June 3rd through June 10th

Editors Note:  Jerry was diagnosed with lung cancer in February of this year.  In the hope that we can help others with similar situations we are publishing Jerry’s story from day one and the battles he faces as he fights back against the cancer. 

From Jerry:  There have been hundreds of calls, emails and cards of thanks for sharing what happens in a cancer victim’s life. If you need to have me talk or communicate with one of your loved ones or friends please email me at jerry@jerryfowler.com

Last week has been much better.  Usually the recovery time is about 2 weeks to totally recover from the Chemo treatments.  When I say recover I mean feel close to normal.  Then you are ready for the next treatment.  I go back this Tuesday 6-12-2007 for my fifth treatment.  However as I prepare for my next treatment my mind is on the fact that I am getting closer and closer to a complete cure.  A little inconvenience now is worth being free from cancer later.

Day by day in every way, by the grace of God, I am getting better and better and better.  I continue to repeat this as I go to sleep each night and the first thing I repeat when I wake up each morning.

There are two types of people.  Those who are magnetized and full of confidence and faith. They know they are born to be healthy, to succeed and to win.

Then there are those that are demagnetized. They are full of fears and doubts.  When an opportunity comes they say.  What if I fail?  I might lose my money.  People will laugh at me. I will never be healed.  Why do bad things always happen to me?

The best thing about life is everyone has a choice.  You can be type “A” positive and full of life or Type “B”.  Boring!  That choice is entirely in your hands. Many years ago I was fairly negative just like most people.  After all when you are a 2 or 3 years of age about the only things you heard from your parents was no, don’t, stop, etc.  All negative words so it is natural to grow up with a negative attitude.  I mainly focused on the negative things and why they happened to me.  Then I read a book written by Norman Vincent Peale entitled “The Power of Positive Thinking” and this book changed by life.

Since that day I have concentrated on looking for the best in all situations and guess what?  No matter how bad at the time a situation seems there is always a great deal of good associated with it.  The theme I try to live by is simple and a message introduced by Joel Osteen, the minister from Texas who has taken the country and presented a positive attitude to them called “Live Your Best Life Now”.  In his book he talks about how many people live in the past and in the negative.

I do a lot of speaking throughout the area and find that most people go through life with the following attitudes and self beliefs:

You can’t, you’ll never amount to anything, you mustn’t, you will fail, you haven’t a chance, you’re all wrong, it is no use, it’s not what you know, but who you know, what is the use, nobody cares, there is no point to try so hard, you’re too old, you’re too young, things are getting worse and worse, life is an endless grind, love is for the birds, you just can’t win, watch out, you’ll catch a terrible disease, you can’t trust a sole. 

According to Zig Zigler, this is called “Stinking Thinking” and it can poison your life.

Never, Never, Never finish a negative sentence. Reverse it immediately into a positive statement and wonders will happen in your life.

You are building your mental home all the time and your thoughts and mental imagery represent your blueprint.  Hour by hour, moment by moment, you can build radiant health, success, and happiness by the thoughts you think, the ideas you harbor, the beliefs you accept and the scenes you rehearse in the hidden studio of your mind.

Through positive thinking, prayer and medicine I am getting better and better and I fully expect this tumor to completely disappear.  The key here is I expect this to happen and I believe this will happen. 

That brings me to something else I want to say.  Chances are you will get some type of cancer and cancer can financially ruin you if you do not have insurance.  The medical bills are unbelievable.  The Chemo treatments can cost $16,000 to $21,000 dollars each. The shot for building your white blood cells can cost $7,000 each.  The test such as CAT and PET can cost $1,400 to $2,800 each. Blood tests are expensive.  Just the pills that one must take prior and during a Chemo treatment are $350 and that is just for 3 pills.  Shots for thinning blood can cost $175 per shot. This is just a few of the things cancer patients are faced with not to mention the doctor’s visits, hospital visit and other test.

I tell you this because if I did not have insurance I could wipe my life savings out.  Can you image how someone without insurance can have treatments, sometimes for years?  Please prepare yourself and make sure you have some type protection.

I have had dozens of people call me just to talk or email me for answers to questions about what they are going thorough and the feelings they are experiencing.  If you have friends or families going through cancer have them get in touch with me.  There may be something I can say to help them cope just a little better with the situation at hand.  There is nothing like talking to someone who is or has gone through the exact same situation and how they coped can be the difference between a good, bad or great experience.

I thank each and every one of you for your prayers, calls, cards, emails, concern and most of all your love.  Together we will beat this monster.

With the right mental approach, prayers and support we can “Live Our Best Life NOW”.  Now go out and create a terrific day and say something good to everyone you meet.

Don’t forget email me if you need my help.  Jerry@JerryFowler.com

Previous Page                                                                                     Next Page