Week 48 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - Still No Voice?

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.

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. 

$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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