Greg’s Story

Site created on October 19, 2018

My brother Greg, or Terk as many of you know him, is embarking on a new hike.   

Late August, Terk started noticing a few problems.  By mid-September the problems were consistent and impacting his daily living.  Slurred speech, trouble with coordination, and double vision coupled with some weight loss presented teams at the UVM Medical Center with a bit of a medical mystery.  A month later, after 3 biopsies, lots of imaging, and many other tests, we have a cancer diagnosis with a rare neurological complication. Had the doctors not had an image of the tumor in his left lung, Terk would have thought them crazy.  He's had no trouble breathing, no cough - nothing that would make you think lung cancer. Greg has always been one to stand out in a crowd.

October 19 Terk started chemotherapy at UVM for a neuroendocrine tumor.  He will have 3 days of chemo, a 3-week break, and then repeat that cycle.  After two rounds of treatment we will assess and consider next steps. In between treatments he will continue rehab therapy related to the neurological changes.  Treating the cancer is the only thing that keeps the neurological  changes from progressing, and there is hope that he might regain some ground.  Bottom line, the rehab therapy will help him adapt to any changes that can't be reversed. 

As you can see, Greg has a steep mountain to climb.  The love and support of his family and friends will be key to his success.  We will post updates on his progress here, as they come (which won't be daily!).  Many of you text Terk and our family, and sometimes call.   For Greg, responding to texts can be a little challenging, and while talking on the phone is easier, there are days when he is tired from rehab (and soon he will be from treatment, now that we have a plan!)  Terk may not always answer his phone but  he will if he can and loves to hear from folks.  Texts to let him know you are thinking of him would be great too - he just might not reply individually.  In addition, you can post messages to him here - we will read them to him while we wait for the double vision to resolve.  

We will update (via this journal) his general schedule and whereabouts (UVM, rehab, etc.) as he passes mile markers on the trail . Greg's chemotherapy schedule will mean that he needs to be thoughtful about visitors and germs - but being Terk - visitors are very important to him.   Please be thoughtful about the number of visitors and the length of your visit, and as a friendly reminder -  only visit if you are healthy!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Gina Larrow

Today Greg left us, more than 3 years after the onset of his illness and true to himself, on no one else’s timeline. Before he lost his ability to communicate, he wanted family and friends to know they were in his thoughts and that he loved his time with all of us.

Our family is honoring his request that there be no services. Being Terk, he hopes that in time, when it is safe to gather, you will remember him with good music, great food, and much laughter.

An avid outdoorsman who loved hiking and fishing, we will remember him with this:

I sit beside the fire and think
Of all that I have seen
Of meadow flowers and butterflies
In summers that have been

Of yellow leaves and gossamer
In autumns that there were
With morning mist and silver sun
And wind upon my hair

I sit beside the fire and think
Of how the world will be
When winter comes without a spring
That I shall ever see

For still there are so many things
That I have never seen
In every wood in every spring
There is a different green

I sit beside the fire and think
Of people long ago
And people that will see a world
That I shall never know

But all the while I sit and think
Of times there were before
I listen for returning feet
And voices at the door
― 
J.R.R. Tolkien

 

Posted with broken hearts and much love - Martha, Chris, Carolyn, and Gina

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