i don't really know if this qualifies as 'good luck' as much as 'different luck'.
ellen had her procedure to remove the fluid from around her right lung today. they removed two and a half liters... that's another two and a half liters.
the chest tube that she has in place now travels between her ribs and is constantly draining, not to mention that it is brutally painful for her. the tube's diameter is similar to that of a garden hose and is temporarily sutured to her side.
after she came out we were greeted by one of dr. gollob's colleagues, dr. dunphy. he was very informative having a background in thoracics. he relayed to us from the doctor that did the procedure that ellen had more nodules on her lungs than they first thought. not that the cancer is 'spreading', necessarily, but that there are more nodules in a certain space than the ct scan first disclosed.
this prompted dr. gollob to change his plan of attack. he wants to move forward with a treatment that has more potential for initial response. it is exactly the first phase of our other option, the 'chemo-switch'. this is not the experimental treatment, however, as it won't include the second phase (the experimental portion), only a repeat of the first. in addition to this change, ellen is scheduled to start tomorrow, the 25th. she is now back on the pace that we had originally planned for. this is pleasing to ellen as she was very apprehensive to wait around a week for treatment to begin.
we are all very excited for the change in plans. we were told from the start that we couldn't really make a 'wrong' choice when deciding between treatment plans. now ellen's body has adjusted and made the decision for her.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
29 comments:
Ryan, That is great that she will be able to start tomorrow. God makes the decisions for us sometime. Give Ellen a hug for me. Cathy Dunlap
Thanks for the update Ryan. I've been wondering all day how things were going. Let Ellen know we're thinking of her and so proud of her. Love, Tara
Ryan, thank you so much for creating this blog. Timmy and I are glad to be kept up-to-date with Ellens progress. Let her know we miss her and are praying that she remains strong and determined. Thanks Ryan.
Timmy & Alison
Ryan & Ellen - I am so happy for
the news that the treatment can
start tomorrow. Everyone is
thinking of you guys non-stop. The
prayers are everywhere - we all
love you guys - be strong - you can
do this.
Love,
JoAnn Grisak
Ryan & Ellen,
We are glad to hear Ellen is starting her treatment tomorrow. We continue to think and pray for you guys everyday. We know that your strong spirits will get you through this.
Love,
Nick and Aimee
Love you guys!!!
Mikey :)
Ryan and Ell,
Thanks for the update. Again I am always checking for updates. I am happy to hear that they have decided to begin treatment and this is just one step closer to recovery.
Love you both and praying for you every chance...
Kelly and Doug
Yes! Get the medicine in to start whipping cancer's ass ASAP!!! Keep thinking positive- we can't wait to hear all the good news to come!
Love ya!
Lauren and Mike
Hi Ellen and Ryan!
I am so happy to hear you will begin kicking cancer's butt tomorrow! You both have been in my thoughts! We are all hear for you...with lots of love and support.
Jessica
Hi Ellen & Ryan, Sounds like some great news. So glad to know that Ellen will be staring the treatment tomorrow. You both have been in my thoughts and prayers all day. Hang in there both of you and know that lots of people are praying for you. Love ya both.
Thanks Ryan for the updates and for taking such great care of Ellen.
Love,Jo Ann
Ryan, Thank you so much for the updates. I am so glad to hear that she will be starting treatment tomorrow.....we all know she will pull through this. You are both in my prayers!
Love Jennifer
Ellen - We are so proud of you. Stay positive - you will come out of this stronger and ready to face anything.
Ryan - You are doing an incredible thing by writing about your daily life for all of us. It can't be easy, but we appreciate it.
All our love, Nate, Sommer, Bradds
Ellen & Ryan,
Thank you for keeping all of us informed. God is hearing all our prayers! Keep the faith!!!
Ryan, read the Bible to her!
Keep strong!
Laurie Kindy
Ellen & Ryan:
We are thinking of you and wish all the best.
Jim E.
Ellen & Ryan - God is working his plan and listening to so many people praying for you guys. I am glad that Ellen will be starting treatment today and I pray that the "initial response" is quick and effective! Thank you so much for your updates - love you both!
Ashley
Ryan & Ellen,
We are all with you - it sounds as if you could not be in better hands...bless those doctors, and bless the two of you. Support for you gets stronger by the day!
Jan Kotila
Just to affirm our support to all of you. Many prayers are being sent your way.
Stay strong!
Can't wait to see you both. Few more days! Hang in there, El. You've done amazing thus far. Love ya lots!!! Jaime
Ryan & Ellen,
I'm glad to hear Ellen is able to start treatment. Thanks so much for setting this Blog up, it is great as Dave and I are constatantly thinking about you guys and wanting to know how she is doing. You both are in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Dave and Krickett
Ryan, Your father-in-law, Don, is a business associate I have known for many years. Don has introduced Ellen to me and our company. We think of them and now you as family
of Alliance Petroleum Corporation. Thank you for allowing Don to share this blog. And thank you for taking the time to keep us updated as it allows for a better idea of how to pray for Ellen, for you and for the extended family. During the darkest hours please know someone some place is praying and thinking about all of you. Mornings are my special time and often I am up at 4 a.m. or shortly thereafter reading and many times saying prayers. That is when I will spend the most time remembering you and Ellen. Tell Ellen everyone at Alliance Petroleum ssys "hello" and we are thinking of her.
Ellen & Ryan- continue to be strong as you begin your treatment today. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Thanks for keeping us updated. Danny
Ryan & Ellen,
Thank you for all of the updates. We are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers! You can and you will beat this!
Love & Hugs, Matt and Carrie Franks
Sending you positive thoughts all the way from Phoenix. We've been thinking about you and are praying for you!
Love Tiffany and Barb
Ryan- can you find out the names of the drugs Ellen is on? I would like to research them if possible.
Thanks,
Tiffany
(tiffbecken@hotmail.com)
Hi Ryan & Ellen,
Rich and I are praying for you and thinking about you tons. Can't believe you were on the stage dancing with us a couple of weeks ago and now this. But you guys are strong and so brave...keep fighting and when you beat this we want you up there with us again to celebrate. We love you, Rich, Holly, Saw & Scarlett
This is a really cool way to keep everyone informed. Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you two and keeping you in our prayers. If there is anything we can do please let us know.
Love~
Ashley, Ryan, Paige, and Azure
Seems like things are proceeding in the right direction...just have to deal with those annoying detours from time to time. Really great to get the email from your friend Angie. Informative, and funny, and inspiring all at the same time. You are blessed to have such a large/strong circle of friends and family who surround you with love, prayers, and laughter.
As morose as it may seem, it was good to watch the video clip in Angie's email. Have to admit, I'm fairly illiterate in all things medical, so this upped my knowledge of skin cancer a bit.
Keep up the "miracle patient" attitude because the name fits you perfectly. Can't imagine the discomfort of the tube, but at least it's getting you where you need to be to fight this darn disease.
You are always in our prayers.
love, asuz
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
Ellen & Ryan,
I wanted to let you know that Kelly's mom put you on her chuch prayer list. So now we have another state praying for you!!
Love ya,
Tara
Post a Comment