Hello Friends
As usual, it's early morning. We've had several days of gloomy weather with rain and it's almost enough for me to wish we were still in sunny Florida. If it weren't for the occasional shrimp po-boy, we might have fled the city.
Ellen has up and down days, mostly due to the stages in the chemo treatment she took in late November. It affects the bone marrow and her ability to create new red blood cells so at this point her counts are low and she feels really tired. The good news is she is also feeling better some days. If the chemo wasn't having some effect on the tumors she would be declining rapidly. Hopefully, she will begin to have more energy in the coming week, so she can enjoy Christmas.
We have been enjoying a bit of the city, sometimes going to the levy by the river, sometimes a ride through the French Quarter or an ice-cream adventure. She loves trips to the Father Seelos Shrine which is part of a Catholic Church located in the Irish Channel. It's been comforting for her to spend time there in the chapel. On weekends, there's always a Saints game to watch, usually with good friends or family around her. All of it has made the effort of moving here worthwhile as I know she is finally happy and home.
I want to thank all of you again, for all your support and kind thoughts. Ellen has been so appreciative of all your gestures of love. She can't read your cards and can't talk on the phone very well, but she knows you are supporting her and is very much touched by all of it. Me too.
more later.
love,
cathy
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Friday, December 4, 2009
December Mornings
Hello All
It is early morning here. Ellen is asleep and I am, as usual, up and finding things to do.........
Ellen is stable, growing a little stronger physically, but still having difficulty with communication. It's frustrating for her as she can understand what others are saying to her, but cannot form the words to express herself. We have formed a whole new language with each other that includes a lot of sign language, nodding, and blank stares. Somehow, many times, we actually understand what the other is trying to communicate. Somehow, most of the time, we both end up laughing at how ridiculus we both are.
Since coming home, we have been enjoying the city, but mostly enjoying the frequent visits of friends and family. I think it's the highlight of Ellen's day for people to knock on the door and spend a few minutes chatting with her. To me, it's such a showering of love and it is exactly why I wanted to get her home to New Orleans. Some days are good and full of laughter and some days are hard, long and painful, but I know for her every one of them is precious and appreciated. She is really a strong and amazing woman.
I know some of you might be more comfortable with emailing as a response to this blog--you can connect with me at: porcelainheart@cox.net.
More later
love,
cathy
It is early morning here. Ellen is asleep and I am, as usual, up and finding things to do.........
Ellen is stable, growing a little stronger physically, but still having difficulty with communication. It's frustrating for her as she can understand what others are saying to her, but cannot form the words to express herself. We have formed a whole new language with each other that includes a lot of sign language, nodding, and blank stares. Somehow, many times, we actually understand what the other is trying to communicate. Somehow, most of the time, we both end up laughing at how ridiculus we both are.
Since coming home, we have been enjoying the city, but mostly enjoying the frequent visits of friends and family. I think it's the highlight of Ellen's day for people to knock on the door and spend a few minutes chatting with her. To me, it's such a showering of love and it is exactly why I wanted to get her home to New Orleans. Some days are good and full of laughter and some days are hard, long and painful, but I know for her every one of them is precious and appreciated. She is really a strong and amazing woman.
I know some of you might be more comfortable with emailing as a response to this blog--you can connect with me at: porcelainheart@cox.net.
More later
love,
cathy
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Dear Friends
Cathy here. It is early Thanksgiving Day. I laid awake at 5:00a.m. and thought about all I am thankful for on this misty New Orleans morning...........
Ellen and I have made the transition home. It hasn't been easy, but we had a lot of help along the way and we are now settled. I can't begin to express how happy Ellen is to be back here, she and I were both in tears as we drove back into the city, and yes, she has already enjoyed her first beignets. I do believe being home has given her the strength to get through this difficult point in her illness and treatment.
This past weekend Ellen's cognitive ability declined rapidly. After a night in the hospital and a number of tests, it was determined the tumors had grown significantly in size. They grew so rapidly they bled in to the brain which in turn affected her speech and short term memory. She did receive a chemo treatment at the hospital, which she tolerated well and will hopefully suppress the tumors for awhile. She is home now, fatigued from the chemo, but feeling a little better. We are learning to communicate in a different way as Ellen can understand what I am saying to her, but cannot express herself.
