According to Wikipedia, a “plumb-bob or a plummet is a weight with a pointed tip on the bottom that is suspended from a string and used as a vertical reference line.  The instrument has been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians by bricklayers, masons, and carpenters to ensure that their constructions are ‘plumb’, or perfectly upright. It may also be used in surveying to sight a point on the ground that is not readily visible.  Up until the modern age, on most tall structures, plumb-bobs were used to provide vertical datum lines for the building measurements.”

As we travel the “Amyloid Highway”, our PERSPECTIVE has become increasingly important.  In other words, with every twist and turn along the way, we are constantly adjusting and reorienting our finite view of things in light of God’s perfect and eternal reference point…His “plumb line”, if you will.  But this isn’t new.  God challenged Amos by asking him if he is able to perceive the circumstances of his day in light of God’s activity and purposes:

…This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied.  Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel…”
Amos 7:8

After Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning we were off to UCSF for a day out patient services.  We had a good consultation with her attending physician, Dr. Lloyd Damon and learned the following:

• Irene’s blood counts are within acceptable ranges, although probably not within norms in many cases; she does not have to return to UCSF for 2 months!!  Yay!!
• A blood test was taken today with results expected in two weeks as to what level the Amyloid is still in her system or whether or not the Amyloid is in remission
• As of today, Irene is on two high blood pressure medications
• Irene weighs in at 112 pounds; she is encouraged to gain weight after being discharged from UCSF on July 20th at 118 pounds
• The lingering and chronic nausea is a direct cause of the Amyloid still remaining in her “gut”
• Dr. Damon and Dr. Kumar, (her renal disease specialist), are in consult and agree that Irene should remain on dialysis three days a week, however, Irene will take another urine test this weekend related to kidney function.

I also want to acknowledge Dr. Rachel Fogel’s (UCSF) gracious “well wish” from yesterday.  Our experience at UCSF has been amazing.  You’ll recall the July 20 update where Dr. Fogel is photographed removing stitches from Irene’s neck.  UCSF is doing the work of God …. and is setting standards nationally with medical best practices.  As I’ve shared before, they’re young, smart and they care!!!!

As we daily adjust to God’s activity in our lives we admit to having questions that will never be answered this side of Heaven.  But this we know and will do out of obedience …. to love and serve the infinite creator, our God, with all our heart, mind, soul and strength as we acknowledge that His ways are higher than our ways …. because we know that His perspective is everything …. and ultimately all that matters.

Caminando con Fé
Dave