things are not progressing exactly as we expected. dr. gollob was in yesterday to update us as to ellen's continuing condition and said that the chemo is not having the desired effect. the combination of ellen's persistent nausea, the reaccumulation of fluid in her abdomen, the lowered kidney and liver function and low white blood cell count all indicate that the cancer may be spreading in spite of the intense treatment.
her condition is as serious as it can be.
rather than dwell on the many negatives, though, we are focusing on the possibility that she is able to rebound in the next day or so. she needs to gain energy again so that she will be ready for another round of treatment which they may start as early as thursday or friday.
at the moment they have completely discontinued her meds... all of them. she is back to the ellen we all know and love, lucid, hungry and a little bossy. she asked for a muffin to eat. it was too dry so we went with a krispy kreme glazed washed down with some gatorade. she is totally ready for the upcoming days and is ready to prove that she can rally and be ready for the next week of treatment. she is a fighter, as if we all didn't already know that.
i battled back and forth throughout the night deciding whether to write a post or not. this morning she asked me to. she wanted everyone to know what she is going through and is more than willing to fight. she needs all of your thoughts and prayers more than ever.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
35 comments:
Ell and Ryan,
Ryan we all thank you for keeping us so up to date on ell's treatment and condition. I know this is must be hard on you but we all do appreciate being informed. i think this helps us all try to grasp what ell is going through. you are wonderful and we applaud you for all of your efforts.
Ell, hang in there and don't let anything get you discouraged. we are praying and rooting for you every minute.
Love always,
Kelly and Doug Dragoiu
Hi Ellen & Ryan,
Glad to hear that she is alert and eating donuts.....let her eat as many as she wants. Hang in there Ellen and you will beat this cancer. We are all pulling and praying for you. Ryan you hang in there too.
Love ya Lots,
Jo Ann
Ryan thank you for keeping us all well informed. You are incredibly strong! The visual of Ellen wanting a muffin and then eating a donut puts a smile on my face.
Ellen you WILL gain the strength you need to fight the battle ahead. We are all praying for the Lord to give you the strength to do what you need to do to be victorious and a miracle patient! We are so very proud of you and love you very much!
Love,
Bernie, Joe and Jessica
Ellen and Ryan-
We will continue to "storm the heavens" with prayers for you. I hope you can draw strength from all the people who are rooting for you. Keep fighting the good fight!
The Neffs
Ellen and Ryan:
I wish you both really knew just how much everyone is pulling for you both! You may sense it through the blog, but there is a whole lot of very intense energy, hope and prayer directed to everyone in that hospital room. It's around the clock, every day.
Fight hard. Do not give up hope.
DR
Hi Ryan and Ellen
We are keeping you and your families in our thoughts and prayers. Ellen certainly is a fighter. Maybe they will find a different/better chemo treatment for her. Hopefully, she will be able to build up some strength before the next set of treatments. Glad your mom, dad, and sister are there with you, Ryan. Hang in there all of you. Take care and God Bless all of you.
Love,
Donna and Paul Cubick
Hey Ellen,
Long time! We were thinking yesterday about how awesome of a big sister you are and have been not only for Todd but for all of his friends growing up. Maybe it was just letting us hang out with you all sometimes or maybe it was being our personal chauffeur:) We're constantly thinking about and praying for you. Keep fighting. Ryan, your awesome.
Love,
Dave and Danny
Yes, Ryan! We thank-you so much for writing, even when it is so so hard and the news is not so positive! I am obsessed with the blog and the updates and even though I feel so helpless so far away, at least I can be fully informed and keep praying! Ellen, you are amazing and you are a fighter! You always have been:)
I went to mass again this past Sunday. The priest had added Ellen to the prayer list, per my request. The whole mass he kept talking about the power of prayer. It was as if he was speaking to us. He said that God does answer the prayers!! There are so many miracles happening. I believe this and we have all been praying so much for El to beat this and I can only believe that that is exactly what will happen. She will beat this! She will be their miracle patient and then we can get our girl back home and love on her and let her know how much she has been an inspiration to us all. Mrs. Ellen Gray, your attitude is stellar in all of this.
