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.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

New C-Leg approved!

Hard to believe. After wrestling with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas since November of last year, including a number of rounds of correspondence and appeals, and even trying to change the law, I was approved to get a new prosthesis with the C-Leg microprocessor knee. (Here's a cool graphic of the new design)

I've been limping around on my old one and it really affects my ability to do the walking needed for recovery. And it would be really great for me and Christine to take a walk together!

I'm really in no shape to go through the process - it takes 1-2 weeks and requires physical preserverance and patience as there are many rounds of reshaping of the socket, tweaking of the alignment, etc. But my prosthetist and doctor believe that the benefits to me will be so worth it, that I'm going to do this in my chemo off-week. If we finish, great. If not, I'll just pick it up another off-week.

I would have never out-lasted BCBS without the extensive perseverance of Peggy at Sabolich, the generosity of Scott Sabolich and team, who generously gave me a loaner knee for all this time, Dr. Shapiro and Cathy at Texas Cancer Assoc, and Dr. Oeffinger at Sloan-Kettering. (Read about his unique program for long-term childhood cancer survivors)

C-Leg and Dolce.JPG



5 comments:

Brian Marquis said...

Woohooo! Congratulations, and PRAISE JESUS!
Maybe now you can write an upbeat, techno-dance mix based on "Peg Leg Blues" to commemorate the long awaited event, and you could use it for your workouts. Of course, you'd have to come up with a flashy DJ name for yourself... ;)
Hang in there, my friend, and enjoy this time with Christine. God often has such uncanny ways of causing us to rest in Him, even when there are storms raging all around us. Isn't it bizzare that one of the most calm and restful places on Earth is in the eye of an hurricane? Or in the boat with Jesus in the middle of a tempest-tossed Sea of Galilee? Hmmm... you'd think He's trying to tell us something.(...for since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead... - Rom. 1:28)
May God bless you in this time as you rest in Him, and may He work healing in you both, that as you comfort each other you may be comforted in Him with much joy, hope, and peace, by his almighty Spirit. We are continually praying for you at Cristo Rey!

Ruth said...

What an unexpected blessing in the middle of great and ongoing trials! God is good.

elizabeth polak said...

Greg, I'm so glad that you're getting that new leg. I'll pray for strength to get all the fittings done in one week. I'm glad that you have this website so we can keep informed of how you're doing. please give our love to Christine.
Elizabeth

Sarah said...

Fantastic news!

Scott said...

Dude, I am sooooooooo jealous!!! I've been trying for 18 months to get a new one... I'm really proud for you, that's just the greatest news!! Stay strong!!!!!