Wow, this is very provocative…

Couple Ordered to Stop Holding Bible Study at Home Without Permit:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,522637,00.html?test=latestnews

Irene’s nausea RAGED yesterday and through all last night...we’re now using a scale of 1-10 for me to better understand how distressed she’s feeling. 

1 equals hardly noticable
10 equals competely unbearable

Yesterday was a 9+, today has settled to a 5…at least for now...

I think we'll host a Home Bible Study to pray for nausea relief...anyone want to join us...????? If we get fined or jailed, we'll let you know...

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Irene had a meltdown on the way home this evening when she told me that Jake shared that he and his friend, Ashley, (Brannon and Marci’s daughter), pray for her EVERYDAY.  Irene is sure that this is why God continues to answer prayer and sustains her on the surreal journey.

Thanks for checking in .... and for caring.

Dave

Thanks for checking in…!!

Irene’s fatigue and nausea have raged in continuous waves this last week but no one who interacts with her would have any clue that she has such 24/7 discomfort. 

She continues to persevere with a winsome smile and buoyant optimism. 

We enjoyed this evening with Craig and Patty Houck at their Santa Cruz beach house where we indulged home made Rock Cod fish tacos.  The Houck’s are gracious hosts and put on an amazing spread…!!!!  Craig caught the fish from his boat early this morning on the Monterey Bay near Pajaro Dunes…!!

We’ve been staying at the Chaminade of Santa Cruz, http://www.chaminade.com, the last 3 evenings.  Chaminade is a world-class resort property and I am honored to name them as a client.  Our house has been in complete disarray from painters who have been working the interior of the house for the last two weeks…!!!  The paint odor has been overwhelming….!!!!  We finally get to “move home” late tomorrow but have really been enjoying the change of venue…!!!

Thanks for caring.
Dave

Hello Friends,

We received a call from Deb Bernstein that her loving husband, Ben, passed away yesterday morning.  Ben had been battling Primary Amyloidosis but also had other serious health complications for the last several years.  We will miss Ben’s optimism and vigor for life, as well as his courageous spirit facing an extremely difficult set of circumstances.

An event celebrating Ben’s life will be held later this month in Marin County.

Please pray for Deb during this grieving season.

Restore us, O God Almighty; may your face shine upon us
Psalm 80:7a

Dave

A joy filled Mom in all her glory with daughters, Jocelyn & JoAnna!!!!!!!

Our kind neighbor and friend, Pamela Rivas, with her mom and daughter, treated Irene to a quick visit this morning and presented her with the beautiful, White Orchid.

Thanks for checking in .... and thanks for caring.

Dave

Irene is raising money and planning to participate in the upcoming Kidney Walk in San Jose, CA, on Saturday, June 6, 2009.  She even has her own “template” website for the upcoming event ....!!

http://walk.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/General?px=1331884&pg=personal&fr_id=1674

Irene would like to have others join her TEAM, which is the Satellite Healthcare Dialysis Team.  Many of the team members are technicians that assist dialysis patients on a daily basis .... and you can join too ....!!  Irene’s already recruited at least one other person to participate .... Gee, I wonder who that might be ....??

If you can’t walk, perhaps you can financially support the Kidney Walk.  You can do so at Irene’s Kidney Walk website or make a check payable to The National Kidney Foundation, and mail it to PO Box 926, Aptos, CA 95001.  By mailing the check to our PO Box, Irene gets credit for raising the money.  We’ll make sure the check is forwarded to them.

http://walk.kidney.org/site/PageServer

We hope you can support Irene and the 2009 Kidney Walk ....!!!!

Thanks for caring,

Dave

Today we attended the UCSF Patient Reunion Party .... where the amazing UCSF team gives of their lives .... to save lives ....

Irene poses with Bridget Mazzini (middle), R.N., who is the Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator.  Bridget works closely with Dr. Damon.  Today we met Helen Williams, another amyloid patient, who has just endured a stem cell transplant.

Irene poses with Helen Williams (right), and Linda Lotspeich & husband, Steve.  Linda is also an amyloid patient who had a kidney transplant last August.  Her stem cell transplant was in 2006.  She’s off dialysis and doing great!  Three amyloid patients in the same photo .... that must be a record!!

Irene poses with Dr. Lloyd Damon, who oversaw Irene’s stem cell transplant and continues to closely monitor her progress on the journey.

Irene is photographed, emotional and rejoicing, with Dr. Ai, who was instrumental during the challenging stem cell transplant process.  The medical team’s wisdom and ability to navigate through such a critical time is nothing short of a miracle.

God used and continues to us all of these amazing, purposeful people from UCSF, to save Irene’s life.

We met Gerrie Shields today, who splits her UCSF administrative time between Mount Zion and the main campus.

