Thursday, August 9, 2007

Medical Update

good evening everyone

i am sad to report that i did not get my stomach drained today. dr. gollob's pa called this morning at 9am and said that they are extremely understaffed in the radiology department and can not do it until next wed. at 1pm. i have decided i will be patient and wait. of course they gave me the option of going to the er to have it drained but that totally sucks so i will tough it out until i can't anymore. as long as i don't eat too much i am alright. i just tell people to take a good look at my belly because this is what i would look like if i was ever pregnant:)

good news is my kidney count is 2.9 down from 3.5 on monday afternoon. my other counts, such as white blood cell and red blood cell count are excellent and i still do not need a blood transfusion. my liver counts were excellent too. the pa said i was i good shape at this point. i will have more lab work next wed. morning with dr. gollob. hopefully the results just continue to get better.

today has been a very productive day too....my cousin, tara and her husband stopped by this morning to see me for a couple of hours on her to way to visit her aunt. then my uncle chuck and cousins, heath and ross stopped in briefly on their way to a finishing trip in nags head. i was in bed right after they all left around 12:30pm. i sure do not have the energy anymore. today nap time was from 12:30 to 5:30 so i hope there is some good tv on to keep me entertained tonight!
then again, i'll just check my blog all night:)

love, ell

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi ellen!

I sure hope you can hang in there til wednesday!

Today there were tornado warnings for all over northeast ohio. I am home alone and had to go into the basement! My cat and i were scared together and jumped at every lightning bolt! A tree fell on my neighbors house! The worst part of it all was that i was really into this Lifetime movie and the cable went out! So anyhow, I hope the weather there is a little better!

Lanza is in town for her mom's wedding this weekend so we went to the guisen house for a few beers last night. It hasn't changed much, but they did add on a outdoor porch thingy for all the ciggy lovers out there! she also showed me her boobs in the bathroom- which was awesome and frightening at the same time. Moral of the story: the good things in life never change!

Can't wait til you are feeling better and can come home! I miss you!

brunner

Anonymous said...

El,

Those counts are great! You really are making progress and it seems like you are really bouncing back from the interleukin quickly compared to some people. Such good news! If it weren't for the fluid, it seems like you would be doing pretty well. Sounds too like you got some good rest today and I am sure this is all helping to heal you! Keep eating those frosties and good foods! When you get better we need you to tell Lanza to put those boobs away!!!!!!
see you soon,
Kelly Dragoiu

Jo Ann said...

Ellen....great news, keep up the great work, So glad to know the numbers are getting better. You hang in there girl and keep up the good fight. You are so strong, and you will win this battle. I had a great time visting with you yesterday and Hilary and i had a good time going home although we were a little bad....but I am sure you expected that right.....no one was safe from us last nite!!!
Love ya,
Jo Ann
PS...tell Ryan and your Mom I said Hi!!!

Anonymous said...

Ellen~ just wanted to say that we are so glad to hear those lab values. We had no idea that you were so interested in art, we would love to have a painting if you would do one for us, we know that we'll probably have to wait awhile. Hope you enjoyed your visit with Tara and Kelly, and I know Barb enjoyed visiting. We would like to visit, but it will have to when you're done with your treatment and back home in North Canton, I don't think the girls would do to well on a trip to NC.

Thinking and praying for you
Ryan, Ashley, Paige, and Azure

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen< It sounds like you had a good day today. I'm very happy to hear that your counts have improved so much. You are making steady progess and that is just what we want.
Today is Adam,s birthday. We talked to him several times today. Remember Adam has always been into the weather. There were alot of storms here today so we had alot to talk about! I found some really cute pictures of you when you were little as I was packing last night. Do you remember the wading pool birthday party for Jessica?
I put bubbles in the water and the moutain of bubbles was taller than you girls!Enough of this memory lane stuff. Ellen, you are an amazing woman and you will win this battle! Ilove you and you are in my thoughts and prayers all day. I hope you have a restful night.
Love, Bernie

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen and Ryan, Oh goody, I get to follow Bernie! Ryan, maybe the storms today took care of that tree limb you have had your his eye on all summer and you won't get to play with a chain saw. Ellen, keep up the good work with those lab numbers and show those Duke doctors what a tough Yankee you are. As for tv, The Office will make you laugh tonight, and I am always game for America's Funniest Home Videos when I really need a laugh. Love, Aunt Connie

Anonymous said...

I'm so excited for you over those numbers!! That is wonderful news for all of us to hear. It may make having to wait until next week a little easier to bear knowing that you're looking so good in that dept. The stomach thing must be a tough one. Since you can't eat a lot, eat many, mini meals!

Have a good evening and I hope you get some sleep in spite of your nap.

Love,
Aunt Susan

Anonymous said...

