ellen spent today alternating between sleeping and talking to her many visitors. she also had a go at the physical therapy doing a few leg lifts and arm curls.
dr. gollob came to see us for a few minutes and told us that everything (kidney and liver function, white blood cell count) is about the same. this is not necessarily good news but is certainly not bad news. for the moment, no change is FAR better than any declining test results.
her immediate goal is to get to the point where she can comfortably get out of bed and go home. tomorrow she is having a procedure to remove the chest tube and to replace it with a pleurex catheter. this is a much smaller tube that she will be able to tape flat to her side. it will be less of an encumbrance and she will be able to release pressure when she feels it necessary. the doctors are thinking she will be able to go home saturday.
she was able to eat a little more today, some yogurt and chicken soup (not quite a krispy kreme but we'll take it).
she is in good spirits and is happy to have all of the visitors. these things can only help.
important note: when i say 'home', i mean the apartment we have here in durham... just to clear up any confusion.
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31 comments:
So glad to hear that things are the same - hopefully tomorrow they will be better. And that's great news about the catheter, I'd imagine Ell will be more comfortable then. Ryan, thank you again for all the posts. During this difficult time for you both, it means a lot that you take time to keep everybody informed.
Keep fighting and keep eating, Ell! Maybe Ryan should bring you some Taco Bell. ;-)
Much love,
Amina
Hey Guys,
Glad to hear that things are the same.....Ellen eat some more donuts, they are good for you!!! I hope you are both getting the sleep you so need. I look forward to seeing you both next Wednesday, Ellen get stronger, and Ryan keep taking such good care of her. Thanks for the updated, you are amazing.
Love to you both,
Jo Ann
Ellen and Ryan,
Going "home" to the apartment would be nice, yes? Just getting away from the hospital environment will be good for both of you. Not that the hospital isn't an incredible place, but getting out from under the microscope and having some real privacy seems like it might be nice about now.
Keep on keepin' on... We are all still praying and hoping and believing.
Jan K.
Ellen,
It sounds as though your spirits are still good and positive. Glad for you to have family around; I hope you are getting stronger with all of that positive, loving energy surrounding you! Would love for you to be able to leave the hospital on Saturday. Keep eating! Have you asked for watermellon yet? Much love and prayers to you and Ryan,
Marcia
Hi Guys,
El I am so glad to hear that you are doing better today and hopefully will get to go to the loft on Saturday. I think Amina is right some taco bell and ice cream is just what the doctor ordered. :) I am so excited to see you both on Friday. Lots of hugs will be coming your way. See you soon.
Love,
Amber
Ellen,
We just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you. My grandma had a rare form of skin cancer and her favorite thing to get her through the tough times was eating sweetened condensed milk from the can - sounds crazy to me - but she loved it and it always made her feel better! Hang in there - we are praying for you.
Julie (& Chris & Olivia)
Hi Ellen and Ryan, Thank you so much for the update. Chuck says you have gotten chummy with all who work with you in the hospital, although your bribes won't be effective for long, Ellen, without your wallet. Nap all you need to, your visitors are just happy to see you comfortable. Through your blogs, Ryan, I don't feel so far away. Gratefully, Aunt Connie
Hi guys!
Today's update was a relief to read. I am glad you are still eating and getting your strength up a bit. Just keep it up, a little more each day. We are still praying hard for you...that miracle is coming. Ryan, thanks, as always for the time updating the blog. Can't wait to see you guys next week!
Hilary
Hi Ellen & Ryan,
Positives, positives, positives..............This is
awesome......eating, excercising,
leaving for awhile......both of
you keep up the fantastic work!
We want to see your smiling faces
soon.
Trust in the Lord with All your heart!
Love and prayers,
Patty
Ellen,
Growing up I always looked up to you because you were so cool, fun, and always taking me under your wing (...not to mention our shared love of "going back to the condo!"). Now I am looking up to you for your amazing strength and love for life. Hope you continue to enjoy those donuts and get some needed rest back at the apt. Ryan, thanks again for the updates.
Love,
Erin
Ellen & Ryan,
The two of you are an inspiration to all of us! Thank you so much for sharing through this blog. Your comments are... "heartfelt".
Faith, family, & friends are right there with you...
God Bless,
Chyme Burnham
Ellen & Ryan ~
I can not wait to see you both and just give you hugs! Thank you so much for updating us and please know we are all continuing to pray! I heard this quote today and immediately thought of you guys: "When you are down to nothing, God's up to something." - the miracle is coming. See you soon!
love always, Ashley
We have decided to hold a sit-in. We are not going home until Ellen goes home.
Just kidding - we’re at work - waddya think we’re nuts???
Ellen’s condition at the end of the day only proves that prayer is answered; even if it is little-by-little. The Lord has a long way to go in answering ALL of ours, but we know He works at a pace all His own. We are ever so grateful for the progress (and no set backs) of the last two days. You will make it through this Ellen, on a wing and a prayer.
Our love to both you and Ryan –
the GDK Gang
Ellen & Ryan,
Glad to hear that things are starting to look up and that you'll be able to go to your apartment on Saturday. That is great news and just a start of the many days towards your full recovery. You both continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.
Love, Dave and Krickett
Dear Ellen and Ryan,
Andrew and I are home from California and we thought of you each and every day. What a wonderful role model you two are for all of us.
I am sending a big hug and kiss to you.
