WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR JOE
As you can image Mr. Lewis is almost stir crazy from being in the hospital this long and is ready to get out, but as strong as even Joe Lewis is, the final word on when he'll be strong enough to leave the hospital is up to his doctors.
What we can do is let Mr. Lewis know we're thinking about him and praying for his swift recovery by sending him a get well card.
I was recently contacted by my good friend, Sean Kelley, who suggested making June 9, 2012 "Joe Lewis Get Well Day". His plan was for everyone to send a get well card to:
P O Box 1506 Southeastern , PA 19399
On June 9th Mr. Lewis will be presented with all the get well cards. It's easy to imagine the tremendous impact this can make on Joe's outlook and well-being. Without question Joe is one of the most famous martial artists to ever walk out onto the mat, but lying alone in a hospital bed for months at time can wear on anyone. Let's let him know that he's not alone. We may not be there in person, but we can be there in sprit.
Just this week, We've started to educate our younger students as to who Joe Lewis is and we're working on a school project for the cubs and tigers to make their own get well cards to send to him. Like most of the older students I'll likely purchase a card as my artistic skills wouldn't rival that of our youngest students, but as they say, it's the thought that counts!
We suggest each school collect all the cards, as soon as possible, and mail them in one package to the above address.
Please forward this to every martial artist you know. Thank You!
One of man's greatest rewards is to have others show appreciation for his efforts.
Ed Parker
As many know, on July 18th Joe Lewis had an operation to remove a brain tumor. He's now going through a long period of rehabilitation during which have been several set-backs and some amazing progress. His condition got very serious as excessive weight from fluids made it difficult for him to walk. He also experienced some brain swelling which caused him to become very disoriented.
Between the excess weight and the battle to control the swelling from his cancer treatment he was not able to properly care for himself. He was also having trouble sleeping, was in constant pain, along with numerous other issues. To make matters worse he got an infection in his leg and could barely walk. Mr. Lewis was placed in the hospital under 24 hour care to treat these issues. The doctors sedated him during this time so they could treat his infection and slowly removed him off of the steroids.
The steroids were needed to keep his brain from swelling from the prior radiations treatments but were creating new problems with the excess weight gain. He is now under new medication for the swelling and a new drug for the cancer along with chemotherapy treatments. He was on so many different drugs and keeping these in balance and administered at regular intervals is one reasons why he needed 24 hour care.
Yet there is good news!
On the good side, against all odds, Mr. Lewis is making progress. As of today, Mr. Lewis is completely off of the steroids and has lost 45+ lbs of weight from fluids, and his leg infection has cleared. The new cancer drug appears to be working with a 30-50% reduction of the brain tumor. Mr. Lewis has even been walking around a little, joking, flirting with the nurses, and is getting his bearing again.
