5.45 p.m…

Irene has had a very active day starting with an EKG first thing this morning because of cardio concerns…but we’re hopeful this is more cautionary than anything else…

Immediately following that procedure was a liver ultra sound.  Her readings have been questionable so they’re trying to learn what they can before potentially recommending a liver biopsy…the medical team does assume that the amyloid has already invaded the liver in some fashion but doesn’t understand the extent of any potential damage…

Irene then had about 3 hours of dialysis…

Irene’s mouth and throat are very tender with sores from the chemo… a fairly typical reaction…

She’s now resting comfortably even though the nausea comes and goes throughout the day, but at least the internal bleeding has slowed down… she’s also more lucid today which is encouraging. 

The dermotology team just left her room and are convinced that the skin issue was a medicine rash as previously reported.  After being off of the meds since last Friday her skin is already beginning to return to normal…the nurses are applying a very heavy balm to her entire body which is “sticky” but effective…

Her eyes continue to be blurred and I noticed today that both eyes are now very RED in the “whites of the eyes”... with no explanation yet…even though I have inquired…

Her WBC (white blood cells) are beginning to increase which is good news;  other related numbers are also slowly increasing…this is good news… there are just sooooo many moving parts and the medical team has told me on countless occasions that the degree of complexity with Irene’s case simply cannot be overstated…

Thanks for caring…

Walking by faith,
Dave

Hello Dave,

I’ve thought many times about writing to you and your family, but each time I find myself dumbfounded by what to say during this time.  All I’ve known to do is pray, and while that counts for a lot, I think we’ve all learned a valuable lesson in what God can do.  The strength that all of you have displayed has been so amazing and such a wonderful testament to what daily living in God’s kingdom truly means.  Emily and I will keep praying for Irene and your family and I hope that this verse helps, although you might have heard it a lot recently.

Psalm 23:6
“Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever, Amen.”

Jeremiah

Thank you so much for keeping us all updated, we continue to pray for you guys knowing that the Lord loves you!

The Walter family loves you too, and we’ll continue to pray for Gods’ strength and God’s peace to be upon all of you, and we pray also that the Lord would comfort Irene during her illness.

What a blessing to be surrounded by such a loving family during such a difficult time.

The Walter Family,
Jeff, Sue, Grant and Christy

How quickly things have changed. I never would have guessed in February when my mom’s cholesterol spiked that the valley of the shadow of death lay ahead. Yet, here we are.

We don’t know the outcome, we only know that our happy lives in which we were steadily plugging along have forever been altered. Right now, my mom is resting in sedation, experiencing “rebirth” - healing…struggling. But it is not in vain. Because we know suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. (Rm 5:3&4).

When I woke up this morning, my mom’s smiling face greeted me as it does every morning from the picture I put up of her beside my bed of her smiling at Thanksgiving dinner. As I smiled back at the picture and thanked God for blessing our family by healing my mom, I basked in the Peace of God and a vision of a cocoon settled in my mind.

We: my dad, mom, sister and I, have been living the life of happy fat little caterpillars, plugging along enjoying the Fruits of The Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control (Gal 5:22&23). God has truly met all of our needs and blessed us beyond anything we could imagine. Now with our present sufferings we are in a waiting space…everything has changed. We are in a cocoon: the valley of the shadow of death, being still, knowing He is God, resting in trust and obedience, awaiting metamorphosis.

The restricting cocoon and struggle required for a butterfly to get through the tiny opening when it is time to emerge was by God’s design to force fluid from the body of the butterfly (once a fat little caterpillar) into it’s wings so it is ready for flight once it achieves freedom from the cocoon.

God does not give His children anything we cannot handle.

17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons [and daughters] of God to be revealed (Rm 8:17-19)

Dave-

I just want you, Irene, and your girls to know Traci and I have been lifting your family up in prayer. It sounds like the body of Christ has been very supporting and loving through out this journey your family is on. You and your family have a current history with God and know he will be what only he can be in this situation as you take day by day. It is my prayer that the same power that physically raised Jesus from the dead will be with you, Irene, and your girls as you walk down this road.

Your Brother in Christ,

Troy

Hi everyone…and thanks for your ongoing words of encouragement!!!

Irene continues in ICU at UCSF.  The internal bleeding has slowed down, but she is receiving platelets.  The care continues with TPN (IV nutrients) and she is still somewhat incoherent from the meds for pain relief.  The pain is so intense that even the hourly blood pressure arm cuff causes her massive discomfort…

She had a CAT scan today to check for internal bleeding in brain… that is clear… fortunately!!

The skin biopsy initial findings are that the skin change is from a medical rash.  Hopefully her natural olive complexion will return over the next 3-4 weeks.  I have asked the medical team to provide me with a written explanation in order to share it with you in more professional terms…

Irene had 4 hours of dialysis today…

We’re still in a holding pattern…to see if the stem cell transplant has taken hold… we should know something in the next 7-10 days…

On a more personal note…I have always thought of Irene as a Proverbs 31 woman.  It’s an inspiring vision for any woman.  Verses 10-31 have always been particularlyy meaningful…but for the purpose of this update I am going to focus on verses 10-12…

10 [c] A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.

