Tuesday, August 28, 2007

sorry for delay

hi everyone-
sorry there wasn't a post yesterday or sunday, i was not doing well at all. i know ryan could have posted but who knows what happened with that (he is a guy::). i will make sure he does all week since i won't be able to.

heck, i am on so many medications right now i'm having a hard time typing. here is the update of what has happened-

sunday:couldn't get out of bed most of the day but finally did get to walk some laps with a walker. ryan took me for a second walk about 11:30pm that night too. of course the pink bucket went with us:) the nausea is taking over my body. i have been receiving antibiotics by IV and a ton of fluid!!! i am on the 8th bag and each bag is a liter. one of dr. gollob's partners came in and said the chest x-ray is showing the same except for the pneumonia. on sunday my kidney count was 1.8. three iv's needed pulled throughout two days because they were bad.

monday: again could barely get out of bed. monday's liver count was 1.6. dr. gollob came in to speak with us. he said that i looked heathly, even though my hair is almost gone. he said i should have no problem starting on Monday night. well it took forever for the IV team to come put my pik line. let me tell you how much fun that was! by the the time that was done it was too late.

so....today is the day. i start treatment this afternoon. all the meds needed ordered from downstairs. hilary (dr. gollob's) pa came in, checked me over and said everything looks good. she also said my liver count is down to 1.4!!!

i am going to make ryan write you all tonight to let you know how things went this afternoon.

besides the above i have been wheeled back and forth a few times to the CT x-ray. yesterday the driver made me motion sickness. he was basically doing 2 wheelies in the hall in the wheelchair.

i am holding up alright. i m in good spirits but still just nervous if it will work or not.
but i feel very anxious all of the time. hopefully it will pass when i'm all drugged up!

please keep me in your prayers.
love,
ellen

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ellen and Ryan,

Can't stop thinking of you two. It sounds like some of your days are pretty tough. Hang in there ! There are tons of people praying for you both.

Tim K

Cynthia Capestrain said...

Hi Ellen,
I have been praying for you from the beginning and want you to know I think of you every day. I received your blog address just last week so now I don't have to keep asking everyone how you are. It is wonderful of you to write and Ryan too. What a guy. Say hi to your Mom for me. God is going to make you better, I just know it. Stay positive, we are praying for you. All my love and thoughts are with you. Keep up the good work.
Love,
Cynthia Capestrain

Jen Sedlak said...

Hey girl--just have a minute,
Ryan is allowed to be a guy every once in a while. Great news about the count and so glad to hear that treatment is starting today!
It's a busy day today with Maddie and Tristan starting school.
Thinking about you lots! Stay strong!
Jen

Anonymous said...

You know you are always in all of our thoughts and prayers! Stay tough, El. I know you can pull through this. Great news on the kidney level. We're trying to get a time together to come visit. Love you so much. Talk to you soon!! Jaime

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen and Ryan,

El I am so sorry that you are feeling so miserable. Hang in there, keep fighting! I am thinking about you and praying for you daily.

Love,

Amy

Sarah Hulea said...

After reading all this entries, I've realized what a strong person you are!! =) I'm so glad to say that you are my cousin! Thinking of you everyday and hope everything goes well today on your first day of treatment!!

STAY TOUGH!!

Love,
your cousin Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hey El & Ryan,

I was really starting to miss your "voices"! I'm so happy to hear about your kidney level and that you will get to do treatment starting today! I have already been praying that this treatment will kick it all out of you and I will continue that prayer. You are so amazing and you and Ryan make the best team - keep it up!

I can't imagine the anxiety you must feel but try to focus on all of the people praying for you - we love you!

Psalm 34:4 - I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

love always, Ashley

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen, You remain the bravest person I know, bless you as you are tolerate all of the proceedures that are involved in your care. You made my day by feeling well enough to write. Let your body fight the fight. Love, Aunt Connie

Unknown said...

good luck ellen!! i will be thinking of you. xo, natalie huffman

Anonymous said...

I understand your days are long and discouraging. And it is not always easy to keep your spirits elevated. Ellen and Ryan, I do not know the depth of your religious beliefs, but during many of the trying times of life I have found the old testament has a lot of great instructions. The prophet Isaiah is one of my favorite reads in the Bible. Especially the 40th chapter and the 41st verse......"they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength...." The lowest times of life I found an inability to pray for myself. You may also be in that situation right now so please know that many are praying for you and that you should take a deep breath and relax in that knowledge. Someone, some place, right now knows your struggle and is praying for you. You are both a blessing to me. Your courage is inspiring. Thank you for being so open and sharing your life we all of us. God bless.

