Week 5 - 4/1/2007 till 4/8/2007 - Page 3

4-1-2007 till 4-8-2007

            I am blessed with a great wife Judy who makes me feel wonderful, keeps up with all the pills and shots I must take and gives me encouragement. I also have a great staff so my business continues to run smoother than ever. In fact they have listed and sold more homes with me available only part time than went I was there full time.  If I don’t hurry up and get this challenge over I might not have a job.  I still have never had a negative thought about what I am going through or a depressed thought, nor have I felt sorry for myself.  This is a journey that will open my eyes to things I have never seen before.  So far I feel very fortunate to have met some of the people I have met and been exposed to as a result of my sickness.               

             It’s Monday 4-2-2007 and I just received the news that the blood clots are still in my legs.  This means I must give myself shots for at least 8 more times to help thin the blood, however the most devastating news was my white blood count was down to almost nothing.  A normal person’s body has a white blood count of 1200+.  My count was 12.   Even a novice like me knows that is not good.  I was ordered to go home, put my legs up, do not walk around, and do not be around people.  I could not go to my office, shake hands with anyone.  In other words I was to become a hermit in my home.  In addition the doctor gave me a shot to increase my white count and I had two additional shots to give myself each day to build the white count up.  How long would this last, I asked?  The doctor said he did not know but I needed to be back in two days for more blood test and monitoring.  WOW.  What a bummer.             

            The nurse that gave me the shots said I would experience some joint pain that night.  I experienced no pain at all.  However the next night around 9PM I started aching in the hips.  This became worst and worst until it was like a tooth ache or a severe case of the flu.  Every joint in my body hurt.  I have a very high pain tolerance but this was bad.  Finally I took three Tylenol and the pain eased off enough to sleep. My next appointment was Wednesday 4-4-2007 with Dr. Babcock at 7:30AM.  I was sore in the hips from the night before but basically I felt good.  Blood tests were completed and Dr. Babcock came in and said he was amassed. He told me that he cannot believe that the blood clots were gone and the blood count was back to normal. 

            All this in only two days.  I think this is a miracle. He took me off all shots and told me that he is scheduling X-Rays for Tuesday morning 4-10-2007 prior to my second Chemo treatment. This is good news because I am curious as to what is happening with the cancer and the X-Ray would give us a clue.  

I am losing my hair

            That is what my wife Judy said on Thursday morning 4-5-2007.  I said what do you mean? She them pointed out that my shirt had a lot of hair on it.  I immediately took a small pinch of my hair and pulled.  WOW, it was coming out in locks. I will never forget the 5th of April, the day I officially started losing my hair.  This took me by surprise even through the doctors had told me that I would lose my hair, my eyebrows, my eye lashes and most body hair.  I had to sit down for a few minutes.  What is it about us humans when we can be more concerned with hair loss than the notification that you have lung cancer?  Is that the vain side of all of us?              

            Immediately my mind raced.  I have a TV interview with WACH 57 on Monday about real estate.  Can I keep enough hair to look businesslike in that interview?  I must try to keep as much as possible so when I washed my hair I pat it dry.  Rubbing a towel over my head would remove even more hair.  My hair was coming out in unbelievable amounts and I did not have much hair before the cancer.  

            My family was down for Easter and I told them let’s not turn the ceiling fan on high. We don’t want to blow the rest of my hair off.  It is amassing but the growth of nails, hair even my beard has stopped.  I am being attacked by the Chemotherapy.  Now let’s pray that the Chemo is attacking the cancer with the same aggressiveness.  When you see me next time I will be bald.  I am told this is the “in thing”.  I am not sure but one thing is for sure, I will experience the bald look, like it or not.  I have thought about wearing an 18 century judge’s wig, all white,  at the board meetings however I am now sure my constituents would appreciate that humor.             

            I am still very positive. The cards, letters, emails are great.  I never thought those would mean as much as they do.  The real estate brokers and a lot of Realtors have stayed in touch and have written me hundreds of emails just to say they are praying for me.  You will never know how important this is and how much just an email means. 

            If you are reading this and you know someone that is going through something like this, please take the time to write a note to them.  Tell them you are thinking about them and reach out.  Chances are they are down and depressed and need encouragement.  Like I said in an earlier update. God said reach out to someone in need and try to make a better world.  You can do that through contact.  Don’t feel sorry for the person suffering from a life threatening disease.  Treat them as if they are cured and getting well.  By all means do not tell them about your aunt or uncle that had the same illness and died after 6 months. This is not what they need to hear. They need positive reinforcement and your support.

            I am now on the way to complete recovery and I hope something I have written will help you understand the many facets a cancer victim experiences. 

$67,500 - Irmo, SC @ Dutch Creek

MLS#

311563

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of W Realty
Totally Renovated in 2007. New Roof, New Heat Pump, Freshly Painted, New Thermopane Windows, New Deck, Tile Flooring in Kitchen and Bath. Fenced ...

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$132,000 - Irmo, SC @ Old Friarsgate

MLS#

311558

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
Very nice and updated with new carpet, paint, hardwoods and appliances. Large living and dining room. Family room with fireplace. Master bedroom wi...

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$125,000 - Irmo, SC @ Ivy Green

MLS#

311546

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of EXIT AGAPE Real Estate Service
Very well maintained patio home in prime Irmo location. Galley kitchen, open greatroom and dining area, master and bedroom 2 are down, 3rd bedroom...

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$123,000 - Irmo, SC @ Foxboro Glen

MLS#

311466

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Home Advantage Realty
Fantastic floor plan on a large corner lot, this 3BR 2BA home has a great layout with an open kitchen/family room with gas FP, vaulted ceilings, sc...

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$95,000 - Irmo, SC @ Riverwalk

MLS#

311426

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
Perfect home for the first time buyer, empty nester, or buyer looking to downsize! Covered country front porch has great curb appeal providing perf...

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$39,900 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

311375

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Asset Realty Inc
Wood sided contemporary home located in Dutch Fork Schools portion of New Friarsgate (School District 5). Three bedrooms, two baths. Sunken living ...

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$214,900 - Irmo, SC @ Ashford Hall

MLS#

311363

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Coldwell Banker United
EXCELLENT BUY ON THIS WELL KEPT HOME ON A HUGE CORNER LOT!! Backyard is like a park w/lots of trees and extensive decking w/relaxing hot tub! HUGE ...

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$114,500 - Irmo, SC @ Riverwalk

MLS#

311341

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Paradigm Real Estate Group
Adorable house on great lot, fenced in yard, two decks!

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$159,900 - Irmo, SC @ Milford Park

MLS#

311259

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
Milford Park Subdivision! Conveniently located near Ballentine Elementary. This wonderful home offers 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, large open kitchen t...

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$115,000 - Irmo, SC @ None

MLS#

311255

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Real Estate Advocates Inc
This home is 1504 sqft. featuring 3 bedrooms and 2 full bathrooms. The eat-in kitchen features include a bay window, natural wood cabinets, formica...

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