iEllie

Ocular Melanoma

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 03:39:00 +0000

In March, I received a text message from my Dad asking Grant and I to call into a conference number. It was the week before Spring Break so I figured it was about my Mom going up to Philly to visit family.

When I got home I called the number and put my phone on speaker so Grant could hear as well. My Dad, Mom and brothers all beeped in. My Dad then explained that my Mom had something to tell us.

"I am leaving for Philadelphia this weekend, however this time I am not going up to visit with family. I have been diagnosed with Ocular Melanoma. It is a very rare kind of eye cancer that only effects 2,000 people a year..." my Mom continued to explain the seriousness of her situation. This particular cancer does not have a high survival rate with the cancer normally metastasizing to the liver.

If you don't know what Ocular Melanoma is I encourage you to look it up. Unfortunately, there is not much literature or research about this particular type of cancer. A few centers in the country are working on treatment and ways of find a cure. Philadelphia, PA just happens to have one of these hospitals/research facilities, The Willis Eye Institue.

As I said earlier my Mom travels to Philadelphia, PA during the holidays to visit with her parents. Actually, a few visits ago my Mom took my Grandparents to church. When they walked into the church a large family had taken the pew that my Grandfather liked to sit in (he said it was "his" pew). He apparently made a fuss and then gave the family the death glare during Mass. My Mom was mortified and hoped she would never run into that family again.

It just so happens that the doctor in Philadelphia, PA that is an expert on Ocular Melanoma, was sitting in that pew. God has a way of bringing people into our lives just when we need them. Of course my Mom was a little embarrassed during her first visit but the doctor and his wife did not even remember the incident.

I don't believe that to be a chance meeting. I believe God was looking out for my Mom and this doctor was an answer to her prayers.

There have been lots of tests, treatments and doctor visits since March. My Mom has gone through surgery and is still going through treatment. We did hear good news that the type of Ocular Melanoma that she has only has a 10% chance of metastasizing. My Mom's chances of living a long life are very good. While this is great news, I still ask for your prayers. Since there is not much research on this kind of cancer, we are in a fluid state of information.

Thank you, to those who have been there for me and my family these last few months. I did not post this earlier because I was not ready to talk about it. I also did not feel right discussing this while my family was going through so much.

I hope you will take the time to look up more information about Ocular Melanoma. I recommend that you get a yearly eye exam (mine is tomorrow).

Keep it Real
iEllie

More: Check out this article on my Mom's doctor:

Wills doctor's 'lucky' path has been patients' luck, too

Golf

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Mon, 27 May 2013 17:45:00 +0000

Grant and I recently took up golfing. I never thought this would be a sport I would get into. It seemed like such an uppity sport for people that were way to into themselves. Not to mention a "man's sport."

When I was a teenager my Mom encouraged me to take up golf. It didn't sound like fun to me so I never tried it out. It wasn't until Grant and I went out to the driving range that I really understood why people golf. Hitting a ball as hard as you can with a stick is a fantastic feeling. Not to mention, there is a true science to golfing. It's the perfect sport for a nerd.

I've never really been a fan of watching golf, now I occasionally turn on the Golf Channel. I'm completely obsessed!

I've also discovered the world of golf fashion. LOVE IT! Yes, there are some extremely hideous golf outfits out there but there are also some really cute ones. If you follow me on Pinterest you probably already know this.

Are you a golfer? Or is there a sport that you hated as a child but now love as an adult?

Skulduggery

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 15:07:00 +0000

Did someone say Vlog?

Thanks for having me as the guest vlogger on Vloguum!

Skulduggery - deception or trickery.

A New Header for the New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 06:11:00 +0000

It has been a while since I updated the header on my blog. I spent hours in Seashore this evening trying different designs and options for my new header. I finally decided on a simple design that compliments my old header. Of course, it only took me 5 minutes to create. -_-

Over the last few months I have made slight changes to the overall look of my blog. One of my goals for 2013 is to do better about blogging. I feel like I put my blog on the shelf and let it collect dust ever since I started working. It's time to startup the camera, setup the mic and get back in the game.

