After Dave’s update this morning, we received this email from Dave’s parents, Joe and Myrna Dias:

Hi Irene!  We are thinking of you and praying for you to be feeling sooooo much better.  Dave’s update said you had actually had an appetite and ate half a hamburger and fries!  How wonderful.  It will surely help you to gain strength now that the stem cells are transplanted back in your body.  We pray they will do their job and get you on the long road to recovery!  Everyone is taking very, very good care of you at the hospital!  Loved the picture with the birthday cake!

Golly, you look real cute with short hair!

Dad has been especially remembering all packages you sent with new commemorative stamps plastered all over the covers!!!  You are so special and always thoughtful.

Mom remembers all the times you have thought of the perfect items for birthdays, etc.

It will be so fun to have you able to get back to your crafts and your handmade cards, and your lovely home and garden!

Love, hugs, and prayers to you, Dave, Jocelyn, and JoAnna

Thanks Mom and Dad!

Our warmest greetings Irene and Dave,

Edie and I just found out about this current challenge for all of you.  We were definitley surprised!  We are very encouraged as we come in on the process to see the Body at work giving personal encouragment, and sustaining prayer for God given courage to face each day’s demands. 

What is most overwhelming by this news is the mixed feelings of sympathy and gratitude.  The description of the disorder is difficult to comprehend making our hearts heavy for you.  But then to read the daily journal, words of encouragement, offerred prayers, and a steadfastness in your faith as you go forward brings such a sense of thanksgiving to wipe the sympathy away leaving in it’s place hope.  We recently heard from a friend who quoted an old theologian who said “hope is the music of the future and faith is dancing to it’s tune today”.  Keep dancing!!!

We now join the many others that are praying,

Dave and Edie Boschen

Dearest Rini

Praise God !!! You have your Armor (Jesus Christ) on and ready for battle. Things are happening.

We enjoyed our visit, last monday ... a day of sharing stories and blood. We will return soon. I still owe you a pint. Rini you are an ANGEL that walks this earth. God Bless You, Dave and Girls.

Love Bro Bill, Terry and Clayton
The Gongoras

As you saw yesterday, my mom had a “birthday” - “the first day of her new life,” as the nurses were saying. I was teasing her that she never knew she would be born 3 times. She was reborn in Christ and now her stem cells caused a rebirth. Kind of cool…

So last night as the day wound down and my dad and I were sitting in the apartment, I leaned out near the window and gazed on San Francisco…

The Bay Bridge was on my right, with Coit Tower on the left. Apartments were below and the Pacific Ocean stretched out in front. Large freight ships lazily sailed to their destination. People walked below - a woman in red sweats swung her arms as she briskly walked the evening away. Cars drove by; the sun was going down… life as usual…

Except life isn’t as usual. As I began to talk to God, I started talking to him about how life may be different forever. It was definitely a conversation - nothing was consuming my heart, and I didn’t feel like he was trying extra hard to say something. The girls at Bible study had prayed over me on Monday that I would have strong faith, and this week has definitely been a week of peace as God and I have been walking together daily - the goal is no circumstantial faith anymore. :o)

I kept hearing my pastor telling us that life sometimes isn’t perfectly packaged the way that we thought it would be. He said that sometimes we have to see “God tracks” to know that we are definitely in God’s will because nothing looks the way we expected. There is no doubt in my mind that we have seen “God Tracks” - now we just wait on His will to be revealed. As my mind travelled and I stared out the window, it was still. God nor I said a word. I resumed observing the San Francisco Friday night hustle and bustle. When quietly, I heard very clearly: “I am the God who heals.”

Obviously, I don’t know what that means in the long run. I’ve learned not to fill in the blanks. God knows. But to hear the reassurance from Him that He is here. He knows. He hasn’t left. He is intimately involved in the situation - more than I am even. He is the God that heals. He has spoken that. I am amazed that He said that to me. Part of me is kind of like, “Did God really say something like that so clearly to me?” But He did. So, I rest in - well, basically, I’m resting in knowing that that I don’t know. :o) But He does.

