Dear Friends,

Tonight will be Jerry's 17th night in the hospital. He had a good night last night. In fact, his night nurse even called me at home around 9:00 pm and said that she had asked him if he would like to hear my voice and he nodded yes, so she placed the phone to his ear and I spoke to him for a minute. I am so very appreciative for the CCU nursing staff and especially the ones that take such a special interest in Jerry and really work with him to progress his health. Several times they have called me at home before going off their shift just to let me know how he did through the night!

I feel like Jerry had a very good day again today too. He continued to open his eyes slightly and move his head from side to side to turn to the sound of our voices. His heart rate never spiked today as it did yesterday...so see, your prayers for Jerry are already being answered! He had fever again today, but it was controllable. All of his lab work and cultures came back negative for infections, so that is such wonderful news. It's hard to know for sure what's causing the fever, but please pray that he won't run a high fever during the night or tomorrow. He will be able to start a second round of chemo tomorrow only if he doesn't have fever. Also, pray again that the chemo will really kick in and the lung tumors will begin to respond and shrink. According to his daily x-rays, his lungs have not improved. However, it does appear that the spread or growth of new cancer has been halted (it's just that the existing tumors are not shrinking).

Persist in your prayers with the faith of a mustard seed! "Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains" (Matthew 17:20).
I'd like to see the Santa Ynez mountains be moved! Jerry's hospital window faces these mountains and I look out each day and am reminded that our God is "God of the Mountains."

Praying boldy,

Candy