we are coming home

the tone of this post may seem very matter-of-fact. it is. we decided that everyone who has shown us the support that we need, and has followed us through every step of this journey, deserves to know what is happening. they deserve the care and respect that they have shown us.

ellen had an mri of her brain last night because the doctors had become suspicious of her inability to kick the nausea that has been so persistent. this morning, hillary, one of dr. gollob's p.a.'s, came in with the results.

the cancer has spread.

the mri revealed that she has at least 4 small lesions on various portions of her brain. soon thereafter, we met with a radiation oncologist that was able to better explain what had happened. when cancer metastasizes (enters the blood stream) it basically has free reign over the body. even in the face of intense chemotherapy, it was able to make its way back into her head.

later that afternoon we met with the lead radiation oncologist at dumc. he said that he was going to start a course of radiation that would last 10-14 days. the overall cure rate, however, went from nearly 5% to non-existent. this was taking precedence over the disease in the rest of her body but ellen was ready to do whatever it took. you would never expect anything less.

you would also not expect what came next.

dr. gollob visited later (unfortunately, while i was picking don and diane up at the airport). he told ellen, suzy and my mother, lola, that he was advising against the radiation. the treatment was clearly not doing what it was supposed to do and whatever little time the radiation provided would not outweigh the added discomfort it would cause. he was suggesting that she discontinue treatment all together.

we feel that we have made the correct decisions about her health care every step of the way. obviously, what is considered "modern medicine" is not the answer. whether it's her chemical makeup or some other reason, the chemotherapy has not had the desired effect.

so, we are going another direction.

almost immediately ellen rejected dr. gollob's diagnosis as the end of her options. she contacted a holistic doctor that she had seen prior to one of her other treatments. after talking with him our optimism is renewed. we are invigorated. he is very excited to see her and to get started again. he feels, quite confidently, that he can be of great help to her.

the details of this course of action will follow. right now, though, we are preparing to come home. i ask that everyone be patient as we adjust and settle in. ellen and i are beyond excited to see everyone but we do have certain things that require our attention first.

please make no mistake. this is not a negative outcome. we see it has the natural course of events that will lead her to full health through holistic healing.

we are more encouraged than ever.