just to let you know

Vern finished his last day of chemo today. You can tell he is more tired and weaker but that is to be expected. Radiation will continue everyday but weekends until 3/17. That could change since the machine was down for a few days. The radiation will burn not only the skin like a sunburn but also his insides. God has been very gracious and his skin is fine but his esophagitis (the tube that goes from his mouth to his stomach) has become very irritated and has caused his throat to be sore and he has difficultly swallowing. Would you please pray this won't last long and God would help him tolerate it. As I'm typing he is resting in HIS chair and when I look at him I can only be so thankful to jesus for bringing us together and keeping us together. It will be forty years this May. Vern and I like to say we know the road together isn't over yet but we both know where we will be when it ends and thats in the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks again for taking the time to read our updates but most of all for your prayers.

answered prayer

PRAISE THE LORD! The doctor confirmed friday that Vern's white blood cell count is definately higher and that means he will be able to get his last 3 scheduled chemo treatments starting on tues the 19th, 20th & 21st. The doctor also seemed pleased that Vern hasn't had any worse side affects than he's had (loss of hair, tiredness, weakness etc.) This is of course a big encouragement to us & we know without a doubt all this was possible because of all of your prayers & therefore our Lord Jesus Christ gets the praise. Again we just want to say thankyou & we love you all very much. As the song says "Because He lives (we) can face tomorrow." Amen!

Upcoming Appointment

Dad has an appointment Friday at 10:15. We assume we will find out if white blood count has come up. Please pray that it has and that chemotherapy can continue on schedule. Though he has lost his hair (no more mustache either) and is more tired, he seems to be doing well . We are so thankful that he hasn't caught any sort of bug, given his blood count is so low, please pray that continues also. It is such an encouragment to know there are loved ones out there praying!

a few updates

On wednesday the radiation machine was down again so Vern wasn't able to have a treatment again until today. I found out that this is quite common with most of these machines and both his Doctors say everything will be able to be completed within their planned time frame. We received a call on friday from his cancer Dr. Dr. fehrenbacher. Vern needed to come in and start taking injections for 7 days because his white blood cell count is too low and if it doesn't come up they won't be able to start his last round of treatments of chemo beginning on tuesday the 19th, 20th & 21st. His radiation is scheduled to end on march 17. He will be giving himself the injections at home so please pray they will work. As I mentioned before he has lost his hair and continues to be very tired and weak feeling but none of the other side effects have been to intolerable. Please continue to pray for us that God give us the strength to continue walking in His great love and that He be glorified. Thank you all again for your prayers and love. vern and pat

something new

tammy has been kind enough to let vern & I share this blog. We want to thank all of you with all our heart for your care and love for us, especially your prayers. Its true that vern's side effects have been tolerable so far but today he has started losing his hair. I know there's lots of jokes that can be made about this but I can only imagine how it makes him feel about himself. To me he will always be the most handsome man i know and we have been told that it will grow back. We found out that it could even grow back a different color or from straight to curly. The Lord has faithfully guided us through this trial ps 48:18 says "for this is God, our God forever & ever, He will be our guide even to death". For those who don't know part of vern's cancer has affected his voice so please pray that it would be God's will it won't worsen or that it would improve. Vern hasn't been able to attend church or bible study at this time. Chemo kills the good cells in his body too not just the bad cells so he can't take a chance of getting ill, not even a slight cold. He misses fellowshipping and worshiping with all of you very much but we will always remember you in our prayers. Thank you again for loving us. Only God knows the outcome of all his treatments and we want to give Him the glory no matter what His will is. Vern & Pat

Back on Track

Radiation machine is fixed. Dad has been going every day (except Sun) since Friday. He is more & more tired but still holding up well and with few side effects. He is having some stomach issues & a little loss of appetite but nothing too extreme.