Love you.
xoxoxox
Love K~
Ellen & Ryan-
There is a sign in front of Bill & Mary's Diner in NC that says "Don't Give Up". I'm not sure why it is there but I'm considering it as a message to you. Hang in there, enjoy the company, and know that thoughts and prayers at being sent your direction and upward.
With love,
Debbe
We love you and are thingking of you.
Stan and Charlotte
Ellen! All I can say is (and I know this is un-hip...) YOU GO GIRL! Sending big hugs your way...Jan K.
Ellen, Ryan and family,
We just wanted you to know you are in our thoughts and we are continuing to pray for you.
Love,
Kris, Dave, and Kim Wells
Hi Ellen and Ryan, Your news, although concerning, held many positives. Ellen, the only thing better than me having a donut is you having one! Uncle Chuck is on his way, said something about the driver in front of him slowing him down. Hugs to both of you. The relatives along the Ohio River have you in they're prayers, too. Love, Aunt Connie
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
Ryan thank you so much for you updates, I check them daily!
Ellen keep fighting! I know that you will make it through all this.
I am praying for the both of you.
Love,
Amy
Ellen and Ryan,
I just got done telling Jared how amazing you are, Ryan, for being so strong to take the time to update us all through this blog. We know that you are going through a lot and that it must be hard to put your days into words. We appreicate all that you are doing for Ellen. Ellen, you are amazing. I am so happy to hear that you are eating (especially donuts) and drinking. Hang in there and keep thinking positive. We love you!!
Love,
Gina, Jared and Vincenzo
Keep fightin E..LOVE YOU GUYS!!!
Mikey
Donuts are just the thing to make one happy. Eat as many as you want.
Ellen & Ryan, we know you are fighters. Hang in there. We are with you !!!
Jim & your running friends
Stay strong Ellen!
We are thinking about you! Best of luck with your next round of chemo. Our prayers are with you always!
Love you!
Laura and Matt French
hi ryan and ellen,
i just read your last 2 posts and am now crying at my desk here at work. i have been thinking about you both everyday and sending all my good thoughts your way! this shows me that nothing is more important than being with your loved ones and spending time with them everyday. i'm happy that you have each other to help you through this.
much love and keep fighting, natalie
Hey Ellen!
It was music to my ears to hear that you're hungry and eating donuts no less. Keep it up...Miracles do happen and prayers are always heard. I'm rooting for both!!!!! Love to you and Ryan,
Don't give up! Marcia
Hi Ellen & Ryan,
Thinking of you daily and I know that all of the prayers will be answered. Keep up the fight and beat this monster! You have such incredible support from family and friends, it can be felt through this blog. Love, Cindy Clapper
Ellen,
You are in my thoughts and I am praying for you and Ryan so that God gives you all of the strength you need to fight. I hope you can feel all of the love and prayers that are surrounding you and that you can gather strength from them.
Mickie
Ryan,
Can you please give the full mailing address for the hospital. Also dooes Ell have any visiting hours currently? I hope you are getting the love, support and rest you need to get through this tough time.
Kelly Dragoiu
Ellen and Ryan,
Today's post was truly encouraging because you are getting the 'soldiers' together for the next round of battle and nothing does it better than donuts, gatorade and some bossy!
I think Heaven is being filled with prayers for you.
I talked to Nellie Walker Lawson today - and she reminded me that she was your baby sitter from time to time - wow - where does the time go. She's praying for you as well.
KOKO - Never, never, never quit!
With Love,
coni
Ellen - You know me. I always did believe in Pi Phi Angels. Even when we were young, dumb, and didn't think we needed them (yet they were there, keeping us safe through all those Spring Breaks...yikes. We were young and dumb...) they were there. Girly, you have a million angels by your side, whether they are Pi Phi, guardian, or any other variety. EVERYONE is pulling for you. We will pray and pray and make this cancer learn it's place... out of you. You really are an inspiration to all of us.
Ryan & the families - we are sending our love and well-wishes to you guys to keep that positive spirit we are seeing through Ryan's entries. It is awe-inspiring.
I wish I could be there to hug you, El.
