Hello All
Cathy here again. Just wanted to pass along some good news! Ellen and I will be moving back to New Orleans, hopefully mid November if all goes well. We spent a few days there last week and located a beautiful home in the Riverbend area, which we both love. It will be close to the streetcar, several business's and many friends. I haven't seen Ellen this happy for a very long time, so we both know this is absolutly the best decision in many ways. Ellen will be closer to her family in Lafayette, which is only two hours away. We have met with a Doctor in New Orleans who is experienced in working with the type of cancer Ellen has and who will work with Dr. Nick in Orlando in handling Ellen's care. It is all good and we are both excited to be returning home.
Ellen is doing well right now. We have another MRI and visit with Dr. Nick on October 27. Hopefully, the bleed will have been reabsorbed and a clear view of the tumors will reveal they have become smaller in size. Maybe the damn little bastards have completly disappeared. That is obviously my very most biggest hope. I suspect you all probably feel the same way..............
I'll write again soon.
love to all and thanks so much for your kind thoughts and wonderful prayers.
cathy
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Our visit with Dr Nick..........
September 17
Hello--Cathy here.
We learned a lot during our appointment with Dr. Nick this morning. First of all, he believes the radiation has had an effect on the tumors, but the MRI scans are difficult to read because of a large amount of blood in the same area. Apparently, in the week before she began radiation, she had a brain bleed. This was due to either a chemo reaction or the tumors themselves, but was most likely the reason she lost cognitive ability. It will take awhile for this blood to be reabsorbed by the body, but her cognitive ability should improve with time. It is similiar to the effects of a stroke. I can tell you she was very happy to hear there could be improvement!
She will continue with an oral chemo treatment for six weeks and then have another MRI. Hopefully, by that time, the blood will be reabsorbed and a more clear MRI scan will reveal how effective the radiation treatment has been.
We are both relieved and encouraged by this news. We thank all of you for your wonderful messages and powerful positive energy---I am absolutely positive it has made a difference for Ellen.
More soon
love,
cathy
Hello--Cathy here.
We learned a lot during our appointment with Dr. Nick this morning. First of all, he believes the radiation has had an effect on the tumors, but the MRI scans are difficult to read because of a large amount of blood in the same area. Apparently, in the week before she began radiation, she had a brain bleed. This was due to either a chemo reaction or the tumors themselves, but was most likely the reason she lost cognitive ability. It will take awhile for this blood to be reabsorbed by the body, but her cognitive ability should improve with time. It is similiar to the effects of a stroke. I can tell you she was very happy to hear there could be improvement!
She will continue with an oral chemo treatment for six weeks and then have another MRI. Hopefully, by that time, the blood will be reabsorbed and a more clear MRI scan will reveal how effective the radiation treatment has been.
We are both relieved and encouraged by this news. We thank all of you for your wonderful messages and powerful positive energy---I am absolutely positive it has made a difference for Ellen.
More soon
love,
cathy
Sunday, September 13, 2009
An update on Ellen
Sept.13 2009
Hello everyone, Cathy here, just wanted to get out an update on Ellen.
Ellen finished her radiation treatment two weeks ago and has been slowly recovering from the intense nine day treatment. Fatigue related to the treatment has been keeping her "lying low", but she is slowly getting her energy back. She has also been dealing with some cognitive decline as the tumors grew so rapidly in the two weeks before beginning treatment. We hope, when the swelling from the treatment subsides, she will regain some of her ability. Right now, she has difficulty with reading and short term memory loss, but we continue to work through and around some of the problems related to this. To be honest, it's been a difficult few weeks.
Ellen will have an MRI this coming Wednesday, with an appointment on Thursday for results. This MRI will determine how succesful the radiation treatment has been.
We are hopeful, but anxious. The waiting is always stressful.
All of you have been so wonderful and supportive. Both Ellen and I have so appreciated the positive love and energy you send us. Please, sometime this Tuesday evening, send up a little prayer for Ellen. All that positive energy will be needed for the MRI on Wednesday morning.
Ellen sends her love. Me too.
cathy
Hello everyone, Cathy here, just wanted to get out an update on Ellen.
Ellen finished her radiation treatment two weeks ago and has been slowly recovering from the intense nine day treatment. Fatigue related to the treatment has been keeping her "lying low", but she is slowly getting her energy back. She has also been dealing with some cognitive decline as the tumors grew so rapidly in the two weeks before beginning treatment. We hope, when the swelling from the treatment subsides, she will regain some of her ability. Right now, she has difficulty with reading and short term memory loss, but we continue to work through and around some of the problems related to this. To be honest, it's been a difficult few weeks.
Ellen will have an MRI this coming Wednesday, with an appointment on Thursday for results. This MRI will determine how succesful the radiation treatment has been.
