Week 48 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - Still No Voice? - Page 9

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. 

$77,900 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

309903

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of EXIT AGAPE Real Estate Service
Cute bungalow with fireplace, wood laminate flooring, and just enough room. Back deck and spacious back yard, along with convenient location, add ...

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$30,000 - Irmo, SC @ None

MLS#

309877

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
Motivated seller. Bring offer. House sold As Is. Great investment property.

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$114,900 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

309851

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Weichert Rlt,Ray Covington
Spacious 3 bedroom & 2 bath home with great open floorplan on a good size lot in culdesac. Very convenient to Irmo & Harbison area shopping, dining...

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$139,800 - Irmo, SC @ Hidden Oaks

MLS#

309835

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 2 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
CHARLESTON CHARM in IRMO. This home is in great condition with new windows, new vinyl siding, and fresh paint. The living room has a charming tile ...

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$179,900 - Irmo, SC @ Ashford

MLS#

309829

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of The Correll Company, Inc
Great home on a cul-de-sac with shady wrap-around porch. Fenced yard with big patio. Huge laundry. Updated within last 2 yrs. New tile, carpet and ...

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$237,000 - Irmo, SC @ Belfair Oaks

MLS#

309761

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
OUTDOOR LIVING AT ITS BEST!! THIS BACKYARD WILL KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF! Come on home and enjoy sitting on your private screened porch overlooking a b...

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$155,000 - Irmo, SC @ Ashford

MLS#

309713

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
VERY CUTE HOME! Updated hardwood floors in foyer and Dining Room. Great Room has a gas log fireplace and is open to the Kitchen. All bedrooms have ...

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$500,000 - Irmo, SC @ Bookman Mills Farm

MLS#

309631

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

6

Baths:

3 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Keller Williams Columbia
Great house, DROP DEAD GORGEOUS VIEW OF RIVER/RAPIDS, NATURE ALL AROUND. You won't want to miss this home. Six bedrooms, three baths, gleaming hard...

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$275,000 - Irmo, SC @ Wyndhurst

MLS#

309601

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Weichert Rlt,Ray Covington
Custom built two story brick traditional on crawl space, owner transferred. Sun room overlooking to private wooded green area with energy-efficient...

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$123,000 - Irmo, SC @ Ivy Green

MLS#

309591

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
Charming neighborhood boasts manicured landscapes, sidewalks and central park w/ gazebo. Situated on quiet street and conveniently located to shopp...

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