Wow… what a “catch” in 1980…. and I have had nothing but full confidence in her FOREVER…and she has, in fact, brought me good, not harm all the days of her life…  I have seen her grow into the kind of Godly, loving woman, that is the envy of many. 

Irene also personifies and models Gal 5:22-23a, “...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” Few women manifest these qualities as well as I have observed in Irene…up close and personal for over 27 years…perhaps one reason we have been having an extended love affair for our entire married life…!!!  Candidly, those qualities are just attractive!!

Being married to such a wonderful person makes my job easy… supporting her through this horrific ordeal…

We’re grateful for your continued friendship and support… and for all of you who are donating blood…

Will report more as time goes on…

Dave
Is 48.17

Recently, Jana Ratliff was kind enough to send us this email:

Dave,
Steve and I are praying for Irene.  I have attached some healing scriptures that the Lord helped me to put together almost 30 years ago when I almost died from malnutrition and have prayed them many times since.  I pray they will be an encouragement to each of you and will help keep your faith strong at this very difficult time.  We believe in the power of prayer and especially the power of the Lord Jesus to heal Irene completely and totally! Please give our love to Irene and let her know we are praying for her.
Please let Steve & I know if there is anything else we can do.
In His Love,
Jana Ratliff

Jeremiah 17:14
Lord, You alone can heal me! You alone can save me! And my praises are for You alone!

You can view (or download) the compilation of healing scriptures which Jana put together by clicking here (Adobe Reader required). Feel free to use these as guides for your prayers as you lift up Irene and ask the Lord to heal her.

Thanks!
Dave

Dave/Irene/Jocelyn & Joanna,
Chris & I think of you all each day and pray that God has each of you in the palm of His hand.

Do not be dismayed. God has never been closer!

Irene, Dave, Jocelyn, and Joanna,

Not a day goes by without major intercession for you. We pray all day long, at night when God wakes us up to pray, and we share prayer requests with members of both our church and other churches. Our hope is focused on getting you all home, healed, and together.

May God give you everything you need to endure, run the race, and persevere. May the lion of Judah roar over you…for you are His and He is able to protect you in ways no one else can. May His victory banner fly over Irene’s bed, your hearts, and all the relationships that come your way. May the power of the name of Jesus reign in abundance throughout every facet of the healing process and may grace to over come your circumstances fill you to over flowing. Amen.

You four are precious in our hearts…we ache for you…we love you…we stand with you.

Dave, Laura, Luke, and Marc Gschwend

Dave and Irene - please know that we continue to pray for both of you and your family.  You have been added to our Church Prayer Team’s list. COntinue to have faith - God is good - all the time.  Jim and Gwen

Dear Dave and Irene,

I check your updates frequently, and you are in my prayers daily.  As a fellow “Aptosian”, please let me know if there is anything I can do to help out with your responsibilities at home.  If I can help by picking up mail, drycleaning, watering plants, etc…please let me know.

Leslie Strohm

Dave,

I cannot tell you how many times a day I think about and offer up a request/prayer on behalf of you and your bride.  Please give her a hug and/or squeeze her hand for Sue and I.

Steve

Tonight at our home fellowship group, we specifically prayed for Irene, you and your family.  Our group has been praying regularly but had a special time of prayer this evening.  It is God who works, only we humbly pray based upon our understanding.  Thanks for encouraging us as you pass through a challenging time. 

Phillipians 1:6 has always encouraged me and Steve Green has written a beautiful song that I hope will encourage you tonight.

Artist: Steve Green
Song: He Who Began A Good Work

He who began a good work in you
He who began a good work in you
Will be faithful to complete it
He’ll be faithful to complete it
He who started the work
Will be faithful to complete it in you

If the struggle you’re facing
Is slowly replacing
Your hope with despair
Or the process is long
And you’re losing your song
In the night you can be sure
That the Lord has His hand on you
Safe and secure
He will never abandon you
You are His treasure
And He finds His pleasure in you

Dave,

I must tell you that with you guys constantly on my mind, I now understand the verse “pray without ceasing”.  I actually feel like I am experiencing it.

Proverbs 3:5 keeps running through my head. Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

You know Dave, over the years God has used you greatly as a businessman and a leader of men, but your highest calling is husband and father.

What you do during this time, however long it is, will have lasting impact on those you love. God has prepared you for this time. God is with you. Trust Him with All of your heart.

Please get your rest.  You must stay strong.

Love you bro,

Mark

Dave, Irene, Jocie, and JoAnna:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time.  Please know that you can call on me for any support I may be able to provide.  I continue to hold all of you in my heart and prayers.
The Westons: John, Linda, Steve, and Janie also follow your progress Irene, and send their prayers and best wishes
Love to All.  Ruth