We are hopeful, but anxious. The waiting is always stressful.
All of you have been so wonderful and supportive. Both Ellen and I have so appreciated the positive love and energy you send us. Please, sometime this Tuesday evening, send up a little prayer for Ellen. All that positive energy will be needed for the MRI on Wednesday morning.
Ellen sends her love. Me too.
cathy
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Update on Ellen's Treatment
Hello Friends
Cathy here. Just wanted to fill you all in on recent developments in Ellen's care.
We returned from Houston/MDAnderson somewhat discouraged as Ellen was not eligible for any clinical trials. There was a mix-up with her MRI's not being sent for the appointment and at the time we wondered if we had made a mistake in making the trip. However, once Dr. Levin(the neuro-oncologist in Houston) received all the MRI information he needed, he discovered something very interesting. When Ellen had her initial radiation last Fall we had assumed the treatment had failed as Dr.Nick read the MRI taken after the treatment and determined the tumors were still present. When Dr. Levin read the same MRI he determined the radiation had actually been succesful. Ellen had a rare occurance of radiation necrosis which resembled brain tumor. Her MRI's are difficult to interpret because of this. Dr.'s Nick and Levin had a pow-wow and during this conversation he convinced Dr. Nick a course of radiation would be the best course of treatment.
So, Ellen started a nine day course of radiation today, along with a type of chemo agent which is easy for her to tolerate. It is an intense course of treatment, but she needs to get these tumors under control as soon as possible. We will know more results in a few weeks, but we are very hopeful as there is a fairly high percentage of success this radiation will be effective.
Again, thank-you so much for all your positive thoughts and encouraging prayers. We do feel the power of your love and concern.
More later!
love, cathy
Cathy here. Just wanted to fill you all in on recent developments in Ellen's care.
We returned from Houston/MDAnderson somewhat discouraged as Ellen was not eligible for any clinical trials. There was a mix-up with her MRI's not being sent for the appointment and at the time we wondered if we had made a mistake in making the trip. However, once Dr. Levin(the neuro-oncologist in Houston) received all the MRI information he needed, he discovered something very interesting. When Ellen had her initial radiation last Fall we had assumed the treatment had failed as Dr.Nick read the MRI taken after the treatment and determined the tumors were still present. When Dr. Levin read the same MRI he determined the radiation had actually been succesful. Ellen had a rare occurance of radiation necrosis which resembled brain tumor. Her MRI's are difficult to interpret because of this. Dr.'s Nick and Levin had a pow-wow and during this conversation he convinced Dr. Nick a course of radiation would be the best course of treatment.
So, Ellen started a nine day course of radiation today, along with a type of chemo agent which is easy for her to tolerate. It is an intense course of treatment, but she needs to get these tumors under control as soon as possible. We will know more results in a few weeks, but we are very hopeful as there is a fairly high percentage of success this radiation will be effective.
Again, thank-you so much for all your positive thoughts and encouraging prayers. We do feel the power of your love and concern.
More later!
love, cathy
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Heading To Houston
Hello everyone. We had an amazing trip to Lafayette and New Orleans over the Fourth of July holiday. It was great to see my family and so many friends. When we returned to Orlando I had a follow-up appointment with Dr. Nick which showed that the past chemo treatment has not been entirely successful. The original tumor has metastasized into the occipital lobe on the left side of my brain. Dr. Nick has suggested that I travel to M.D. Anderson in Houston to see if I can be accepted into a clinical trial. Cathy and I leave Sunday afternoon for three days of tests. Thank you for thinking about me. I really appreciate your thoughts, your love and your comments. I will keep you posted on my adventures in Houston.
Love, Ellen
Love, Ellen
Monday, July 13, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Tomorrow morning, Ellen will have her next follow-up MRI. The last one was good...so let's all send some positive energy to Orlando, Florida to keep the positive news coming. We are all praying for you Ellen and clogging the airwaves with love. Love, Donna
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Positive Energy update
A big thank you to everyone who participated, sent spiritual support, or even gifts to Cathy and me. We received positive news once again. The MRI showed no significant growth in my new tumor, and the original tumor is also stable. Needless to say we are expremely happy, and ready to attack the tumor with another chemotherapy agent. I will begin this new agent, called Vepesid or VP16 this week. The course of treatment calls for three weeks on and three weeks off in addition to the other two agents I receive now. I have been feeling extremely good! Enough, to enjoy a very relaxing trip to New Smyrna Beach. It was incredibly beautiful and relaxing. This next treatment might even include a course of radiation. The important thing is I feel so blessed to had made it to this point in the treatment. So thanks again to all of you, and especially Cathy and Donna who spearheaded the day of prayer and positive energy.
I love you all,
Ellen
I love you all,
Ellen
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