Greg Hewlett passed away on January 17th after nearly eight years of battling colon cancer. While we grieve his loss, we are comforted to know that he is with his Lord.
If you would like to leave your thoughts on Greg, please see this thread.
If you would like to make a charitable donation in Greg's honor, please see this thread.
The Struggle Has Ended
Monday, June 16, 2003
Feeling better, RBC count rebounds
Today I had my third I.V. iron treatment - a triple dosage. My body again took the iron and associated drugs well. And I'm feeling bettter from the weekend.
At the doctor's office, they did not seem too concerned with the fever. It had been 101.4deg but had fallen this afternoon about a degree. They just figured it was the drugs. This reminded my mother and I of the years of chemo back in the 80s. Whenever I got a cold or the flu or other symptoms that normal people consider quite problematic, the cancer medical staff seemed to be unphased by it to get to the important things - like chemo, getting blood counts correct, etc. Today's situation had the same flavor.
My red blood count is up to 10.0. It had been as low as around 9.4. It needs to be 12-15. This means that the first iron treatment from last week is now starting to produce results - more red blood cells. This is a sign I will begin regaining strength. One more iron treatment is scheduled for Thursday. That is supposed to be all I'll need.
So overall, the fever symptoms, bodyaches, etc. are nearly gone tonight. I am planning on some good rest and the ability to get back to work in the coming days. Incidentally, TI is letting me work at home when necessary.
One other note - Christine and I have a dear friend, Judy Wu, from college who is a physician's assistant at MD Anderson in Houston. We had the oportunity to see her this Saturday in Dallas. As soon as she got back to work this morning, she added her firepower to the pressure and talked with several people including a GI doctor. They haven't called me yet, but I doubt it will take any longer than necessary for them to respond with all my allies down there. The strategy to get the attention of the MD Anderson GI department is my personal version of a shock-and-awe campaign. Thanks, Judy, for being a solid member of the coalition-of-the-willing...
I am thankful for all of the above and for having made it through another day.
At the doctor's office, they did not seem too concerned with the fever. It had been 101.4deg but had fallen this afternoon about a degree. They just figured it was the drugs. This reminded my mother and I of the years of chemo back in the 80s. Whenever I got a cold or the flu or other symptoms that normal people consider quite problematic, the cancer medical staff seemed to be unphased by it to get to the important things - like chemo, getting blood counts correct, etc. Today's situation had the same flavor.
My red blood count is up to 10.0. It had been as low as around 9.4. It needs to be 12-15. This means that the first iron treatment from last week is now starting to produce results - more red blood cells. This is a sign I will begin regaining strength. One more iron treatment is scheduled for Thursday. That is supposed to be all I'll need.
So overall, the fever symptoms, bodyaches, etc. are nearly gone tonight. I am planning on some good rest and the ability to get back to work in the coming days. Incidentally, TI is letting me work at home when necessary.
One other note - Christine and I have a dear friend, Judy Wu, from college who is a physician's assistant at MD Anderson in Houston. We had the oportunity to see her this Saturday in Dallas. As soon as she got back to work this morning, she added her firepower to the pressure and talked with several people including a GI doctor. They haven't called me yet, but I doubt it will take any longer than necessary for them to respond with all my allies down there. The strategy to get the attention of the MD Anderson GI department is my personal version of a shock-and-awe campaign. Thanks, Judy, for being a solid member of the coalition-of-the-willing...
I am thankful for all of the above and for having made it through another day.
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5 comments:
This up is from God
GREG,
HOPE THINGS CONTINUE ON AN UPWARD SPIRAL. I HAVE TRIED TO FORWARD OUR COMMUNICATIONS TO MIKE AND MICHELLE, TO NO AVAIL. THE COALITION IS WITH YOU, IN MIND, SOUL, AND SPIRIT. DO YOU THINK YOUR PARENTS WOULD MIND IF I WENT TO CHURCH WITH THEM THIS SUNDAY IF THEY ARE IN TOWN? YOUR FAITHFUL FRIEND.......
RIK
AND BY THE WAY, IT LOOKS LIKE RICE AND UT ARE GOING TO MATCH UP FOR A "DOUBLE ELIMINATION GAME" AS EARLY AS TOMORROW. MY GOODNESS WHO TO CHEER FOR? SHOULD I ASK YOUR SISTERS, OR USE MY OWN DISCRESSION?
STILL FAITHFULLY YOURS,
RIK
Greg,
It's been great to get updates on the web on how to be praying specifically for you and Christine. The summer project team here has been praying for you. I've also asked my friends to be praying. So know that we are praying for you in Russia.
From Russia With Love,
David
PS I've been waiting for the videos of the Rice games, but your update gave away who won the first 2 games. Oh well, 2 Cor 4:16-18 gives the proper perspective that baseball is just temporal. You can take hope in the fact that the affliction and suffering that you are enduring now is also temporary, and that the Lord is producing in your inner man something wonderful and beyond comparison.
Still it's fun to root for the Owls. LET'S GO RICE!!!
glad the fever symptoms and bodyaches
are almost gone
glad your red blood count has increased
hope your 2nd and 3rd iron iv treatments
push the red blood count up to at least 12
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