So we wait ... because He is the God who heals.

Dear Irene,

We know that many have united in prayer for you and your healing.  Please be encouraged that the Herron family has join this ‘great cloud of witnesses,’ believing and with hope that God’s perfect will be done in your life. 

As we learned of your situation, questions abounded, especially ‘how can such a thing happen to a wonderful, loving, God-fearing person like you?’  God’s ways are not our ways.  But we have come to embrace the fact that his ways are perfect.  Through this, may he be glorified.

We love you, and will be faithful to keep you close to our Lord with our prayers.

With much love,

The Herron Family

It’s early Saturday morning… I’m at a nearby Starbucks and JoAnna is still sleeping at Tom and Janet William’s apartment they have so graciously provided for us during this time…we’ll be heading back to UCSF soon…

A couple of hours after the stem cell transplant yesterday Irene was presented with a “Birthday Cake” from the nursing staff of UCSF, celebrating the “First Day of the Rest of Her Life”... It was an emotional moment for all of us…

Irene finally got a private room (at the SPA as she calls it!!) and she actually had an appetite for the first time in two months… despite the chemo and some limited nausea…but ate one-half of a hamburger and some french fries!!!!  Afterward she was tired and laid down…

By almost 8 p.m. she was still sleeping soundly!!! 

JoAnna and I left a note for her and quietly slipped out of her room…we didn’t hear from her last evening… we suspect she slept through the night… perhaps “coming down” from the emotional “crescendo” of the stem cell transplant being complete… she has been through the ringer the last 6 weeks with the transplant goal finally being achieved… we now obviously hope and pray that the transplant will be successful and she’ll be on the long road of recovery….

Significant challenges still lie ahead because of the renal failure and other potential complications but all of us are up to the challenge… especially Irene who has the hardest job of all…but her gentleness and faithfulness through all of this is incredibly inspiring….

This weekend’s agenda consists of monitoring Irene’s initial blood levels and giving her some much needed rest…

We couldn’t survive the journey without a FAITHFUL LORD, family and friends like you… thank you sooooooo much….!!!!

He lives,
Dave
Prov 3:4-6

Dear Irene, Dave & girls,

  It’s great to hear that the treatment process is moving along. We’ll be praying those little stem cells guys do what God has designed them to do. May God bless you Irene with special protection during this time.
  So how does the new hairdo look?  Doesn’t really matter though, because you’ll be beautiful even when it falls out.
  You are always in our hearts. 
Lots of love, Mark and Robin Schmidt

Hi everybody!!

It’s about 3.30 p.m. on Friday afternoon…

After her early morning dialysis treatment the stem cell transplant was underway about 1 p.m.  Candidly, for being the “main event”, it was somewhat underwhelming.  About 2.94 million stem cells (previously harvested from her body then frozen) were thawed in a water bath to attain body temperature.  Two bags were then “dripped” into her system…the process took about 30 minutes.

On the lighter side, Irene will smell like “spaghettios” for about 2 days… it’s a by-product of the preservative used for the stem cells.

For the next 24 hours her stem cells will be making their way back to the bone marrow…. the nurse explained that the stem cells know how to find where they belong - similar to a “homing device”...

Irene is resting comfortably and very much appreciates everyone’s support.  Hopefully in the next day or two she will get a private room for the balance of her hospital recovery which will help her rest more comfortably and be less likely to be exposed to infection. 

The next two to three weeks are critical.  That’s when her immune system will be most vulnerable and the ability to fight infection at its highest risk.  Please pray that she will stay healthy and get stronger every day…

Stay tuned….
Dave

Dear Irene, Dave, Jocelyn and Joanna,

We were gone for a couple of days and I found I couldn’t wait to get home and get an update. You are all on our minds all during the day, so prayer is ongoing comfort. Since I just heard a few days ago I am still in shock and trying to take it all in. It is so hard for us to think of all of you going through this. I can’t help but remember all the conversations with you, Irene, and the understanding and compassion that you have given me, and to think you are now enduring this trial is hard to understand. I know you are all safely surrounded in God’s protection, but I know, this is hard to bare. “He is able - more than able.” This verse is what has come to mind for you all.

