Saturday, January 22, 2011
Dr. Ellen Kay Carson
Dr. Ellen Kay Carson was a wonderful mother, wife, daughter, sister, and teacher. God Bless her wonderful life on earth. She will be greatly missed by many but heaven received a wonderful angel.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Lord, Lift Me Up!
Sunday seems like a good day to talk to the Lord. Please interveve for me today as you take your daily devotion or alone time with our God. Sing louder, Pray more sincerely, Love more deeply, Cherish family, Pay ahead without regret. And if you don't know what Pay ahead means - rent the movie. Great afternoon snuggle fest.
Blessings to you,
Love -
Ellen
Blessings to you,
Love -
Ellen
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
January 5, 2011
Happy New Year! Yesterday was the last radiation treatment for back and shoulder pain and it has worked well. My left arm and hand are still very numb and difficult to use, so I am doing some exercises to strenghthen my arm. I am surprised by the lack of strength, yet Marlin reminds me that due to the pain I wasn't using that hand for several weeks, so it will take time to get it back. Damn, another lesson in patience.
My sis Carol arrived from Billings last evening. She has already settled in as chief cook and bottle washer - lol. I know she'll be a huge support and provide loads of encouragement during her time here. She cooked all afternoon and hosted our two nephews for roast dinner after they had spent the day hunting on the farm. We had a good time, and I used my "time protection button" to send them home when I was beginning to slump.
Yesterday two friends from Washburn made the trip to keep me company. It was a great visit and I appreciate the effort it takes to get to Girard from Topeka!!!! Boy do I!!! I have driven that route since July 2003.
God Bless You as you pray for my increasing strenghth and health.
Here is a poem from a card from friends in the KC area - Jim & Eileen - Thank you for the prayers -
God has not promised skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strenth for the day,
rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love. Annie Johnson Flint
God Bless You-
Love to you -
Ellen
My sis Carol arrived from Billings last evening. She has already settled in as chief cook and bottle washer - lol. I know she'll be a huge support and provide loads of encouragement during her time here. She cooked all afternoon and hosted our two nephews for roast dinner after they had spent the day hunting on the farm. We had a good time, and I used my "time protection button" to send them home when I was beginning to slump.
Yesterday two friends from Washburn made the trip to keep me company. It was a great visit and I appreciate the effort it takes to get to Girard from Topeka!!!! Boy do I!!! I have driven that route since July 2003.
God Bless You as you pray for my increasing strenghth and health.
Here is a poem from a card from friends in the KC area - Jim & Eileen - Thank you for the prayers -
God has not promised skies always blue,
flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
joy without sorrow, peace without pain.
But God has promised strenth for the day,
rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
unfailing sympathy, undying love. Annie Johnson Flint
God Bless You-
Love to you -
Ellen
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year
I got home from the hospital December 22nd. It is so good to be home -even with all the paraphenalia - O2 tank & tubing, hospital bed, pain med pump. And it is all manageable. My appetite has returned and I can enjoy the holiday treats without guilt, as I've lost about 25 pounds since Thanksgiving. And that is a first FOR SURE!
Pain level is very good. I get 2 more radiation treatments to my back & left shoulder for pain control, then the physicians will begin to tweak the pain medicine in the pump. I get pretty sleepy with it, so I'm thinking they will decrease the basil rate (what I get all the time) and adjust the bolus (what I get on demand).
I am seeing more visitors, but please don't get insulted when I get up to go to bed. I can't "visit" much or talk, it wears me out, but I like seeing people for short periods - 45 - 60 minutes. Some of my friends from Topeka/Lawrence came for a visit and I truly thank them for the "pick me up". It was delightful to see your friendly faces.
Lindsay and Aaron are home for the weekend, they are with his family today in Scammon. Thank you Carolyn for the delicious meal on Friday evening - we enjoyed it the next day, too, so it gave Marlin a break from cooking. My sister, Carol, will arrive from Billings, MT on Tuesday evening, if the snow doesn't get any higher in Montana! She will stay 10-14 days, accordng to her itenerary. That's the update as I know it.
