Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
3-2-2008 through 3-9-2008
Adjusting to a Better You
 

Editors Note:  This is week number 53 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 in your life.

From Jerry:   It has been 53 weeks since I began writing these updates.  As I reflect back on this last year the bad times are forgotten.  I have what I call a great habit and a healthy habit and that is forgetting the past if the past had bad things to happen.  This has really been helpful especially if situations with others were not the best.  I relate this to not dwelling on the bad things in life and this has served me well.  Life is great but only if you live in appreciation of the good things happening in your life.

This brings me to something that has been on my mind that was written by a fellow cancer victim in the local area.  He said be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.   What a great statement and one we all should live by.  So many times we don’t listen, we speak our opinion too quickly and get angry entirely too fast.  Life is short and the bible tells us to be patience and have lots of understanding.  If only all of us could live by this statement the world would be a much better place. 

This also brings me to another topic.  How many have seen the movie, “Pay it Forward”?  What a movie.  Although “Pay if Forward” is several years old when I first saw it I had to look at it again.  What a great story and one we should all live by.  I suggest you get the movie and look at it.  When I give people books now that will help them I ask them to pay it forward.  Pass the book on with your encouraging words with no expectations of getting anything in return.   Just help the person.   If all people could and would adapt that attitude can you see how that would make a better world? 

Think about the ones you know that are victims of cancer or any other sickness that has made their life turn upside down.  Help them by visiting, sending cards, doing something for them to make their life better. Don’t just send one card.  Get in the habit of sending a card frequently.  They will love getting those cards.   It will sure help them and I know it will help you. Helping others is contagious and healthy.

On Tuesday evening of this week I spoke at the United Methodist Church for the men’s group.  What a great group of men.  We had diner, fellowship, prayed and then I spoke with them.  My topic was “Life Throws You a Curve Ball, How do you Catch it”?  The United Methodist Church on Main Street is one of the oldest churches in the area and what a delight it was to be with that group.  The food was really good but the fellowship was the best part.

I will be getting a PET scan on the 24th of this month. This is the modern way to look inside your body to see what is happening.  Please join me in prayer as I pray that this scan will be clear and positive. Your prayers have been so much appreciated and because of your prayers I am on the way to beat one of the worst of cancers.

Don’t forget if you need a speaker that will share his experiences over the last year give me a call.  We need to get the word out to everyone that there is hope no matter what the situation.
 
Now let’s go out and create a terrific week for ourselves and everyone around us.  Remember you have been blessed, Pass it on or as the movie says, pay it forward which enables you to enrich your life forever.

Jerry Fowler