[Oe List ...] Ron Griffith Update

[Priscilla Wilson]

Ron and Beret,
Rod and I appreciated your report of this stage of the journey you  
are traveling. You are both mentors and signs for the rest of us as  
we forever draw nearer to similar stories.
Our prayers are with you – that  as much pain as possible is  
alleviated, that you enjoy friends and family every day, and you  
continue this journey sailing on the sea of tranquility.
I treasure the brief time we spent together at the Profound Journey  
weekend in the fall.
Grace and Peace,
Priscilla Wilson

On Feb 10, 2009, at 10:43 PM, Beret Griffith wrote:

> 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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Priscilla Wilson
TeamTech Press
Mission Hills, KS 66208
pwilson at teamtechinc.com




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