In Memory of Russ Lewark
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Russ Lewark, aka Koaguitarman, born March 30, 1946, passed away on February 25, 2017 at nearly 71 years old with family and friends by his side. He is survived by his wife, Twyla, and their three daughters, Amber, Ashley, and Lalena.
The family is deeply saddened. As many of you know, Russ had been suffering from complications from a bone marrow transplant for a rare condition called Myelodysplastic Syndrome. His family is relieved that his passing was peaceful and painless.
A memorial to celebrate John Russell Lewark's life will take place on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 2:30 in the afternoon at Forest Lawn in Cypress, CA .
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for contributions that will be put towards the memorial service and the remaining medical costs.
#rememberkoaguitarman
Russ' Journey:
In February (2014), Russ and his wife were standing on the docks of Los Alamitos Bay getting ready to go Hydrobiking. Russ had been standing there one minute and the next he was lying flat on his back, glasses laying 6ft away on the docks. He had passed out. Russ said he was fine just a little dizzy (he hadn't eaten breakfast). His wife got him up on his feet and decided to go home. She turned around to grab her bag and keys and Russ was laying on the docks again, passed out. She got him back on his feet, up the dock ramp, and into the car, headed straight to the ER. Once they got to the Emergency Room and explained what was going on, the ER team went into high gear and took quick action. After 10 hours and every test imaginable Russ was admitted to the Hospital. Russ had Enteritis Sepsis, an infection in his bloodstream. Heavy high dose antibiotics and numerous saline bags for 4 days before going home. It was a close call. Russ was sent to a Hematologist as part of his after care. Blood tests showed low red and white blood cells. After further testing he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. May through August included weekly trips to the Dr. for injections to help his blood cell numbers return to normal. The injections worked to stabilize his red cells but his white cells continued to drop to extremely low numbers. The white blood cells were damaged and no longer produced mature cells. The doctor. discussed what was going on with the blood and the medical options. They decided it was time for the next step - consultation with a Bone Marrow Transplant specialist.
Russ was admitted to City of Hope hospital in early December (2014). He had a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant; after nearly 3 months, it was determined to be successful and the doctors did not see MDS in his system.
However, the aftermath of the transplant left Russ very weak and compromised healthwise. The anti-rejection medicines left him with a seizure disorder, delirium, atrophy, and anxiety/depression. He had signs of having had a stroke as well.
He lived at City of Hope for about 8 months, the majority of the 2015 (with his wife, Twyla), then a brief stint at home, where it was realized that he was not ready to have been sent home. During one of his twice-weekly visits to the doctor during his stint at home, Russ passed out and fell at the hospital. He had compression fractures of the spine: T12-L5, which slowed his recovery progression and required more surgeries. In order to be released home, his family needed to prepare a hospital-like atmosphere with railings, wheelchair/walker accessible areas, and other house adaptions for persons with disabilities. When he was ready to be released from the hospital, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility until the changes to their home could be completed. Russ returned home, but it wasn’t long after this that Russ lost the ability to walk or sit up on his own. He was confined to mobility chair and later a hospital bed.
In early 2016, he was placed on palliative care and eventually hospice by Fall 2016. He was cared for 24/7 by his wife, Twyla and enjoyed visits from his daughters and close family/friends until his passing on February 25, 2017.
The family is deeply saddened. As many of you know, Russ had been suffering from complications from a bone marrow transplant for a rare condition called Myelodysplastic Syndrome. His family is relieved that his passing was peaceful and painless.
A memorial to celebrate John Russell Lewark's life will take place on Thursday, March 16, 2017 at 2:30 in the afternoon at Forest Lawn in Cypress, CA .
In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for contributions that will be put towards the memorial service and the remaining medical costs.
#rememberkoaguitarman
Russ' Journey:
In February (2014), Russ and his wife were standing on the docks of Los Alamitos Bay getting ready to go Hydrobiking. Russ had been standing there one minute and the next he was lying flat on his back, glasses laying 6ft away on the docks. He had passed out. Russ said he was fine just a little dizzy (he hadn't eaten breakfast). His wife got him up on his feet and decided to go home. She turned around to grab her bag and keys and Russ was laying on the docks again, passed out. She got him back on his feet, up the dock ramp, and into the car, headed straight to the ER. Once they got to the Emergency Room and explained what was going on, the ER team went into high gear and took quick action. After 10 hours and every test imaginable Russ was admitted to the Hospital. Russ had Enteritis Sepsis, an infection in his bloodstream. Heavy high dose antibiotics and numerous saline bags for 4 days before going home. It was a close call. Russ was sent to a Hematologist as part of his after care. Blood tests showed low red and white blood cells. After further testing he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome. May through August included weekly trips to the Dr. for injections to help his blood cell numbers return to normal. The injections worked to stabilize his red cells but his white cells continued to drop to extremely low numbers. The white blood cells were damaged and no longer produced mature cells. The doctor. discussed what was going on with the blood and the medical options. They decided it was time for the next step - consultation with a Bone Marrow Transplant specialist.
Russ was admitted to City of Hope hospital in early December (2014). He had a bone marrow (stem cell) transplant; after nearly 3 months, it was determined to be successful and the doctors did not see MDS in his system.
However, the aftermath of the transplant left Russ very weak and compromised healthwise. The anti-rejection medicines left him with a seizure disorder, delirium, atrophy, and anxiety/depression. He had signs of having had a stroke as well.
He lived at City of Hope for about 8 months, the majority of the 2015 (with his wife, Twyla), then a brief stint at home, where it was realized that he was not ready to have been sent home. During one of his twice-weekly visits to the doctor during his stint at home, Russ passed out and fell at the hospital. He had compression fractures of the spine: T12-L5, which slowed his recovery progression and required more surgeries. In order to be released home, his family needed to prepare a hospital-like atmosphere with railings, wheelchair/walker accessible areas, and other house adaptions for persons with disabilities. When he was ready to be released from the hospital, he was transferred to a rehabilitation facility until the changes to their home could be completed. Russ returned home, but it wasn’t long after this that Russ lost the ability to walk or sit up on his own. He was confined to mobility chair and later a hospital bed.
In early 2016, he was placed on palliative care and eventually hospice by Fall 2016. He was cared for 24/7 by his wife, Twyla and enjoyed visits from his daughters and close family/friends until his passing on February 25, 2017.
Organizer and beneficiary
Amber Cambria
Organizer
Downey, CA
Twyla Lewark
Beneficiary
