Week 44 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - Day by Day, Hour by Hour and Minute by Minute, Things Change

Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
12-30-2007 through 1-6-2008
Day by Day, Hour by Hour and Minute by Minute, Things Change
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 44 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 or email Jerry.  Sometimes just talking to someone going through the same or similar situations will make a difference.

From Jerry:  I reported last week that I had no sore throat and could finally eat normally.  I also reported that when it involves cancer life changes rapidly, sometimes from hour to hour and certainly from day to day.  My sore throat disappeared for about 10 days, then after returning to a regular radiation schedule again, the sore throat started to develop.  This is due to the constant bombardment of radiation to the throat and neck area.  More information on that later in this update.

I was able to start my Chemo treatments again this past week on 1-2-2008.  My white blood count was excellent, my sore throat on the 2nd was very good and my blood clots were gone and the blood consistency was normal.   Only two more Chemo treatments and 14 more radiation treatments are remaining.  

Now let’s get back to my sore throat.  Everything was excellent until Saturday when the sore throat continued to get worst and worst.  Saturday night I started taking a special medicine that Dr. Wright had suggested I take.  On Sunday morning the throat was worst than ever.  My wife Judy had prepared breakfast and I took one bite and had the most excruciating pain I have ever felt.  I could not seem to get the food up or down.  Even water hurt severely.  For the entire day of Sunday I was unable to eat any solid food.   Hopefully Dr. Wright can figure out what to do on Monday.  I need to lose weight but this is not the way to do it and certainly not anything I would suggest to anyone.

Cancer is an ongoing process.  We must think positive both internally and externally.  Speak your belief to everyone and have an unshakable belief that you will be healed, no questions asked. 

For the ones that are friends of a cancer victim please treat your friend as if they are not sick.  One of the things I have noticed is that people are hesitant to talk to the cancer patient openly.  Most of the cancer patients I know are willing to talk about their feelings and thoughts.  You can learn a lot by just talking to them but not in a way that makes them feel bad.  Don’t tell them about your aunt Mary or uncle Mark who died after a long battle with cancer.  Encourage them and help them with good positive statements. 

I still use the following statement that I repeat over and over throughout the day:

Day by day, by the grace of god I am getting healthier and healthier. There are absolutely no traces of cancer in my body.  My blood count for red and white blood cells is perfect.  All blood clots have dissolved.  I have no sore throat.  My blood consistency is perfect.  Glory be to God and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

Again I believe my body will be perfect?  For those of you going through any adversity, I offer you this advice.   Just trust in the power of prayer and believe with an unshakable focus.  The results will be astounding to say the least.

Don’t forget the caregivers.  They really go through a lot of stress and strain and I am convinced that they go through even more than the person with the cancer.  Call them, relieve them when you can and have lots of compassion for them.  They are the rocks and support system for anyone going through a physical problem. These caregivers love the people they are taking care of.

 
Now let’s go out and create a terrific week and a terrific year for us and for others.  We can make a difference.  God bless each and every one of you.

Jerry Fowler

$525,000 - Irmo, SC @ Lake Murray

MLS#

309556

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

3 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Bollin Ligon Walker Realtors
Close-in, gr. water,on wide cove. Lg screen porch,Home light & bright, 9' ceil. Hwd. Floors. Split HVAC system, open floor plan, Office nook,kit wi...

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$290,000 - Irmo, SC @ None

MLS#

291867

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
Secluded home with pond on 5.8 acres - PASTURE FOR HORSES. Complete privacy away from busy roads and noise yet less than 1/2 mile from YMCA. Totall...

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$155,000 - Irmo, SC @ Ashford Hall

MLS#

291894

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
APPROX 1.5 ACRE LOT!! Open and spacious floor plan with a main level master suite. Large kitchen is open to the 2 story great room. Upstairs has 3 ...

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$205,000 - Irmo, SC @ The Courtyards At Salem Place

MLS#

292047

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
NEW BRICK HOME CLOSE IN TO IRMO & LAKE MURRAY. LOCATED OFF OF HWY 6 & SALEM CHURCH RD. THIS HOME IS CONVENIENT TO SCHOOLS, SHOPPING & LAKE MURRAY. ...

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$95,000 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

292049

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
Open floor plan with large living room and dining room. Renovations since 2009 include new roof, new blinds, sliding door, appliances, hardwood lam...

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$139,900 - Irmo, SC @ Old Friarsgate

MLS#

292611

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
Great location, close to the Columbiana Center mall, close to schools, rare find in established neighborhood. 9' ceilings, neutral colors, wonderfu...

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$99,700 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

298716

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
New heat pump installed. Pristine condition - oversized Garage. Estate sale. New exterior paint.

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$2,390,000 - Irmo, SC @ None

MLS#

298757

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

5

Baths:

6 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of EXIT Real Estate Solutions
LAKEFRONT MEDITERRANEAN MASTERPIECE! One of LAKE MURRAY's Greatest Estates with Resort-Style Luxuries is now available on the most desirable area o...

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$119,900 - Irmo, SC @ Old Friarsgate

MLS#

311859

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Keller Williams Columbia
MOVE IN CONDITION! New carpet! Freshly painted! New tile in both bathrooms! Master w/private bath & his/her closets! New doors throughout. New rang...

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$214,900 - Irmo, SC @ Chelsea Park

MLS#

311844

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Weichert Rlt Ray Covington
Loaded with extras-hardwoods in kitchen and entry, recessed lighting, tankless water heater, screen porch, privacy fenced rear yard, private lot wi...

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