The Struggle Has Ended

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.

Wednesday, July 6, 2005

Radiation complete

ringbell.jpg

Yesterday I completed treatment number 30. With this comes the priviledge of ringing the bell. I rang it hard and long.

As she lined me up one last time, I conversed with Linda, the radiation therapist. She told me that she never gets tired of hearing the bell. It speaks to her, she says, because it somehow captures the journey - all the challenges, difficulties, and required perseverance in these lives with whom she has come into contact. She is in her second career after raising kids who have all moved out now. Her story is like so many employees here. The way many of them talk about it, they see their vocation as a ministry. They know death is all around here - not exactly the most pleasant work environment. And while most of us avoid the subject altogether, they want to do what they can - however small the effort - to move towards that hope of death's defeat. Linda's eyes were moist as she spoke of the "hope that is wrapped up in the the bell". And the hope she has for me. When I first saw the bell -- on a little plaque with a cute rhyme: "ring this bell, three times well..." -- I was a bit skeptical (as I am about anything that even hints of sentimentality) But I was wrong. In this technosicence era, where what really matters is clinical protocol, statistics and survival data and where "the patient" is an object of study with a bar code, the bell serves an important function - one that I now realize is sorely needed. Everyone seemed to know that around here but me.

With the tradition of bell ringing comes the tradition of a little party. So Christine and I brought a grocery store cake and some plastic forks and enjoyed it with total strangers, all of whom were waiting to get zapped. The interesting thing about waiting rooms at MD Anderson is that these perfect strangers are also in a way close friends. They know me and my life better than just about anyone. And I can listen to them and form a bond closer than most others in their lives. The patients cheer for each other, hold each others hands, and sometimes cry with each other. Faces give each other knowing looks, knowing smiles, knowing sighs. Humanity joined against a common enemy.

I did invite one old friend to the party. Dr. Jaffe is the pediatric oncologist who treated me for bone cancer many years ago and has been a good friend to me ever since. He is retiring next year. Hard to believe, given his passion for what he does. But he wants to spend some years resting and writing. He is 73 years old, after all.

(click images to enlarge)
radiation_team.jpg<-- My radiation therapy team - Dana, Cathy, and Linda.


jaffe_big.jpglittlegirl_big.jpgparty_big.jpgcake_big.jpg



18 comments:

Sally said...

Hallelujah! Thanks for sharing this milestone with us. And thanks be to God for bringing you through it!

Brian M said...

Wooohoooo! After a thirty round rematch, Greg "Nuke-em" Hewlett puts cancer down for the count! You da champ! You da champ!

Gerald said...

Congrats, Greg. You've always been one to persevere, so press on....

Anne Murray said...

Greg,
That is a genuine smile! I am so glad that you have found a little humanity in this whole dehumanizing process. I can tell that you and Christine shared your joy with your waiting room friends. I only wish we could have been there to share too. I know just how infectious you and Christine's "celebrate the moment" attitude can be.
lots of love, kisses and tears!
anne, michael, melina and sarabeth

John Slaughter said...

Great news Greg! I'm sure it felt really good to ring the bell.

sarah said...

You made it! Glad to see that you guys are celebrating after such a long, hard road. Keep your head up and your stomach filled with chocolate!

Pat said...

Congrats, my friend! We'll continue praying both for your increased health, and also that we don't get any more pictures of your "full moon" - were those silver hot pants under the gown? - in the inbox!:)
PGR

Carolyn Cotta said...

Our prayers have been answered but we will keep you and Christine in our prayers. Praise the Lord.

Shannon said...

Maybe you could change your front door bell to the same type of bell you've rung here... Maybe change your alarm clock to this kind of bell. Every morning you wake up, you ring it... Maybe, I don't know. It's just such a great symbol for so much. Thanks for the pictures.

Ben & Heather Hopp said...

Praise the Lord! Glad that this stage on your journey is done. Thanks for the updates and the reminder of the need to keep on praying.

Sue Hui said...

I am so happy for you now that you have finished another tough journey. We are looking forward to seeing you back here in the office. But first please be sure to rest well.

Sarah Hazel said...

I bet you could work that bell into your next jam session. "We need more bell...." ( in a Christopher Walken voice) Hopefully you know the Saturday Night Live skit!

Peg Crandall said...

With great joy I send you love and congratulations.
Peg Crandall (Your parents' Drury friend -and cancer survivor)

Lynn Scroggin said...

Greg:
This is such wonderful news. The day the bell(s) rang was a wonderful day indeed. Keep up the good work. YOu are in so many prayers including the Prayer Chain here at Tualatin Pres. in Oregon. We were Dick and Jeni Wiggers temporary flock. God is so good. Blessings to you and your lovely wife and family. Lynn

Carl said...

I can hear the bell 1500 miles from Houston. Thank You Lord

Roland Lindh said...

Well....all good things must come to an end!
As John Calvin was often heard to say, "Good Luck."
PS: Was that a mandolin I saw in one of your photo postings? If so, is it yours? And again, if so, where, how , and when?

max said...

Dude. I'm glad you made it.

Maria & Craig said...

Greg, I am so glad you were to ring that bell. I'm sure you ran it for alot of people. Praise the Lord. It's been a long journey, thanks for letting us share it with you and Christine.
Love, The Bradenbaugh's