7-8-2007 through 7-15-2007

Editors Note:  This is the nineteenth week since Jerry was diagnosed with lung cancer.  Jerry has reported each week as to the progress, treatment, feelings and thoughts as he goes through this ordeal.  To reach Jerry email him at Jerry@JerryFowler.com 

From Jerry:  Good afternoon readers and today finds me feeling really great.  The last Chemo treatment was the worst regarding side effects however one starts feeling almost back to normal in 8 to 10 days.  Today is the 13th day since the last treatment and quite frankly I feel exceptional.  I usually get up around 4AM each morning so the first part of the day is loaded with high energy.  I do start dragging about mid afternoon. 

Another thing cancer victims go through is how they feel from hour to hour.  One hour one can feel fantastic and the next hour they can be completely in the opposite direction.  I am told that it takes 9 to 12 months to get the chemicals used for Chemo out of your body.  Until the chemicals are out the body the cancer patient will have various degrees of ups and downs.

I have had many phone calls and emails asking how I am doing and others who are suffering from the same or similar situations who just ask questions about various physical conditions they are experiencing.  Each person will experience different levels of discomfort and side effects and I don’t mind the calls and emails at all.  If I can help your friends or you understand this thing called cancer then I am happy to do so.

My blood thickness has been really difficult to regular this time regarding getting the blood to the correct consistency.  Because cancer victims are at risk for blood clots one must keep the blood at the perfect level. Blood clots can be very dangerous. Regulating the blood requires a blood test almost every week.  Last week we discovered the blood was entirely too thin.  The week before the blood was too thick.  To counteract the blood thickness Dr. Babcock increased my medicine by one half pill and added an aspirin to the mix.  Since last week I have gone back to the original dose of blood thinners and we will find out Tuesday what effect this had.

One thing that is surprising to me is the number of tests which are constantly administered to monitor the effects of Chemo, medicine, blood and so forth.  On Tuesday the 24th I will have a CAT scan. This will tell Dr. Babcock exactly where we are with the cancer.  I expect the tumor to be gone.

Today my mother goes to Charlotte to visit the doctor who will be operating on her for breast cancer and advising what type treatment she must undergo to beat her challenge. I would appreciate your prayers for her. She is a strong woman however like most people she is worried and concerned. Mother is almost 80 years old and a rock in our family. 

I will report back to you next week on what the CAT scan revealed and where we are.  Until then please remember to write a note, an email or call, better still, go by and see a friend that might be suffering from cancer.  Remember the “Care Giver”, the one who is usually the spouse of the victim who is charged with taking care of the victim.  They need your help, encouragement and friendship more than ever at this time in their life.  Better yet, offer to be with their friend or spouse which giving them a break to go shopping or just to get away for a few hours. You will never know how much that will mean to them.  Reach out and help someone and you will feel much better. 

Let me remind you also not to forget the person who has cancer. Many will write notes during the first few weeks but few will stay in touch after the initial contact.  Send a note, card, email or call at least every two weeks. If you could only know how this makes the person feel you would stay in touch each week.

In the meantime if you need me just email me at jerry@JerryFowler.com

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