    “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. And I will build you and you will be rebuilt.”  Jer. 31:3-4

Love, Betty

Hello, Tia Rini,

You are so brave and beautiful.  And I love you so much! 

We’re thinking of you, Uncle Dave, Cousins Joci and JoAnna all the time.  Big bear hugs to all of you!

With lots of Love,
Cristy, Matt and Nina

After my last update, I received this email from Jack Cauwels:

Dave:

Thanks for the update…and the start of the Chemo. I called Luis and Pat this am. They are strongly supporting you and Irene. We will be praying about the next step in the process. Praying all goes well and Irene is able to handle this next phase. He Is Able.

Love,
Jack

Thanks Jack!

Irene and the Dias family, the Gschwend family sends you much love. We are praying for you and thinking about you daily. Irene you are such a blessing to those around you and possess such a loving, caring, positive spirit. I remember fondly the times we ate at Acapulco and BJ’s during Joanna’s time at Azusa. I pray for more times like that.

I will be praying for the Stem Cell transplant tomorrow afternoon as well.

Much Love and Blessings from Him,

Luke Gschwend and the Gschwend family

It’s about 5 p.m. on Thursday.  After her chemotherapy treatment late yesterday, Irene has experienced a day of fatique and some nausea, but remains very upbeat… no surprise!!

We had an SF hair stylist come in this afternoon and clip her hair ... going, going and very short ... at least for Irene!  We thought that since she’s going to lose her hair, she might as well make it more manageable given the various ports in her neck and clavicle area…

My parents visited today and I went to the blood bank at UCSF.

My blood type is not O+, but my AB+ can benefit someone!!  I may be eligible to donate platelets for Irene and will find out on Monday.  Thanks to everyone who is donating and/or is going to donate!!  I know many of you can’t donate because of distance or medical reasons, but thanks for “your heart” being for us!! 

Our family is in a NO LOSE situation… we have an incredible and faithful God who continues to manifest His presence during this challenging time.  We know that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  We have a wonderful family and incredible friends…like the person reading this update… we’re truly blessed… and we thank you for your continued concerns and support…

Susan Nishizaki sat with Irene yesterday while I was able to focus on some of my most favorite activities… going to the the post office, making a run to the drug and grocery store, getting a haircut and doing a load of laundry… gee, what have I been missing all these years…?? 

Tomorrow morning Irene is scheduled for an early dialysis session followed by the stem cell transfusion.  Big day, lots of hope…

Here’s a recent Irene quote: “sometimes I feel like I am gliding on everyone elses faith”.... Wow and thank you… Irene recognizes and senses the power of others upholding her in prayer…

Let’s put on a “full court press” of prayer on her behalf!!

More later,
Dave
Gal 2.20
Is 48.17

Hi There Irene and Dave,
We’re praying for you at the Martinez household.  With God - all things are possible.  Thank you for keeping us all informed with your updates.  We love you.  Sue Martinez

Dear Dias Family:  My heart, thoughts and prayers go out to all of you during this extremely difficult time.  Reading through all the entires brings out how wonderful and remarkable a person that Irene is.  Her strength, courage, dignity, positive attitude and above all unwavering faith is truly inspirational.  With the encourging news in her treatment progression we all know she will beat this and come back stronger than ever!

Of course with all her family and friends support along with her faith it brings her up closer to Him and closer to healing.  I pray for her everyday.  I don’t know her personally but she sounds like a very loving, caring, kind and thoughtful person who would help out anyone who needed it.  We definitely need more Irenes in this world.  She’s truly an amazing human being!

Thank you for keeping us updated and including us in her journey of recovery.  I do feel like I now know her and feel truly blessed because of it!

Roni