Jerry’s Greatest Challenge                       
9-16-2007 through 9-23-2007
This Week Has Been a Huge Challenge

Editors Note:  This is the 29th 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:  Surprising this week has been one of the worst regarding after effects of the Chemo I have experienced. 

One thing for sure is the ups and downs when it comes to having cancer.   There is no rhyme or reason for what happens.  I had a Chemo treatment on Tuesday 9-18-2007.  The Chemo I am taking now is reportedly the best kind regarding side effects however this one has drained me completely of energy and stamina.   My blood pressure shot out the roof; I had extreme fatigue and ending up sleeping a great deal of this past weekend.  All the blood work came out good so my red count was not low.  I do know that I must take a B-12 shot while I am receiving this type Chemo and it has been a while since I have taken one of those shots.  I am hoping this is the reason for such an off week.

I wanted to talk a little about how you must treat a cancer patient.  Treat them as if they are well and not sick. The one thing in common that patients have talked to me about is how people treat them.  They tell me that people treat them as if they have one foot in the grave.  The success rate of curing cancer is very high for most cancers.   Do not tip toe around them and worry about talking about the cancer they have.  Most patients are not afraid to talk about it and if you want to know what is happening in their life, ask them.

I have had some really strange things happen regarding my cancer.  I have had people that were outgoing and fairly assertive to really clam up when it comes to talking about cancer.  I have never minded questions or thoughts expressed by anyone.

WARNING, do not tell your friend about the relative you had that died with cancer.  This is not the thing to talk about.  The only request I asked from the beginning from everyone is, don’t treat me as if I am sick.  I am not sick.  I am experiencing a slight detour in my life that will be over soon thanks to a lot of prayers, good doctors, a great positive attitude and a positive expectation of the final result.

I am looking forward to next week on the 2th of October.  I will visit Dr. Babcock for an update and I will have an X-Ray taken to see where the tumor is and how it has responded to the last 3 treatments.  I only have one more treatment on this group of Chemo treatments so I am eagerly waiting to see what the cancer has done and how it has responded.

I ask you to keep me in your prayers and on your prayer list.  Also keep the thousands of people going through the same on your prayer list.  Cancer is one of the most devastating experiences most people will go through and surprisingly many of your friends and family will go through cancer either with their loved ones or their own bodies.

However if caught in time cancer can be cured and a new life can be yours.  Again 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.

My hair continues to get 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.  One thing I noticed is my hair is growing back darker.  I have been told that your hair may be white, curly or completely different than the hair one had before losing their hair. 

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 at www.jerryfowler.com  

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  no matter what type adversity you are your family face.  Now let’s go out and create a terrific day for everyone we come in contact with. 

To the hundreds of you perhaps thousands, you have made my day, weeks and this year wonderful.  God bless you all and remember do something nice for someone who is suffering from any type sickness or illness. They will truly appreciate what you do.

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