Life for Vern continues to improve slowly. He was receiving infusions last year to build bone mass and bone density, but unfortunately he started to get intense jaw pain as a side effect from that infusion. So they stopped having him get the infusions.

During the last visit to the oncologist and surgeon, in November and December 2012, they both said he was doing good. As long as nothing changes, they will only do blood work (no scans or x-rays) before his appointments.

He has been able to increase the number of hours he has been able to work at ACE Hardware to approximately 12 hours a week.

He is still taking the gene-targeted chemotherapy medicine Tarceva along with other medicine for the pain in his hip. With most medicines, there are usually side effects; with the Tarceva, they keep changing. One of the side effects of his treatment (and losing weight), is that he is often very cold. He still tires easily and takes a nap every day.

Regardless, Vern says that he is now feeling the best that he has in the past year and a half. We are so blessed that he is doing so well right now.

Thank you all so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray for his healing.
Elaine