ellen slept soundly for the second night in a row - a welcomed change from the nights spent trying to catch her breath.
her pain from the chest tube has subsided, for the most part, but the tube itself is causing other problems. due to a small leak she has to have the dressing changed every few hours. other than being quite a production, with her numerous tubes, she handles it well enough and it actually allows gravity to help coax the fluid out. the surgeon who performed the procedure looked at it and told us that it was fine and it wasn't cause for concern. he might think otherwise if he had to lay in a pool of fluid from his chest, but i digress.
one of dr. gollob's pa's (physician's assistant) came by today to talk to us about ellen's red cell count. i'm not sure what the unit of measure is but a healthy number is in the 40's. ellen's is about 32 and if it drops below 30 she will need a blood transfusion. the pa assured us that this is not out of the ordinary and won't cause her any discomfort.
i'm sure that i will say this many, many times but thanks to everyone for the cards, flowers, e-mails, gifts, blog posts and calls, all of which keep her going. there is a reason why we try to surround ourselves with good people... when you need them, they are there.
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Hi Ellen and Ryan, Ellen, thinking of you being able to sleep well the last two nights in spite of everything is a comforting thought. Ryan, I hope you are getting rest, too. Thank you for staying on the heels of the doctors, assistants, and all who care for Ellen. I'm sure they are top notch, but regardless, Ellen needs an advocate at her side and you are just the one! Hoping Sue is able to get some good rest, too. Love, Aunt Connie and the fam
Ellen
You probably dont remember me but i am Amina Choudhrys Aunt Debby. I wanted you to know that you are on the Prayer List at my parish, and i have spoken to several Sisters at St. Marys who are also remembering you in their daily prayers and masses. You inspire me to take nothing for granted !!!!! GOD BLESS YOU.
AUNT DEBBY
Hi Ellen & Ryan, glad to hear Ellen is resting, and Ryan I sure hope you can get some sleep too. Sounds like things might have calmed down a bit and she can now work on getting better. I think of you two often and I can't wait til you are both home. Take care of yourselves and Ryan try to get some sleep. Thanks for the updates, I look forward to getting them daily. Tom said to say Hi!!! Love you both Lots,
Jo Ann
Thinking of you both and keeping you in my prayers.
Love,
Rachel Hardenbrook
Thanks for the update Ryan! If you need anything don't forget I'm just a couple hours away.
Angie
I am glad to hear that things are going better and that she is able to get some sleep. you are a stronge couple and an inspiration. With your strenght and the support of friends and family you will make it through this. I read this everyday and pray often for strength and wisdom for everyone involved.
Jacque
Hi Ell and Ryan,
Glad to hear Ellen has been able to sleep despite all that is going on. Keep your head up and can't wait to see you. Thank you Ryan for all that is going on to keep the updates coming. Thinking of you both...
Kelly and Doug
Glad to hear Ellen is able to get some rest. Buz, I know you're a tough guy, but I hope you are getting some rest also. Im looking forward to seeing both of you Sunday! Ellen, Mike said we'll have to celebrate his birthday AGAIN, so you guys can be there :) Lovin lots, Jaime
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
The two of you are such an inspiration...the strength and love that you show going through such an unbelievable ordeal is amazing.
And by the way, Alex owes you "big time" because I let him keep a stray dog he found... I just thought compared to the hurdles the two of you are facing, what trouble is a little canine companionship?! When you are home and recovering from all of this, you can collect from him. Maybe mowing your yard for a year would be a fair price for him to pay? I send you both love and best wishes! Shannon Grantz
Hi Ellen and Ryan!
Ellen - glad that you are able to get some rest. Ryan - hope that you can too. Thanks for keeping everyone updated. Thinking about you both.
Love,
Monica
Hi guys,
Ellen thank goodness you getting some rest! I really miss you at work!! Don't worry, I am keeping you dad company (whether he likes it or not :) I've been wanting to call you but I am always afraid it will be a bad time but know I am thinking about you constantly. Stay strong!! Ryan I hope you are holding up okay too and thanks again for taking time to update the blog everyday. I check it all the time.
lots of love!!
Hilary
P.S. Dan also put you on our prayer list at St. Paul's earlier this week.
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
You are both constantly in my
thoughts and prayers!! Ellen you
are amazing with your courage. I
am so proud of you and your
determination. I am glad you can
get some sleep although I'm sure
it is not easy. You are such an
inspiration to everyone I know.Ryan
you are so strong too and I cannot
tell your how much I appreciate
the Blog. I look forward everyday
to the update and am cheering
Ellen on. Love you guys, you can
do this.
