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

$8,000 - Columbia, SC @ Waverly

MLS#

306862

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of RE/MAX Real Estate Services
Estate Sale - Sold As Is. Investment Opportunity.

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$9,900 - Columbia, SC @ Clairview Terrace

MLS#

309366

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Merrilyn Hall Realty, Inc.
Bring your investors! Covered front porch, 2 bedrooms and a full bath, some updates such as vinyl siding already completed.

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$11,500 - Columbia, SC @ None

MLS#

304432

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
2 BEDROOM/1 BATH PROPERTY, LARGE BACKYARD, HARDWOODS THROUGHOUT, BRING ALL OFFERS, SOLD AS IS.

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$12,000 - Columbia, SC @ Briargate

MLS#

306954

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of CMM Realty, Inc.
The newly updated Briargate Condos is a gated community with two pools, a fitness center, a media center available to reserve, and minutes from I20...

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$12,000 - Columbia, SC @ Briargate

MLS#

306958

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of CMM Realty, Inc.
The newly updated Briargate Condos is a gated community with two pools, a fitness center, a media center available to reserve, and minutes from I20...

 View Listing

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$12,000 - Columbia, SC @ Briargate

MLS#

306946

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of CMM Realty, Inc.
The newly updated Briargate Condos is a gated community with two pools, a fitness center, a media center available to reserve, and minutes from I20...

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$13,000 - Columbia, SC @ None

MLS#

310368

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Gibbs Realty & Auction Co, Inc
Mobile home on private lot. Great location between Columbia and Winnsboro and Blythewood.

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$13,900 - Columbia, SC @ Briargate

MLS#

307541

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of CMM Realty, Inc.
The newly updated Briargate Condos is a gated community with two pools, a fitness center, a media center available to reserve, and minutes from I20...

 View Listing

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$14,800 - Columbia, SC @ Golden Acres

MLS#

306628

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Acquire Real Estate Inc
Cute all brick bungalow on bus routes. Well established yard with shed and enclosed porch. Jack and Jill bath between bedrooms.

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$14,900 - Columbia, SC @ Briargate

MLS#

311787

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
1 BEDROOM 1 BATHROOM, PROPERTY LOCATED IN GATED COMMUNITY, KITCHEN, LIVING ROOM, BALCONY. BRING ALL OFFERS.

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