Dear Ellen, I dedicate this story to John Travolta. I would like to share a brief and remarkable story of the past seven years of my life of being diagnosed with epilepsy and how it lead to brain surgery.
My seizures began at the age of twelve. The type of seizures I had had been very unexplainable, and still to this day are very hard to explain the type of sensations that would occur. For the first two years of having the sensations it was difficult to get a doctor to actually believe that there was something wrong. I would try my best to explain to them what it felt like, but it was almost impossible. The third year of having the sensations, I had two Grand Mal seizures. I was taken to the hospital both times and only those who transferred me were witnesses of the seizures, but still other doctors would tell us there was no proof.
Later that year I was diagnosed with epilepsy by one of my greatest heroes, Dr. Laschwani, a Neurologist at Cleveland Clinic. He was the first to take the time to study the unexplainable activity occurring throughout my body. After spending a week at Cleveland Clinic Dr. L. was able to find proof that there was a slight sign of epilepsy, but still no explanation for the sensations. Due to that he prescribed me with medication. As the next four years went by, the sensations were only partially controlled with medication. The sensations continued to increase in number and duration. I was having at least five a week. They would last seconds to clusters at a time.
Due to the continuous sensations, Dr. L. recommnded another trip to Clevland Clinic in December 2007. And so I returned for more monitoring. Because the diseased area was so deep into the brain tissue, it was difficult to read from just a simple EEG, which is an electroencephalogram that records the electrical signals of the brain to catch any suspicious activity. The electrical activity is detected by electrodes or sensors, placed on the patient's scalp and transmitted to a polygraph that records the activity. At the end of that week, my team had an idea as to where the diseased area was located on my brain, which was the left frontal lobe. Unfortunately and thankfully, the ideal area found was due to having a Grand Mal seizure. After all said and done, Dr. L. decided to determine the sensations as seizures and reccomedended a brain resection(brain surgery). I myself, at the age of 19 agreed to take that next step. My friends and family supported my decision and were by my side through the whole process, to the point where they each took turns shaving the hair off my head. In Mid-May of 2008 I had the first surgery of placing the grids onto my brain. These grids were similar to the EEG only would give a better reading since placed directly onto the brain. I had 6 different grids and a total of 150 electrodes. After the first surgery they monitored me for another week, including a 6 hour session with another Neurologist, Dr. Gupta and some interns. Dr. Gupta was able to control my brain by just a press of a button. Technology is absolutely incredible these days!! The unfortunate part of this process was that by controlling me, I was a split second from having 2-3 Grand Mal Seizures. They also caused me to not be able to read the exercises given or simply talk. That there was quite tragic and frustrating. A day or two later they discovered from the tests that the diseased area was only
1 centimeter away from my motor skills. But were still able to go in and do the resection on May 21st, just one week later from the first surgery. They removed about a thumb size of brain tissue.(I asked to keep it, but my surgeon, Dr. Binghamen said it would turn into liquid)?
Anyhow, I have been cured since May 21st of 2008. I have had no seizures, nor the slightest bit of a sensation. Now, that is one great blessing. This surgery has greatly changed my life. I am able to drive again since the six month period since the second surgery, I am able to have kids, under certain circumstances, I can have a sip of alcohol every now and then, BUT most of all, can reach my many goals in life.
Ellen, I just want to share out there to all that if you or someone you know have some risk to take that could possibly cure you, do it. Do not let it hold you back. I am still partially recovering and just five weeks later since the surgery, I took my State Boards(state test in order to receive Cosmetology license) and passed. Two weeks after that, I returned to work as a Cosmetologist. And just recently not even three months after surgery, I chose to achieve my second goal of becoming an Interior Designer at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.
We can all reach our goals. People should not be extremely frightened from taking that next step, you can be scared of course, but just take that chance, that risk, and most important, BELIEVE and have FAITH. You will succeed in some way, shape or form. Ellen, people just need to realize that almost anything is possible.
And for Mr. Travolta, my heart goes out to you and your family for the loss of your son. It was very tragic and very unexpected. I hope my story didn't offend you in any way. I know it is too late for you to take that next step, but I figured this story could maybe help support families in need of taking that next step themselves.

By Hannah J. Miller

To Whom It May Concern:

I am the mother, father, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin,
grandfather, niece, nephew, colleague, acquaintance or friend of an amazing
woman. At 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, we received devastating
news that our beloved Theresa had breast cancer in both breasts. The
whirlwind began with a three day long failed induction @ aprrox 37 weeks
pregnant which ended with the c-section delivery of her beautiful son!
Because she ended up having a c-section, her bilateral mastectomy was
postponed for a couple of weeks. In the meantime she will be having
scans/MRIs/x-rays of every major organ in her body and blood testing to see
if the disease has moved to other parts. She is going to begin chemo
and radiation treatments within the next few weeks as well.