Love, Margie Blake
Our dearest Ellen,
First let us say that your "Hubby" is the front of the line, the top of the class. He is Jack Armstrong and Captain Midnight all rolled into one.
Charlotte and anxiously wait for each day's blog. We are very glad to hear that you are feeling better physicially and, we are told, that your spirits are unbelieveable.
Continue the great progress. Plese consider this, "Success is never final and failure is rarely fatal." I have been carrying this in my treasure chest of trivia for more years than you are old.
Charlotte and My love go to you along with our prayers.
Love and kisses,
Stan and charlotte
Ellen,
So glad that this site is up. I haven't talked to Todd or any of the guys in a while until Dave sent me an email this morning giving me a brief update and he let me know about this site Ryan was running. I just wanted to tell you that you are in my thoughts and prayers and that I'll be checking in on this site daily to see how things are goin. I'll check back in soon!
Much Love to You and the Fam,
Billy Liber
Ellen & Ryan,
NCTVA fam has been praying for you and appreciates being able to follow your progress.
Count each day as a blessing!
So many are lifting your names HIGH! Keep the FAITH!
Hi Ellen-
We just want you to know that we're thinking about you a lot and we know that you'll be back on your feet in no time. Stay strong and know that today is one day closer to recovery and returning home.
Much Love,
Brandon & Yuki
Just got back from moving Sarah into her college dwelling. Her internet service is down for a while, so I hurried over to the computer to see how you were doing. Glad to see you were able to eat a little. I agree with Aunt Connie, sure is nice of Ryan to keep us posted. Stay positive, my thoughts and prayers are with you daily. Love you Aunt Nancy
Ah Ellen,
At times I wondered about your stubborn nature and strong will - from those times in high school when I was in love with you but couldn't handle the "roller coaster" of your life to your complete inability to yield on most arguments that arose. I see that, although seemingly small and insignificant, they served a purpose. I have so enjoyed seeing your growth and maturity as a person over the past 10 years and know that only through your sheer will and reserve you will get through this. I can't wait to see the next ten. Keep up the good fight. God is with you. It seems like a strange thing, but I have never been more proud of you. I love you.
Marchak
Dr. Marchak-what a great comment!! He is such a smart boy:):)
El, I too am so proud of you and your "I will fight, fight, fight," attitude! That is the only way to be. You have so much to look forward to and so much love around you. Hope you got my voice mail messsage the other day:) Have a blast with the girls this weekend. I talked to Amber on Wednesday and I was this close to buying a plane ticket to Durham. Amber said to wait. If I did not have my mom's wedding next Saturday in Ohio I would be sitting by you eating ice cream and a pizza, (dreading the gym the next day;)
Hugs and love and faith.
Holla, Love you!
-K. Lanza
Dearest Ellen and Ryan,
Let me begin by introducing myself to Ellen. I am Michele, Ryan’s first grade teacher from Joshua Dixon Elementary. I am so proud of the person he has become and it’s a pleasure to see what a wonderful husband he is. Ryan – you make me proud. I am very touched by your daily blogg. I know that with the love and the support of friends, family and God you will look back at this experience as a survivor. I will pray for you both.
Now if I may, Ellen here’s a little story about Ryan.
When Ryan was in my first grade class so many years ago, I often walked around the room to listen to the children read and watch them complete their assignments. I notice that my solid gold bracelet was missing from my wrist. It had to be in the classroom, since I remember seeing it that morning and we had not left the room. I asked the children to please help me find it so we all began looking around the room and under desks. As time passed, that morning I continued to work with the children and I noticed that Ryan was wearing my bracelet. I was so excited that he found my precious bracelet that my father had given me. (It was my mothers) When I said to Ryan, “Oh my goodness, I am so glad you found my bracelet”, he looked up at me as serious as could be and said “finders keepers”. Needless to say I got my bracelet back. I truly was happy he found it. We all had a good laugh too. Much love to you both. Keep the faith.
Michele
Hi Ellen and Ryan,
This is only the second e-mail I have ever sent. My wife affectionately refers to me as techno boy so I hope this arrives and you can enjoy this brief missive. The staff here at FRS wants you to know that we are all thinking of you and that you are in hearts and our prayers. We have had the privilege to work with you and know what a determined person you are. If we can be of any help to you or your family let us know.
Ellen I want to see you over at Foro Scaia as you dad and some of my tennis buddies refer to the court. If you have a big serve I will make sure to water the court down a little extra to slow it down. Until that day know that you are in our prayers every day.
Techno-boy
Denis Scaia
We miss you guys in Ohio! Ellen, get better soon so we can have more Ohio State parties at your house :)
Love,
Christine and Brad
ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE...With so many prayers God CANNOTignore us. We will keep praying all over the county for a miracle for Ellen. Sending you both much love. Anna Turner and Bob Hillhouse
No change is good change! So glad you are able to have, and enjoy, your visitors Ellen. I am sure you are looking forward to getting away from there for a bit! You know how I always nag you to eat? Well have some donuts for me. I would love to transfer some of my fat to you kiddo! You can use it MUCH more than me. Love ya. Both of you take care. Have Faith. Cathy xoxox
Ell and Ryan,
I keep thinking back to stories of us from high school and how crazy we were. You have always been a fighter and very strong willed person and that will get you through all of this. Soon you will be back to eating ice cream for every meal. Miss you and wish I would have kept the ticket for this weekend, but hopefully next weekend you will be feeling even better...
kelly dragoiu
Hi, guantanamera121212
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