Week 40 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - Chemo and Radiation Now at Full Blast

Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
12-02-2007 through 12-09-2007
Chemo and Radiation Now at Full Blast
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 40 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.  If you have similar challenges why not give Jerry a call.  Sometimes just talking to someone going through the same or similar situations will make a difference.

From Jerry:  Radiation started on Tuesday 12-4-2007.  WOW, what an operation.  Thank God we have this type technology available. Can you imagine what would happen 50 years ago if we were having the same challenges?

The first three treatments are longer because the technicians take several X-Rays prior to administrating the radiation. This is to aid Dr. Wright in the exact positioning for the radiation.  The entire first few treatments only last 20 minutes which includes the X-Rays. After the first treatments each treatment thereafter is only about 10 minutes

You take your shirt off and you are positioned in the cast that was formed weeks ago. This is to make sure your body is in the same position each week.  There is a huge computerized machine that focuses on the marks that were put on your body weeks ago. There are 8 positions the machine focuses on. Each position treats for a period of time of somewhere around 20 seconds twice.  It is over in no time at all and you feel nothing.  However the real problem is being there every morning at 7:30 promptly.  No matter what happens the day before you must be there daily, 5 days per week.

Cancer is no fun.  There are ups and downs and days of fatigue.  The worst part is not knowing when you will feel bad or good. The up and down feeling makes it difficult to plan anything. For example this Sunday 12-2-2007 had me feeling drained the entire day.  All you want to do is sit or lie down.  This is not my style but this comes with the treatments. 

Another problem that developed this week was the white blood cells have dropped below what the doctors are comfortable with. This is not good.  When your white cells are low you are very capable and in a position to get sick.  This makes it difficult to be around people, shaking hands and mingling.  If this does not correct itself there are only two options and they are a blood transfusion or stop the radiation for two weeks and take shots.  Obviously stopping the radiation is not an option.

For all the bad times there are also many good times.  This Saturday morning at 10:00AM,  I spoke at the kick off of the cancer walk by the IB students at Irmo High. This was sponsored by the Lance Armstrong Foundation.  What a group of enthusiastic young students and volunteers.  Everyone was really into this walk. Eddie Walker, the principal of Irmo High was there and if you know Eddie you know how enthusiastic he can be.  Eddie adds that unbelievable optimism to the crowd. I would estimate about 150 people where there and this is what I enjoy most.  Thank you everyone that showed up, walked and ran and helped raise money for such a worthy cause. 

We are really gearing up for the Caregivers Foundation.  If you would like to help with the Caregivers Foundation please give me a call or email me.  This foundation will be solely for the benefit of the caregivers of cancer patients.  They are the ones that are forgotten and the ones that need more help than most. 

If you need a speaker at your club, Rotary, Kiwanis, Jaycees, community associations, garden clubs or any civic organization 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.

Have a terrific week and remember that day by day, by the grace of God, you are getting better and better and better.

Now let's go out and create a terrific week. 

Jerry Fowler

$2,750,000 - Columbia, SC @ Wildewood

MLS#

298764

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

4 Full / 2 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
Aspen Designed Architectural Masterpiece. 8400 sq ft of Spectacular Craftsmanship Resonate through out one of Wildewood's Premiere addresses. 4 Bed...

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$1,600,000 - Columbia, SC @ Wildewood

MLS#

270225

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

3 Full / 2 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat 07
GREAT OPPORTUNITY! WildeWood executive/professional estate-8.5 acres. Total of over 1,200' water frontage on lake + additional 174' on pond. Possib...

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$1,500,000 - Columbia, SC @ Wexford On The Lake

MLS#

303138

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

7

Baths:

6 Full / 4 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of RE/MAX Real Estate Consultants
Elegant contemporary executive estate in Wexford on the Lake. This custom built home is located on 1.2 acres w/237 feet of lake frontage! Over 8700...

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$1,385,000 - Columbia, SC @ Forest Lake

MLS#

255956

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

3 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of Bollin Ligon Walker Realtors
Beautiful 3 yr old traditional with sunset views across Forest Lake. 10 ft ceilings down & 9 ft upstairs*378 ft roughed-in with wiring & plumbing ...

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$1,300,000 - Columbia, SC @ None

MLS#

302963

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

4 Full / 2 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
Spectacular in every aspect. Phenomenal view of lake includes the dam, AND the city skyline! Tremendous features include spray foam insulation, cen...

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$1,250,000 - Columbia, SC @ Lake Carolina - The Peninsula

MLS#

302547

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

5

Baths:

4 Full / 2 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of EXIT Real Estate Solutions
Custom, waterfront home in Lake Carolina's gated "The Peninsula" subdivision. Stunning details throughout. All brick construction with majestic col...

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$1,195,000 - Columbia, SC @ None

MLS#

280373

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

5

Baths:

5 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Weichert Rlt,Ray Covington 01
Grand Estate with 3 acres, fabulous home with pool, reflection pond, 2 large storage facilities

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$1,190,000 - Columbia, SC @ Wales Garden

MLS#

304524

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

4 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
ONE OF THE MOST ELEGANT & STATELY HOMES IN COLA! LARGE GRACIOUS ROOMS W/10 FT CEILINGS. BEAUTIFUL YARD W/POOL & ROSE GARDEN. FULL BASEMENT W/ WINE ...

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$1,125,000 - Columbia, SC @ Ashworth Place

MLS#

285912

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

4 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United 01
GORGEOUS LAKE FRONT HOME IN PRESTIGIOUS GATED COMMUNITY. CUSTOM FEATURES W/ATTENTION TO DETAIL. DRAMATIC ENTRY FOYER W/MARBLE FLOORS & HANGING STAI...

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$1,100,000 - Columbia, SC @ Wales Garden

MLS#

293236

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

4 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Home Shop Realty Company
$1million+ in today's market requires perfection. Location, condition, amenities, history and the type of living experience that makes staying home...

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