be bought for $20 apiece prior to the event, as preferred by both the restaurant and the family, or at the time of the event. Pre-ordering can be done by calling C&D Bistro at (850) 973-2041.