[Oe List ...] Ron Griffith Update

[Rod Rippel]

Dear Beret and Ron:
    Thanks for your update on Ron.  Because of your initiative, Ron, I rediscovered our connection going all the way back to New Jersey and the early sixties as well as our Order experience.  You both will be in my thoughts in these days as you journey on together.  Rod Rippel
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Beret Griffith 
  To: oe at wedgeblade.net ; dialogue at wedgeblade.net ; springboard at wedgeblade.net 
  Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 8:43 PM
  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




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