Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
1-6-2008 through 1-13-2008
Now the Going Gets Tough
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 45 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.  This trip has been a roller coaster of events.  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:   315 days since my diagnosis.  WOW, a lot has happened and a lot is still happening.  People going through this disease must be strong and get accustomed to change, constant change.  The worst thing associated with cancer is the ups and downs. They are constant.   One minute you are great and the next minute things change and you’re not so great. 

This week started off with me speaking to the Lutheran Men’s group of the Saint Peters Road Lutheran Church of Lexington on Monday evening.  What a delightful group of people.  I had dinner with the group and then talked about my experiences. The sad part is no matter where you go you can never find a group of people that have not experienced cancer in their life, either directly or indirectly.This group of great men were very accommodating.

The sore throat is still with me and worst than ever.  I have been reduced to eating only soup for all meals.  The radiation has burned my throat so badly that it is impossible to even drink water or liquids without a lot of disconfort.  In order to keep my energy up I have been drinking Ensure and other high energy drinks to just keep something in my body.  Since it is so difficult to drink liquids I have been getting extra fluids through my port at the SC Oncology Associates. The good news is there are only 9 more treatments of radiation and 2 more Chemo treatments left.  Anyone can endure 9 more.  I have already taken 26 so 9 more will be a piece of cake.

The burning on my chest and back has become worst.  The accumulated effect of radiation is  burning  the skin in areas that the radiation is highly concentrated on. The doctors are focusing on the lymph glands between my chest and throat so naturally these areas will be affected more than other areas.

Most people with lung cancer will not go through this type inconvenience.  However the cancer is also in my lymph glands around my esophagus tube and this is the main reason.  The radiation is focusing on these areas which makes my throat very sore. 

Another side effect is the lost of my voice.  I actually sat in for Keven Cohen on Thursday’s afternoon drive, while I still had my voice and the 3 hours of radio talk and the one hour on my show Saturday finished my voice off.  As I write this memo I am talking with a whisper.  I do not think I will be able to do my show on Saturday 1-19-2008.

There are many side effects of lung cancer.  We are in my last stages of treatments now so many of the side effects are raising their ugly head.  However I know your prayers and positive thoughts are with me and I will overcome each and every adversity this disease offers. Please keep me on your prayer list.  This battle is almost over and I need that extra prayer.  More on the effects next week.

I would like to express my sorrow in the lost of Smokey Davis’s wife, Alecia.  I had the pleasure of meeting Alecia while taking my Chemo treatments.  She took her treatments beside me at the SC Oncology building.  She was a wonderful, loving and caring person with a sensational attitude.  Lexington and the world will miss Alecia. If you know Smokey, one of our county commissioners, give him a call or drop him a note.  I know he would appreciate this very much.
 
Now let’s go out and create a terrific week and a terrific year for us and for others.  We can make a difference.  We will make a difference.  God bless each and every one of you.

Jerry Fowler