at first the doctors told us that her stomach seemed full and bloated because all of the fluid on her lung was pushing her diaphragm down. that made sense at first but after several days of fluid draining off her lung i was no longer satisfied with that explanation. after some prodding from myself, the doctors decided to do an ultrasound of her stomach. sure enough, they found a large pocket of fluid.
four liters later, she is feeling better. well, she is probably feeling fine from the extremely potent drugs they gave her prior to the procedure, but she was able to crack a smile and reach down to feel after i told her what they did.
that was the action for the day. she continues to sleep 90% of the time. when she does wake up for a little bit she asks about her blog. i start reading and within a few seconds she is back asleep again.
sleep is good though.
28 comments:
Ryan and Ellen,
4 liters!!! Good grief - no wonder Ellen was still uncomfortable. It is so good to know Ryan is there as Ellen's advocate! Ryan can see things the staff will not notice. Ellen and Ryan - you are doing a good job - get enough rest so you can hang in there...
"Back at the ranch:" it doesn't look like the balloons are going to get off the ground at the Jackson-Belden Food Fest. The air is thick with moisture today and the cloud cover is low. We just came back from Lowes where people are tailgating anyway - waiting to see balloons. The most we saw of balloons were the chase teams headed north.
Thinking of you -
Jan K.
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
I'm here blogging in NC. I've been over to play with Nugent. We kept him entertained for awhile with an empty paper towl holder. He was going crazy! I think we're about to head out for a walk...it's pretty boring around here. Tell Suzy and Todd I say "hi." Keep resting. xoxo
I want to say "Hi Kids," but I'm quite certain that neither one of you feels like a kid at this point. You're handling a very grown-up situation - and handling it quite well - from what I read.
I can't imagine the pressure from all that fluid...Ryan..it's a good thing that you stayed on top of things with Ellen sleeping so much. Wish there was something I could do to help. Take care..love,
Aunt Susan
Ryan - trust your instincts. If something doesn't seem right, make sure they make it right. Good going. xo Sommer
Good going Ryan! Continue to rest Ellen. We will continue to pray that each day brings you closer to recovery. Love Bernie and Joe
Ryan and Ellen,
I have never met you, Ryan, and haven't seen Ellen since college, but I want you both to know you are both in my prayers everyday. Ryan, always trust your instincts!! I have a sick baby who has had many hospital stays, and the one thing I learned is that never doubt yourself. If you feel something, go with it. The worst that can happen is you are wrong and nobody's hurt, the best thing that can happen is you catch something nobody else did and helped Ellen. You know her better than anyone. Stay on top of those doctors!!!! They may know how to treat her cancer, but they don't know how she is feeling.
Mindy
Ryan & Ellen,
Ryan........good job, keep them on their toes!
Ellen.......sleep baby, sleep. The
healing is in progress!
Prayers to you both.
Patty Fugate
Sleep El...and have happy dreams! I love you:)
Ryan, you are an angel and so smart and up on EVERYTHING! Even when I was over at Ambler St. back in June, you were right on with everything you were explaining to me about Ellen's condition. Trust your instincts always.
Thinking about ya'll so much my head is spinning.
Love you...
K. Lanza
Hi Ellen and Ryan, It must be a quiet Sunday morning down there at Duke, at least I pray that it is. Sleep and the and the strength of the medication just have to be the answer right now for you, Ellen. Ryan, keep up the good job of being the physician's assistant's assistant. I'm sure it is quite frustrating and tiring, but so necessary with many doctors and nurses involved. Continuing to pray for your whole family, Aunt Connie and the fam
Hey you two,
Well I am so glad that you no longer have those 4 liters in you Ellen. Hopefully, you can continue to feel more and more relief as the day goes on today. Matt and I are praying for you! I am always thinking of you.
Love,
Laura and Matt French
P.S. Bless your heart for your persistance Ryan.
Hi Guys,
4 liters yesterday, 2 liters earlier in the week...as if i did not already hate the metric system. You two keep up the positive thinking knowing that there are lots of us back here in the midwest doing the same.
Lots of Love**
Ryan and Jamie Grubish.
Hi Ryan and Ellen,
I can't begin to tell you Ryan, how special you are and what a great job you are doing in staying on top of things. Two liters! My gosh! Ellen must feel a lot better without all that pressure. Lots of love and prayers to you both! Keep the faith; Stay positive. Love, Marcia
It's a good thing you're so vigilant in watching physical changes, or lack there of. Sleep is probably the best thing at this point, once the proper procedures are done to make Ellen more comfortable.
Did your parents and Jaime arrive? Good that you're surrounded by lots of love and familiar faces.
Prayers continue.
xoasuz
Hi Ryan and Ellen,
It's Dan, Hilary's husband. Good job in coercing those doctors to listen to you about Ellen's stomach.
Hilary misses Ellen dearly and looks forward to seeing her soon. We keep you all in our prayers daily. Preston and Gwenyth sat "hi," as well.
4 liters!!! Ellen ~ you are a little trooper!!! And, Ryan...you are an absolute doll! Thanks for taking the time to write this blog to all of us...I check it every day! I see why Ellen married such a wonderful guy!!! You two are the cutest little couple ever!!! XOXO Speaking of, I cant wait to see all of your wedding pics you were telling me about. Colors...I need your help w/ colors at the McKinley Grand! :) teehee
Hope you got the flowers from us '99 girls....we are all thinking of you!!!!! The flowers were bright yellow & really cheery...they reminded us of you missy Ellen!
