July 30, Arts and Entertainment Source: Performer licks cancer … and now COVID

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Cancer killed David Lew’s stand-up comedy career. But not Lew.

Oh sure, the American Canyon 37-year-old was given six months to live. That was 14 months ago.

And when he was told by a nonchalant doctor his multiple tumors were in remission, Lew did an emotional Irish jig. And he’s not even Irish.

It was, however, a short-lived mental party. Literally the same day Lew received the miracle news, he was canon launched back to Earth with COVID-19 symptoms. Wisely, Lew’s oncologist sent him immediately to NorthBay Medical Center Fairfield as Lew ran a 105 degree fever and was gasping for oxygen.

Not only did he test positive for COVID-19, but also pneumonia. After six days in an isolated hospital room — four days with air tubes up his nose — Lew is back home, roughly 80 percent of his “normal” self.

The same day David Lew’s cancer was declared in remission, the American Canyon performer was admitted to NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield for COVID-19 and pneumonia. (Courtesy photo)

Though Lew may be out of the woods, his wife, Kathleen, 27, is now in the thick of the virus forest. She’s tested positive for COVID-19, with almost every possible symptom battering her body: Shortness of breath, chills, fever, lethargy, loss of sense of smell and taste, and headaches.

“We’re taking precautions — not sharing food or drinks … and no kissing,” Kathleen said. “But there is only so much we can do with both of us having COVID.”

But wait, there’s more. Kathleen’s 26-year-old brother who lives with the Lews tested positive, presumably catching it from co-workers.

Only the Lews’ 5-year-old daughter, Sydney, has zero symptoms and is basically tired of it all, her dad said.

“She’s a trooper. After four months of dealing with this, she looked up and said, ‘Dad, I want my old life back.’ We’re trying to do the best we can without just sitting her in front of the TV,” said David Lew, who apparently found an at-least-it-works-during-COVID niche by hosting and producing “David Lew’s Trivia Hour” live on Facebook.

The program has included two segments on “The Office” and “Harry Potter,” and one on “Seinfeld” and “Friends.”

It was a creative outlet, Lew said, after the cancer diagnosed in 2014 put the skids on his stand-up comedy career. Lew believes he can pull off the scheduled Aug. 15 Trivia Hour with another “Potter” segment.

Two weeks ago, Lew would be happy just breathing. Fortunately, he said, his oncologist said the COVID “should” have no impact on is cancer in remission.

“But you never know,” Lew said. “Seems like everything changes every other day.”

Though COVID symptoms — particularly that gasping for air part — “were terrifying,” the pain he went through during a failed first clinical trial in Southern California was horrific, Lew said.

“I wanted to die,” he said. “It was awful. The worst feeling I’ve felt in my life. I was sitting up in my hospital bed crying. Turns out they were giving too toxic of an amount. I did my part. I was the guinea pig.”

Lew lost 100 pounds, dropping down to 140 pounds on his 5-foot-10 inch frame.

“Before all the cancer happened, I had a leg that was 140 pounds,” Lew said chuckling.

More seriously, “when you lose 100 pounds and look awful, people will visit you because they think you’re dying,” Lew said. “I do miss those days people can just come over.”

The second clinical trial, however, apparently worked. Tumors shrunk. Lew gained 100 pounds.

Now he gladly takes three pills a day — “blu-667” — if it keeps the cancer at bay.

“When I first got sick, none of those drugs existed,” he said.

And up until March, few people heard of COVID-19. Along with the cancer, Lew can’t forget it.

“I never had respiratory issues before. It was terrifying not being able to breathe,” Lew said. “Doing anything caused me to lose my breath. Really scary. I was gasping for air. You’re taking a deep breath and needing a little more air and it’s not there.”

The doctors hooked Lew up to a breathing apparatus with two “turbine engines shooting air into my nostrils. It was very uncomfortable,” he said.

His fever shot up to 105 degrees, dropped, and shot up again.

“Ice packs brought it down,” Lew said, lamenting his latest hospital stay.

“It just sucked,” he said, adding that 15 other COVID patients were on his floor.

While hospitalized, Lew managed to post a view videos updating his health.

“One had 12,000 views. I wasn’t expecting that many people,” he said.

It was good to hear back from his friends and other supporters, if only in texts.

“Because there’s a minimum time doctors and nurses can be in the room, there’s not a lot of interaction,” Lew said, believing he and his wife are improving.

Still, “we don’t leave the house. We’ve had food delivered for two weeks,” David said. “They’ve told us to stay away from people.”

Lew said he can’t understand anti-mask people.

“In a million years, if you told me people refused to wear a mask to help save lives, I would never believe it,” Lew said. “Surgeons wear masks eight hours for surgery. You can’t wear one going to Target?”

And those who still call the virus a hoax?

“This is not a hoax. I got really sick,” Lew said. “Wearing a mask is the least we can do to honor those on the front lines who are working. Do research. Don’t just react to Facebook posts.”

 

 

 

 

 

 



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