Marilyn Apelian
Diagnosed January 2008
Battle with cancer ended March 2009
The Martha C. Kinnecom Peritoneal Cancer Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation
www.PrimaryPeritonealCancer.org
PRIMARY PERITONEAL CANCER FOUNDATION
Keep Hope AliveMy Mom's PPC Story
Mom had just become a Grandmother at age 60; there was so much to look forward to. Then, after experiencing vague abdominal discomfort, was finally diagnosed in January of 2008 with a rare cancer none of us had ever heard of---Primary Peritoneal Cancer (PPC). We were in shock. She was not a candidate for the ‘debulking surgery’ so Mom started chemotherapy right away. The catch being that they treat this cancer as you would ovarian cancer. Although they are similar in ways; they are two separate cancers and we soon found out there is very limited information, funds, and research for PPC.
Mom made the best out of 2008, experiencing every side effect of the chemo possible. She was fortunate to have family close by, and she happily watched her granddaughter grow during her 1st year.
The Holidays were approaching and although Mom endured so much pain during the year, we were given renewed hope as Mom’s CA125 numbers were way down, and her CAT scan came back just about clean! She was in a ‘remission’! She enjoyed a quiet Thanksgiving, and Christmas with her family, and also experienced the joy of seeing her granddaughter turn one year’s old. We were thrilled to say the least.
New Year’s Eve was also filled with new hope for the upcoming year. Although Mom’s CA125 numbers had risen just a bit’; she wanted to go back to work as the Acquisitions Manager at TCNJ which she did for just three weeks. Through this she did need to start a different regimen of chemotherapy for her numbers were on the rise.
Mom had a bad cold towards the end of January; or so we thought. Dad took her to her primary care physician at least three times in a week. The regular medications were not working; “you better go to the ER or a pulmonary specialist” the doctor said.
Mom agreed to go to the ER on February 8th, 2009 for she was just getting worse. The doctors found fluid surrounding her lungs; the cancer had spread, and fast! All of a sudden we were thrust into saving Mom. She tried two different procedures to keep the fluid build-up at bay; which neither one worked. She was tired of the pain…the cancer was being relentless. She came home to be with her family February 22nd, 2009. Mom went to Heaven March 11th, 2009; just three days after her 62nd birthday.
Won’t you please help us in spreading the word about Primary Peritoneal Cancer and ‘Help Keep Hope Alive’
Thank you for your support!
Jennifer & Guy Corbo & The Apelian Family
