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Master Ken Lewis' Health Journey

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I have typed this a thousand times, deleted, erased, retyped, started over, and it never gets easier. I try to be objective and factual, and when that doesn't work I try to be emotional and speak from the heart. I end up in tears every time, either way. 

This is the story of one of my closest friends. Master Ken Lewis.

I met him almost 20 years ago when my daughter started Taekwondo. He was an amazing man, teaching my daughter more than just how to kick a pad or memorize a form. She was almost a black belt when I started taking lessons. He asked me one day when I was going to start and I made the mistake of saying, oh soon. He never let that go, and eventually I had to start just to make him leave me alone. And from day one, I never looked back.

I could go into all the things I learned from Master Lewis in the years I took Taekwondo from him and Lisa. How to tuck or not to tuck my thumb. How to get in and get out when sparring someone bigger than me. How to block a kick and actually kick at the same time. How to stand at attention and not smile. I always wanted to smile when I did something that made him proud enough to smile. How to break four inches of wood, or even a brick, to spar two people at one time, to tie my own belt, to tie other student's belts. How to be proud of who I am and confident in what I do. I could go on and on but it would take forever. 

I could go on and on about the things I learned as I watched Master Lewis teach golf. He was a great player and an even better teacher. How to stand and swing and position your arms. How to follow through and what to do when it didn't work the first time. But it was never only about teaching golf for him. It was also about fundraisers for cancer, friendships made on the course, and lives changed. Anything he could do for you, he would. I could go on and on but it would take forever.

Eventually, years after I started TKD, Master Lewis and I became friends. Lisa and I became very close. Our families, our kids, we celebrated birthdays, played cards, had holidays together. That was when I really learned who Master Lewis was. He was an amazing, giant teddy bear with a huge heart. So it was only natural that when the love of his life, Lisa, was diagnosed with stage 3C breast cancer he was always there. He took care of her from day one, never leaving her side. From the very first doctor appointments to chemo and radiation to recovery, it was always Ken and Lisa. 

And when years later I had my own scare with cancer, he was there for me without hesitation. I will never forget that one doctors appointment when the doctor said ok come on in and get into the gown and on the bed. You see, usually Lisa would go to the appointments, or my husband Dan, but neither could take off work, so of course Master Lewis went. And he walked in behind me and the doctor said is it ok for him to be here while we talk and I said of course it is my best friend husband. The look on the doctors face was priceless as he was trying to figure it all out. But I cannot imagine having to be there alone. And Master Lewis never hesitated to be there when I needed him. For two years I went though health hell and from the highs to the lows he was always there as a trusted friend, confidant, big brother. Because that was just who Master Lewis was. 

Fast forward a few years later and Lisa's mom is sick. Never thinking of himself, Master Lewis moved to the east coast with Lisa to care for her mom and dad. He left everything behind he knew to start over because someone he loved and cared about needed him. He did not hesitate, and instead started over and built a golf following doing what he loved while helping Lisa. Because that was just who Master Lewis was.

You see, Master Lewis is just that kind of person. The never think twice about helping others, always doing for someone else, giving his last dime, or the sweater off his back, kind of guy. And in true fashion, in the midst of his own health journey, his biggest concern and main worry is Lisa. Not his own health, or his outcome, or his surgery, but is Lisa OK. How will Lisa pay the bills if he does not work. Maybe they can move hospitals to the one closer to the house so Lisa does not have to drive so far. Because if there is one thing I have learned about Master Lewis it is that it is never about him, but always about anyone else he loves and cares about.

However, this time it is about him. Master Lewis has started his own health journey. He has already had surgery to remove a brain tumor and is scheduled to start an aggressive form of chemotherapy. He will be staying in the hospital for each chemo treatment, 6 days at a time, every 21 days. He is strong and stubborn so I believe in my heart everything will be OK in the end. But it isn't the end I am worried about. It is the middle. Because how WILL Lisa pay the bills? They will pile up and that is the last thing I want either Lisa or Master Lewis to worry about. If I could donate everything I had, pay for every bill, cook every meal, I would. But we all know a teacher's salary is not going to do that. So I am asking for help. I am asking for help for Lisa. I am asking for help for Master Lewis. I am asking for any donation you can give to help cover living expenses, medical bills, and incidentals.

It is our turn to say thank you for teaching me how to overcome the wall of black belts, or to make a hole in one or better my swing. It is our turn to say thank you for years of friendships, laughter, support, and love. It is our turn to show Master Lewis that he can concentrate on being strong and stubborn and getting better and not on the bills or work. Every dollar helps. It is going to be a long journey ahead and with our help Master Lewis will be as good as new in no time at all. He has touched hundreds and hundreds of lives. Now it is our turn to touch his.
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Donations 

  • Russel Wechsler
    • $250 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer and beneficiary

Marni D'Amico Morse
Organizer
Davenport, FL
Lisa Lewis
Beneficiary

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