Despite this turn of events, there are many, many things Ellen and I are both thankful for. We are home, in the city we love, with the beignets we love even more.
We have the most amazing friends and family, who have supported and loved us unconditionaly, who have helped me make the move possible for Ellen. All of you who have called and left messages for us, sent love to Ellen, have prayed for her; thank you so much. We have been carried home, lifted up by your love and support. I am so thankful for all of you.
I'll be posting updates more often now, so I can communicate to more of you what is happening in Ellen's journey.
Again, thanks and love to all of you.
cathy
Cathy here. It is early Thanksgiving Day. I laid awake at 5:00a.m. and thought about all I am thankful for on this misty New Orleans morning...........
Ellen and I have made the transition home. It hasn't been easy, but we had a lot of help along the way and we are now settled. I can't begin to express how happy Ellen is to be back here, she and I were both in tears as we drove back into the city, and yes, she has already enjoyed her first beignets. I do believe being home has given her the strength to get through this difficult point in her illness and treatment.
This past weekend Ellen's cognitive ability declined rapidly. After a night in the hospital and a number of tests, it was determined the tumors had grown significantly in size. They grew so rapidly they bled in to the brain which in turn affected her speech and short term memory. She did receive a chemo treatment at the hospital, which she tolerated well and will hopefully suppress the tumors for awhile. She is home now, fatigued from the chemo, but feeling a little better. We are learning to communicate in a different way as Ellen can understand what I am saying to her, but cannot express herself.
Despite this turn of events, there are many, many things Ellen and I are both thankful for. We are home, in the city we love, with the beignets we love even more.
We have the most amazing friends and family, who have supported and loved us unconditionaly, who have helped me make the move possible for Ellen. All of you who have called and left messages for us, sent love to Ellen, have prayed for her; thank you so much. We have been carried home, lifted up by your love and support. I am so thankful for all of you.
I'll be posting updates more often now, so I can communicate to more of you what is happening in Ellen's journey.
Again, thanks and love to all of you.
cathy
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The Latest News
Hello again.
Cathy here, with an update on the lastest news.
Ellen had an MRI this past Monday with an appointment with Dr.Nick on Tuesday. The tumor area which had recent radiation appears to be stable. The blood which was clouding the MRI has been mostly reabsorbed and Dr.Nick could see the mass had not increased in size. Ellen does have two other areas which have "signaled", meaning there are tumor cells growing. They are small spots, but hopefully will respond to chemo treatment. Dr. Levin, at MDAnderson in Houston, will review her scans and determine if there is a clinical trial available which would benefit Ellen. The back-up plan is a round of chemo treatment which she would begin in 6 weeks.
In the meantime, we are moving! Ellen is very happy and excited about the return home. The movers come on the 9th of November and we should be set up in New Orleans around the 13th. Our new address will be: 1031 Fern St. New Orleans, LA 70118.
We are both looking forward to friends and family, streetcars and crawfish, love and laughter.
I will post another update soon. Thanks for all the loving thoughts and prayers.
cathy
Cathy here, with an update on the lastest news.
Ellen had an MRI this past Monday with an appointment with Dr.Nick on Tuesday. The tumor area which had recent radiation appears to be stable. The blood which was clouding the MRI has been mostly reabsorbed and Dr.Nick could see the mass had not increased in size. Ellen does have two other areas which have "signaled", meaning there are tumor cells growing. They are small spots, but hopefully will respond to chemo treatment. Dr. Levin, at MDAnderson in Houston, will review her scans and determine if there is a clinical trial available which would benefit Ellen. The back-up plan is a round of chemo treatment which she would begin in 6 weeks.
In the meantime, we are moving! Ellen is very happy and excited about the return home. The movers come on the 9th of November and we should be set up in New Orleans around the 13th. Our new address will be: 1031 Fern St. New Orleans, LA 70118.
We are both looking forward to friends and family, streetcars and crawfish, love and laughter.
I will post another update soon. Thanks for all the loving thoughts and prayers.
cathy
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Back to the Big Easy
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
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
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
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