Lets make the dream a reality.

As you may know, Nick, the founder of the Lewis Support Foundation, wanted to make the dream a reality. Its my intention to make it so. So the Lewis Support Foundation is starting another fund raiser for itself. Lets make the dream a reality so we can help families who need the extra support for themselves and their loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer. Please help by donating or sharing so we can make this happen.
https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/the-lewis-support-foundation--2

Colon Caner awareness month

Not many people know this, but March is Colon Cancer awareness month. As many of you know, colon cancer took the life of the Lewis Support Foundation's founder, Nick Lewis. He was only 34 years old. They may say get screened when you turn 50. But as I learned the hard way, cancer doesn't discriminate. You can be a young individual and it can still happen to you. 
There are signs that you could be diagnosed with colon cancer, however according to the American Cancer Society the symptoms often don't show until the cancer has spread or grown. Because of this, there are no symptoms in the earlier stages. It is suggested though that if there is a history of cancer in your family, its best to speak with your doctor about getting screened just in case. If you have other risk factors, such as a past diagnose of cancer, its better to be safe than sorry, and get a screening. 
We can't live in fear though. The best prevention usually is a healthy lifestyle. That means proper nutrients, exercise, spiritual health and well being. So until a cure can be found, we must be vigilant and supportive of those who are diagnosed with this disease as well as other forms of cancer.
 To help you stay vigilant, the American Cancer Society, as well as other health sites, have created a list of signs and symptoms that can indicate Colon Cancer. Please remember that this doesn't always mean that cancer is what's wrong, BUT, if your instincts are saying otherwise and some of the symptoms don't get any better, it maybe a good idea to get screened.

Signs and Symptoms of Colon Cancer

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days

• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so

• Rectal bleeding

• Dark stools, or blood in the stool (often, though, the stool will look normal)

• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain

• Weakness and fatigue

• Unintended weight loss

For more information about Colon Cancer signs and symptoms:

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/news/features/signs-and-symptoms-of-colon-cancer

Fight the good fight.

Pushing forward and what to expect here on the blog

Hello all. It has been a while since anything has been posted. After going through the grief, its time for us all to move forward. Coming soon to this blog will be interviews from others diagnosed with life threatning diseases, loved ones who have become caregivers for loved ones diagnosed as well as tips and newsletters about cancer and other life altering diagnosis. Stay tuned and hopefully we can get this foundation going in the future for those in need.
-Fight the good fight

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.

Bad night: Soft Kitty

Really bad night dealing with chemo side effects. Not feeling so hot, but Soft Kitty really helped me calm down!

Low Blood count.....

Soft Kitty!

Sometimes a good song helps through the wicket times and the pain!

Was not a good night. Stoma, started bleeding and I was fearful of having to go to the ER. 

First congrats for Michael J. Fox for getting nominated for his contributions towards research in regards to Parkinson's, but least lets not forget all the others that have made contributions and have received high honers by WebMD.
   It takes great character to stand up and take action while in the life-long progress of facing a debilitating disease. But perhaps like myself I find new strength not only within myself to keep going, but through people like Mr. Fox. This new strength that Mr. Fox and I seem to share surly awakens ambitions that keep the maddening sickness at bay; positive mindset not only is a factor but as in this article, following a set of steps that are well defined will help anyone cope.
  Like Mr. Fox-cancer has robbed me; taken away almost everything I had dreamed to do. But it has not stolen my spirit or will to continue living. And even everyday is a challenge I look towards the future; past the darkness that surrounds-like drowning in an endless sea; finding a guiding light that baths me in a healing light allows me to heal. In any case we would all like to go back into the future, turn back time and warn ourselves of our impending future, But the tribulations that we face like Mr. Fox, or many face we would not discover ourselves or even find cures. We would not grow or learn new things. Make new connections.  
   Michael J. Fox battles Parkinson's and even though its not cancer it still takes dedication and research to find a cure. Mr. Fox says it best "You have to take your time and do what you need to do....where there's no good or bad or right or wrong...you accept it."
   During my battle with this Colon Cancer  I have had to take my own mental steps to ease my mind from the pain of going through treatment. Mr. Fox points out "Only when my body couldn't keep still was I able to find the stillness in myself." I can take this and form it into my own mindset. Find the stillness within myself, Where I say my mantras and good thoughts about my current condition. I say I am in remission. 
   Like a lot of foundations I am trying to take knowledge that I find and share it to the best of my ability, hoping that it will help those not only facing Cancer, but will  help them heal. Mr. Fox has taken the steps by founding the Michael J. Fox Foundation-seeking cures for Parkinson's.
  Read the article to find out what other steps Mr. Fox takes to keep himself going in WebMd Nov/Dec 2014.

Michael J. Fox Foundation