Week 27 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - A Great Week

Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
9-2-2007 through 9-9-2007
A Great Week

Editors Note:  This is the 27th   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.  

From Jerry:  This has been one of the best weeks I have experienced since starting Chemo Therapy months ago.  As I have told you in previous articles, life for a cancer patient is a constant up and down.  Good times, bad times and many challenges.  The worst part is not being able to predict when the down times will occur.  We try to plan for events during the week and by the time the event arrives we are too tired to go. 

The minute one seems to be ready to take on the world something else happens.  People under treatment for cancer have many obstacles.  The blood and how it functions is constantly up and down. Blood tests are required to monitor what the body is doing.  One of the side effects of cancer is blood clots which can be very dangerous.  Is the blood thin enough, thick enough and what is happening is of considerable concern to doctors treating the patient.

Fatigue is probably the one thing really hard to deal with especially if you are an active person.  I usually go about 12 hours per day and this has really slowed me down.  I do think that even if you are fatigued you need to keep going.  I have found that when you do stop it is like surrendering. There are times to rest and times to forge ahead however if you feel like going, then do so.  I think it is good therapy.

I have met many new and meaningful friends since I began my battle with cancer.  These are wonderful and caring people who really care about their fellow humans.  In the cancer circles there are all type people just like in the non-cancer circles. There are ones that are bitter and they constantly ask, “Why did this happen to me”?  They go through their remainder of life with very bitter outlooks and most of them do not survive. 

I have found that the ones that are the most successful in beating cancer are those that care for others and use their experiences to help others get through the rough spots.  I have seen miracles performed, attitudes changed, outlooks altered and their passion restored for life and their loved ones. 

According to Robert Schuller and Joel O’Steen, Life is good and so is God and regardless of what adversities come your way you can ALWAYS  “Live your Best Life Now”.

If you have a loved one who are going through this type attitude please have them call or email me.  Maybe I can help.  Maybe I cannot help however it is worth a try and with me it’s free. 

I would like to again congratulate the care givers of this world.  You are wonderful and you deserve a medal of honor.  You have a very difficult job but remember your loved one need you and you will make a difference in their recover and health and the speed of their recovery. 

One benefit of my sickness is the closeness that my wife Judy and I have experienced.  I have never been dependant on anyone, I thought until now.  The caregivers are angels and if you know someone going through this situation help them out by offering to stay with their spouse for a day so they can get out and get away from the constant burden they experience.  This will make a huge difference in their life and their ability to keep up their good attitude.  

My hair is slowly returning.  Not sure what the final outcome will be but I have some hair.  In fact for the first two weeks I looked like I had a halo around my head and now it is beginning to look like I have hair.

I will return to the Chemo chair on the 19th and I know the cancer if gradually becoming a thing of the past for me.  Thank God for modern technology regarding treatments.

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 and so can you if you are dealing with any type adversity.  Now let’s go out and create a terrific day for everyone we come in contact with. 

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