It all started with a lump she found on her honeymoon approximately 1
1/2 years ago at age 31. After a mammogram, her doctor was unconcerned
at the time and basically told her to just live with the lump. At
approximately 30 weeks pregnant, she found a large lump in the other breast
and her current doctor (different than the original) decided to probe a
bit further with an ultra sound. Soon thereafter, mammograms and then
biopsies.

This is a tragic, tragic story. Our journey with Theresa is just
beginning, but this experience has brought something out from within her. She
and her family want to begin a crusade to RAISE BREAST HEALTH
AWARENESS FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND SEND A MESSAGE TO PEOPLE TO ASK QUESTIONS AND
ADVOCATE HARDER FOR THEMSELVES. Doctors as we all know are not the end
all be all and if you are concerned, worried or are not comfortable
with a doctor or their choices, even one you've had a wonderful history
with, IT IS OK TO QUESTION AND DEMAND WHAT YOU THINK IS BEST FOR YOU!
You may even have to go to another doctor to get what you need done.

I am not saying that detecting Theresa's cancers earlier would have
made her situation any less complicated or serious, but if her story could
help even one young woman realize that breast self exams are not only
for older women, that they can actually save her life and that she has
the power to take control of her own healthcare, then Theresa will know
she has made a difference!

Theresa thinks the Ellen show has great humor and spirit....two
qualities that the wonderful host and Theresa share! I am sending this note in
support of bringing Theresa onto your show so she can use it as a
platform to get the message out that Breast Health Awareness for women is
important, even for young women! Women of all ages need to be checking
themselves, getting genetic testing to find out if they are predisposed
to the disease and be diligent in advocating for themself with their
healthcare professional!

HEEeeeee

HeEEEeee HEEEEeee eHEEEhEHHEEHhHHehhEEE!!!!

Oh Ellen!!!... this could happen. Anything is possible!

That would be scary. I've been watching your monologues over and having your show on for back ground as I fix lunch! I have seen these shows before. So its all broken.. but I will watch Tuesday without blinking!.. I'll blink during commercials! :)

Piranhas are good eats if you ever get stranded and are hungry. I think you wrap 'em up in a leaf and cook 'em .. really cook 'em 'cause they are very dirty.. disease. I learned while watching survival guy.. bear I think his name is .. Ellis. Theirs a tree that you can put on your cuts... its white and the sap is red! Good stuff to know if ever I get in a predicament as that! Who knows... anything is possible. I hope not though!

wink a dink its a coinkadink! Ok mad scientist!!! Give me your best shot!!... Go ahead... Make mY DAY!!!! well.. punk... do you feel lucky!!... well do ya???? LOL
T

ellen i was at city walk o march 29 you were getting ready for your show well the studio put cable wires on the floor and covered them with aplastic and it was so full of people because of your show that i trpped a went flying and landed on my knee and side i could not walk for 2 months and now i am still in pain the medic said they never have this on the floor but because of your show they put down the cables and it should be up in the air held by poles so people like me should not be at risk i did not even know there was a show i cracked my knee and oter things i went to enjoy my self with my 2 daughert and grand son he is 4 years old andhe is very concerned about my leg. i think you should make sure that any future shows are risk free for people . also i am a realtor and i cannot work. i was very busy before march 29. rochelle cozzi

ELLEN YOU ARE THE BEST

I've been tryin to get in touch with you. Here's my story. My sister in law was diagnosed with cancer of the brain and lungs last month and has gone from a vital woman of 50 to someone who can barely speak or walk and has been told she has 6 months at the outside to live. My brother and their daughter, son in law and grandchildren have shaved their heads in solidarity rented a mobile home to travel from colorado to california to grant my sis in law's wish to see all her relatives before she dies. My family is not the type to ask for help, and would never ever consent to being on film in return for monetary help, but I fear my brother, who has recently retired from many years as a federal correctional officer, and who's son in law served in Irac, has given up any monetary concern in order to grant his soulmate's last wish, will be penniless when(god forbid) she is gone. Please, I know you have connections. How can I help? Thanks for listening.

hi ellan i see ur show evry day at 8 am ur the best and wish u all the best and may god bless u and keep up the good work hun love ya