Help Penny Fight Cancer!
Everybody Loves Penny! And right now she needs help in her fight against Cancer.
Update March 2017
We wanted to update the page so that everyone knows what is going on with my mom. Also, if you want to join her facebook group, Everybody Loves Penny, do join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/114004388935047/ We'd love to have you!
As mentioned in our recent FB post, the trials she has been undergoing have not worked, and there are no current trials available. So they have started her on aggressive chemo as of March 2017.
She is currently undergoing R-ICE treatment (aka aggressive chemo) in Brevard County (getting a break from Tampa for the time being). She had her first treatment last week, she spent a week in the hospital at Cape Canaveral. The side effects were tough, but she's on the mend.
The wounds on her legs are particularly bad. Without grossing anyone out, her tumors have turned in to open wounds on her legs. We've hired a home health nurse to come change the bandages for her each day when she's recovering from chemo. The hope is that the chemo will help to improve the wounds over time. And at the very least, we hope they don't get any worse, because any kind of infection could be really serious for her right now. Keeping them wrapped and medicated and un-infected is turning in to a full time job right now!
Our hopes and prayers are that this aggressive R-ICE chemo will keep the cancer at bay, possibly even start to push it back/get rid of it... and that new trials will open up in the near future. It is not the assumption that this chemo will cure her cancer, but hey... crazier things have happened. Right now it is a stop-gap measure in hopes that future trials can cure it.
Of course because my mom is a one-of-a-kind amazing aggressive woman, she ended up with a one-of-a-kind rare aggressive cancer that won't go away! But hey, she's not going anywhere either. And neither are we. Together we can beat this thing yet, we just know it!!
Thank you all for all the amazing support - the prayers, the cards, the donations, the love... It's been a long two years... and it may continue to be a long few years... but having a loving community of friends and family for my mom has made all the difference. We all love you and couldn't do it without you <3
Penny's Loving Daughter,
Rebecca
Update November 2015
After initial rounds of chemo, the cancer still resides in our mom's leg. She is now meeting with specialists at the Moffitt Center to confirm next steps, as the lymphoma in her leg is very rare. However, it looks like next steps will include radiation or more aggressive chemo.
Thank you to everyone who has helped our mom this year! It has gone a long way. She was hoping to get back to work this month, but it is now looking like she'll be home for the rest of the year. Send prayers and thoughts her way!!
July 2015
Everyone who knows our mom loves her. She's spent her entire life serving breakfast to her community as a waitress- and she's THE BEST! She takes pride in helping people start their day with a great meal... and a smile :)
She's a wonderful, loving mother of three and grandmother of two. She basically raised us on her own and has been a rock to our family for decades. She is also a wonderful friend, girlfriend, sister, aunt, co-worker, employee... you name it... she's just wonderful!!
Penny was recently diagnosed with B-Cell Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. This was discovered in her leg, where it orignated in her skin. She begins chemo in July and will be in treatment for 4-6 months. Currently she has so much pain in her leg it's become difficult to walk and she will be unable to work during this time.
The good news is her Cancer is curable and she has the right attitude, work ethic and spirit to FIGHT THIS!
Thankfully she has insurance, a low cost of living, a wonderful home life, and great friends and family supporting her. As we know, a waitress only makes money if she's working... and Penny won't be able to work until she is done KICKING CANCERS A$$!!
She's applying for short-term disability and going through the normal channels. But since we know so many people LOVE PENNY (and have already asked how to help) her kids decided to create this gofundme fundraiser.
Every $10 or $20 donation will go a LONG way to helping cover co-pays, co-insurance, deductibles, travel expenses, and... well everything one needs during these times!
If you can donate, please do!!! Just as important... PLEASE spread the word and SHARE out this page to your social channels.
The McCain Family loves you and thanks you for your help during this time. We couldn't do it with out all the love and support around us.
All Our Love.
Go Penny Go!!
You Got This!
Also- leave messages of encouragement below... she needs as much positive energy, love and prayers as people are willing to give... we know they've already gone a long way!!
(according to gofundme's site personal donations are not likely to be tax-deductible, but please check with your tax professional to confirm)