Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
1-13-2008 through 1-20-2008
I am Now Speechless
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 46 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:   I am speechless.  How many times have I told you in these reports that at least I have my voice and can still communicate on my radio show, my real estate tips, my Realtor seminars and meeting with my clients each day?  For the past 10 days my voice has left me.  The irritation from the radiation has caused the voice to complexly leave.  I can whisper but I cannot talk.  Taking ones voice for granted is something I did as I am sure everyone does.  Life without your voice is very limiting.  The simplest things cannot be accomplished without a voice. When you try to talk to people they whisper back.  I assume this is normal.  Psychologists call this mirroring another person and we all do it without thinking.

Dr. Wright and Dr. Babcock told me that this should return once the radiation treatment stops.  Praise God the last treatment is this upcoming Thursday 1-24-2008.  This is one date I am looking forward to.  Not only have I lost my voice but I cannot eat solid foods.  I have lost almost 20 lbs because the only things I can eat are soups.  Drinking water is pure misery.  Fortunately Dr. Babcock has canceled all remaining Chemo Treatments.  He told me I have been abused too much.  Six to eight weeks after the last radiation treatment I will have another PET scan to see where we are.  What do I think?  I think all cancer will be gone and I will be on my way to full recovery.  This has been a very tough journey.  Just read my previous post and you will see what a person with cancer goes through and the battles they fight.

I had several emails this week that wanted to know how I remain so positive.  Well this week has been the absolute the worst week I have experience since I was diagnosed with cancer 46 weeks ago.  I am a full believer in God, positive thinking and the belief that I will be healed.  However after 46 weeks of ups and downs the body becomes drained, the mind grows weak and your defenses are down both mentally and physically.   I will never forget 1-15-2008 through 1-18-2008.  This was the lowest point I have experienced since I have had cancer.  I will write a detailed report on those events next week so you can see that no one can be up all the time.  I will also tell you how I overcame this 3 day trip into hell.

I talk about the Caregivers all the time and I receive a lot of emails about Caregivers.  There are two type Caregivers and they are Caregivers who are family and friends that put up with our attitudes, ups, downs, setbacks and tribulations. These are the ones that take care of us at home.

Then there are the other Caregivers that take care of us administrating the various treatments and solutions to our problems.  In my case I have 6 truly wonderful Caregivers at the SC Oncology Associates.  These wonderful people do not do this for the money.  They give of their time because they love what they are doing.  They are helping thousands by giving the treatments.  For those cancer patients I beg you to be nice to these people.  I have seen some really nasty ways some patients treat the medical Caregivers.  These Caregivers are angels and they are there to help you not hurt you.  May God bless all these wonderful Caregivers and please say a prayer for them.  They experience some horrible things yet they keep a smile on the face at all times. They grow to love their patients and then many times they lose them.

My thanks go out to Steve Bibb, Regina McRae, Sheryl Hart and April Bozzard from the radiation department.  I have been with these Caregivers every day for 35 days.  From the infusion department I want to thank Donna Harvey and Susan Gossett, Dr. Babcock’s nurses. You’re the best.

I have observed that Cancer is the great equalizer.  Cancer does not care whether you have money or whether you are poor. I am a people watcher and I see some people who are beat down before they even begin their treatments.  They come into the doctor’s office looking like they have one foot in the grave.  They need your help.  Encourage them and lift them up.  Pray for them and reach out for them.  They really need your help at this critical time in their life.  You know the old saying that you should never judge a man until you have walked in their shoes for a mile.  I have walked in the shoes of cancer victims for the past 46 weeks and I have a special appreciation for what they go through and it is far from easy.

The burning on my chest and back has become even worst.  The accumulated effect of radiation has burnt the skin and caused many areas to look like I have severe sunburn blisters.  Not a pleasant sight but soon too this will be history.

Not only am I blessed with the best medical Caregivers, I am also so blessed to have a wife that is wonderful.  Judy’s only concern is getting me well.  I have a son, Lee who has come up several times from Atlanta to help in any way he can.  I have two Sisters, Angela and Cyndy who continually write, send cards and call and stay in touch constantly.  I have a dear loving mother who is going through Chemo herself for breast cancer who I talk to daily.  She is my rock and I love all these people dearly.  I have dozens and dozens of friends that call, write, send cards and stay in touch frequently. I have business associations that call the office daily to check on my progress.  I am truly blessed.  However some people do not have loved ones and the effect of cancer makes it almost unbearable for them

If you know these people please reach out to them and help take the place of the family they do not have.  They need you now worst than ever.

If you would like me to speak at your club, civic group or neighborhood meeting be sure to call Deloris Anderson, my team member.  Since I cannot talk now she is setting up meetings for February and beyond.  I feel it is an honor to share my story with you and hopefully I will say something that will help you in a crisis situation. If you have a loved one that needs to talk just have them call.
 
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