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.

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Fish

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At 6:45 am, I walk into the doors of MD Anderson Cancer Center. I and thousands of other patients. It is important that we arrive on time, so that we can wait. We must be calm and ready when the staff calls. We sit in our respective stations to be tested, scanned, infused, radiated, probed, cut, examed, questioned, and/or told if we might live. Currently, I am in a small quiet corner of Waiting Room B of Diagnostic Imaging Center C in Building R. I am sitting next to a fish tank. Many fish work at MD Anderson. They are part of the social services/psychiatry department. They keep us calm.

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Fish workers with patient 169996

I am sitting next to my friend Mark. He is enjoying banana bread. I am fasting for the scan. No bread for me or the fish.

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15 comments:

Kurt said...

Greg, you're becoming a modern-day Solzhenitsyn in your recounting. Either that, or cancer treatment is becoming more Soviet. Or both?
Praying for you guys...

Gary said...

Thanks for the insight into what institutional waiting is like for you. It also brought a smile to my face.

Roland Lindh said...

Regarding the Fish and bread:
"Break thou the bread of life;
Dear Lord, to me.
As thou did'st break the loaves,
Beside the sea."

Henry Chu said...

Greg, Pray that all will go well. Mandatory fasting can serve as spiritual fasting as well, dual edged effectiveness?
Your comments reminds me of the word from "Deut 6??" that man does not live on bread alone, but by everyword from the mouth of God.
May His peace fill you like the water over the ocean. May His peace be your joy, and your joy be your best medication.
With God, all is possible. I will join you in prayers. Henry

Dave Belicheck said...

You got it going on bro.

leyla said...

Greg,
You are awesome. What you wrote, and the pictures are gripping and impressive. It resonates deeply. Wow & Ouch !
Sending you prayers and best wishes from Istanbul as always,
Leyla

Margot Thibodeau said...

Greg, I passed this email on to our daughter who will no doubt empathize greatly with you. Your humor keeps you going. Have you read Reynolds Price's book, A Whole New Life? If you have not and let me know, I'll drop a copy by your house. I just finished his amazing story of his own battle with cancer. He is prof of English at Duke and also a Biblical scholar. Margot thibodeau

kim said...

Sounds like fun. Ughhhhh! Why is it so hard to live sometimes? Hang in there.... Kim

willeyne berger said...

I can certainly relate to what you are saying. sometimes I have to wait 1-2 1/2 hrs for a dr. We are at their mercy. I always like fish as they are interesting to watch. We had them in our first home and loved them except for cleaning the tank!!

Patty McNally Doherty said...

Greg,
You don't know me but I've been following your blog since January 2007. Two of my brothers were diagnosed with colon cancer within a week of each other. I researched the web and stumbled upon your blog. It's been my daily reading for months.
These pictures you posted on this entry brought back such strong memories of walking the halls and sitting in the waiting rooms that I felt compelled to comment.
You are SO not alone. Just as we weren't alone when my brothers went through it. There is a long line of people who have gone before you and who will come after you. The fact that you document this journey, reminding us all of our common path, fills me with gratitude.
Thank you for this blog.
Sincerely,
Patty Doherty

Robin said...

Greg, Hang in there. Hoping to see you soon. Have you got your costume yet? Less than six weeks to the wedding...

Carl said...

People say that you need a sense of humor to do anything important. You have that gift. I thank the Lord for your gift.

sarah said...

Hi Greg. Glad to see that you are able to find some humor in all of this. I wish i could bring Mati to make you smile. We are thinking about you and Christine constantly. Keep your chin up!

jenny said...

I too am a Greg's blog follower. I have smiled and cried...prayed and pondered. Your words have been a source of strength during the recent news that my husband has cancer too. His is different, but somehow the "C" word makes us family. When I found your blog last year I had no idea that cancer would make an appearance in my home, but armed with your words and wisdom, I feel better prepared to face what lies ahead.
The fish are lucky to have their picture taken with YOU! Thanks for sharing.

Nils said...

Was the fish look intentional?