Jerry Fowler’s Greatest Challenge

May 20 till May 27

The first part of this week has been great.  I really enjoyed feeling good.  I conducted a Realtor Orientation on Tuesday for 100 new Realtors for the Columbia Association of Realtors.  I delayed my Chemo treatment to make room for this orientation.

On Wednesday 5-23-2007 I was at the SC Oncology Client at 7:15 in the morning for blood work to see if I was cleared for my fourth Chemo Therapy.

There are so many things one must go through to get ready for these treatments.  Pills to take that fight the nausea.  It’s interesting but one pack of 3 pills which are used while taking Chemo cost $350.  This is for only 3 pills and they are used to fight the sickness associated with Chemo.  One pill is taken the day of treatment, one the day after and then one the second day. Failure to take these pills can result in a very sick person.  Additionally one must take steroids for three days.

Of course the blood needs to be in checked.  Having few white cells or too many or few red blood cells and the treatment must be delayed.  So even getting the treatments are hit and miss.  So far I have been lucky and have not had to miss a treatment because of complications.  Can you believe how people feel that have driven to Columbia and were told they cannot have their treatment today and must drive back home and rescheduled their trips?  There are so many ups and downs in treating cancer. Things seem to change constantly from day to day and sometimes from hour to hour.

This week’s treatment was smooth. The treatment took about 7 hours however this was the worst I have experienced as far as side effects.  My blood pressure shot up and I looked like a big red beet. My equilibrium was drastically off.  I was walking into walls; the taste in my mouth was very metallic and just awful.  Food taste no better than card board.  I have had an unusually bad sore throat and a burning sensation in my stomach. This has not been the case in the past, however I image the chemicals are starting to really work now and they are attacking all the cells of my body.  Your body is constantly in turmoil especially with the amount of fatigue present.  Sometimes it is difficult just to walk across the room. 

Dr. Babcock explained that the Chemo was accumulative and the side effects would be more progressive.  However these inconveniences are minor if the end result is to get rid of the cancer.  I hang onto the fact that I must keep smiling, keep a positive attitude and lots of faith while my body is riding itself of these impurities and disease. Thank you all for the prayers extended on my behalf.

As I am writing this I am back in the Chemo lab receiving more fluids to help ease the side effects. Usually two days after the main treatment I go back in for fluids and a shot to increase the white blood cells to help fight against infection. 

One of the side effects of the shot for white blood cells is the aching your body can go through.  Every joint in your body will ache and the only thing that relieves the pain is either pain medicine or heavy doses of Tylenol.  I am afraid of pain pills so I take Tylenol.

Cancer is not easy and the things one must go through are awesome.  If you have a loved one, friend or relative that is going through this please be patient and understanding.  Give them a kind word, reach out.  They have a challenge that is huge.

Have a terrific week and keep the positive attitude.