Irene received GOOD NEWS on this day which is her 11 month stem cell transplant birthday!!!

Yes, UCSF reported that the Cappa Light Chain value is 39.4....!!!

Here are the historical values....

June 2007	652 (stem cell transplant)
July 2007	78.5
October 2007	33.1
February 2008	56.7
March 2008	90
May 2008	39.4

We are reminded of the lyrics of the great hymn:

Our God is an awesome God,
He reigns from Heaven above,
With wisdom, power and love,
Our God is an awesome God.

The GOOD NEWS put lift into Irene’s spirits, a skip in her step and a smile on her face .... after a tearful and eternally grateful, first response ....

Please join us in worship, adoration and praise of our AWESOME God ....!!!

.... and THANKS for caring. Caminando con Fé Dave

Still waiting.........for the UCSF lab report…

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning and came home completely washed out and napped/rested for the balance of the day.

Stay tuned, thanks for caring and praying; we will report the update as soon as we hear from UCSF!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
John 11:1-3

The intriguing story of Lazarus’ sickness is illustrative of faith in Jesus being acted upon by his followers in spite of very challenging circumstances.  Mary and Martha, knowing Jesus for who he is, sent word to him that the one he loves is sick.

Our prayer of faith on the amyloid journey has been the hope contained in Jesus’ response to his intercessors:

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
John 11:4b

Irene and Denise (Cauwels) Haikkila had a pleasurable day, venturing out early, shopping in the city of Marina and exploring at a number of stores.  After lunch Irene settled in and enjoyed her hobbies.  Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar and her energy level was much better than the previous days have been.

We’re still anxiously awaiting lab results from UCSF.

Our longing on this colossal journey has been to bring glory to God’s Son.  Our prayer of faith is that Irene’s sickness will not end in death.  We trust in Jesus’ words, His sovereignty, and His control, despite what occurs in the days ahead.  Our hope is in God and the Biblical account of Lazarus’ life being spared.

As prayer intercessors, we thank you, in advance, for agreeing with us and believing that God’s Son will be glorified within the sovereignty of His will.

Jesus said, “this sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
John 11:4b

Caminando con Fé

Dave

We received this email yesterday and felt it was important enough to pass it on (we have edited the email slightly to reflect the commentary at http://www.snopes.com/medical/disease/stroke.asp which adds some important caveats to the information):

Time to be serious for a moment. This may save someone’s life, perhaps someone you care about.

STROKE: Remember The 1st Three Letters .... S.T.R.

If everyone can remember something this simple, we could save some folks. Seriously..

During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .....she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes. They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening. Ingrid’s husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don’t die .... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this.

A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke .... totally . He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

Recognizing A Stroke
Thank God for the sense to remember the ‘3’ steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke

Now doctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S - Ask the individual to SMILE.

T - Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently) (i.e. It is sunny out today)

R - Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1

This day is especially memorable since Irene was hospitalized during the Mother’s Day celebration of 2007.  It’s been quite a year ....

Irene is running the race with joy, dignity, grace and perseverance.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Irene,

On this Mothers Day I wanted to send you a love note. As I prayed about what to say, I felt that the note should take the form of a blessing...so please accept this blessing as it is written from my heart especially to you.

Lord, bless my sister Irene with Your presence, Your touch...may Irene feel renewed intimacy borne of grace. Pull back the veil and show her ways you are sustaining her that only she could recognize. Wow her with Your love. Write a love note in her heart that can only be meant for her. Shine Your light upon the tender mercies that have come directly from Your hand to hers. Then protect her, Lord, like you promised in Psalm 23 and Psalm 91. Fight for her with your mighty right arm. Heal her body. Heal her fatique. Plant hope in her that can only come from You...hope that bears fruit...hope that endures...hope that carries life. And Lord, when she is full of you, show Irene the blessing she is to her daughters, her friends, her family, and indeed all who meet her. Show her how a life yielded to You is like a beacon on a hill, shining out in the darkness for others to behold. Draw others to You through Irene’s faith, Irene’s courage, the testimony of her lips, and the tenacity of her trust. Place your spot light on Irene...let others see the crown you have placed on her head and mark her with your favor…

Bless you on Mother’s Day, Irene.
Laura

The circuitous amyloid journey continues. 

On the positive side, Irene drove herself to and from dialysis today and did not experience the usual extreme fatigue but, rather, had a slight physical energy bounce.  Without overstating the case she simply didn’t come home completely wrung out and enjoyed most of the day although the nausea was relentless. 

