First, welcome to the forum.
Second, thank you so much for taking the time to write and ask questions BEFORE it was too late.
Thirdly, thank you so much for actually LISTENING.
Seriously, I can't tell you the number of times I've seen people here and forums like this that will ask for advice and then promptly ignore it.
I've been to Ellison's several times. I've even descended down about 100' from the attic before climbing back out (lack of time to catch my train in the evening has prevented me from dropping the entire thing and then ascending). I've got to say, it's damn scary. That much rope really is different in so many ways.
Hopefully you'll have a long, fun career caving.
And if I can make a plug, since it's in your area, check out
Week Long Cave Rescue Class.
Great training and you'll learn a lot. And you never know when you might be able to help out.