Dear Dave and Irene,  I felt so concerned as I read your entry today.  I am sitting here trying to think of something to say, but I just want you all to know that we still care and we are still praying. I saved the words to a song that was given out at my Ladies Bible study and I thought I’d send them along to you. It is called, “Standing in the Gap” by Babbie Mason
I heard that you were hurting
That you were suffering pain
But I didn’t dare just turn my head
And look the other way
For my heart is aching, too
Let me help you bear your burden
That’s the least that I can do
CHORUS
I’ll be standing in the gap for you
Just remember someone, smewhere
Is praying for you
Calling out your name
Praying for your strength
I’ll be standing in the gap for you

Right now you may be troubled
But everything will work out fine
For the Spirit knows before you speak
What is on your heart and mind
So I’ll be interceding
‘Til your’e standing strong again
The peace that passes understanding
Is going to be yours, but until then
CHORUS

BRIDGE
So hang on my friend
It won’t be long
And you’ll have the strength
To carry on
For when two or three are walking together
It will be a much lighter load
For isn’t that what a brother and sister are for
CHORUS
    Dave,  Your messages and the girls journals have touched my heart so often.  I have seen the words of this song being lived out through you and your family and friends on this website.  We continue to pray for God to carry you and Irene and your daughters in His arms and for Irene to improve and for the pain to stop.  Love,  Dave & Bev

1.30 p.m…

Hi everyone,

We’re not in control, but He is…

I checked on Irene early Friday morning and made a quick trip to our home.  After taking care of some “to do” items and running a couple of errands, I picked JoAnna up at the SJ Airport and we arrived at UCSF around 6 p.m.

Just about that time, Irene began experiencing more discomfort and pain than I have observed to date.  The med teams sprung into action!  JoAnna and I didn’t leave UCSF until almost midnight.  (Jocelyn is in Dallas for a project and returning to UCSF later today). 

The medical teams have consulted with us and they continue to do all that they can to support Irene during this challenging time.  They’re young, smart and care deeply. 

There is a lot that we don’t know.  Here is what we do know.  God is in control. He directs our steps.  He loves us and orders our days. We cannot begin to fathom how great a God that He is, other than through the living person of Jesus Christ, who comforts us in our times of pain.  We know that he will never leave us nor forsake us.  Our hope is in him…

We are grateful for your continued support…

Dave

    This is what the LORD says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
    “I am the LORD your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.

                                  Is 48.17

We are thinking of you and praying for you.  What an ordeal you are going through, but we know that God is faithful and is with us and beside us every day in every way.  We pray that he will continue to sustain you in the days ahead.  Blessings on you!  Walt & Lynnette Maynes
Nahum 1:3 “The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble, he cares for those who trust in him.”

Dave,

When Dan was in the hospital a few years ago, I wore his heavy silver chain with his cross and wedding band around my neck.  I was conscious of it every minute — it was safe , but it didn’t belong there.  Along with the always-everyday prayers, I’ll ask God specifically for the blessing and relief of you slipping that ring back on Irene’s finger.

Another church friend — one of our Cursillo group — stopped me at the post office yesterday to inquire about Irene.  Her name is Jacquie Love (what a great name!) and she wants you to know that she and her children pray for you all daily.

Love y’all, hugs to everybody

Kathy

Hello everyone,
Just wanted to let you know I was thinking of you guys. I love You Sis Glad to hear you are doing a little better.  When I get your age I want to be strong like you. Your more then a Sister you and Carmen are my bestfriends.
Love You.

To the Dias Family,

I work in the Sacramento InterWest office and just want to extend my thoughts and prayers to your family during this difficult time. I do not know Irene personally but from this website alone, she appears to be an EXTRAordinary woman and I am struck by how blessed you must feel to have her in your life. May God Bless each and everyone of you with the strength and patience to conquer this mountain!

To the Dias Family:

My name is Michelle Albright and I work for Tom Smoot.  Both Tom and I wanted you to know that we are praying for your family daily.  Special people make special friends and we just wanted you to know that we are thinking of you and would love for your first vacation when you get out of the hospital to be to our lovely Island.  Please let us know if we can be of any help to you and your family.  We will pray everyday.

Dear Dias Family,
As one of the many well wishers, you need to know that it Blesses our lives as God’s Word appears daily on this website, not only to your family but to us as well.  Some are mutual friends and others are not, however we know we are all part of the body with one prayer to our Heavenly Father for the healing of Irene.
Dave, your tribute to Irene said it all….I kept thinking..Amen and Amen.  Its all true.
Our continued Love and Prayers,
Phyllis and Jack

6.15 p.m…

I never envisioned sporting a pinky ring…

Okay, let me explain… when Irene was hospitalized, she secured her diamond ring and choose to wear her gold band in the hospital for obvious reasons.  When the edema prevented her from wearing it any longer, I slipped it onto my right hand pinky and told her that I would wear it until she could put it back on…it remains a fixture on my hand…a small but constant reminder of what Irene is facing 24/7….