The discouraging news she received at dialysis was that her CREATININE CLEARANCE test, which measures kidney function, has declined to 4.5.  Previously it had been as high as 6.0.  The low point on the journey has been .30 in October of 2007.  Any value below 15 requires dialysis.

As the circuitous amyloid journey continues, we rest in Him and the promises of His Word…

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

Caminando con Fé
Dave

To the Dias Family:

The Pomeroy’s (Peter, Kaycee, Piper & Pier) are wishing you all a wonderful Mother’s Day.  You probably don’t know it, but you are all an incredible example to me.

Peter

Despite Monday, Wednesday and Friday dialysis treatment days where she’s literally physically washed out, Irene usually has somewhat of a “bounce” on the “non dialysis” days.  Today, there was no bounce.  She remained severely fatigued and nauseated.  Perhaps it was because of the early morning trip to UCSF for the blood test. 

Irene hopes that tomorrow her energy will return despite it being a dialysis day.  She did muster enough energy to meander outside for awhile to breakup the monotony of the day.

UCSF will alert us as soon as the amyloid test values are reported. 

Stay tuned, and thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

The BIG question…

We venture to UCSF tomorrow, Thursday, May 8, 2008, for another blood draw and amyloid test to see what the current value is in her bloodstream.  Obviously, the question of the day is whether or not the value has diminished or otherwise. We will not learn the test results until sometime next week. 

Here is the amyloid value history…


June 2007 652 (stem cell transplant)
July 2007 78.5
October 2007 33.1
February 2008 56.7
March 2008 90
May, 2008 ??

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning and, once again, came home completely washed out.  The extreme nausea and incessant fatigue, combined with a severe headache, caused considerable discomfort.  She napped and rested all day. 

So, the big question remaining is what the current amyloid value is.  The answer to that question defines much of what the future looks like. 

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

12 p.m. QUICK UPDATE!!!

Thanks for checking in!!  Irene is having a much better day...she’s reporting it is 90% better than yesterday…

Thanks for praying!
Dave

How do you spell EXHAUSTED?

According to dictionary.com, exhausted is…

• drained physically
• depleted of energy, force, or strength
• extremely tired

How do you spell FATIGUE?

According to dictionary.com, fatigue is …

• the decreased capacity or complete inability of an organism, an organ, or a part to function normally because of excessive stimulation or prolonged exertion
• physical or mental weariness

EXHAUSTION and FATIGUE have been the prevailing words defining Irene’s experience today.  Combine those realities with EXTREME NAUSEA and they’re a combination for a very challenging day. 

After driving herself to and from dialysis she napped and rested, utterly wrung out.  Irene rests in the comfort of her favorite verse:

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

…we wait with hopeful expectation of a new and better tomorrow. 

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Irene soloed last Wednesday through Friday evening as I traveled to Washington DC for client meetings.  She did well, driving herself to and from dialysis treatment and keeping the house in order. 

The highlight of her last few days was attending a luncheon at Monte Vista Christian School, http://www.mvcs.org, where Marsha Tarr, a dear friend, was celebrated for 30 years of faithful service as a science teacher.  Sue Martinez picked Irene up from dialysis treatment and took her to the event. Marsha taught both Jocelyn & JoAnna.  MVCS is a “city on a hill” and has been a significant place where Irene has enjoyed sweet fellowship, support and community with many wonderful people over the years. 

The dialysis center is testing Irene again this weekend for kidney function and we should have results by mid week.  Her nausea prowls and chronic fatigue is a growing challenge.  However, Irene's attitude and enthusiasm are inspiring. She regularly flashes her signature smile along the journey!!!

Thank you for your continued support.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Irene had what we would define as a fairly typical day, pre-illness, despite the nagging nausea which comes in capricious waves.  After briskly working in the yard this morning, she was able to get out for several hours and accomplish many tasks of the day.

However, we also remember that…

.... you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James 4:14

It’s amazing to realize that It was exactly one year ago, April 30, 2007, that Irene was hospitalized for the first time on this outrageous journey…

As we countdown to May 8, 2008, at UCSF, when the next amyloid blood value will be measured again, there is a sense of expectation, wonder and concern.  We’ll soon find out if the amyloid is increasing, decreasing or simply hovering in her bloodstream.  The results will determine the appropriate course of action, and, of course, we’re praying for a decrease and ultimate demise of the amyloid in the form of remission.

In the meantime, we endeavor to live life to its fullest each day, reminded that our life is merely a mist, however ordered of the Lord.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

*** The next update is scheduled for Sunday, May 4th

Sunday afternoon “candid” .... a casual day on the Monterey Bay ....