Week 38 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - More Chemo Treatments

Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
11-18-2007 through 11-25-2007
More Chemo Treatments
 

Editors Note:  This is the 38th 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:  Well this has been a week of repeats.  Back to the oncology association and back on Chemo Treatments.  I started the first of six treatments on Wednesday 11-21-2007, the day before Thanksgiving.  The doctors have me on the following 4 chemicals or drugs:

• Carboplatinum
• Gemzar
• Aloxi
• Decadron

These are all given at one sitting which usually takes 2 and ½ hours. They are all administered through the port installed by my surgeon back in March of this year. These treatments will be given once per week.

This week I was also measured and marked with the primary marks for the 35 radiation treatments that will began on December 3rd.  This was very interesting.  The technicians lay you on a collapsible bag that fits from your lower back up behind your neck and head.  This is what they call forming. 

The purpose is to build a form, which is permanent that will make sure your body fit the exact same way each time you take your treatments.  Then they run you through this massive machine that has laser beams coming from all directions.  Once these lasers are coordinated to the cancer in your body they mark the areas with a dark purple X. 

The next step in this process will occur on Friday 11-30-07. This is what they call a simulation of treatment.  They then mark the other areas on the body.  The process today is simpler than in times past when they actually tattooed a mark on your body and that mark was permanent.   Once the simulation is over and Dr. Wright does his study we are then set to start radiation treatments the following Monday. These will be given each day, 5 days per week until we complete 35 treatments.

My understanding is each treatment will take approximately 10 to 15 minutes.  Radiation is a very direct and powerful treatment with the only areas affected being the ones focused on.   Side effect will vary but because this is around my neck and esophagus I could have difficulty swallowing, eating and talking.  I am thinking positive that this will not occur.

We are still in the process of trying to set up a foundation to help the caregivers.  There seems to be nothing dedicated to the caregivers of the thousands of cancer patients and this would be used primarily to set up counseling groups, training classes and other ways to help the caregivers.  More on that as we move forward.

I sincerely hope that each and every one of you had a nice Thanksgiving.  I hope you used this time to spend with your family and that you told them you loved them. 

I would like to extend my condolences to the Chris Conner family as they suffered the lost of Chris last week due to complications in surgery due to blood clots.  Our prayers go out to the family and to the friends of Chris.  He was a wonderful person. 

If you are going through any type challenge read the book entitled “The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, by Dr. Joseph Murphy.  If you read this book and follow its advice, you can overcome anything.

Also if you need a speaker at your club let me know.  We need to get the word out to all people about what their friends and neighbors are going through if they have cancer.  There is no one in any area that is not affected by cancer either in friends, loved ones, neighbors or others you know.  Cancer is rampant.

Jerry Fowler

$133,000 - Columbia, SC @ Abington

MLS#

307674

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of Asset Realty, Inc.
Great home for a 1st time home buyer.Smooth top range. Double-Door Refrigerator,Kitchen has a Island.Plenty of Storage Space.Great Yard with a Priv...

 View Listing

---

$122,000 - Columbia, SC @ Abington

MLS#

304207

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home w/fireplace in family room, a roomy eat-in area, overlooking large fenced in backyard. This home awaits your enjoyment of ...

 View Listing

---

$160,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

311057

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Beautiful one bedroom home facing Main Street. Our lst floor is like the 2nd floor in most buidings, so the view is good. Hardwood floors, good cl...

 View Listing

---

$260,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

311015

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Beautiful views of the western skyline as well as the Adesso pool and amenity deck from this 3rd floor home. One of Adesso's ADA units, this home ...

 View Listing

---

$229,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

309473

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of The Wolfe Company Inc
Wonderful corner unit with wrap around balcony*Sought after Torino floor plan and the only one available*High ceilings, hardwood floors, granite, S...

 Virtual Tour  View Listing

---

$160,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

306171

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Last finished one bedroom home facing our beautiful pool! 10' ceilings, hardwood floors, granite - all the finishes you would expect in a luxury b...

 View Listing

---

$225,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

305699

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
One of two remaining Sorrento floorplans - Adesso's most popular floorplan! FABULOUS Master Bedroom Closet/Bathroom!!!!!Wonderful building with gr...

 View Listing

---

$265,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

305379

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
The Final Firenze Floorplan at Adesso! Time is running out to be a Charter Owner at Adesso. This rounded-window view of our signature corner of M...

 View Listing

---

$225,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

297753

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / 2 Half

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
It's the Adesso Final Countdown! This is one of 2 super-popular Sorrento floorplans remaining! Have you seen the closet in the master in this one?...

 View Listing

---

$340,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

224185

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

3 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Arresting views from the rounded windows & balcony overlooking beautiful western skyline. 10' ceilings, crown mouldings, hardwood floors, granite,...

 Virtual Tour  View Listing

---