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Kindergarten teacher who taught during chemo receives bedroom makeover

Kelly Klein, in her second bout with ovarian cancer, received a gift from Iowa-based nonprofit.

STACY, Minnesota — Tears welled in her eyes before Kelly Klein even made it to her front door.

“There are so many good people in the world,” the Falcon Heights Elementary School teacher said.

The latest example of that: a bedroom makeover Kelly was about to see for the first time.

Since it first aired on KARE 11, Kelly’s story has been shared across the country.

NBC Nightly News and CBS Evening News both picked up the story of the kindergarten teacher instructing her class from the hospital while connected to chemotherapy tubes.

Kelly even appeared on Ellen.

Lisa Tan of the Mason, Iowa based nonprofit My Happy Haven was one of the people watching the coverage.

“We are all about redecorating bedrooms for women who are on a cancer journey,” Lisa said. “When somebody feels sick, down, want to get away from it all, where do they go to? They go to their bedroom.”

Lisa and her volunteers spent Thursday transforming Kelly's simple bedroom into a beach-themed oasis worthy of an island bed & breakfast.

With Kelly’s Falcon Heights families and coworkers watching on Zoom, she walked through the bedroom door and immediately fell in love. 

“Oh my gosh,” she said. “Absolutely beautiful. This is Better Homes & Gardens in my own home.”

On the bedroom wall, hung a newly posed portrait of Kelly’s children, Kenzie and Connor, who both congratulated their mom on Zoom.

“Every single moment you and I have been mother and son has been amazing,” Connor said.  

“Love you,” Kenzie said as her mom blew kisses.

My Happy Haven had asked Kelly for input on color and theme, but no specifics.

“Oh my gosh, it's absolutely an oasis,” she said after the reveal. “Everything I dreamed of.”

Kelly is still battling terminal ovarian cancer, but on Friday she was reminded again, it’s a journey she’s not making alone.

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