[Oe List ...] Ron Griffith Update

[Pat Moriarty]

Ron and Beret,

 Marsha and I think of you both often with great love and affection having
lived through my brother Steve's journey I feel very much apart of the
family. 

 We will continue to keep you both close

 Affectionately,

 Pat

Patrick Moriarty
President
Student Savings Club &
Alumni Preferred Partners,
divisions of Collegiate Services, Inc.
1-800-354-8150 ext. 2233
 
-----Original Message-----
From: oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net [mailto:oe-bounces at wedgeblade.net] On Behalf
Of Beret Griffith
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 10:43 PM
To: oe at wedgeblade.net; dialogue at wedgeblade.net; springboard at wedgeblade.net
Subject: [Oe List ...] Ron Griffith Update

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

A lot has happened in the past few weeks. Mid-January Ron was hospitalized
at Rochester Methodist Hospital at Mayo to treat a severe reaction to
chemotherapy. We returned home on Friday January 23rd with encouragement to
contact hospice. 

The next week we had an appointment with Ron's oncologist at Mayo. Basically
chemotherapy is toxic to Ron's body and doing more harm than good. He
recommended stopping treatments, both infusion and pills. There is the
option of entering a Phase 1 drug trial - the first trials after testing on
animals. Phase 1 trials are not designed for effectiveness of a drug but to
determine safety and tolerability, have the most potential risk and the
least likelihood of benefit, adding only a couple of weeks to life.  Ron's
quality of life will be best without any further treatment and hospice care
will be the most helpful in extending the length and quality of his life. At
the end of the visit with his doctor, Ron asked that since he is no longer
on chemotherapy and his liver isn't in as much danger, if he could have a
martini. The doc had a good laugh and said "yes". So we had martinis that
night and Ron had his first solid food in a while, a well chewed olive...

Ron's spirits, mind and sense of humor are all in good shape. He is on a
liquid diet because of obstructions in the intestinal tract caused by both
the cancer and chemotherapy. The Hospice crew is great and are helpful with
nutritional information, general encouragement and now pain management. Last
week Ron began experiencing significant pain, is receiving pain medication
as needed and remains comfortable. We are out and about some, taking in
local concerts when possible and are both enjoying visits from friends and
family. Of course Ron loves talking with people and a few folks stop by
every day to talk. 

Next week Ron will be speaking with members of Junto, a group of men in town
who meet regularly for an evening of conversation about education,
philosophy, spirituality, practical application, invention, wisdom-sharing,
poetry, music, and politics. The invitation says, "Imagine that this older
brother is struggling with  terminal cancer, and that he has the courage,
insight, humor and energy to share his life's story, reflections, and
emotions with you while he lives" - it will be a great evening. Ron plans to
begin his story with the Prologue to Saviors of God. The invitation came via
our former UMC pastor, an Academy grad, now the District Superintendent and
another man who was in the Faith Journey Retreat that John and Lynda Cock
offered through our church in the spring of 2007. 

We are treasuring our time together and are being well cared for by kids,
grandchildren, extended family, friends, the food co-op community, the
Northfield community and...of course our foundational community - all of
you. We are grateful for your presence, for the notes, poems, prayers,
books, music, stories, and good wishes many of you have sent our way. 

Grace and Peace,
Beret & Ron