On Saturday, June 30th, it will be two months that Irene has been laying in a hospital bed… I have paid close to attention to this as she struggles to get comfortable… I can’t even imagine laying down for that long, much less dealing with all that she has been facing… she is incredibly strong and determined, fueled by the notion that she is going to overcome the Amyloid and return home soon!  She has the patience of Job…never complaining, but constantly fidgeting in bed and wrestling with multiple pillows to find just right comfortable position…

Today was fairly benign in terms of reporting anything new.  We’re simply in a holding pattern, waiting for validation over the next week or so that the stem cell transplant is going to be successful and supporting Irene through it.  As JoAnna reported in her journal entry, Irene was moved to the 9th floor of ICU, where she is receiving dialysis 24/7 for the next few days…Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers.  We simply could not get through this ordeal alone….speaking of which…

...in the early 90’s I began meeting with a small group of business and civic leaders in Merced, which is where we lived at the time.  To this date, these guys still meet once a week and they visited me today at UCSF.  What an encouragement they were to me today… just to spend a few minutes with them….but isn’t that what community is all about…even “community” via this website…where we as family and friends can walk the journey of life together…even when geography separates us, the technology enables…to encourage, inspire and challenge each other…what a privilege to have so many who care so deeply…

I’m soon back to Irene’s room adorning my pinky ring…until it can be slipped back onto Irene’s ring finger…hopefully very soon…

Walking by faith,
Dave

Irene and Dave,

I am praying for you as you come to mind often.  Truly, God alone is sufficient for all your needs.  I cannot fathom your challenge but He knows it well, and will do good for you as He is good.

With you in prayer,
Neil

Hi,

My name is Martha Reed. I don’t think you know me. Up until the first of June I used to be a teller at Wamu in Aptos, and that is how I know Irene. The only reason I did not post this in the Well Wishes is because I didn’t know if you wanted everyone to know where you banked. I worked there for 7 years. A former coworker at Wamu and friend, just told me about Irene’s condition today. I just want to say how sorry I am. I will be praying for Irene every night. Just from coming into the bank and our short conversations, I could tell what a special person Irene is. She always walked in w/a smile. She is so nice and kind. Her face was always so bright. She was always so cheerful. Also she is such a beautiful women. Some of our customers were not always nice, but I knew when Irene walked in that I would not be dealing w/a grumpy customer. I knew she had children and I remember thinking how lucky they are to have such a nice mom. I just wanted to send my wishes that Irene will continue to get better. I know how hard chemo is because my Dad is currently battling lung cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with Irene and you and your entire beautiful family. Don’t worry if you cannot respond to this e-mail, because I know how busy you must be w/everything. I just wanted to send my prayers to you.

Dave,

Each day after reading your updates I always feel his presence in Our lives.  In the morning its been such a joy to go before His throne and petition for Irene, you and the girls.  Such a joy the girls are!

I did talk to Linda E. today and sent her your web page where she too could petition for Irene and the family. 

Oh! Dave I care ever so much and can’t even comprehend what you are going through. I’m honored to know you and how you are being there for Irene and then I always felt Irene was the saint in everyone’s life that she meets.  Her response shows her great heart and love for Jesus.

Caring In Him,

Carolene Drury

Dear Dias Family,

As we wait upon the Father for healing, the prayer and the love everyone feels for all of you, is what we have to sustain us. We check for updates and pray for all of you, we plead for healing and perserverance as this trial is so hard to bare for all of you. This website avenue has been such a important vehicle to help everyone - as we wait.

I loved Daves discription of Irene as the Proverbs perfect woman. I thought of how the passage really could have been written for her, it so closely matches. Anyone who has spent any time with Irene knows the truth you spoke.

Thank you all for humbly allowing us into your hearts. Suffering is such a painful, confusing, draining prison. But, you have allowed visitors through this website and it is a privilege to join into the supplication for Irene.

God will sustain you. He is right beside Irene when you need a break. He speaks to the doctors with wisdom. He is carrying you to and fro as you feel it is hard to put one foot in front of the other. So, don’t be afraid to Rest in Him.

He is in charge and He loves Irene.

Love,
Betty Fairhurst

My mom was just moved to the 9th floor ICU of UCSF. They want to keep her on consistent dialysis because what they have been doing before just isn’t working.

We keep praying - keep trusting. I am continually reminded that faith is being sure of what we hope for and confident of what we do not see. We see the pain; God sees the glory.

My wisdom bank has run out at the moment. God has given me an abundance of peace, and I seem to be gliding on that right now.

Today someone asked me how my mom was doing, and as I was answering, he said, “You are probably sick of people asking.” And I thought, “Not at all; it means that people still care, and that they are still praying.” Thankfully we have friends and family who are ceaseless in their prayer. As we learn to come before the throne of God moment by moment, I am reminded of the woman who begs and pleads with Jesus to heal her daughter:

“And He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.’
But she said, ‘Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’
Then Jesus said to her, ‘O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.’ And her daughter was healed at once.”
(Matthew 15:26-28)

He is the God who spoke the world into existence and the God who laid the foundation of the earth. He was there when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy. He is the God who commands the morning, and causes the dawn to know its place.

He is mighty. We trust Him and believe that, even today, He can perform mighty miracles.

I don’t know what the future holds, but we wait… remembering that it’s a day-to-day journey… walking in faith and obedience… His love will never leave…

Hi my tia,

    You’re doing so well Tia. Im glad that again you will have that natural “tan” complection!!!! Uncle Dave is doing so well making sure and taking good care of you…what an amazing man you married. One thing that you two have shown me is true love. A beauty that surpasses all others. I hope one day I too met my “Mr. 10” like my mom would say!!! Glad to hear the positive news. I wanted to let you know I loved you…and u too uncle dave…..Thinking of u and keeping you in my prayers!!!
your youngest niece….heh….Ceci