Ellen Kinnamont Donation Fund
Donation protected
Hello, my name is Jennifer Satterwhite, and let me start off by saying CANCER SUCKS! In 2012 my mom, Ellen Kinnamont, was diagnosed with cancer of the breast and lymph nodes. She received 4 surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy. We were told it was n remission and we had a survivor on our hands! But in May, not two years later, her health began to prove otherwise.
In May 2014, I took Mom to the emergency room with horrible stomach pains. While we were there they completed blood work and a few scans. When the doctor walked back into the room, he had the look all over his face, the cancer was back. This time it had spread to her liver. We were informed that it was stage 4 and incurable. Mom had made the decision to go ahead with chemo in an attempt to prolong life. Two days later, Mom was in surgery to insert a port-a-cath for chemo to start in another few days. I had never seen a group of doctors come together with a plan so fast before. The following week another scan was done, more bad news. Mom now had tumors on her spine.
The oncologists continued to try different chemotherapy options to prolong life over the next four months. In October I had to admit Mom to the hospital. She had severe dehydration, malnutrition, stroke symptoms, and what was described as “deathly low potassium.” Chemotherapy is a mean drug with even worse side effects. She spent a total of two months in hospitals and a nursing home. At one point in her stay at the Laurels of Willow Creek, Mom went unresponsive and had to be revived. It was a very rough and stressful 2 months for all of us!
Just before Christmas it was decided to stop all treatment. Hospice came in December 26th and all the nurses and staff have been amazing. They have continued to be a huge support to me as I care for Mom. Tuesday of this week, I woke up to Mom crying in excruciating pain and with a fever. Norma, her nurse, came out and made many phone calls with me about medicine changes. But she also explained that the end is near. Mom’s liver is now failing. Norma told me she had been doing this a long time and it would be more like days, than months that we had left with mom. Days?!? No one wants to hear that.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am a mom to an amazing son, Ryan, and a devoted daughter to an equally amazing woman. Over the last three years I have had my own health issues to contend with leaving me unable to work for the duration. I have been in and out of hospitals for a good portion of those years having countless tests and handful of surgeries done in order for me to return to a consistent normal. During that time my son and I had moved in with Mom and I have continued to stay home in order to be there for Mom.
Many of you have asked how you can help out the past two years. I’ve had no idea how to respond until now. And it is still incredibly hard to ask. After talking to funeral homes and looking at what little money we have, our family needs help sending Mom off to her forever home. Anything that is given will be an extreme help and very, very appreciated. We are continuing to make the most of the time that we have here with Mom. And we hope to make her send off just as special as she is.
In May 2014, I took Mom to the emergency room with horrible stomach pains. While we were there they completed blood work and a few scans. When the doctor walked back into the room, he had the look all over his face, the cancer was back. This time it had spread to her liver. We were informed that it was stage 4 and incurable. Mom had made the decision to go ahead with chemo in an attempt to prolong life. Two days later, Mom was in surgery to insert a port-a-cath for chemo to start in another few days. I had never seen a group of doctors come together with a plan so fast before. The following week another scan was done, more bad news. Mom now had tumors on her spine.
The oncologists continued to try different chemotherapy options to prolong life over the next four months. In October I had to admit Mom to the hospital. She had severe dehydration, malnutrition, stroke symptoms, and what was described as “deathly low potassium.” Chemotherapy is a mean drug with even worse side effects. She spent a total of two months in hospitals and a nursing home. At one point in her stay at the Laurels of Willow Creek, Mom went unresponsive and had to be revived. It was a very rough and stressful 2 months for all of us!
Just before Christmas it was decided to stop all treatment. Hospice came in December 26th and all the nurses and staff have been amazing. They have continued to be a huge support to me as I care for Mom. Tuesday of this week, I woke up to Mom crying in excruciating pain and with a fever. Norma, her nurse, came out and made many phone calls with me about medicine changes. But she also explained that the end is near. Mom’s liver is now failing. Norma told me she had been doing this a long time and it would be more like days, than months that we had left with mom. Days?!? No one wants to hear that.
For those of you who don’t know me, I am a mom to an amazing son, Ryan, and a devoted daughter to an equally amazing woman. Over the last three years I have had my own health issues to contend with leaving me unable to work for the duration. I have been in and out of hospitals for a good portion of those years having countless tests and handful of surgeries done in order for me to return to a consistent normal. During that time my son and I had moved in with Mom and I have continued to stay home in order to be there for Mom.
Many of you have asked how you can help out the past two years. I’ve had no idea how to respond until now. And it is still incredibly hard to ask. After talking to funeral homes and looking at what little money we have, our family needs help sending Mom off to her forever home. Anything that is given will be an extreme help and very, very appreciated. We are continuing to make the most of the time that we have here with Mom. And we hope to make her send off just as special as she is.
Organizer
Jen Satterwhite
Organizer
Powhatan, VA