Who I Am

My name is Ellen Hanson.  I am a Registered Nurse and I am also a Cancer Mom. 

My son Sean was diagnosed with Stage 3, Intermediate Risk Neuroblastoma on September 9th, 2003. Everything changed for all of us on this day. 

For 20 years I worked as a med-surg nurse in many different settings. My professional life has been an asset in my fight with Sean's cancer, with each new experience building upon those that came before. Both in my work life as a caregiver, and in my battle against cancer, I have never stopped learning.

I've also worked as a case manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and for the Visiting Nurse Association. Most recently I worked in a Physician's Office in the Allergy Dept. and also at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. There my main focus was cardiac surgery and then Day surgery and the Pre-admitting Test Center.  

Along the way I have worked with many cancer patients, including friends, that have needed some help or guidance or maybe just a "medical" pair of ears, for listening, (Breast Cancer, Colon Cancer, Throat Cancer X3, NSC Lung cancer, Small Cell lung Cancer.) 

In 2002 my Dad was diagnosed with Non-small cell lung cancer. It was during his struggle that my 11mo. old triplet son Sean was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. As I was trying to digest this news...(Neuro-what?!)  I was also teaching my non-nursing sister, how to care for Dad.  She had to jump in and pinch hit for me. 

I remember the shock, fear, confusion, isolation and so much more that followed. During the three and a half years, since Sean's diagnosis, I have learned so much more. 

I am not alone. Neuroblastoma is the third most common cancer of Childhood. I have learned that it is not the same as adult cancers, like Dad's. The information and treatment choices are almost never black and white. 

Many people assume that the Doctor "knows".  I've learned that different Doctor's "know" different things.  I've learned to be thankful for such dedicated physician's, nurse's, researchers, etc., that Study Neuroblastoma and work tirelessly for a cure.  I've learned that parents have the capacity not only to advocate for their children, but to physically, emotionally, spiritually care for their child with more skill than they ever imagined possible. I learned how difficult it is to focus, when I was overwhelmed with information, yet short on time or attention. This is only a tiny glimpse into how it is that I am here now. 

I want you to know that there are resources, and there is information, that can help you. There is incredible support, education and love. My goal is to connect some of these things, to have a central place to obtain information and support, to have a place that you can refer back to again and again and again, and not worry about "losing" the information, or "forgetting," when you are totally overwhelmed, a place where there is communication, where you can learn that there is Hope (with a capital “H”), and that there are options for you and your child. I want this to be a place where you can feel comfortable and know that you are not alone. There are many that have gone before on this journey, and thankfully there are many that are able to share, and we will all  be here for you.

If you have a question, or a thought you want to share, you can email me at ellen@loneliesthour.org. I answer every one as quickly as I can.