Devyn LeBlanc
reporter@greenepublishing.com
Enjoy the sounds of acoustic rock played by Mike Keeler on Friday, Nov. 12 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at C&D Bistro, located at 144 SW Horry Ave., in Madison.
Keeler, originally from Lee, battled quite the journey. On June 14 of 2021, Keeler found himself in the emergency room for a swollen throat and a hoarse voice. He was originally diagnosed with tonsillitis and given antibiotics. After being sent home, his symptoms worsened and he went to his doctor a few days later to receive steroid shots. He was sent home yet again, and soon found himself at South Georgia Medical Center (SGMC) the next morning. While he was there, he began to lose muscle function in his airways, arms and eyes.
He was later transferred to Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville, where he received the care of a specialist in the Neurology Intensive Care Unit (ICU). While in the ICU, Keeler continued to play his guitar, despite the circumstances. He received five plasma transfusions, which had been helping. Not long after the treatments, he developed pneumonia. Keeler is now out and living his life as normally as possible. He is still undergoing doctor visits and tests to determine an official diagnosis. His doctors believe he may be struggling with myasthenia gravis, a condition that causes weakness in arm and leg muscles, double vision and difficulties with speech and chewing. Myasthenia gravis is caused by a breakdown in communication between nerves and muscles. His doctors have also come to the conclusion that botulism may be a diagnosis as well. Botulism is a rare condition caused by food or water that has been contaminated with toxins produced by clostridium botulinum bacteria.
Keeler has dedicated his life to becoming a musician. When he was young, his church teacher allowed him to take a guitar home to practice with. She provided him with a lesson book and a DVD to help him learn. When he was a senior in high school, Keeler began writing original pieces based on his experiences. Keeler soon began traveling to churches to play with a few of his family members. Keeler's musical focus at the time was contemporary Christian music. At that time, many churches were not taking to such thing, but every once in a while, Keeler would come across a church that would allow him to perform his music. Now, as a full-time musician, Keeler has expanded his focus and performs mainstream acoustic music, acoustic rock, christian music, country and some of his original pieces, all of which are family-friendly.