Page 23 - Inspire Health March/April 2017
P. 23
Photos courtesy of Easton Hospital The climber
Then in 2013, Chuck was hit with a double
View at the Top
whammy: heart disease and more cancer.
Cancer battles keep him climbing It was Mother’s Day when Chuck was
working on flower beds for his mother
when he began to feel sick. Om Sharma,
M.D., an independent member of the
medical staff at Easton Hospital, saw him
the next day and immediately escorted
him to the hospital.
Chuck had a damaged aortic valve and
three clogged arteries. He would need
open heart surgery. On top of it, diagnostic
testing discovered Burkitt’s lymphoma, the
most aggressive form of lymphoma.
“I believe that you have a much better
chance of overcoming any challenge in life if
you have a strong positive attitude and set
goals for yourself,” Chuck says. “As each
bout with cancer became more serious,
my goals became more significant.”
He has a good support network as well.
“My wife, Karen, is my rock,” he says.
“My three children, my mom and dad and
countless family and friends have sacrificed
so much to help me throughout the past
29 years as I battled this disease.”
At age 57, Chuck McEwan has seen After another five years, Chuck The guide
his share of big events. His work at had Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in his That is why he is giving back.
Bank of America has him leading intestine. He was treated with both Over the years, Chuck has been
a team that helps with the recovery of surgery and chemotherapy. Six years
critical bank business operations when later, Chuck had a squamous cell active in his church and recently started
impacted by catastrophes. cancer on his tongue. More surgery to volunteer in the oncology ward at
When Chuck faced a string of medical and brachytherapy, radioactive seeds Easton Hospital.
diagnoses, like others who have faced a implanted near the tumor.
catastrophic challenge, he did it with a “I spent a lot of time receiving excellent
combination of mental discipline, physical Finally, he had some respite. Chuck care at Easton, so this is a silver lining,” he
conditioning and spiritual fortitude. was cancer-free for 12 years. says. “I can use what I have learned to help
others, to sit with someone who has a
A medical mountain “While I’ve received treatment at serious illness and inspire them or to just
When he was 28, Chuck was diagnosed numerous cancer centers in the tri-state provide some comfort.”
area, Easton Hospital is my base of
with Hodgkin lymphoma. Back then, operations,” Chuck says. “My doctors After climbing so many mountains in his
Dr. Thomas Peacock was still practicing look out for my best interest. I have the own life, he can now be a guide to others
at Easton Hospital and helped guide highest confidence in them.” who are facing their own climbs.
Chuck through an eight-month journey of
chemotherapy and radiation treatment. It doesn’t mean the journeys haven’t “I’ve always had peace in my heart and
been a test of faith. the belief that God would see me through
Five years later, Chuck faced a mild everything … and he has.”
recurrence of Hodgkin’s. This time, he “Over and over again, I started at the
had a bone marrow transplant following bottom of the mountain, but step by Om Sharma, M.D., an
more chemotherapy. step, I worked my way back up to the independent member
peak and the view at the top is always of the medical staff at
worth it,” he says. Easton Hospital.
March · April 2017 INSPIRE HEALTH 23