Hey there Ellen. Did you watch Big Brother tonight? That is definitely entertaining:) I'm so glad to hear your kidny fx tests are improving. That must help you stay strong. I have to say you are the absolute strongest person I have ever known. You are so sincere and sweet. I love the vibes you give in your messages. It makes me feel better everytime I read your blogs. I keep praying and know you'll keep fighting. Your gonna have the most awesome future when you get thru this! I would love to email you some time, I don't have your address anymore, so mine is aminurse@earthink.net, buzz me if your ever bored and want to chat.
Please send Suzy my love.
Ami

Anonymous said...

Ellen-
It has been wonderful reading your postings - what an inspiration you are to everyone. I also have been known to take long naps, but you win on that one! Continue to fight the good fight; your support group continues to pray for you and love hearing the good news! Mr. Neff and I are in Clearwater with Kyle and Andrea; they send their love. Have a wonderful, restful weekend.

Linda Neff

Anonymous said...

Ellen, Aly and i have been keeping track of your progress, we are so proud of your courage, strength, and strong will. We continue to pray and look forward to see you back in NC soon.
Ryan you are a truly amazing man. You both are such an inspiration, keep up the good work
Erik Sievert

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo!!! That's so great about your kidney levels and all the other counts! You are such a fighter, and are surely bouncing back well from the treatment. Sorry to hear that you can't get the fluid drained until next wed. Hopefully you can hold out!

Enjoy some tv tonight, and get some sleep if you can. I wish I was coming down this weekend again to see you!

Love,
Amina

Elly Chain said...

Hi Ellen! Great news about those numbers falling! You're going to put Duke on the map! Keep getting all that rest and know we're all thinking of you -that's a daily thing!! Love, Elly

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen!

Those counts sound great! I love hearing good news! You are so amazing, I wish I had your courage and strength! Keep fighting..and resting!

Love ya,
Amy

Anonymous said...

Ellen'
I just love hearing from you and all of the improved counts that are taking place. You are definitely bouncing back and doing it at your own pace!!!The doctor must really be impressed with you....I sure am.
You have such a positive attitude and that too, is so important for recovery.
Keep up the good work...I know
your Mom is doing some cooking for you; she loves doing that...you keep on eating(a little at a time) and gain strength.
Love to you and prayers always,
Marcia
Keep up with the Blog...everyone loves hearing from you!!!! (We love you too Ryan.haha)

Anonymous said...

Ellen-
so glad to hear that things are getting better. The Lord is answering prayers! I am glad you are able to rest and watch tv. Wish I could be there to watch the movies with you but I am glad you still have visitors coming in. Things have been good here. I am trying to get back in the swing of things of ministry. The Lord is answering prayers left and right according to His will in Nashville. I hope all is well keep me updated. Love ya girl!
Natalie Cressy

Anonymous said...

Hey easy e..Just dropping in to say hey and let ya know I'am thinking of you guys..The art project is an awsome idea..I really hope that it works out I would love to buy one of you masterpieces..Things were just a little bit crazy around here today a tornado or possible a microburst blew into Salem and did some damage and then we had a huge barn fire in Leetonia so I went and played hose dragger for a little bit LOL just a little different from being a police man but I had alot of fun..Well keep getting better hope to see you guys soon

Mikey :)

Anonymous said...

Ellen,
I am so glad that your count keeps decresing! That is awesome! Now all we need is for your prego belly to simma down and life would be better. By Wednesday, everything will be great! Keep staying positive. I love hearing from you and it's great to know that you are feeling up to e-mailing everyone. Keep us all posted!

Love you!
Laura French

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen!
That just sucks that you have to wait to get the fluid drained. I hope the next few days go by fast so you aren't in too much pain. I was almost doing cartwheels when I heard about your kidney count continuing to come down! That is great about the blood cell counts and liver too. Keep it up girl! I will talk to you later!
Love ya!
Hilary

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say hi. I am glad to hear the numbers are going in the right direction Thank God. Hopefully you can enjoy some time and the stomach discomfort does not get too unbearable.
The art endeavor you and Ryan have started sounds awsome - reflective of both of your determination and careing natures as evident in all of the blog messages.
Take care and let every day allow you to build up your strength.
Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Linda O

Anonymous said...

Just thought I'd say 'hi' and tell you a funny story... We keep attempting the potty training thing and now Davin gets on the potty and sits for a minute and then says "It's not working" and gets up. Guess our timing is off!

Funny.

Thinking of you!
Angie

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen,
Mark and I check your blog everyday and we are glad the reports of your counts are looking good. I have tried to call your mom but her cell phone is not taking anymore messages. Please tell her you are all in our prayers daily. Love, Debbie

Anonymous said...

Ellen,
We're all thinking about you and pulling for you. That's so great to hear about the kidney numbers. Keep up the great hard work and know that we're all thinking about you in Columbus.

Brendan Murphy