19 July . 2024
Despite challenges ahead, Keller family makes a clean start at Elyson
Life has been challenging since the beginning of 2024 for the Kellers, one of Elyson’s newest families, but faith and learning to “expect the unexpected” is helping them cope with a serious health diagnosis for their four-year-old son, Jonah.
Jonah’s journey is what led the Caitlin and Vince Keller to move their family to Elyson, after they decided that a newly constructed home with all-new furnishings would be a much safer environment for him after he received a long-awaited bone marrow transplant in June.
The transplant was the recommended first treatment for Jonah’s condition, congenital aplastic anemia, a failure of bone marrow which severely compromised his immune system and increased his risk for blood cancers.
Starting from fresh in a newly built home will benefit the entire family, as testing revealed that is possible that the Kellers’ 20-month-old daughter, Genevieve, and unborn baby, expected this summer, could also have the genetic mutation for the disease.
They moved into their new home in Elyson in June, just before Jonah’s bone marrow transplant, bringing in brand-new furniture, mattresses and other major household items, to help keep their new environment free of toxins. They also brought in an array of air purifiers, dehumidifiers, high power exhaust fans and other appliances to try to keep the air as clean as possible.
Jonah had his bone marrow transplant in late June and is expected to come home in July. He will need to quarantine inside the home for up to one year and will be on immunosuppressants for about the same time. He will have frequent outpatient appointments in the Texas Medical Center after he’s discharged, and he will be following up with his transplant team for life.
“The Kellers are the sweetest people, and they are facing so many unthinkable challenges with grace and faith,” says Chesmar sales consultant Alex LaFont, who worked closely with the family throughout construction of their new home.
Caitlin has had to pause her Katy-based pediatric pelvic health practice, since she has been spending weekdays with Jonah in the Texas Medical Center. Vince works from home during the week. On weekends, he heads to the Medical Center and Caitlin comes home.
“It feels like we can’t catch our breath. The lifestyle and financial shifts have been dramatic,” says Caitlin. “I'm feeling really challenged with how we are going to handle the birth of our baby, and having a newborn and toddler, while also getting Jonah to his appointments.”
Making things even more complicated, neither Caitlin nor Vince has family members in the Houston area.
The Kellers have always been givers, and it’s been an adjustment for them to have to ask for financial support.
“We have always loved to pour into others, our family, and our marriage,” Caitlin says. “At the start of this year, we have become the recipients of others pouring into us. Accepting support from the people around us is a new process, though it is becoming more and more familiar. The loss of income has really hit us hard.”
If you would like to learn more about Jonah’s journey and consider donating, this fund-raising page has more details.
To follow Jonah's journey, visit his Instagram page.