Week 6 - 4/8/2007 till 4/14/2007

          4-8-2007 till 4-15-2007

            Rod Shealy, publisher of the Irmo News asked me to share my story about the battle I face with cancer.  There have been hundreds of calls, emails and cards of thanks for sharing what happens in a cancer victim’s life.  It has been a journey that no one can imagine unless you have been through something as devastating as cancer.  Life is fragile and special and with a good positive attitude, faith and prayer one will overcome the destruction cancer can cause.

            Last week’s first doctor’s appointment was on Tuesday 4-10-2007 for an evaluation X-Ray to determine how the tumor was progressing.  Prior to the X-Ray I did more blood work to see where the white count and blood consistency stood since I was prone to blood clots.  The blood was perfect.

            As Dr. Babcock and I waited for the results of the X-Ray as he explained that it takes time and many times results are only realized months later after changing the medicine and determining what will kill the cells.  Doctors just don’t know what will work and what will not.  It is trial and error.Dr. Babcock left the room to check the results of the X-Ray and came back with a huge smile on his face.  After four weeks we were seeing a decrease in the size of my tumor.  A miracle.The Tumor Is Shrinking.  This was the best news I have heard in months. Dr. Babcock was as excited as I have ever seen a doctor. The treatment is working, he said.   Those are words of music to a cancer patient’s ears. 

            The cancer support group I joined has opened my eyes to a lot of really tragic situations our neighbors are facing.  Just recently in our group we had a lady who joined us who just discovered she had reoccurring ovarian cancer after seven years of being free.  She lost her husband and her job at the same time.  Those are real challenges and that is what the cancer support group is designed for.  To help those in need. 

            There are a lot of people going through challenges.  Please reach out to them and give them an encouraging word, card, email and a prayer.  They need you desperately.

            On this same day I received my second Chemo treatment.  Seven hours of receiving chemicals.   While there Larry Mosley, owner of Mosley Jewelry came by to visit. He is a long time friend and an inspiration to many. Larry is a survivor of cancer and had one of the worst battles I have heard anyone going through.  Larry has volunteered his time to be at the clinic certain hours of the week to help those in need.  Larry bounces around the floor making people feel happy. If you know him you know how motivating Larry can be. He is full of laughs and help.   

            I still have not had any negative thoughts or thoughts of self pity.  Negative thoughts can and will destroy a person’s will to continue.   I have had a couple of adverse side effects this week. With progress comes some adversity as well.  I am now completely bald. (see photo below).  

            I told you last week it seems we are all vain when it comes to hair and this bothered me.  It is certainly a different look and rather than look like a dog with mange I shaved my head.   When you have had hair all your life, or most of your life it is strange to look into the mirror and see a bald head.  Of course they say that God created perfect heads and then he covered the others with hair.  This has certainly taken time to get used to. 

            The things one takes for granted when you have hair or noticed when you don’t.  Such as the simple task of resting your head back on your recliner.  Do you know how cold leather can be?  Or take the task of simply walking out on a brisk morning and your head freezes.

            On 4-12-2007.  I went back to Dr. Babcock for a shot to make sure the white blood count did not drop as it did last time.  The next day 4-13-2007, I was back in for a 2 ½ hour injection of fluids to fight the sickness one gets with Chemo. 

            On Friday night I had the first bout with sickness I have had.  The pain in your stomach is unbelievable and you cannot eat, rest or sleep, relax or anything.  You are in pain.  Thank God they have pills one can take to ease the pain.  The following day it was very difficult to actually drive to the radio station to do my radio show and the weakness was indescribable.  One can hardly pick up their arms or legs.  The Chemo treatment takes a lot out of your body and actually attacks all the cells, not just the cancer cells.

$133,000 - Columbia, SC @ Abington

MLS#

307674

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of Asset Realty, Inc.
Great home for a 1st time home buyer.Smooth top range. Double-Door Refrigerator,Kitchen has a Island.Plenty of Storage Space.Great Yard with a Priv...

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$122,000 - Columbia, SC @ Abington

MLS#

304207

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

4

Baths:

2 Full / 1 Half

School:

Richland Two

Provided courtesy of ERA Wilder Realty
4 Bedroom, 2.5 Bath home w/fireplace in family room, a roomy eat-in area, overlooking large fenced in backyard. This home awaits your enjoyment of ...

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$160,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

311057

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Beautiful one bedroom home facing Main Street. Our lst floor is like the 2nd floor in most buidings, so the view is good. Hardwood floors, good cl...

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$260,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

311015

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Beautiful views of the western skyline as well as the Adesso pool and amenity deck from this 3rd floor home. One of Adesso's ADA units, this home ...

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$229,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

309473

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of The Wolfe Company Inc
Wonderful corner unit with wrap around balcony*Sought after Torino floor plan and the only one available*High ceilings, hardwood floors, granite, S...

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$160,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

306171

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

1

Baths:

1 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Last finished one bedroom home facing our beautiful pool! 10' ceilings, hardwood floors, granite - all the finishes you would expect in a luxury b...

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$225,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

305699

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
One of two remaining Sorrento floorplans - Adesso's most popular floorplan! FABULOUS Master Bedroom Closet/Bathroom!!!!!Wonderful building with gr...

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$265,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

305379

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
The Final Firenze Floorplan at Adesso! Time is running out to be a Charter Owner at Adesso. This rounded-window view of our signature corner of M...

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$225,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

297753

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

2

Baths:

2 Full / 2 Half

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
It's the Adesso Final Countdown! This is one of 2 super-popular Sorrento floorplans remaining! Have you seen the closet in the master in this one?...

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$340,000 - Columbia, SC @ Adesso

MLS#

224185

Class:

Residential

Status:

Active

Beds:

3

Baths:

3 Full / N/A

School:

Richland One

Provided courtesy of Holder Properties
Arresting views from the rounded windows & balcony overlooking beautiful western skyline. 10' ceilings, crown mouldings, hardwood floors, granite,...

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