ellen started her treatment today. all things considered, she is in very good spirits and has been awake most of the day talking to the battery of doctors that visit her. she has been given all of the various drugs for the day and will be on a 24 hour drip of interleukin.
tiffany, ellen's cousin, inquired about the drugs that she will be on. they are as follows for anyone else who may be interested:
-24 our drip of interleukin
-interferon
-temodar in pill form
-cisplatin
-vinblastin
as well as some maintenance drugs like:
-tylenol
-zofran and phenergan for nausea
-24 hour drip of saline
she met with the physical therapist and attempted to get out of bed for a little bit. her spinning head dictated otherwise. currently she is speaking with the nutritionist about getting something better than fried chicken, fried potatoes and chocolate cake. while this may sound delicious (in a hospital or not) ellen is trying to eat healthy so she was given an alternative menu.
not that anybody had any doubt but they are taking extremely good care of her here.
p.s.
angie visited last night, surprising ellen with a beautiful scrap book of all her girlfriends. she, of course, loved it and had a good laugh at all of the old pictures. thank you very much, angie, and to everyone else who helped in any way with that.
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33 comments:
Hey guys! Glad to hear that they have started things going! Waiting is never fun. So glad to hear that Angie was able to stop in and visit.
Keep up the fight!
Jen
Glad to hear that El is in good spirits, for all that she is dealing with right now. Ry, Im sure that helps you a lot also. I know how hard it is for you to see her hurting and upset. Checking the blog all the time, and looking forward to seeing you both on Sunday. Lots and lots of love, always. Jaime
Hi guys!
GREAT news that Ellen has finally begun her treatment! I'm glad you don't have to wait until next week. I have been thinking and praying for you Ellen as well as the rest of your family. Hey, when you feel like having a BIG laugh call Annie R. and ask her to tell you about her trip home from Atlanta :)
Love ya!
Hilary
ellen and ryan: this latest update sounds good. glad that the treatment has finally started. out here in the middle of amish country (where fried chicken IS king ), know that we are thinking of you both. (i guess i am the "we" part in wayne county, other other "we" is in south carolina!). alot of minutes are getting burned discussing ellen's progress. tell her we are following every detail and analyzing everything. hang in there!
dr
Hey Guys, Glad to hear the news the Ellen is starting treatment, glad to also know she is alert. Give her a big hug for me. I love the blog and having the info so quickly. Keep up the great job with the blog Ryan.
Keep up the fight!!
Love ya both,
Jo Ann
Ellen and Gooch, it's great to hear that they started the treatment today and that Ellen is in good spirits. Christine and I have been praying for the both of you, and you are constantly in our thoughts. You both need to get home soon because I have about 13 Chicken McNuggets that I couldn't finish the other night and I saved them for you Gooch.
Keep fighting Ellen, Ryan continue to be strong.
Love you both,
Brad and Christine
Ellen - your strength, courage and attitude have been very inspiring! I'm so glad to hear you're spirits remain high. Stay strong through the treatment. xoxo
hi ryan and ellen
i recently learned of ellen's condition and wanted you to know you are both in my thoughts. i will be checking this blog for all the updates..i think it's a great idea!
take care and xo, natalie huffman
Hey Ellen...I am here is Hilton Head. Sharon and I drove over yesterday. We had computer problems, so I had a hard time getting to the blog. We got it all fixed so we are in business. I was out walking/jogging this morning and thinking about how much I miss my walking buddy. I have so much to tell you and I can't write it all here. I talked to Annie earlier and she said she was going over to play with Nugent. She now has a selection of cats she can annoy and couches she can lie on. Ha Ha! (sorry worm girl) Tomorrow we drive back to Charleston and start our duties with Patrick. Alto, Holly called today and said he was getting a cold...did we mind watching a sick baby?? Sharon and I went to Harold's for lunch...I had a cheeseburger and milkshake, it was so good and should hold be for the rest of the day. I am glad to hear you will be eating healthy!! One last thing, I saw a splash painting in Charleston ($1500.00) The woman said it was done through straws...tell Ryan to experiment with some straws and you will be back in business using a new method. It was really cool...she must have used straws of different sizes, because the splashes were all different shapes and sizes. Okay, that is all for now. Tell your mom "hello". Stay strong...xoxo christy
Hi ell,
Glad to hear your first day has not been too bad. keep smiling and hang in there. love ya,
kelly and doug
HI Guys,
I am glad to hear that treatment started today. I talked to Angie after she left yesterday and said how great Ellen was doing through all of this. I am so glad that you got the photo album. We figured it would be good for a laugh. Nothing better than reminding ourselves of great hairstyles, perfectly styled eyebrows, and the best fashion sense. Thinking and praying for you everyday!
Love,
Amber
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
We're all pulling for you and praying every possible chance for your quick recovery. This blog is a great opprtunity to pull so many positive and loving thoughts together - and what an impressive showing of love and support you have. Continue to be positive and strong - you're quite an inspiration to us all. I know we'll all be checking this every day. Now kick this cancer's butt and come home to us Hoover folk soon.
Until then, keep smiling. :)
Much love, Beth (Leslie) DePompei
Hi Ellen, You are the bravest person I know. We are praying for your continued strength. Ryan, thank you for the continuous updates. Keep up the good work of taking care of Ellen and Sue, also. Love, Aunt Connie and the fam
Ellen and Ryan,
We are truly glad the first day of treatment went well. We have thought of the two of you continuously and know you are going to come out on top.