Happy 2013 everyone!

Keep it Real!

Brands vs. Facebook

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 20:32:00 +0000

I'm blogging on my blog to direct you to a different blog! I know, it's obnoxious, my apologies!

Staying in touch with the latest information about social networking sites such as Facebook can be a struggle. Over the past few months, Facebook has released new features that affect businesses and brands. One of these features forces brands to create engaging and viral content for it to be seen by people who have already “liked” the page. This is an effort by Facebook to force brands to use promoted status updates to advertise.

Please, visit The Cirlot Agency's blog to read the rest of my recent blog post on "Brands vs. Facebook."

Keep It Real!
iEllie

VEDA Day 27: Land Mass

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 23:44:00 +0000

VEDA Day 26: Prepping for Isaac

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 23:53:00 +0000

VEDA Day 25: Play/Nap time with Lucian

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 17:10:00 +0000

VEDA Day 24: Face-timing Dad

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Sun, 26 Aug 2012 17:09:00 +0000

Forgot to post...

VEDA Day 23: MPB

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:00:00 +0000

VEDA Day 22: Uncle Wiggily

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 13:43:00 +0000

Totally forgot to share out my VEDA Day 22 yesterday... Oops.

VEDA Day 21: Happy Birthday Cups in Flowood!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 00:07:00 +0000

VEDA Day 20: Modern Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 01:05:00 +0000

My Grandmother went in to have the battery replaced in her pacemaker. She is doing great! It's amazing what modern medicine can do!

VEDA Day 19: Waterspouts!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 01:30:00 +0000

There was a waterspout out on the Rez this evening. My mom saw it and so did a bunch of folks on Twitter. Just a typical Sunday :)

VEDA Day 18: Burgers and Geocaching!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 02:27:00 +0000

Grant and I went to Sonic and did some Geocaching along the way. We also went to Best Buy and Burgers and Blues! Mmmm!!!

VEDA Day 17: James Franco and Lightning

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 23:20:00 +0000

James Franco is in town doing a movie, lightning almost hit our house, the USM Alumni Association doesn't know my name, I forgot my cell phone and a rock hit my Windshield. Welcome to my Friday!

VEDA Day 16: Mists of Pandaria

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 23:08:00 +0000

Grant and I talk about the new Mists of Pandaria trailer. Check it out of you haven't already!

-Keep it Real-

VEDA Day 15: Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 22:55:00 +0000

Thank you, to all who responded to my question yesterday! I will try to come up with a few more questions to keep my VEDAs more interesting during the week :)

VEDA Day 14: Social Media Etiquette

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:33:00 +0000

What do you do when someone you are friends with through social media has died? Do you stay friends? Unfollow? What is the etiquette?

Don't ask the Internet a question, you'll end up with a shoe on your head.

VEDA Day 13: Chocolate Milk

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 02:07:00 +0000

Comcast continues to fail and I drink some yummy Chocolate Milk. NOMS!

VEDA Day 12: Closing Ceremony

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 02:07:00 +0000

Comcast keeps blipping in and out. This has been going on for over a week now. We contacted Comcast and they told us they are doing service in our area. My issue is that this has been going on for over a week and we have lost service for long periods of time. It's not good.

VEDA Day 11: Stop Cursing Grant!

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 04:00:00 +0000

My husband is a potty mouth. We have a discussion about cursing and children.

VEDA Day 10: Gentlemint

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 23:58:00 +0000

There is this new website for ment called Gentlemint. I had to get an invite and join! It's Pinterest for men. Here is Eli Moostache to give you the run down on what Gentlemint is all about. Be sure to go check it out and get an invite at: Gentlemint

You can also go check out my Gentlemint profile: Eli Moostache

VEDA Day 9: Blog Re-Design

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 01:47:00 +0000

My blog got a facelift!

VEDA Day 8: Grant talks about bears

noreply@blogger.com (Ellie Banks) — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 23:18:00 +0000

Grant talks about bears, more on Wilma playing Minecraft and it's Meatloaf Wednesday!