Weather here has been blah, so you are not missing out of anything here in NC. Still, cant wait to have you back!
Love, Katie Mishler
(and Mikey Sturz, of course) muah!!!!
Hi Everyone,
This will be my last comment from SC. We will be on our way home soon. I have now seen it all in "condo living". Off the adjacent balcony last night, Sharon and I witnessed some woman with her cat(black cat!!) doing some sort of ceremonial ritual over a small fire pit. She looked like she was ready to levitate with all sorts of arm and hand gestures. I looked out and then saw the full moon...it was very erie. If Daryl would have been here, he would have been howling at that moon.
Ryan, Ellen is certainly in good hands with you in charge. Keep up the good work, and I am very proud of all of you. I am going to be looking out tonight with that full moon shining over 1579 Ambler Ave, and saying my prayers for you all. xoxo christy
Ellen and Ryan,
Thank you for keeping us all updated. We admire both of you for your strength. We check the blog a couple times a day and it does not surprise me all the people that care for you both. Keep staying strong as all our prayers are with you.
Love,
Gina, Jared and Vincenzo
Ryan & Ellen,
Ryan, you do not know me but your wife does from being invovled in the community. Many community people as well as our family has daily thoughts of you & Ellen & pray that God places a warm hand on your shoulders for comfort, support & energy. Ellen, I think about you everyday. I look forward to reading your progress - keep strong as anyone of us can walk away a winner & this is your time for being wiiner to beat your illness. The upcoming N.C. Festival won't be the same this year without your presnece, but we will be keeping you in our thoughts as the events comes upon us in the next few weeks.
Thank you Ryan for keeping the blog - keep your strength for you & Ellen.
Barry Kindy & Family
Ryan--- Keep up your ever watchful eye! You know Ellen best! Ellen--- You rest and listen to Ryan. Meanwhile, we'll keep praying in North Canton (aka NC to Megan Lane)--- Karla (Christy's friend)
Ellen and Ryan,
I'm so glad to have this blog to look at daily and feel connected with you both. I have you both in my prayers, and follow the progress closely. I have no doubts that even while sleeping 90% of the time, Ellen has managed to charm and entertain everyone she comes across! Your faith and positive energy is so inspiring - keep it up!
Lots of Love from Boston,
Erin Blake
Wow, FOUR liters, that's insane! Ryan, thank goodness you're there to talk to the doctors about this stuff! Ellen, glad the pain has subsided. Hopefully you'll be able to adjust to all the meds and regain some energy. I'm always thinking of you guys!!
Much love,
Amina
Ellen & Ryan,
You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. I'm glad to hear Ellen is resting and healing. Ryan- Keep up the good work on being Ellen's advocate. Please tell Suzy hello and we think of her often. Love, Dave and Krickett
Thinking about you all! Ellen, keep sleeping. Ryan- I hope you are getting some sleep too!
Lots of love-
Jen
Ryan & Ellen - I'm thinking and praying for you both daily! I can't wait to see you both and I especially can't wait to see Ellen sleep! I hope she is dreaming about how the medicine is working and soon she'll be back and painting! I love you both!
love always, Ashley
Ryan and Ellen,
I hope this Monday morning finds you feeling a little better. Getting all that fluid removed should help you rest more easily. Everyone here in Dr Trehan's office is thinking about you and sending well wishes. You are in our prayers.
Your Friend,
Sally Yoos
Goodmorning Ryan and Ellen:
If there is any incentive to get better, Ellen, it's the HOF week. Annie, Megan and I were driving past the mall Sat and there on broken lawn chairs, hours before the event, sat scores of seniors in hot arid parking lots. Monster wrap around sunglasses and velcro strapped shoes. Shorts that even Goodwill wouldn't sell ( =like those fashion mistakes one of your neighbors proudly wears on Sats.) Ellen, your mission is to prevent that fate from befalling your closest neighbors. Just remember, those seniors live somewhere and you don't want them living near you! You have a year to get well and take action!
On a related note, HOF week brings many unusual people to town. Two showed up on our street this weekend. Pushing their own mowers (they did not even have their own truck), Jaime and El Loco Cabo were out selling lawn services. In a variation of the urban window cleaner or the curb house number painter, where the work gets done first, then a "donation" is sought, these two dopes mowed your lawn thinking that someone was home and that they would get paid. Well, when Annie yelled cervesa frio they scattered like coyotes thinking she'd called the INS. Even these two "dull blades" left a pretty neat lawn, surpassing even the lowest expectations.
Come home soon! The carnival continues!
DR
Ellen & Ryan.....good going Ryan, who knows Ellen better than you and when something doesn't seem right, you take it on. I am glad they drained 4 liters, but WOW where does it all come from???? Hope she (and you) got lots of rest this weekend. Is the treatment done for a while now, or is it on going??? Give her a hug for me and I will talk to soon.
Thinkin of you,
Jo Ann
Hi Ell and Ryan,
Ryan great job taking care and looking our for Ell's best interests! you are on top of it. hope she is well today and still getting some good rest. hang in there, love ya
Kelly and Doug Dragoiu
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