Love, Nate, Sommer, & Bella
Ellen and Dr. Ryan,
I cannot imagine what you both are going through at this point. The fact that you are taking the time to update this blog is amazing and greatly appreciated. It is wonderful to hear that it brightens Ellen's days. Ellen eat and rest so you are ready to attack that Cancer with the next round of treatment, don't be shy, Krispy Kreme's need to be eaten by the dozen. Ryan, I know you are not a Dr., but you are Dr. McWonderful (Grey's Anatomy) as far as I am concerned. Keep up your reading and research you are Ellen's biggest advocate. It is easy to see that you are not only husband and wife and best friends but a force to be reckoned with. Our prayers go out to you constantly, god bless.
Kathy (Grant) Schorejs
Im here, and still trying to keep up on the blog and the things people post. Just so everyone knows, as Im sure you already did, we have some REAL fighters here. Ellen was holding my hand so tight today, saying she is not done. And she isnt. She's fighting the fight. Being here puts you in a totally different mind-set. She is a true inspiration, and has bravery and courage I never thought possible. And she couldn't ask for a better supporter in Ryan. You know I love you both!! Keep the prayers coming everyone!!
Love Jaime
Ellen and Ryan,
Ellen keep the positive attitude and you will pull through this. Ryan, your support for Ellen during this situation is incredible. You both are constantly in our thoughts and prayers.
Love Dan and Vauline
Hey Ellen and Ryan,
Please tell Ellen we appreciate her courage to want to keep us all informed with the updates because we all care so much about her and you, Ryan.
Its good to hear she is eating and able to focus on everyone around her.
Please keep the faith even when its hard to...the "Big Guy" in His way, is taking care of both of you.
You two are one of the strongest couples I know. I admire your toughness, your love and grace.
Ellen, just so you know, there are so many people that I ran into in while wokring over this past week who are so concerned and speak so highly of you and they all wanted to let you know they are pulling for you and are in their prayers.
Miss you and our get togethers..we pray for you every second we can.
many hugs,
Carolyn and Jack Balsley
Oh Ellen, you are finally learning that donuts ARE the food of champions! At least in my book :) Eat one for me, not that I need anymore!! Just like everyone else I was overwhelmed with joy to know you are alert, eating and bossy. I am glad you have a chance to get your strength back up. Stay strong. Ryan, you are just amazing and Dan comments on how much he admires your strength every day.
Lots of love and prayers from all of us...
Hilary, Dan, Gwenyth and Preston
P.S. Preston had his first complete physical today and got the rest of his immunizations to start kindergarten in 3 weeks. He told me all about his 3 shots and that he had to wear a "dress" with no back and pee in a cup. He was pretty freaked out about all this but no tears!
Ellen & Ryan,
You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. I'm glad to hear that Ellen is awake and eating donuts. You both are incredibly strong and we admire you for your strength and courage. Ryan, Thank you for continuing to keep us informed as we are constatntly thinking of you.
Love, Dave and Krickett
Hi Ellen & Ryan,
You must feel like you've been on a roller coaster today from the sound of things, but we know that you're going to hang in there and fight the good fight. Hey, if you can eat a greasy KK donut that means you are one tough cookie! They're so bad, they're good.
You're on our minds and in our prayers..all our love.
Aunt Susan & Uncle Ed.
Ellen and Ryan,
I can't tell you enough how much everyone is thinking about you and how hard everyone is praying for you to beat this thing. I'm so proud of you for being such a fighter. Stay strong!
Love and hugs,
Lindsay
Ellen,
I am so glad to hear that you are eating and drinking. You have so much courage and I am so glad that you are staying positive, that is what we all are doing. I am keeping everyone here at this office informed (Craig, James, & Krysten).
Ryan, thank you so much for the updates. I know it has to be hard for you to post them, but I think it helps all of us understand what Ellen is going through. So, THANK YOU!!!!
Love & prayers, Jennifer
Dearest Ryan and Ellen,
Andrew and I are just back tonight (this morning) from California and now have internet again. We have been thinking of you constantly and thinking how nice a trip to southern CA will be for you once you are better.
With MUCH love and hugs,
Margie and Andrew
Post a Comment