Send me your prayers and positive thoughts -
Blessings to you -
Love to you.
Ellen
Pain level is very good. I get 2 more radiation treatments to my back & left shoulder for pain control, then the physicians will begin to tweak the pain medicine in the pump. I get pretty sleepy with it, so I'm thinking they will decrease the basil rate (what I get all the time) and adjust the bolus (what I get on demand).
I am seeing more visitors, but please don't get insulted when I get up to go to bed. I can't "visit" much or talk, it wears me out, but I like seeing people for short periods - 45 - 60 minutes. Some of my friends from Topeka/Lawrence came for a visit and I truly thank them for the "pick me up". It was delightful to see your friendly faces.
Lindsay and Aaron are home for the weekend, they are with his family today in Scammon. Thank you Carolyn for the delicious meal on Friday evening - we enjoyed it the next day, too, so it gave Marlin a break from cooking. My sister, Carol, will arrive from Billings, MT on Tuesday evening, if the snow doesn't get any higher in Montana! She will stay 10-14 days, accordng to her itenerary. That's the update as I know it.
Send me your prayers and positive thoughts -
Blessings to you -
Love to you.
Ellen
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
December 22, 2010 - Update
I had a good night's sleep last night and slept well for a couple of good stretches. They are arranging for my discharge this afternoon. I will have my pain pump and hospital bed at home. I started radiation on Monday and will continue for a week or so. The doctor will evaluate before Tuesday on the effects. My pain level is 2 or 3 out of 10 most times and my appetite is good. They are giving me laxis for the swelling so I"m getting exercise running (very slowly) to the bathroom. My breath sounds are better and my shortness of breath is lessened. I"ll be on home oxygen as needed.
Lindsay is home for the week and my sister, Nora, is here for two weeks. Christmas will be spent at home.
I have received very good care at the hospital. It pays to know good nurses in different areas!! lol My friend Cheryl who continues to teach at PSU, has been a constant advocate and asked her RN students who work as hospital supervisors at night have included me in their routine rounds. What service! Of course, I already have a letter composed to the unit director complementing the best nurses. I am so proud of our profession.
I have had a few visitors while in the hospital but really postponing them until I get home. Thanks to those that came for a short to visit. Merry Christmas to you.
Love,
Ellen
Lindsay is home for the week and my sister, Nora, is here for two weeks. Christmas will be spent at home.
I have received very good care at the hospital. It pays to know good nurses in different areas!! lol My friend Cheryl who continues to teach at PSU, has been a constant advocate and asked her RN students who work as hospital supervisors at night have included me in their routine rounds. What service! Of course, I already have a letter composed to the unit director complementing the best nurses. I am so proud of our profession.
I have had a few visitors while in the hospital but really postponing them until I get home. Thanks to those that came for a short to visit. Merry Christmas to you.
Love,
Ellen
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Low Phase
December 9 was the beginning of a low phase. I have been having increased pain my left arm and back and that Thursday it came to a head. My pain was so bad that I went to Girard ER in the early morning for pain control and after a shot, they sent me to cancer center in Pittsburg Mt. Carmel (Via Christi) to Dr. Mathews, my oncologist. I was also very short of breath. After an x-ray and a PET scan, they discovered a tumor in the spinal coulmn which they anticipate is bone metatasis. I have been in Mt. Carmel for pain control for the last four days waiting for records from Barnes Jewish in St. Louis so that the doctor can develop a radiation plan. Radiating the tumor to shrink it should help the pain. My appetite has been very poor but has improved in the last couple of days. My treatment will be at least 10-14 daily sessions, which take only a few minutes. My family has surrounded me with care and my friends extended their offer of help and I will need them soon. I am hoping to be dismissed from the hospital on Monday after my radiation treatment.
Blessings to you.
Love,
Ellen
Blessings to you.
Love,
Ellen
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