WPSS & WARFA News Page
 Jerry, KD6SA, Battles Cancer
The latest via Bill, WØQNI Updated 05-07-2008 Summary: Jerry has taken a turn for the worse. His prognosis is not good.
Dear Friends and Family, As you know, not all days are as we would like them to be, but WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL. Today is one of those days when the love of God and you is very much appreciated! I thank you for that! Jerry's doctors discontinued chemotherapy this week and began two weeks, five days per week, of radiation. While he was having his radiation today, I talked with the head of radiation, Dr. Geoffrey Graham, at San Antonio Hospital. He said that last Thursday's CAT scan didn't show the tumor shrinkage that he and Jerry's oncologist, Dr. Stanley Kim, had expected. Dr. Graham also said that the tumor is in Jerry's spinal column (vertebrae) and is currently located 1 millimeter from his spinal cord. If it spreads into his spinal cord, paralysis will begin. ____Terribly not good!____ When I asked about Jerry's prognosis, Dr. Graham said, "Not very good at all." We know miracles can happen and they will! I know that Jerry had a call from Dr. Graham last Friday. The doctor told me today that he explained all of this to Jerry. I'm not so sure how much of this information Jerry actually absorbed because he is has a lot of pain medication in him the last few weeks to where he doesn't remember things and he says strange things in the midst of a conversation. He also falls a lot. If Jerry does remember what was told him by Dr. Graham, he hasn't shared it with anyone including me. That's fine with me. Needless to say, I told the doctor to call MY phone number from now on. I SURRENDER and have surrendered. What more can I do! Please pray for shrinkage of Jerry's tumor. Once more pray for peace that Jerry's suffering will not become an overbearing burden to him. Love to all of you!
Jerry and Jaimie enjoying a bicyclists' holiday in Maine in September of last year.
04-26-2008 - 20:13:20 (via Bill, WØQNI and WARFA) Gary, K6CZE reported that Jerry, KD6SA, drove the car for a little while and he and "Billy" took a walk. Sounds like he is on the mend. He has two more chemo treatments and then they will see about the surgery. Way to go Jerry. 04-19-2008: Friday morning I received a phone call from Jerry, KD6SA. We talked for quite awhile. Here is a recap of that call. The tumor has shrunk by 1/3 or from 3 inches to 2 inches in length. This has relieved the pressure on the nerves, so now there is little or no pain. He still is using a pain patch but not the heavy stuff. Jerry also has a number of blood clouts in the lungs and legs, but none of them have moved. They put a "filter" in at his neck and pushed them down to the heart area. If any of them move in the future, the filter will catch them. This is a permanent filter. He is VERY TIRED most of the time. He falls asleep before net time.
Jerry may attend the
Jerry is doing better. He even went for a walk and told Gary that he probably walked too far. A month ago, Jerry could hardly get out of his easy chair let alone go for a walk! He will have a CT scan in the next few days to see if the chemo is knocking down that tumor in his neck. The results of the CT scan will dictate what his doctors will do next, more chemo, or possibly surgery.
Jerry has already had two of the treatments with six more scheduled over the coming weeks. Once he has received all of the treatments, doctors will determine if they can operate and remove the tumour in his neck. Here is a picture of us visiting and fooling around with Jerry, KD6SA at his home on 03-18-08. We thought it might be nice to put it on the WARFA web site, if you can. Thanks. Don, W6KAT
Contact information for Jerry at the hospital is as follows: San Antonio Community Hospital He was experiencing severe pain, 10 on a scale of 1 through 10 which the doctors have managed to reduce to 4. Doctors have discovered a 3 inch malignant tumor in his neck. Jerry's pain was being caused by this tumor pushing on the nerves in his neck. They intend to attempt to reduce the size of this tumor with chemotherapy. If the tumor can be sufficiently reduced in size, it can be removed with surgery. Shrinking the tumor may require 5 to 8 weeks. Jerry may remain in hospital although it is possible that he may be able to receive his chemotherapy at home. If you would like to send Jerry a card or message, here is his home address...
Gerald T La Pointe |