Love,
JoAnn G.
JoAnn G.
Ryan, thank you again for all the updates. Ellen, you are a trooper and such a strong person. You are a force to be reckoned with, and I know you can prevail. Keep up the great attitude! I'm thinking of you both, can't wait to see you soon.
-Amina
Ryan, even though we haven't met yet, I just want to hug you for hours. You are such a good guy to such a good girl!
Ellen, keep sleeping - pop the Ambien if you have to. I hope your dreams are sweet and full of all the good things yet to come.
Love, love, love, Sommer
PS Ryan, this may sound ignorant, but what is the fluid coming from?
Ellen, keep hanging in there...we wish we could alleviate the pain and remove the discomfort you are enduring.
Ryan, remember to take care of yourself as well.
Jan K.
Ellen & Ryan,
I also have been trying this for days! My prayers and thoughts have been with you every step of the way. You are on my bible study's
prayer list and my daughter, Valerie's church prayer list..... Trust in the Lord with all your heart....He's with you every step also! Love, Patty Fugate
sommer,
the fluid had accumulated in the space between the outside wall of her right lung and the chest cavity wall. it is an unfortunate reaction to the tumors on her right lung.
Ellen & Ryan, I'm glad to hear that Ellen is able to rest comfortably. Ryan, I hope you are resting as well. You both are amazing and have a tremendous amount of strength. Love, Dave and Krickett
Hello Ryan and Ellen,
Thank you so much for your daily updates. It's good to hear that you are getting rest and eating healthy - fried chicken and the south are almost one in the same. Continue to know that we are praying for you, for your family and for all those who care for you. In praying for you, I also keep thinking of Psalm 63:1-8.
Wrapping you in His Love, coni
Hi Ellen & Ryan,
We have been thinking about you and hope that everything goes well with your treatments. You are both in our prayers so you have two major religions covered!
Love,
Iqbal & Vicky Choudhry
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
Thinking of you both. I am truly amazed by your strength and courage. Stay strong and positive. You are in my daily thoughts and prayers.
Thanks for the updates. It is really helpful to all of us.
Take care.
Love, Barb Deuble
Ellen,
Just wanted you to know that I have been thinking of you and Ryan and keeping you in my prayers. Keep a positive attitude and concentrate on yourself and getting well.
Mickie
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
I really appreciate keeping up to date on progress through the Blog. Hang in there, Ellen. You are going to beat this!!! I just know it. Love to you and Ryan, Marcia
Hi Ellen and Ryan! We're thinking of both of you and your amazing strength and courage. Know both of you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Elly Chain and family
Hi Ryan and Ellen...we have offically started our duties here in Charleston, with Patrick and Fern. (the dog) Sharon sent a comment earlier this morning...but we have not seen it pop up yet. She will be sending another one soon. I am anxiously waiting the delivery of the wristbands, so we can all start wearing them. I miss you all very much...tell Suzy I am thinking about her. I love this blog...keep up all the good work. Both you and Suzy are doing an amazing job, and Ellen stay strong because YOU ARE STRONG. xoxo christy
Hi Ellen, Ryan and Suzy,
Bless your heart Ryan for being such a devoted husband and for the million things you are doing for Ellen. Bless your heart, Suzy, for being such a devoted mother and for giving all your love and energies to Ellen and for being there to hold her hand. And bless your heart Ellen for staying strong and for fighting hard. You are in everyone's thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Sharon Reardon
We are all thankful that Ellen is resting more. We keep all of you in our prayers. You are amazing.
Thank you for all the up-dates.
All of us at Alliance Petroleum
gather around the computer at lunch time and read your blog.
Hi Guys! Aren't laptops wonderful Ryan. Keeps you busy and Ellen can get instant messages. Hope you are comfortable today Ellen. You are such a trooper. Ryan, as you can see from other posts, you need to make sure you get rest and take care of yourself too. You are the angel sent from heaven. Ellen is lucky to have you by her side. Rick and I will be thinking about you over the weekend Ellen. Rest easy and know that you have great doctors that know what they are doing despite a wet bed from a leaky hose! Love ya, Cathy
Hey Ryan- Can you post (blog?) your address down there? Thanks,
Brunner
Ellen & Ryan-
All is well in Canton. Balloon Fest begins tonight but rain is in the forcast.
Glad to hear you are getting some sleep. Keep strong.
This blog idea is great- I can even keep track of Christy in Charleston! Keep the faith!
Debbe
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