Jo Ann said...

Hey there,

Glad to finally have some news. We all have grown acustom to having news and when we don't get it....and WOW we have withdrawals. I hope you rest well today and before you know it you will be back at the loft!!!!! Hang in there, and know we are are thinkg and praying for you.

Love ya,

Jo Ann

Anonymous said...

You know we are praying for you Ellen - we won't stop. Glad to hear from you - some of us have become blog junkies and need to hear news. However, I would not blame you for getting tired of posting!! I don't know how you posted this with the nausea you've got goin' on. Thinking of you this afternoon and hoping the chemo will go easy on you...
JanK.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen,
You have been one tough cookie through all of this and I know you will stay that way. I'm glad you were able to write to us today. You're Aunt Connie nailed it on the head...it makes everyone's day when you are up to writing to us. We all look forward to it. I am thinking of you constantly and hope I can get down to see you again soon. Sending you big hugs and strong prayers!
Hilary

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you!

Anonymous said...

ellen,
the prayers never stop. you are on my mind and heart minute by minute. what an incredibly strong and courageous person you are. when the going gets tough the tough get going (shopping can happen later - ha). so hang in there. underneath are God's everlasting arms.
love, coni

Anonymous said...

Hope all goes well today! Love you and thinking of you, El:)
You are the ultimate fighter.
Love K. Lanza xoxoxox

Anonymous said...

Great to hear that you can start treatment today and your count is down. Stay strong and everyone is praying for you both. Hang in there!!!

Love, Jennifer M

Anonymous said...

Ellen,

Glad to hear you were able to start treatment today and your counts are going in the right direction. You and Ryan are in our thoughts and prayers. Tell your mom hello.

Love, Dave & Krickett

Anonymous said...

Ell,

So glad the counts came down so you could get on with treatment. I know you are anxious to get the ball rolling again and it sounds like that happened today. Glad to hear! Hope they are keeping you at ease through all this so you can rest and keep your strenght up for the upcoming days. You have made it this far fighting for everything, so hang in there.

Still thinking of you from HOT HOT florida and love you and rest peacefully!!!

Kelly Dragoiu

Anonymous said...

Ellen,
wow you are one tough gal! I was happy to read that you are well enough to start treatment again. Keep that strong spirit and tough attitude of yours. You are in our prayers, Ellen and Ryan.

Louann Smith & fam

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen,
I along with everyone else, am always happy to hear from you on the blog. It shows your fierce determination to stay in touch and fight the battle.
All of our prayers are with you as your treatment begins!!!The dreaded treatment will help to heal you along with all of our prayers, positive thoughts and energy.
Never fear......all of us are with you the whole way....prayers, prayers, prayers!!!
You will win!
Love , Marcia

Anonymous said...

Someone told me about you and your blog. I was given a 10%chance by the docs but 4 years later and many chemo treatments, I am cancer free and have continued on my career. You must always get out of bed every day no matter how you bad you feel. You must never let the cancer get the best of you. I used to say to myself when I was sick "cancer, you SOB, you not going to get me down today" You have the faith, control and the will to beat this. I did and many people I have visited throughout the country have done the same. YOU WILL BEAT THIS!!! Always believe in yourself.

Anonymous said...

Thoughts and prayers are being sent your way- You can move mountains- just keep fighting

Suzanne Bort Gray said...

Hang in there honey... all will be well if you can just get through this next round of treatment. Thank goodness Ryan is there for hand holding et al. You are truly blessed to be surrounded by love and prayers.
xoas

Anonymous said...

Sending you even more encouragement from Iowa. You can do this! Love, The Bradds

Anonymous said...

Ellen: You make me so proud to know you. May God bless you as you start this next round of treatment. Love and prayers will continue. Anna Hillhouse

Anonymous said...

Ellen & Ryan,

Although the next few days/week will be tough, you & Ryan will be tougher as you conqueor this next treatment. Keep strong, show your determination every day. Know you have all of us backing & pulling for you. Your faith & determination will PREVAIL! May God rest his hands on both of your shoulders to pull you thru. A sick day, you keep strong to overcome it & be the winner for that day. Day by day, you will prevail, it is in you!

Take Care w/ many prayers & keeping you in our daily thoughts. Let all of our strengths flow into you. Go Girl, tackle it & we will be there for you!!

Barry K.