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
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Results stable
It has been a long time since I've updated you. Thanks for all the expressions of concern in my absence.
I am taking a rather difficult treatment of a chemo protocol called FOLFIRI+Avastin. It is administered in fourteen day cycles. Typically, I'm pretty sick at the beginning but by the fifth day or so, I'm more functional. Nothing severe or dangerous - just makes me feel lousy, kind of like the flu with intestinal problems. Hard to believe I've endured 14 of these since February, when I started the current plan.
A week ago I went to MD Anderson for a round of testing and meetings with doctors. The good news was that the tumors (of which there are three, all around a couple centimeters) are all completely stable. This means the chemo is working to hold them back. I will continue this chemo plan indefinitely as long as my body can take it and the situation is stable. The doctors continue to marvel at how long this class of chemotherapy has been effective. We're way past six years now in a field where 1-2 yrs is considered quite successful.
I am enjoying the simple life. It is really surprising how wonderful life is when it is stripped of so many "good" things. Like work and accomplishments and accumulation of stuff. I've found that music (playing guitar, mostly) is a great therapeutic retreat when I feel the sickest. Much better for the soul than TV, I've discovered. You can check out some of my music on my youtube channel. (youtube.com/greghewlett). Unfortunately, reading has become a bit more difficult - hard to concentrate when I'm feeling crummy. I have many good friends surrounding me with support and my church has been a wonderful source of nourishment for me. I've been able to visit family in St Louis and NYC and hope to see my sister (Julie) in Denver soon. I'm on full medical leave from TI, as I am unable to work under the chemo.
I am growing in learning how to significantly reduce expectations on my body and live well with what I've got. Not much differently from what we all do, really.
Christine is still pursuing medical help at her parents home, so my friend Bill Burns has been staying with me at my home. He just turned forty, so if you talk with him, be sure to give him a hard time.
I am taking a rather difficult treatment of a chemo protocol called FOLFIRI+Avastin. It is administered in fourteen day cycles. Typically, I'm pretty sick at the beginning but by the fifth day or so, I'm more functional. Nothing severe or dangerous - just makes me feel lousy, kind of like the flu with intestinal problems. Hard to believe I've endured 14 of these since February, when I started the current plan.
A week ago I went to MD Anderson for a round of testing and meetings with doctors. The good news was that the tumors (of which there are three, all around a couple centimeters) are all completely stable. This means the chemo is working to hold them back. I will continue this chemo plan indefinitely as long as my body can take it and the situation is stable. The doctors continue to marvel at how long this class of chemotherapy has been effective. We're way past six years now in a field where 1-2 yrs is considered quite successful.
I am enjoying the simple life. It is really surprising how wonderful life is when it is stripped of so many "good" things. Like work and accomplishments and accumulation of stuff. I've found that music (playing guitar, mostly) is a great therapeutic retreat when I feel the sickest. Much better for the soul than TV, I've discovered. You can check out some of my music on my youtube channel. (youtube.com/greghewlett). Unfortunately, reading has become a bit more difficult - hard to concentrate when I'm feeling crummy. I have many good friends surrounding me with support and my church has been a wonderful source of nourishment for me. I've been able to visit family in St Louis and NYC and hope to see my sister (Julie) in Denver soon. I'm on full medical leave from TI, as I am unable to work under the chemo.
I am growing in learning how to significantly reduce expectations on my body and live well with what I've got. Not much differently from what we all do, really.
Christine is still pursuing medical help at her parents home, so my friend Bill Burns has been staying with me at my home. He just turned forty, so if you talk with him, be sure to give him a hard time.
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13 comments:
You are an inspiration and I will continue to pray for you and your wife.
-DJ
Hey Greg, it is so good to hear that you are stable and enjoying life. I just returned for CO it is sooo beautiful. Tell Julie hi from me.
Love,Karen C.
Greg, we are so glad to hear your good news, and also your positive attitude. What a gift to appreciate the simple things in life and not strive for "more."
blessings, Kristi and Michael
So glad to hear the good report. You are amazing, Greg. Maybe you should write a book about all this, and the way God has sustained you throughout.
-chuck
No other name is higher, mightier,or more powerful than the name of Jesus. That includes the name of cancer, the name of any cancer. At the name of Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God.
Is. 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD.
Greg,
It is so good to hear from you. More than glad to learn that the chemo are holding back the cancer at bay. Yesterday while driving, the thought of you pop up, and I was wondering how you are doing.
Some of the songs that helped me thru hard times are:
Hold my hand, precious Lord
Sweet hour of prayer
Hiding in Thee
Be still my soul
Saviour leads me all the way
Amazing grace
What a friend we have in Jesus
The lyrics for many of those songs are incredibly comforting and uplifting...
Does the medication cause you to put on weight?
May you remain strong and be very courageous, for the Lord walks with you and Christine every step of the way. For His spirit exercises mighty power, in those who are His own.
Henry
Thank You Lord
Thanks for the update and the good report. We are praying for you and Christine. Praise God for His faithfulness to you day by day!
Josh
Thanks for the update, it's great to hear from you! We are praying for you and Christine. You are such a wonderful testimony to the goodness of God.
Chara
I am certainly so glad to hear from you. I talked with your mom recently and we are continuing our prayers to a special guy who looks into life in such a positive way. We love you, Greg. Keep fighting and enjoying your guitar. Willeyne
I want to come hear you play - or if you're up for it, come here and see all our chillins. Love, S
Wonderful update, Greg, and I enjoyed your creativity with the musical offerings and graphics very much! Thanks for including the link. The message of simplicity. Quite profound. I agree with Chuck ~ when you feel like it, you might work on putting pen to paper (or the electronic equivalent) or more picks to strings and see how the Lord leads. There is definitely a message or two in all that continues to transpire. Blessings on you and Christine! Prayers ascending for you! Glad you've had such wonderful fellowship with the family in its various locations!
Love in Christ our Head,
Madeleine
Wonderful to hear your good news! Loved the videos with your nieces... you & they are great singers & musicians! Many years fighting cancer with Christ there with you has given you a great outlook on life. Please post news as to how Christine is doing with her medical issues. Miss You! Much Love, Cathy Allen
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