Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
9-9-2007 through 9-16-2007
Life is Good

Editors Note:  This is the 28th   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 week has been one of the most interesting of weeks since being diagnosed with cancer.  I have had more people contact me that have had cancer and have been cancer free for years and others who have just gone through their test and discovered that they did not have a trace of cancer at this time. Still others who have just discovered they have cancer and are trying to make decisions as to how to deal with their cancer and what options to take. These are all very serious life changing events.

Others contacted me and told me of their battles and trials.  What they are experiencing and the lack of solutions.  I have had friends from High School contact me and people I have not heard from in 30 and 40 years to get in touch.  I can only say that “Life is Good”.  I am writing this on Monday morning 9-17-2007 and today I will be returning calls or answering emails from a dozen people who contacted me over the weekend.

This last week has been another good week.  I still have problems with fatigue and swelling of the feet which causes problems getting around and I occasionally have the walking into walls syndrome, but overall I am truly blessed.

Tomorrow 9-18-2007 I will be back at the SC Oncology Association for another Chemo treatment and lots of blood work.  Dr. Babcock will probably schedule a PET scan sometime within the next 2 weeks or at least after my next scheduled Chemo treatment to see where we are with the tumor and how we need to precede.

Doctors know that each body will react differently to the various treatments available to them and the only thing they can do is try different type treatments to see what results are achieved.  Research is going on constantly and there are new procedures introduced weekly.  Thank you Dr. Babcock and to Donna, one of his nurses for keeping up with the latest and making sure I am in the best of hands.

I would like to encourage you to have your loved ones contact me.  Just talking to someone going through the same situation they are going through makes a huge difference in how they can relate.  I have had many people contact me and I welcome those calls, emails, letters and cards.   There are many problems association with the treatment for cancer and we all share with each other things we have found to make it easier to cope and adjust.

One thing I talked about two weeks ago was the number two cause of lung cancer in the United States and that being Radon Gas.  In the midlands of SC we have never had a real problem with Radon gas however DHEC is now saying that because of the tightness of our homes today that Radon Gas is more of a problem than ever. 

My hair is getting thicker and thicker and actually is making me look completely different.  I was hoping when my hair came back it would also grow in those bald spots I had before cancer. No such luck. Looks like I will be blessed to have those bald spots forever.

I thank you for your prayers and please keep me on any and all prayer lists you have.  Your prayers have made it possible for me to overcome this cancer.  I fully believe I will be cured and life will continue, just in a better way.

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.  You all  have made my day, weeks and this year wonderful.