The ending of the battle, the beginging of healing

On the first of February 2015 Nicholas Lewis was called from the cares of the world surrounded by his family. Many have known him on this blog to be the founder of the up and coming Lewis Foundation and an inspiration to others going through the same ordeal as he. To others he was a son, a brother, a nephew, an uncle, and a fiance/husband. Though his spirit was willing to keep fighting, his body could not.

In December of 2012 Nick and his family learned that he had Stage IV Colon Cancer. It had invaded his liver and all but covered it in the sickness. Both Nick and his family were in disbelief and fearful of the future. Nick had to undergo two surgeries. One for a illiostomy, the other for a smart port for the chemo he would have to have. After the surgeries and recovery Nick and his then girlfriend Deanne, started to do research on the disease and how to battle it as well as the side effects of the chemo.

Not to long after his surgeries, Nick started his chemo treatments. At the time he could hardly walk and was having a difficult time eating. His treatments were long. Lasting almost six hours. His weight went down to its lowest of 97 lbs. He was told by doctors that if he didn't start eating that he would be put into hospice. Nick concluded that he wasn't eating for two reasons; one was because he had just been through two surgeries and the recovery time was long. The second was because he was being hounded to eat, and being the stubborn soul that he was, refused out of spite. But in no time, Nicks appetite came back and he made the lifestyle change to have a more healthy diet.
Wanting more independence, Nick decided that it was time to move out of his parents home, that he and his girlfriend, had been living in for under a year. With the help of his Mason brothers, Nick and Deanne were able to acquire a nice apartment and moved into it in April of 2013. The joke to them was that it was more of a art studio than an apartment. This was because both Nick and Deanne were artist and almost every inch of the living room was used to accomplish various projects.

Nick was given that first summer off in order to enjoy the warm months without the chemo holding him back. During that time Nick put on weight and enjoyed time with Deanne and working on art projects. On Sundays they would volunteer to work at the Masons Art Market that they had been involved with for a few years. There Nick and Deanne would sell their art pieces and enjoy each others company.

Even though Nick had a horrible diagnosis, he still enjoyed his favorite hobbies which were photography, poetry, movies, music, reading, outings to parks and antique stores, and cooking. He made it his mission to help inspire all who had cancer as well as other diseases. Though they couldn't go out with friends as often as they wanted, Nick and Deanne made the best of their situation. They went out as often as they could and even made it to a Kamelot concert. Though they couldn't stay for the whole concert, it was still very enjoyable for the both of them.

In November of 2013 Nick was admitted into the hospital for stomach issues. He had been given a new drug, a chemo pill, that was apparently known to sit in the stomach for days before finally dissolving. Nick was unaware of this as it was not mentioned as a side effect. This was finally the diagnosis to his stomach issue after almost two days of tests and guesses. He then had to have a tube placed down through his nose and into his stomach to have the remainder of the bile removed. He was fully conscious for this and Deanne had to help hold him down for the nurses to do the procedure. He was heavily sedated for the pain that his stomach was in, and even had weird hallucinations. One was that there was a giant squirrel in the room. Both Nick and Deanne laughed at that. There was even a time when Deanne had to go home for the evening in order to go to work the next day, and at 9 pm got a phone call from Nick at the hospital. He was suffering from a side effect from his current chemotheraphy, where his hands were peeling very badly. He was complaining to her that they were hurting and itchy. Not to long before she had left the doctors prescribed him a lotion for the hands. She asked if his nurse was there and the nurse was standing right next to him while he had called her. Deanne asked to talk to the nurse and gave the nurse the instructions that the doctors had given her about the prescribed lotion. Other than the one night away, Deanne stayed with Nick at the hospital to keep him calm and to be by his side. He was released and was able to be home for Thanksgiving.

In May of 2014 Nick asked Deanne to become his wife. Though in March of 2013 they got promise rings, it was at the Pittock Mansion in front of the music room that he got on one knee and made if official. Though they were not married on paper, in their hearts they were husband and wife, and even called each other such.

During the summer of 2014, Nick and Deanne enjoyed coffee shops, juice bars, antique stores, and various outings. They even took the time to discuss in more detail Nicks idea for the Lewis Foundation. He even made more art pieces and created more poetry.

In December of 2014 Nick noticed that his health was going down. He began to get a mild case of jaundice, which he had gotten in the past but had recovered from. This time though, instead of getting better, it was getting worse. After seeing the oncologist, it was discovered that the disease had progressed. The doctors had to stop treatment because of the amount of jaundice. Through January, Nick started to become weaker. He began to walk with a walker again, and needed help with almost everything. Nick then started to stay more at his parents house, with Deanne at his side. Soon, he became so weak that he could barely walk. It was in February in the early morning that he took his last breath with Deanne, his brother, and parents by his side.

Nick had good days, and bad days. There were days during his chemotherapy that he had endless energy, and then there were times he didn't feel like getting out of bed. He kept well with his lifestyle change. And even to this day, we believe that helped him recover after chemotherapy and give him the strength and energy to go out and enjoy life.


.Nick fought long and hard against the disease and the odds that were put against him. He kept going despite the doctors telling him that his time was limited. Even when he was admitted into the hospital or had to go to the ER, he kept showing a fighting spirit. And in the two years that he was diagnosed, he lived more than most do in a lifetime.

Though he is gone, his fiance/widow had vowed to continue his dream. To get the foundation underway and help those not only diagnosed with cancer, but other life threatening diseases. She believes wholeheartedly that natural treatment can help on the road to good health and recovery. That attitude and a fighting spirit are two factors that can help a person overcome a diagnosis. Nick is an inspiration to all. Even when faced with death, he held a bright smile and beautiful soul that will be missed, but forever live on.

-this was written by Nicks fiance/widow, Deanne, in the hopes that their story will inspire others to keep fighting and hope for a better day for all who must take on these challenges.
Fight the good fight, and never give up. Sweet dreams my poetic angel. I love you.