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.

Monday, May 10, 2010

Trips coming up

This week is exciting because I will be travelling to Delaware to see Christine. My brother-in-law Mark is helping out, flying to meet me in Baltimore for the three-hour drive out to Bethany Beach, where Christine's folks live. It will be good to see her. Both of our health situations has us so frustratingly stuck.

Upon returning after a few days, I will go down to Houston for a checkup trip (already? yes.) Dr. Eng only wanted to wait six weeks to keep on top of things. I really hope things are stable. My cancer blood marker was down to the 6's after slowly climbing this year from under 4 to the 7's. On the other hand, I've had a couple of discouraging signs - I seem to feel some pressure, tightness, dull pain, in my chest. Either my mind's playing tricks or something is up with the cancer. Could just be from coughing a lot.

Also, I've coughed up blood several times in the past couple weeks. It was not the first time. I've done so maybe once a month for many months. At that frequency, it didn't mean much to the doctors. We'll see if this is significant now that it is more often. I must say it hits you deep. To cough and cough and then have that taste in your mouth. You know, that bloody lip taste. Only it is not a cut, but the cough. Then there's this quick, heightened, mental montage - knowing, hoping not, probably is, not again, then looking. Red. Such a let down. In the movies, it's always the first sign of a bad health storm approaching. Does it have to be?

Funny thing - this is really the first physical sign I have ever had of the cancer. All my physical problems over the past seven years have been from the treatment, not the cancer itself. Not much I can do, so I just keep pressing on, praying, enjoying, and hoping perhaps for some good news.


5 comments:

Henry Chu said...

Dear Greg and Chrstine,

So glad to hear that you are taking the trip to see Christine. May you and Chrstine be together for many many years to come. That is our most earnest prayer and daily prayer.

Thinking about you,
Henry

Anonymous said...

Dear Greg -

Thanks for this update. Will be praying for the time that you and Christine have together. May the One who has redeemed you through His blood (Eph. 1:7) give you grace and strength sufficient for each day.

With you in His grace,
Josh

Anonymous said...

Greg: Wow, you're coming over to my neck of the woods!! We vacationed in Bethany Beach every summer when I was a kid. And I live close to Baltimore. It would be cool to meet you some day, but until then, enjoy your time with your wife. You are such a fighter and I pray things look up for you and your wife. God's strenth, comfort, and peace be with you both. Ann Strauss

Anonymous said...

Greg: I just reread what I wrote, and some of it didn't come across the way I meant. I just meant to say you are an admirable person and it would be cool to meet you someday. That probably will not happen; I just wish you and your wife the very best what with all you both have been through. Your faith and endurance truly inspire me. Sorry I came across the wrong way in the last message. God bless. Ann Strauss

Kristi said...

Hi Greg,

I hope you have a very good visit with Christine. And I'm so sorry to hear about your coughing up blood -- that sounds disturbing. We are joining Henry in praying for many years for you and Christine to be together. blessings, Kristi