Interview with Nicholas R Lewis

 

When where you first diagnosed and what was your diagnosis?

I was first diagnosed in the early 90s around the age of ten, while living in Portland Oregon. I was diagnosed with osteogenetic sarcoma, which is a form of bone cancer.

What hospital did you receive your treatments at?

I was receiving my chemotherapy at Doernbecher Children Hospital. However, during the early 90s I was receiving treatments at the old hospital. The Children's ward was not like the new Dorenbechers hospital, I remember it being outdated, dark, and eerie. 

Who was your attending physician?

At the time of treatments my attending physician was Dr. Neerhout. Dr. Neerhout was always smiling and upbeat despite what he had to deal with. He was a great man and sadly passed away in 93 from a heart attack. Though a few operations took place in Portland, soon afterwards my major operations would take place at Children's hospital in Seattle Washington. My orthopedic surgeon was Dr. Chappie Conrade. However, the last few years I have had my most recent operations here in Oregon. My orthopedic Surgeon here in Oregon now is Dr. Hayden.

What sort of operations did you undergo since your first diagnosis?

I underwent a full hip replacement in my left leg. Since the early 90s I have undergone about six major operations on my hip replacement. A majority of the time was because I was still growing and in the early years some of these methods of installing hip replacements in young children were still new. Other times I believe it was my fault. Sense I have always been an active kid I took part in many sports and activities such as golfing, horse back riding, and even Cycling. And one time I went rock climbing in an indoor gym. Because of my not being so careful I ended up breaking the titanium rod in my leg, which happened a few times…like I said doing things I should not have been doing. But what can I say. I know I have limitations, but you can’t keep me down. Although I am still active, these days as I am getting older I have to play it safe. No crazy stunts for me.

During your treatments what did you do to keep yourself busy?

During my treatments I aspired to be an artist. I think I got this from my grandfather who was a draftsman.  As I spent my days in treatment, I found myself immerssed in art and therfore spent my entire time in the hospital drawing.  Otherwise I collected sports cards, built models, and watched movies to keep my mind occupied.

What goals if any did you have while you where in treatment?

My goals as I have stated was to become an artist. Though, I had other goals such as writing, and traveling. I believe that the ambitions that I carry with me, has allowed me to survive during my illness. I am here to live the life of an artist rich or poor.

What fun activities where you involved in while undergoing treatments?

While I was not focused on my goals I was involved in camp AGAPE, which is a children's cancer camp. Also because of the Make a Wish Foundation I went to Hawaii back in the 90s. My family and I have also been involved with Candlelighters and while my family and I stayed in Seattle we stayed at the Ronald Mcdonald House. I’ve also volunteered one year for the Relay for Life. It’s always good to support and stay involved in these organizations such as the ones that I mentioned.

What was life after your treatments?

I will be honest.  It was not easy. I had a difficult time in middle school and high school. Besides some learning problems I was dealing with learning how to live life with a hip replacement. While I maintained my dreams of working as an artist I continued to take art classes. In high school I discovered graphic design and photography. Since I had a hip replacement I knew that I not only had to keep my mind active, but my body as well. I spent a lot of time during high school after school working out in the gym lifting weights. In addition for a better part of my life I took any job I could get. Working in grocery store all through high school, and for a year in a warehouse (where I broke my leg while on the job.) Don't drive forklifts kids and don't lift anything over fifty pounds if you have an implant like mine.  I think I took these jobs because I had never used my condition as an excuse to get out of anything. I wanted to be productive in society and earn my own living. Still to this day I have never used my disability as an excuse.

Have you attended collage and if so what was your major?

I began attending The Art Institute of Portland in 2000 and unfortunately after three years dropped out. I was out of money. I again had undergone another operation to fix my leg. And I was burnt out. While I was on sabbatical from collage I still perused my dreams and goals. Working hard to improve my graphic design, photography, and writing skills. Recently I went back to the same collage to complete my degree. I felt like I needed to do so and now am going to graduate in the spring of 2012

During the course of treatments how was your family affected? 

My family was affected emotionally and even financially through the course of my treatments and even years after. Though my younger brother had to deal also with what I was going through more on an emotional level…even after all these years I know he still looks up to me. He is now married and has a great job. My mother being a homemaker took the news of me having cancer rather hard, and is still to this day is trying to recover. I know that my father was devastated as well and while he made sure his family was taken care of…it was not easy. Financially speaking he had nearly lost his job while I was receiving treatments. Lets just say that from my understanding and from what I had been told was that someone in the company was not happy that he was missing work and apparently having a sick child that is dying still means that you can lose your job. (Lets just say it was a good thing that my father secretly tape recorded the conversation.) Though sometime in 2003 he was finally let go from his job that he nearly had for 23 years. With this being said he found a job through Boarders and because he lost his salaried pay his house went into foreclosure. Despite the emotional and financial roller coaster of tear and shock…we enjoyed much of the time traveling when I was not receiving treatments anymore. I spent much of my summers at the camps and enjoying cookouts and day trips. 

What’s going on Today?

Recently I went back to the same collage to complete my degree as I have mentioned. Also for the last few years I have been selling my photography online and through art markets. Furthermore I am now a published author...mainly publishing books of poetry at the moment. Other things going on in my life is that I am also now an uncle. I am also dating this wonderful girl who is also an artist. My parents now have been able to buy a house, but still the effects of the economy have made it difficult to recover and now my father is working out of state. As one can see I have also started this organization, which I hope will be successful. Though the economy has been hard on my pocket book I remain optimistic that my future endeavors will lead me to success.