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
Sort By: MLS# Price City Subdivision Beds Baths Limit: 10 | 20 | 30 Per Page- MLS#
270225- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
GREAT OPPORTUNITY! WildeWood executive/professional estate-8.5 acres. Total of over 1,200' water frontage on lake + additional 174' on pond. Possib...
- MLS#
303138- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 6 Full / 4 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
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...
- MLS#
309783- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
A 'must see' luxurious custom home in one of Columbia's most desirable locations. Executive lake home close in and just minutes to the shopping at ...
- MLS#
255956- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
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 ...
- MLS#
311141- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 4 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING! EXECUTIVE HOME FLOORPLAN CAN HAVE 6 BEDROOMS. FEATURED ON TV AND SC MAGAZINE! LOCATED IN HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER WILDEWOOD, A COU...
- MLS#
304524- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
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 ...
- MLS#
293236- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
$1million+ in today's market requires perfection. Location, condition, amenities, history and the type of living experience that makes staying home...
- MLS#
307887- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Located in The Enclave, Wildewood's finest gated community, this is a spectacular and elegant customer built home by Kendrick Builders*10' or highe...
- MLS#
287859- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 3 Half
- School:
- Richland One
It's not just the size, this home has the highest quality interior finishes available. The relatively understated front elevation belies one of the...
- MLS#
288630- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 2 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
MODERN ITALIAN RENAISSANCE INSPIRED BY ARCHITECT RICHARD MOCK IS SPECTACULAR BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. HANGING STAIRCASE, GRAND FOYER, STATE OF THE...
- MLS#
309464- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Stately property on one of Columbia best streets! Built in 1993, the house has great living space and large bedrooms. The first floor has 10' ceili...
- MLS#
296194- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
LAKE CHATEAU! This discriminating Lake Murray Estate with classic European flair is located in a setting of breathtaking grounds on 2.28 acres of t...
- MLS#
278516- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / N/A
- School:
- Richland Two
Executive home on .9 acre lot on Forest Lake. .77 foot lake frontage with dock, lake fed sprinkler system. Beautiful sun room overlooks lake, 2 F...
- MLS#
306384- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland One
All of the finest finishes: heavy moldings, high ceils, custom faux paint, v aulted fam rm & mstr BA. Huge mstr BR, open fam rm/kitch; both open to...
- MLS#
307536- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 3 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Quiet cul-d-sac, beautiful finshes, granited, hardwoods, limestone tile flooring. Viking thermadore sub-zero appliances, indoor gas grills. Roof 2 ...
- MLS#
275665- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
MAGNIFICENT EURO STYLE BRICK/STONE COMBO! Boating, skiing, auto enthusiasts must see. 137' water frontage, private dock, boat lift. 3 car + 2 car g...
- MLS#
308500- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM BUILT HOME ON PRIVATE CUL-DE-SAC. 9,10,& 12 FOOT CEILINGS. LARGE MASTER BEDROOM. LAUNDRY ROOM UP AND DOWN. LARGE FRONT & REAR PORC...
- MLS#
308966- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
- MLS#
297829- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Awesome view of Big Water, Dam, & City of Columbia! as close in as can get. Builders custom home & loaded w all the extras. Granite, travertine har...
- MLS#
309224- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Stunning custom home on large private lot. Elegant formals feature fireplace, hardwoods and heavy moldings. Large high end kitchen with breakfast r...
- MLS#
295500- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 5 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Stunningly beautiful Lake Murray home with sunset views on big water. Just minutes to downtown Columbia. 7 bedrooms 5 full baths and 1 half bath. O...
- MLS#
310621- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Completely renovated, magnificent home on .71 acre lot. All thermopane windows except for large front window. Gorgeous pool, outdoor fireplace, la...
- MLS#
307490- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Unbelievable quality in this Warren Probst designed and constructed custom built home*MBR suite on main level*elevator to second floor rooms*Additi...
- MLS#
311853- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 7
- Baths:
- 5 Full / N/A
- School:
- Richland One
BEAUTIFUL COLONIAL STYLE HOME LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO THE HISTORIC HAMPTON HOME BUILT IN 1896 AND GARDENS. LOTS OF PRIVACY WITH PROPERTY BACKING INTO ...
- MLS#
306644- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 4
- Baths:
- 3 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
Grand old home in USC area*Per previous owner completely renovated in 2001(wiring, plumbing, kitchen, baths)*Loads of charm & detail*11' ceilings d...
- MLS#
310809- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 1 Half
- School:
- Richland One
One of KG's finest homes custom built by Bobby Haas. MBR down, Great Kitchen, Awesome Yard that backs to protected woods. Lots of storage under h...
- MLS#
298460- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 5
- Baths:
- 4 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Richland Two
Fine, custom-built home with 10' ceilings on the first floor and 9' ceilings on the second floor; beautiful heart-of-pine floors on the first and s...
- MLS#
309656- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 3 Full / N/A
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Incredible opportunity to own one of the most sought-after addresses on Lake Murray. One of only 5 properties on big water side of Windward Point, ...
- MLS#
293244- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 6
- Baths:
- 6 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Custom built executive home (builder's personal home for 11 years). Located in a cul-de-sac with 2.59 total acres. The private backyard with the na...
- MLS#
308508- Class:
- Residential
- Status:
- Active
- Beds:
- 3
- Baths:
- 2 Full / 2 Half
- School:
- Lexington/Richland Five
Beautiful updated kitchen and sunroom. Lots of granite counter tops, wet bar with glass doors. Hardwoods in kitchen, sunroom, dining and family roo...
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