Jerry’s Greatest Challenge
3-30-2008 through 4-06-2008
Dealing with 5 Brain Tumors and the Metastasized Cancer, Plus Another area 

Editors Note:  This is week number 57 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 close situations will make a difference in your life.

To reach Jerry, email him at Jerry@JerryFowler.com.   If you miss the weekly newspaper articles in the New Irmo News, The Lake Murray News, the Cayce/West Columbia News or the Northeast News you can catch up or go back to week one or anywhere in between by going to Jerry’s web site at www.JerryFowler.com , look on the left side menu and click on Jerry’s Medical Updates. 

From Jerry:   It has been 57 weeks since I began writing these updates.  Overcoming the Gamma Knife Therapy and the other areas of Metastasized cancer has been the consumption point this week.  Let me remind you that I had the best team in America, right here in the Midlands regarding the Gamma Knife Therapy.   Again the team consist of Dr. Raleigh Boulware the Gamma Knife Specialist who is a Radiation Oncologist, Dr. Worthington, a neurosurgeon from Charleston, Debbie Jordon a special nurse and nurse manager, Andrea Clark another medical physicist Mary Lewis from Rock Hill and Field Brabham was the photographer who documented this procedure. 

Now if you are interested in how this procedure was performed  Just click the next link for a tour of what happened with Photographs.

Click Here for a Gamma Knife Tour with Photographs

As I told you last week Dr. Babcock found metastasized cancer in the shoulder and hip; however this week we also found another area in the left lower leg so that area was started on Friday with the other areas for radiation.

This has been an especially difficult week.  Although I have a high pain tolerance and drive this was been more difficult.  The difficulty comes in walking.  There seems to be much more pain in the back, shoulders and legs and because I am on a Chemo Pill daily and radiation daily I get very tired right after lunch.  

The headaches are worst when I stopped my Steroids because of other side effects.  I did start those back on Sunday and this has helped.  I am at work every day and feel that not going to work would allow me to think about my situation even more.  Maybe that would be good because my thoughts are always positive and I know by my prayers and yours, faith and belief I will be totally healed and better than new after this is over.

By the way I have been marked in 3 places for radiation treatments; however these will be over this Friday and I can remove those marks.
     
I want to thank the many who have sent me cards, notes, emails, calls and messages.  You are wonderful and I appreciate all the contact. 

Like I said last week in my column,   I feel this is a way for God to allow me to experience the more difficult situations so I can talk to more people and help them deal with the down side of cancer.  That is my mission.

I had to miss two speaking engagements last week due to the initial reaction of my body to the chemicals and treatments.  However, 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. I can speak for 30 minutes or one hour whatever you need.  There is no charge for these speeches.  We are helping not charging.

My office number is 803-798-0555 and my extension is 108 or call Deloris who will gladly set up a time to speak with you.  Of course or you can email me at Jerry@JerryFowler.com. 

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.  You can make a difference in many lives if you will just reach out to others with compassion, love and understanding.

God bless you all.  You are wonderful, caring and supportive people.

Jerry Fowler

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