Keep hope alive

No, Martha's hair has not grown back yet. I posted the picture above (taken in October) as a reminder to Mom that she can and will regain her strength!

You can do it, Mom. We are all rooting for you.

Donate blood, save a life!

For those of you that don't know, one of Mom's top priorities while Kim and I were growing up was Giving Blood. It wasn't uncommon to see her (try) to donate every 8 weeks. I say "try" because sometimes she was slightly too anemic or wasn't 110 lbs. There are criteria for giving blood, and not everyone fits the bill. But Mom would go as often as they would let her -- to the Blood Mobile, the American Red Cross office in Englewood, or anyplace else that she could donate! I don't remember the exact #, but I know she was in some kind of "Hundred Gallon Club" and even sponsored an event in Badin to support the local American Red Cross and increase awareness about donating blood.

Why?

Mom is type O negative. That means anyone can receive her blood. Only about ~ 7% of people have this blood type! Unfortunately, people that have O neg. blood can only receive O neg. blood. So there aren't that many people that have it, and it's in high demand! For my Mom, it was an easy way to help other people.

Sure, she would never meet them, but she knew that whether it was a patient that needed regular transfusions or a victim from a car accident, her blood would ultimately help save a life.

Now Mom is on the other side-- she is the recipient!! Chemotherapy does a great job of arresting cancer-- but it also stops all other cells from dividing-- including blood cells. When WBC's get too low, you are susceptible to infection, and when RBC's get to low, your organs starve for oxygen. Both of these situations have happened to Martha. Sitting in the "infusion" chair for hours on end made her think about how grateful she is to whoever is out there donating blood.

For everyone out there that still wants to help Martha, she is challenging you to Donate at your local blood drive and help someone like her. While you are at it, spread the word about Primary Peritoneal Cancer (PPC)! Some of her nurses haven't even heard of it. If you do manage to get out there and donate, somehow let Martha know. Leave a comment here, email me, or call her. It will give her all sorts of warm fuzzies :)

Why give blood?

Find a blood drive near you

visit with bobby and uncle fred!

blood transfusion

Martha had a blood transfusion yesterday (Wed.) b/c of low counts. Let's pray this makes her feel better!!

--katie

last chemo in this cycle!!!

I just got back from a quick weekend trip to Englewood and was able to enjoy the Florida sunshine by taking daily walks with Mom around the block! She thought she was going slowly but I was impressed with her pace, given the residual muscle issues in her leg. Mom was cruising along.

We went for chemo #6 on Monday but it was postponed until Friday Feb 27th b/c of Mom's low WBC count. She must have a super-strong immune system, though, b/c she hasn't caught any colds! We went to Rum Bay on Palm Island for a late lunch on Sunday and then watched the Oscars.

-katie

Martha-thon Success!

Fairlie and David (Andy's oldest brother) who were visiting from Utah also participated in the Martha-thon, along with Liz Neumann Moore, long-time family friend. FUN had by all!

Kim's official time: 2:13:59.
New goal: beat the first!
Donations are still being accepted!

Marathon for Martha

Another way to help Martha kick cancer's butt!

Sunday, Feb. 15
Sarasota, FL

Kim is running her first ever 1/2 marathon
to help raise some moo-la for
The
MARTHA C. KINNECOM PPC Foundation

Pledge per mile or minute.
13.1 miles
Time goal: To finish alive!
(Event places a four hour limit)

Donations to:
Marathon for Martha
c/o Kim Kinnecom
P.O. Box 1013
Badin, NC 28009

Thanks for your continued support and interest!

Boca Grande day with the girls ... Dec. 29

Cousins Kelly and Abby and long time family friends Tom and Kathy Bailey came to visit after Christmas for a few days. On Dec. 29 while the guys were out golfing, the girls enjoyed a beautiful day in Boca Grande. Lunch, shopping @ Fresh Produce, frolic on the beach (mom looked on) and ice cream @ Loose Caboose!

another way to help out........

starting jan. 1 kim is donating $ to the foundation from her handmade jewelry venture "chica rica." check out the site .... www.chicarica.etsy.com

Merry Christmas from Englewood!

Happy Holidays!

Purple power port

We had a great 4 days with Mom and Dad in Englewood! On Sunday, we went to the Englewood Fine Arts Festival on Dearborn St. and were treated to a surprising amount of quality art. There was petrified wood furniture, delicate clay orchids, Florida style pottery, music, food and friends!

Later on, we celebrated Nana's birthday at the Gulf View Grill on Englewood Beach. It was Mom's first time out to eat since her birthday on 9/4 when she and Dad were revisiting their honeymoon, the Bethel Inn (Maine). Chris joined us and we had a great time! Our favorite waitress Kathy surprised Nana with a special treat.

Monday was a day away from home at Dr. Lifton's office and Venice Hospital. We left the house at 9:30 and didn't get back until after 7pm. Mom had a checkup with the oncologist in the AM and her port placement all afternoon- her blood counts are up, the lesions on her liver have reduced in size, and no more radiation! Yay! Chemo #3 is tomorrow (Wed), which will be delivered through Mom's new PURPLE POWER PORT. It is a special port for a special lady. Here is Mom after the port placement:

Thank you everyone for your continued support! Mom's highlight is waiting for the mailman every day ;)

Belated Thanksgiving update

Had a great visit over Thanksgiving. Met Dr. Lifton ... mom is in terrrrriiifffic hands. Delievered the moo-laa for Martha raised at Rock Against Cancer events in Boston and Albemarle, which are sooo greatly appreciated. It's just the tip of the iceberg though! Just one day in the hospital turns out to be insanely expensive. So ... we're still selling bracelets and pins online. You can pick them up in person or we can mail them to you!

Dad is well organized and keeps on top of all the important stuff at home. Mom had a transfusion to help her blood counts etc. and that seemed to work like magic juice. We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with a few family and friends. Dad's vegetable garden is making tremendous progress and we went to a garden center so mom could pick out the flowers she wanted to accent it. Good choices mom! Overall, a good report, and I'm very eager to get back home for a two week visit at Christmas. (Not to mention I'm excited about the FL weather!)

December Martha update!

Great news!!! Martha is feeling significantly better and just yesterday started using the walker instead of the wheelchair and crutches. Yesterday was her 'best' day in a month or two! She finishes up with radiation this week and goes in for chemo round #3 on Wed 12/10.

CA-125

Has gone down again!!!

Yippeee!

Chemo is working!!!

Hi, quick update: Martha's blood level of CA-125 (cancer marker) went way down! 2nd chemo treatment was today.

merch!

Bracelet

"keep hope alive" (outside)
"believe conquer survive" (inside)

PINS

"rock against cancer"

"bald chicks rule"

get them from katie or kim!
katie.kinnecom@gmail.com
kimberlymartha@hotmail.com