Keri’s Journey: A Story of Hope and Strength
Keri Crutchfield was no stranger to life’s challenges. As a physical therapist and a mother of three daughters, her life was filled with caring for others and juggling responsibilities. Little did she know that in the summer of 2019, her world would change in a way she never expected.
“I was sitting in a Starbucks,” Keri recalls. It was a normal day—just another stop in her busy life. That was until she got a phone call that would change everything. “My doctor told me I had ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), a form of breast cancer. It’s crazy how one minute you’re just working, and the next, you’re a cancer patient.”
Keri’s diagnosis came just days after her daughter’s wedding. In fact, she had scheduled her MRI for right after the wedding, knowing her insurance deductible was met and wanting to get things checked out. The news hit her hard. You never prepare yourself for hearing those words.
“I think it took a few days to sink in,” Keri shares. “At first, I was just going through the motions. I’m in the medical field, so hearing all these treatment options sounded like I was talking about someone else. But then it hit me—I was the patient.”
Keri had always been a problem solver, and when it came to her treatment, she applied the same mindset. After discussing options with her medical team, she learned about proton therapy—a form of radiation that targets the cancer site without damaging surrounding tissues like the heart and lungs. This was a critical factor for Keri, who has severe asthma and couldn’t risk further damage to her lungs.
When Keri walked into the Oklahoma Proton Center for her first appointment, she felt an overwhelming sense of peace. The fear that had gripped her heart eased as the warm, smiling staff welcomed her. “I knew everything was going to be okay,” she said. That hope carried her through the difficult days when it seemed like the cancer just wouldn’t let go.
From the time I walked through the doors at the OK Proton Center, I felt a “peace”. Everyone was so nice, patient, kind, caring and compassionate. I felt like I was with family.
During treatment Keri experienced fatigue and some skin irritation after her treatments, but the overall experience was positive. “The team at the Proton Center became my support system,” Keri explains. “They weren’t just treating me medically; they were treating me emotionally too. Every day, they lifted me up, and they made me feel like I wasn’t going through this alone.”
Her treatment, though, wasn’t the only challenge Keri faced. During this same time, she was navigating a divorce, which added another layer of difficulty to an already overwhelming situation. Yet, through it all, she remained strong for her 3 daughters, balancing motherhood, her job, and the relentless demands of her medical care. But through it all, she remained strong, focusing on the future.
“My daughters were my biggest motivators,” Keri reflects. “I had to keep fighting because I wanted to see all of my daughters get married, and I wanted to be there for them in the years to come.”
Now, four and a half years after her diagnosis, Keri is cancer-free and reflecting on her journey with gratitude. She’s deeply involved in the Proton Pals Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides support to people going through proton therapy. As chairman of the board, she’s dedicated to helping others who are facing similar challenges, whether they need financial assistance or emotional support.
As she prepares to celebrate her daughter Emily’s wedding this fall, Keri knows that this moment—this milestone—is something she fought hard for. “I look at life differently now,” she says. “I find joy in the small things, and I live every day to the fullest.”
Cancer has changed the way Keri sees the world. Every day is a gift, a chance to live fully and love deeply. She knows her battle isn’t over—there’s always the lingering fear of recurrence—but she’s armed with hope and the support of her loved ones.
Keri’s message to others facing cancer is clear: “Don’t give up hope. There are incredible treatments available, and there are people who will walk with you every step of the way. You are stronger than you know, and you can fight this. You will ring that bell, and you will see the other side of this.”
Patients or others wanting more information about proton therapy and how it can be used to treat cancer can reach out to the center at (405) 773-6700 or visit the Oklahoma Proton Center website at www.okcproton.com.