Week 37 - Jerry's Greatest Challenge - My Voice is Almost Normal

Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
2-10-2008 through 2-17-2008
My Voice is almost Normal
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 50 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:   Almost back to normal regarding my voice, my throat and my eating.  WOW, how we can appreciate our health when we lose it.  We all go through life taking for granted the gifts we have, our health, our friends, our family.  Why does it take times of tragedy to gain our appreciation once again?  I am not sure anyone has that answer.  At least in a sickness you have the ability to rebuild your relationships and remove those walls.  When some loved one is killed in an accident there was not time to rebuild.  Thank God he has given me the ability to appreciate my life to the fullest.

I wanted to talk this week about the cost of cancer.  Although there are many different degrees of cost,  cancer is all very expensive.  Thank God there are programs for those even without insurance that will enable everyone to receive treatments. 

We are a blessed family in that we have insurance.  My wife Judy shared with me this week the cost of my treatments so far, which include medicine, test and visits to the doctors and specialist.  Can you believe that just this one person has had over $300,000, three hundred thousand dollars of cost to kill this cancer?  How can anyone without insurance survive?  Can you imagine the pressure of not having insurance added to the pressure of having cancer, and the feeling of helplessness that most cancer victim experience?

Why are the treatments and medicine so expensive?  Why are Chemo treatments and shots so expensive?  Do the companies that make the drugs and machines to treat cancer really want to see a cure?  Just some things to ponder.
If you have a friend or loved one who is going through cancer or any medical problem please go to them and extend a hand.  Offer to spend the day with them, take them somewhere, be with them and show them you appreciate their friendship.  Make them feel good, regardless of any differences you may have or had with them in the past.  Life if short and they need your help in this difficult time of their life. Spending time with them is so much more important than just sending a card.

Take them books, send them cards, call them and email them.  Make your friend feel special because they really need you and your love at this difficult time in their life.  Do not send a card and never send another.  The constant contact is what gives them hope.  If you do this for your friend they will do this for others when they get well.  Then you will be a part of a great principal called “Paying it Forward”.

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.  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. 
 

Now let’s go out and create a terrific week for ourselves and everyone around us.  Just remember, this is the first day of the rest of your life. Make it count.  God bless you all.

Jerry Fowler

$87,000 - Irmo, SC @ Stonegate

MLS#

311674

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Palmetto Real Estate Grp of SC
SOLD AS-IS. Possible lease to own. Low maintenance vinyl siding. 3BR 1.5 BA. Metal storage building in backyard.

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$79,500 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

311663

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Palmetto Real Estate Grp of SC
Priced well below market. 3BR 1.5 BA Great Potential!

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$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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$79,900 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

310875

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
This is a nice 2 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath with lots of updates. New carpet, new tile, new paint, new counter tops, new entrance, HVAC new in 2006, washe...

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$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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$59,900 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

307659

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Asset Realty, Inc.
Granite kitchen counters, stainless appliances, updated tile bathroom with granite counters. 3 bedrooms including large ''sun porch'' bedroom which...

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$85,000 - Irmo, SC @ Wessex Commons

MLS#

306387

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Keller Williams Columbia
Tastefully updated, this cozy townhome features tile flooring, newer carpet, updated sinks and counters, beautiful neutral paint colors, and earthy...

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$2,300,000 - Irmo, SC @ None

MLS#

303796

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of Russell & Jeffcoat
Breathtakaing BIG WATER VIEW of Lake Murray on 4.29 acres. Peninsula with 1176 water frontage off Hwy 6 near Ballentine and Irmo. Public water and ...

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$73,000 - Irmo, SC @ New Friarsgate

MLS#

303584

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

1 Full / 1 Half

School:

Lexington/Richland Five

Provided courtesy of TurnKey Realty
Great starter home. Open floor plan. Fireplace in living room is open to kitchen. Level lot in the cul-de-sac. Chain link fence in rear with deck.

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