Thanks again for keeping us informed! Would you be ok if we come and visit?
Sincerely,
Krickett and Dave
Hi Ellen and Ryan - it's the Chain gang here and wishing you the best! Sounds like good news is in the works! Tell Ellen to stay strong - give our best to her Mom - and know that our prayers are working!! Elly
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
Boy you two have tremendous strength and courage..a great combo for a good outcome!
I wish I could come and visit but I will just have to wait to see your bright smile when you return home...
I will continue to send you positive vibes. As they say, keep on keeping on...
You are in terrific hands down there at Duke!
many many hugs,
Carolyn B.
This is just the first of many days of beating that cancer to a pulp. Keep up the fight -- it'll be gone in no time with your positive spirits!!!!
We love you, Nate, Sommer, & Bella (Echterling) Bradds
Hey Ellen and Ryan congratulations! Day one is done! We are thinking and praying for you guys constantly and will continue to do so until you are on the West Virginia Turnpike and heading home! Love Bernie and Joe
Hey you two, I keep sitting here trying to find the perfect thing to write. Something uplifting, inspiring, and the only thing I can think of is I love you, I love you both very much!
Darby
Hi Ellen,
I;ve been trying to send you a message for many days. Love you..Stay strong. Always on my mind and in my prayers.Love Marcia
Ellen,
Your determination and positive outlook is amazing. Our prayers and well wishes are with you. Love Gina, Jared & Vincenzo Zivoder
Glad to hear they were able to start the treatment today. Tell Ellen that I hope she had some mighty good laughs on those pictures and our old hair styles. Looking forward to seeing both of you soon. Let me know if you need anything, or need us to bring you anything. I know Ellen has my e-mail, but Ryan if you need it for anything it is ncressy@new-song.com.
You both are consistantly in my prayers and I am praying for wisdom in the doctors that they will continue to see what needs to be done and what is best for Ellen.
God Bless
Natalie Cressy
Psalm 139
Hi Ellen, it was great to talk to you tonight, I was glad to hear your voice and know that you are in great hands and being well taken care of. Keep you spirits high and you will beat this cancer. Hang in there and know that I am only a phone call away. Ryan thanks again for all these updates, you are doing a great job of keeping us all informed of Ellens progress. Take good care of her and give her a hug for me.
Love ya both,
Jo Ann
El,
Can you feel all the love!!? Keep fighting!:) Keep good spirits. You WILL be their miracle patient. I am 100% on that:) I would give anything to be on that side of the nation right now and to giggle with you at that scrapbook. Thanks for the update e-mail, Angie and for making that book for our dear friend.
El, Just know that...
"God knows you, he knows why you are afraid, he knows why you feel the way you do and why you say the things you do. God understands you completely, even when no one else does! God knows all this and God will take care of you!"
I want to send an old school pic via e-mail, Ellen! Do you get the e-mails sent to your work e-mail address still? Love you,
Love Lanza
Ellen and Ryan,
I am glad to hear they have started the treaments and that you both have a positive attitude!
This blog is a great idea and I will check it often for updates.
I am thinking of you both and praying for you everyday!
Hang in there and keep smiling! :)
Love,
Katie (Sammet) Grise
Hi guys! So glad that the treatment has finally started, and you're on the road to recovery. While I can think of nothing better to eat than fried chicken, mashed potatoes and chocolate cake (can you say finger lickin' good!), I'm sure that was a good move to get a better diet. That's great that you got to see Angie, and you got the scrapbook. I was laughing so hard at some of the pics of us with HUGE t-shirts, and my pleated khakis and lovely perm. :-)
Keep up the great attitude! I've got the greater Chicago-land area praying for you, and I'm thinking of you both constantly! I'll be seeing you soon!
Love,
Amina
Good morning!
Another thing we are all thankful for - Ellen's great care at Duke!
Thanks for the Blog - it is so helpful.
JanK.
Hi guys...Here is the report on all our whereabouts. I am still in HH with Sharon. We are leaving for Charleston soon. Daryl is in DC for the day (I know you will miss his comments..but I am sure he will report tonight or early tomorrow..Ha ha) Annie is taking care of Ambler Ave. and Megan is holding down the fort in Columbus. I hope day 2 of treatment is going okay for you. Remember get through one day at a time, and know that better days are ahead!! I love you guys. xoxo christy
Hi Ellen & Ryan...I'm so happy to hear that the treatment has indeed finally started. I hope you both realize that it says volumes about you that you have so many friends on your team pulling for you. I was looking at pics of the camp-in last night, so now I'm picturing Ellen throwing cornbags at cancer!!
Love you both,
Aunt Susan
Ellen & Ryan,
Just wanted to let you know that Kelly's mom put you on her chuch prayer list. Now we have another state praying for you.
Love you,
Tara
Ryan and Ellen-
How thoughtful of you to keep this blog for everyone to keep current on Ellen's progress. We are praying for you, and you both are constantly in our thoughts. You two simply amaze me. Your strength, courage, and grace are to be admired. Please give my love to Sue.
Linda Neff
Hey Ellen,
Glad to hear you're starting on schedule again. I've been praying for you and feel good about this leg of your treatment. It sounds like they are doing everything right. I'm still waiting for the green light from you so I can book my flight Aug. 8-10 if you're up for it. Let me know. Even if you're still in the hospital, Duke has to be a vacation compared to Grady. Miss you and love you,
Marchak
Hey there,
Hang in there Ellen..."This too shall pass". Ryan, you're the best support Ellen can have. Melis
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