Gary Hessler Gary “Hess” Hessler

Gary was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer on May 28, 2020. He endured 12 weeks of chemo, colon surgery, liver surgery, a problematic ileostomy that was taken down and 36 days in the hospital: 22 of which he could have no visitors due to COVID. I brought him home January 6, 2021 and we enjoyed many great months together after he regained his strength. When, in April, a scan showed the spots on his liver had increased, we were given some options. We decided to hit the road and make a decision after a wonderful trip to Charleston which included visits with family and dear friends along the way. Gary ultimately decided against any additional chemo treatments and began a regimen of herbal supplements every day. By springtime, he was walking four miles a day up to five times a week with a dear friend. His last walk tired him out and that was on December 16, 2021. Gary has been either in bed, on the couch or in his recliner since Christmas and has had COVID and a UTI in addition to what we assume is spreading cancer. I called in Hospice on January 15 Gary’s son, daughter and granddaughter joined the meeting and we made the decision to enlist Hospice’s help in his care. As I write this, we are home and Gary has ZERO pain, thank God! He sleeps most of the time and is lucid, grateful and has welcomed many visitors.