Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
1-27-2008 through 2-3-2008
 Still no Voice?
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 48 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.

To reach Jerry, email him at Jerry@JerryFowler.com.   If you miss the weekly newspaper articles in the New Irmo News, The Lake Murray News, the Cayce/West Columbia News or the Northeast News you can catch up or go back to week one or anywhere in between by going to Jerry’s web site at www.JerryFowler.com , look on the left side menu and click on Jerry’s Medical Updates.

From Jerry:   Never for a moment did I think I would be without a voice this long.  I first lost my voice on January 11th.  I did my radio show on January 12th but it was a real strain to complete that show.  In fact I was so tried after the show that I could not do my daily real estate tips.  By next Monday I will have been without a voice for a total of 30 days.  Now I am sure some of the people around me would appreciate this but quite frankly from a serious standpoint, not having a voice is one of the most devastating things I have had happen.  We depend on our communication skills to work with people especially in the real estate business.  Thank God for my team of real estate professionals. Business is better than usual and we are selling and helping buyers buy houses in record numbers.

I now have a special appreciation for people trying to communicate with someone who cannot be understood.  Constantly people ask you to repeat yourself.  Many times you are reduced to putting your thoughts in writing only because it is difficult to talk and next to impossible for others to understand you.  Trying to talk on the phone is next to impossible because the phone distorts your voice even more and trying to make a point with emphasis is comical.  Even a sneeze or a laugh sounds like a chipmunk. 

Overall this has been a good week.  Although I am still extremely tried I can drink water. Thank God.  Maybe this means I can reduce the trips to the Oncologist for fluids.  Until now I have been going to the Oncologist every other day for 1 ½ bags of solution.  This takes about 3 hours.  Sitting in the chair at 8AM would take until 11AM to complete.

I really believe that God has a plan for my life and this is all part of that plan.  How else could I appreciate the trials a cancer victim goes through if I have not been through them personally? 

From sickness to blood clots, from weight lost to headaches, from running into walls to dizzy spells, from lightheadedness to muscle pain, from breaking out on the chest and back to muscle cramps.  From low white blood cells to low red blood cells.  WOW there are so many things that will happen to your body. 

Cancer is the great equalizer as I have said so many times.  It doesn’t matter whether you have money or you are poor, you are intelligent or not intelligent, white, black, Hispanic or other.  Cancer does not discriminate. There are so many different experiences to talk about and each person reacts entirely different to each.

I am thankful that I have been able to survive the many trials cancer hits you with.  This is the reason I offer to talk to your groups and civic clubs.  There are so many people who do not have a good positive attitude and who hopelessly just fade away into the sunset and allow this disease to take hold.  I will never give in.  I will always fight and I hope I can help you as well.

Many of you have asked about my Mother in your emails.  She will take her fourth Chemo treatment this week.  We are so proud of her.  She usually has about 7 days of extreme tiredness after the treatment but then she is back to normal and out to tackle the world.  She is my hero and takes on life with a strong positive attitude.  Mother is almost 81 years old and a pure pleaser to watch as she tackles one of life’s curves. 
Remember 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 the middle of February and beyond.  I feel it is an honor to share my story with you and your loved ones and hopefully I will say something that will help someone in a crisis situation. If you have a loved one that needs to talk just have them call. 

My office number is 803-798-0555 or you can email me at Jerry@JerryFowler.com.  I promise either me or one of my associate will return your call or email you in a very timely fashion.   Now let’s go out and create a terrific week for ourselves and everyone around us.

Jerry Fowler

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