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Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
8-5-2007 through 8-12-2007
Chemo Resumed This Week
Editors Note: This is the 23rd week since Jerry was diagnosed with lung cancer. Jerry has reported each week regarding the progress, treatment, feelings, events and thoughts as he goes through this challenge. To reach Jerry email him at Jerry@JerryFowler.com
From Jerry: Good morning readers and today finds me feeling really somewhat drained. It has been six days since the Chemo treatment was completed. The last series of treatments were started on 8-7-2007. This was much simpler than the other treatments. The fluids and treatment only lasted a total of 2 hours. The doctors told me that this series of treatments would not be nearly as harsh as the others and they are correct. The after effects were still present but not with the severity of the others. The most noticeable effect was the fatigue and nausea I experienced. This seemed to stay with me from the first day. I also had headaches almost constantly.
If you are going through cancer treatments your body is fighting the chemicals constantly. We all must remember that the chemicals are poison and not only does it kill the cancer cells it kills the good cells. This is the reason we experience such an array of different side effects.
I still stumble into walls for no apparent reasons, forget my train of thought, feel great one minute and terrible the next, run out of energy rapidly and feel good in the morning and drained by that afternoon. If you are a friend of a cancer patient learn to recognize these traits. They are not the fault of the victim it is just the harsh chemicals going through their bodies.
I am blessed with a positive mental attitude. Most people are not and a positive attitude keeps me upbeat even when I feel less than great. A positive attitude will go a great distance in your body’s ability to aid your recovery.
Another thing I have noticed, in a lot of cancer patients, is they feel sorry for themselves. This is normal. Most have had a productive life and cancer can stop them. The feeling that they are washed up and not productive anymore can be devastating, which affects their attitude. They experience the ups and down feelings with the ups being very high and the lows being very low. It is feeling of helplessness.
If you are a caregiver and or a friend be patience. Say encouraging words, send cards, letters, emails, call and any other thing you can do to stay in touch. This is a time you can be of such a valuable service to your friend or loved one. They need your help and more importantly your compassionate understanding. This is their most difficult time both mentally and physically.
Encourage your friend or loved one to read positive books and listen to positive tapes. Lance Armstrong’s story is what picked my attitude up. Lance was truly sick and when I read his story and his recovery, I realized that I am sick in medical standards, however I was not sick when it came to comparing me to Lance. This brings me back to a saying my mother once told me. “If you think you have it tough, just look around and you will find someone with worst circumstances. Count your blessings”, and I do. Thanks mother.
This week I also visited my cardiologist, John Hicks who likes to keep a tab on what my heart is doing. The Chemo treatments are harsh on the heart as well so Dr. Hicks makes sure the heart is healthy. He did a Echogram on the heart to make sure the function is normal and it was. I have been experiencing more than usual swelling in my ankles so he put me on a special fluid pill to help my body rid itself of excessive fluid, which is just another problem that cancer patients experience. I am still taking blood thinners and an aspirin per day to keep the blood thin. I have a blood test almost every week to monitor the thickness of the blood.
I would like to thank you for all the calls, emails, cards, letters, books. You will never know how much this means. Don’t forget, if you need me to talk to your friends or loved ones have them call or write. Most are reluctant to call or write, however you must remember, I am going through the same thing they are so I understand. They will never bother me.
Also don’t forget if you miss a weekly article in the paper, just go to my web site at www.JerryFowler.com, look on the left side and click on “Jerry’s Medical Updates”. This will allow you to read each week since the discovery of my cancer.
I would like to remind you again to stay in touch with the cancer victim. Most people will send a card or telephone the cancer patient once and then never again. For the first few weeks the patient gets many calls of concern and then the calls stop. It is only after several weeks that they start feeling much worst. The chemicals are taking full effect and the patient is much weaker. Maybe the test did not come back positive and your friends need your encouragement. Keep in touch at least once every two weeks through a card, phone call, email or visit. I hear from many cancer patients and this is the number one problem. They have little or no support. Many of the people I hear from spend lots of time reading again and again the cards they have received. I talked to one past cancer patient who has been free and clear for 5 years who still goes back and reads the cards he received, quite often. The cards were so special. This is how we can all help.
Important Notice. As time permits, I am also willing to speak to your civic clubs, community clubs, garden clubs and gatherings. Cancer affects many and hopefully through these speeches I can help someone deal with the devastation most cancer patients experience.
In the meantime if you need me just email me at jerry@JerryFowler.com. My phone number is 803-798-0555. All contact information is on my website. Until next week I wish you a terrific and prosperous week and thanks to everyone for your prayers and remember that “Day by Day in every way, by the grace of God, I am getting better and better and better. Shortly I will be reporting to you that there is absolutely no trace of cancer.
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