Friday, May 29, 2009

where did ya come from, where did ya go?

no, no cotton eye joe. . .

how did most of you land on this site?


percent search term
32 Martha Kinnecom
30 Help Martha Battle Cancer
15 Kim Kinnecom
3.5 Andy Kinnecom
3.5 blogspot peritoneal cancer
2.3 purple power port
1.2 peritoneal cancer spread
1.2 help martha


so, overall... most people know mom :) but others are finding this blog because of the common interest in finding out more information about peritoneal cancer.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

chemo schmemo and other tales of the trade.

Last week Martha had an adverse reaction to the carboplatin for the first time. She was on the drip for about 5 minutes before becoming "hypersensitive" to the acute toxicity and felt very strange all over her body. They removed the drip and will try again next Wed. with more anti -nausea medication.

The hospital staff has continued to be surprised of Martha's SUPPORT TEAM- they notice a different person with her at most visits!

*sidenote*
Martha goes to the hospital now instead of her Oncology office for insurance reasons. Another post on the ridiculousness of some insurance companies will make its way onto this blog at some point.

Thanks to Nana, Judy D and Martha's godson Christian, & Gail P. for helping out with Martha's frequent trips. (it gives Andy a break!)
She goes in FIVE days a week for either:

- Chemo
- Complete Blood Cell (CBC) Count
- Neupogen: stimulates bone marrow to make more white blood cells
- Doctor's appointment

This doesn't include the weekly trips to the Pharmacy to fill prescriptions. In the last week, Martha and Andy had to go to five different pharmacies to try and fill her painkiller. Nobody had it and nobody will fill it, because now they "have to have it" on hand to fill.

--> insert frustrating face here <--

On a more positive note, Martha has been feeling GREAT lately. They finally figured out a pain med. regiment that WORKS and because of it, she is able to take daily walks around the block (in the morning before the Florida sun gets too hot)! Also, Martha is very pleased that her hair continues to grow back in :)

M's visit from San Francisco

Mom was SO happy to have *life-long friend* Margaret in town the other weekend -- it was the first time they had seen each other in a number of years. M & M grew up together in Jamestown and saw a lot of each other as Margaret was Jolie's BFF.

So, M. came all the way from San Fran to spend time with Martha and helped out alot, too!

M&M planted some colorful mini-roses under Jolie's magnolia tree/garden and M. also escorted Martha to hospital 3x to give Dad a break. They also took a trip down to Boca Grande, our local "island." Here is a photo on the lanai...
Thank you so much Margaret!!!

Friday, May 22, 2009

Birdwatching and other fun activities . . .


Becky and Phelps came down from Anna Maria Island when Mema and Poppie were visiting from Little River, SC. Mom was feeling good enough to go out to lunch! They went to the Crow's Nest in Venice, which Mom hasn't been to in "nearly a dozen years," and had a marvelous time.

Mema made some dresses for Mom (above is one of them), selected "breathable" hats suitable for summer and birdwatched in the yard. 2110 West Dolphin is a sanctuary for cardinals, red headed flickers, warblers, purple finches, and butterflies. A bald eagle swooped by several times from the nearby preserve. Other more pesky creatures have been invading the bird feeders. Mom and Dad caught the raccoons destroying a replacement feeder that was supposedly raccoon and squirrel-proof. They continue to be a challenge.

Mom looks forward to another visit from Mema and Poppie the week of May 25th. Mema's mission is to alter the dresses so they fit Mom a little better. :)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Peritoneal Cancer Discussion Board!

Today on the Primary Peritoneal Cancer Online Group (support group, gripe group, discussion group, info swap group-- etc...) there was a string of emails that MADE MY DAY.

Last night, someone posted an email to the discussion group about their mother's
primary peritoneal cancer. Already, SIX people responded with details from their own experience. There are upwards of 30 members in the group (so far!)

When people come together, things happen!!

If by sharing your own story helps another person with their treatment journey, part of the Martha C Kinnecom Peritoneal Cancer Foundations'
mission is fulfilled. I am so happy that this forum was established for so many reasons. It gives people an outlet, an outlook and a way to feel connected to others that are dealing with primary peritoneal cancer.


http://groups.google.com/group/primary-peritoneal-cancer?hl=en&pli=1

--katie

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

mom has hair!

and another chemo session scheduled tomorrow....
zap! zap! zap!

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

martha update

mom has been pain free for over a week now!
round # 2 of chemo today . . .

zap those cells!