tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post3450023494039698378..comments2023-06-04T10:39:23.605-05:00Comments on skirting the issues.: martha, my dear.kriscardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13283707794742283823noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post-21900799688570659892012-06-26T03:09:35.596-05:002012-06-26T03:09:35.596-05:00cindy, thank you so much for your clarification &a...cindy, thank you so much for your clarification & elaboration about martha's diagnosis. & now, knowing the name of the syndrome & the existence of a research foundation, i will definitely be contributing in martha's memory. i've always written a little check to rob around martha's birthday each year for kaleigh's education fund, but now that she's off to college, this will be a wonderful way to continue to honor martha. thanks again. xokriscardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13283707794742283823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post-34344847437551593262012-06-17T07:20:52.674-05:002012-06-17T07:20:52.674-05:00Hi Kristen, Thanks again for your beautiful blog a...Hi Kristen, Thanks again for your beautiful blog about Martha. She had undiagnosed Marfan Syndrome. Knowing the diagnosis has made a difference in a number of ways. Clearly, it has provided Kaleigh with the care and treatment she requires. While Martha's inheritance of Marfan's is likely a random mutation, my other sisters, our children and I have been screened. As a high school Anatomy & Physiology and Biology teacher I tell my sister's story to every class I teach... I've had several students tell me that because of Martha's story, they've also connected family, friends, or themselves with the Marfan Syndrome. I also feel like it makes a difference to support The National Marfan Foundation, in Martha's memory, in an effort to enhance awareness and to promote research on the Marfan Syndrome.cpfirrmannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17380152661177514764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post-32088505516426856602012-06-05T01:23:59.780-05:002012-06-05T01:23:59.780-05:00thank you all so very much for your kind words &am...thank you all so very much for your kind words & healing thoughts. <br /><br />another friend inquired via email what caused martha's sudden death, & i realized i unintentionally neglected to mention it [i guess maybe in the telling of such a tragedy, it didn't seem to matter all that much?]. she suffered from a congenital heart defect no one ever knew she had until her autopsy. <br /><br />i can't recall the name of it, but it can be genetically linked, so kaleigh was immediately tested for it & also has it. she has been on beta blockers, forbidden from vigorous sports & regularly checked on by a cardiologist since she was 2.5yo . . . & may be for the rest of her life.<br /><br />so martha's death might well have saved her daughter's life . . . & might i just say, that's so martha. ;)kriscardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13283707794742283823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post-59383030772903110012012-06-04T08:47:34.949-05:002012-06-04T08:47:34.949-05:00I'm speechless and grieving with you Kris. I w...I'm speechless and grieving with you Kris. I was her roommate in Kinsolving and we shared an apartment our senior year. Martha was a special soul. What a gift she was to all of us. Martha, Rob and Kaleigh attended our wedding too. I stayed with Martha and Rob after not seeing her for over a year. Three weeks after my visit I received the call from Rob. I was just telling someone the other day about her. I miss her and still grieve her loss. We must live our lives knowing the frailty of life. How each moment matters. I grieve with you my sister.<br />AmyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post-14400655366538747042012-06-03T20:58:02.820-05:002012-06-03T20:58:02.820-05:00My heart hurts for the loss of your friend, knowin...My heart hurts for the loss of your friend, knowing that no matter how much time passes, the loss is still great. Thank you for sharing about Martha and her touching story, a reminder to savor each moment. xoJenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04144820761900525275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7229028410217291388.post-60219536505145844562012-06-03T20:19:24.370-05:002012-06-03T20:19:24.370-05:00Sob. Thank ou for reminding me of ALL the things ...Sob. Thank ou for reminding me of ALL the things for which I have to be thankful. Hugs to you as you mourn your dear friend.Dianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08681758051433522246noreply@blogger.com