The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Charles R. Swindoll

Irene personifies Chuck Swindoll’s quote.  She had a horrific day yesterday/last evening with the nausea RAGING and chronic wrist pain THROBBING.

However, what did she do this morning?  Off to Safeway, DRIVING for the first time since the compound fracture… then off to Watsonville for errands which included a stop at Home Depot for flowers which she planted in her Wisteria Garden this afternoon.

She’s certainly like the Timex Watch… that takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’...!!!

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it”

Charles R. Swindoll

4.30 a.m.

For those of you faithfully following Irene’s journey you’ve noticed that there has not been an update for awhile.  I was in Europe representing the Board of Trustees of http://www.apu.edu.  JoAnna traveled with me. 

It was an amazing trip…much of which is highlighted on Facebook.  Irene’s sisters Carmen and Jane were overnight with her;  Jocelyn and Jordan pitched in with vigor and many others also “stepped up” providing transportation, calls and encouragement.  Thank you. 

The doctor confirmed last week that Irene’s wrist is healing nicely.  Her signature smile continues;  she’s certainly living above her circumstances…an amazing testimony of God’s grace and presence in the midst of it all.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Irene,
It was so good to have Dave and JoAnna on our APU trip; JoAnna was delightful, and they both were so helpful with our guests. BUT I kept thinking about how much fun it would be to have had you with us as well! So glad to hear you are doing well. We are praying for you, sweetie!
Love,
Gail

Irene’s follow-up appointment for her wrist fracture went well.  The cast has kept the injured area protected and there’s absolutely “no movement” which will definitely foster the healing process. She returns to the doctor again next week.  The cast will remain for 6 weeks from the injury date.

Thanks for caring.

Dave

Dr. Scott Merlo utilized Gore-Tex material to wrap a PURPLE cast around Irene’s radius and ulna wrist fracture.  The material is 100% waterproof!!!

Irene has a significant driving restriction while the cast is in place for the next 4-6 weeks.  As a result, back and forth doctor appointments, day in day out errands and dialysis treatment transportation three days a week will pose yet another challenge to overcome.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

A late breaking report….!!!

5 p.m….

I just got off the telephone with UCSF.  Irene’s Primary Amyloidosis blood test results are as follows:

Kappa 46.3
Landa 65.8
Ratio: .7

Interpretation?  The results are BETTER than last time!  The Amyloid remains in REMISSION...!!! 

Certainly a silver lining in what has been a pretty rough week for Irene!

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 a.m.

Thanks for checking in.  Irene had a very rough night...not getting any sleep at all despite the Vicodin.  The wrist pain, nausea and inability to find a comfortable place to rest has been an ongoing challenge.

We’re hoping that relief will come later today when she’s scheduled for the CASTING.  Perhaps the wrist splint is causing some of her discomfort. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

6.45 p.m.

Late breaking development…

Today at dialysis Irene experienced pain at a range of 20 on a scale of 1-10…!!! 

She has never reported such agony.  The unrelenting disruption was focused in the thumb/wrist area.  Dialysis technicians termed the matter as “stealing” fluid from the painful region to the other parts of her body.  It wasn’t until the last 8 minutes on the dialysis machine that the pain subsided and it was only because they radically reduced the amount of dialyzing.  If this occurs regularly (reducing the amount of fluid removed) she may need dialysis 4 days a week instead of 3…until the wrist is healed.

She’s now resting comfortably (somewhat) at home.  It’s amazing what Vicodin can do!!!

Thanks for caring and stay tuned,
Dave

Irene rested this last weekend, elevating her wrist and navigating the discomfort.  She’s at dialysis treatment this afternoon and tomorrow, Tuesday, July 6, she is scheduled for CASTING.

Stay tuned and thanks for caring. 

The Kappa Light Chain (Amyloid) test results will be available late next week.

Irene is scheduled for a wrist CAST next Tuesday afternoon.  She is taking no prisoners .... and is like a Timex Watch, that takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’ ....

.... she certainly inspires me.

One day at a time .... thanks for caring,

Dave

Well ....

Yesterday morning I had just barely arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, literally taxiing to the gate, when Irene called and informed me that she was in the Dominican Hospital Emergency Room with a compound right wrist fracture ....!!!  Her RADIUS and ULNA are both broken.  She had slipped and fallen while exiting the shower.  After concluding that she had broken her wrist, and it wasn’t pretty, she drove herself to the hospital.  Speaking to me while heavily sedated (slurred speech and all!), she said that they reset the bones but cannot cast it until the swelling subsides which will probably be sometime next week.  Her left wrist is bruised and very sore but not broken.

Irene was released from the hospital late Tuesday afternoon.  Her sister, Jane, spent last night with Irene and took her to dialysis today.  Jocelyn and Jordan brought her home.  The nausea is raging and she’s running a low grade fever.  She’s taking a heavy duty pain medication but the region is still very painful.

Tomorrow we leave at 7 am for UCSF related to her previously scheduled 3 month checkup (Primary Amyloidosis).  We’re confident that they’ll put her through a battery of tests and examinations!

The personal photograph depicts the wrist “wrap” and bandages from today’s dialysis treatment.

The emotional pendulum continues to swing as far as the east is from the west on this surreal journey.

Irene and I are grateful for the many expressions of support!!!