In March of 2009, North Cape May resident Ellen Quatro found a lump. She immediately feared the lump may be cancerous, and made an appointment with her physician Dr. Donald Tomasello. Dr. Tomasello acted quickly, performed two different biopsies of the tissue in question. Ellen soon learned that the lump was in fact cancerous and she was scheduled for a lumpectomy. Dr. Tomasello also detected sternum cancer in Ellen’s chest which would have to be treated with a series of chemotherapy sessions. Ellen’s lumpectomy was performed on May 19, 2009, a date “that I have never forgotten,” states Ellen.
The surgery was a success and Ellen continued to her next phase of treatment. She began chemotherapy at Hope Cancer Center on July 14, 2009. It was here that one of the employees suggested that she reach out to the Love of Linda Cancer Fund for some financial assistance with her mounting travel expenses. “It was a 25 mile drive up, and 25 miles back,” explains Ellen’s fiancé Richard McElroy. “You don’t realize how quickly it can add up.”
Ellen thought that it couldn’t hurt to at least write to Love of Linda detailing her diagnosis, doctors, and current treatment plan. She as floored when less than one week later she received a $300 check and letter offering support and encouragement in the mail from Love of Linda. “What’s so wonderful about their donations is that you can use them any way you choose,” states Ellen. This financial support certainly helped Ellen and Rich make their way to and from Hope Cancer Center for the remainder of four treatment series, with each session lasting 8 hours.
Dr. Vijay Ghandi served as Ellen’s primary oncologist and sent her for a PET scan following the conclusion of her first chemotherapy treatments in February of 2010. This scan indicated that Ellen’s sternum cancer had progressed aggressively. Dr. Ghandi decided to have Ellen’s tumor tested in order to prescribe the ideal form of chemotherapy treatments for the cancerous cells. Ellen once again beagn chemotherapy on February 23 at Hope Cancer Center. Meanwhile, she continued to receive donation checks in the mail from Love of Linda representatives once every three months.
Throughout treatment, “I lost my hair twice,” she states. “We spent hours and days at Hope Cancer Center,” she explains. “It was a nightmare,” adds Richard. Yet throughout these trying times, Ellen knew that she could count on the kind words and support of the Love of Linda Fund. Each Christams, Love of Linda sent Ellen a $25 gift card to ShopRite in order to treat her to a holiday meal. Ellen has only the fondest memories of her interactions with the organization and the way its representatives made her feel throughout her treatments.
“I was going through many changes in my life during the cancer, and Love of Linda came into my life and made me realize how much they care for all the local women going through hard times. It was like I got lifted out of the darkness and saw the light again.”
Ellen was officially declared to be in remission on October 8, 2010, and is now four years cancer-free. She follows up with Dr. Ghandi once every four months and receives regular mammograms. Ellen struggles with pain and numbness due to neuropathy in her feet nearly daily and has spasms in her chest from time to time due to radiation treatments. “I just have to grin and bear it,” she states. After losing two aunts to breast cancer, Ellen is simply happy to have her life. For the most part, “everything has gone back to normal.” She and Richard reside in North Cape May by the Ferry terminal and are making the most of one another’s company.
Ellen does all that she can to give back to Love of Linda in any way possible. She makes donations, has attended benefits, and keeps in touch with a number of the organization members. I will always be grateful for the way they treated me and gave me the chance to feel like a true woman again just as my partner Richard did. I have lifetime friends through Love of Linda and give so much thanks to Margaret Clark and Amy Mahon. They are two great ladies who do so much for the organization,” finishes Ellen.
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