Lisa Ramsey is and RN and the person who administered the stem cell transfusion.  She is also photographed in the book, Irene’s Journey of Faith on the transfusion date, June 15, 2007.

UCSF celebrates the survivor victories with dancing and celebration ....!!

Approximately 75 cancer survivors celebrated with the UCSF Oncology Team.

Cathy Schroeder, a cancer survivor, was at one time in the room next to Irene.  Cathy is now a retired nurse and was always busy in her room on her laptop computer!!!

Irene poses with John and Diane Bagatelos, and their daughter.  John is a cancer survivor and was a former football coach/teacher.  John was down the hallway from Irene during her May, June and July, 2007 UCSF hospital stay.

Irene poses with Saulee Lee, who was, at one time, Irene’s roommate at UCSF.  Saulee is a cancer survivor and her gentle, caring husband, Walter, is photographed below with Irene and Dr. Kaplan.

Dr. Kaplan was a source of great encouragement to Irene as the medical team navigated through some arduous days and nights during the stem cell transplant process.

Cheryl Breed is an RN who attends Irene as an Outpatient in the Oncology Ward after her UCSF discharge.  She works closely with Dr. Damon.

Nurse Cami attended Irene following the stem cell transplant process and was especially sensitive to Irene’s challenges.  She was always a source of encouragement.

Nurse Yvonne and her daughter, Isabella.  Yvonne is an RN and attended Irene during some of her most challenging stem cell transplant days.  (July 11, 2007 update).  Irene calls Yvonne her Irish Angel ....!!!!

UCSF had an amazing spread of food and drink on hand for the special event!!  The only time I got into trouble today was when I kept indulging chocolate cookies from the three layered glass tray without using a separate, small plate and napkin. I was also grabbing cookies using my fingers instead of using the appropriate utensil. You can guess who “busted my chops” for being so uncouth ....!!!

We had an early dinner at a San Francisco waterfront restaurant, Louis’, near the Cliff House.

The ongoing, 24/7 work at UCSF continues to amaze us.  There are a HUGE number of people not photographed today who are also part of the Irene “WIN” ....!!

Today’s Patient Reunion Party was a colossal spiritual and emotional lift!!

We’re eternally grateful for this committed, intelligent, compassionate, empathetic, and world-class team that is giving of their lives .... to save lives.

We celebrate THEM.

Dave

Scott Halverson, faithful husband, father, friend, and Servant of the Most High God, passed from earth to his eternal destination with Jesus, last Friday.  His long bout with cancer is over.  His pain and suffering now concluded, he lives in permanent fellowship with His Creator.

Scott’s bride, Lynn, served faithfully alongside of Scott and is hosting a Celebration of Life Service in his honor, on what would have been his 51st birthday, at Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center on May 17 at 4 p.m.  Here is the announcement for the service and the required RSVP from the Halverson BLOG.

Scott faced life with enthusiastic zeal, unending joy, great courage and a relentless faith.  He was an inspiration to all of us.

Please pray for the entire Halverson family as they face this season of grieving.

Dave

After dinner this evening, Irene and I drove through our former neighborhood in Soquel because Irene had a recent dream about the Fidiam boys. They have always been a source of great JOY for her.  Jake, whom we fondly refer to as “Jakedy” wasn’t home but we had a fun and extemporaneous visit with Matt, Shannon and Caleb.  This family is among our most favored in the world ....!!!!

The photo below is cropped from their 2008 Christmas Card.

Caleb has grown into a fine young man and is active in sports activities.  He was just accepted into an envied academic program!!!  Matt and Shannon have always been dependable for Irene when I’ve been traveling.

Thanks for checking in, and for caring ....!!!

Dave

PS: Hi Matt ....!!! 

We face death all day long ....
Psalm 44:2a

Hall of FAITH and HEROES of the FAITH

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, “It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned. Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.

By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.

By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.

By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.

By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.

And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11

As plenary at the Military Ministry fundraising event in Dallas, Texas, last evening, Colonel Ollie North made a strong case for our U.S. soldier’s heroic work in the battlefield as they protect American interests.  Illustrating several specific scenarios, Colonel North’s brilliant presentation and message were particularly penetrating.  Colonel North flashed a photograph on the screen, depicting how an American Soldier was saving the lives of wounded warriors in battle, risking his own life to do so.  The rescuing soldier was carrying another man on his shoulders and running to safety, away from the crossfire.  The compelling point is this: the photo we saw was one of the four injured soldiers he saved .... and this one happened to be that of an Iraqi soldier.  The witnessing press corp. taunted the soldier’s actions as if the soldier didn’t realize that he was saving an enemy combatant.  The soldier’s response was astonishing, which, in essence, boldly declared to the press corp. that the enemy soldier was an injured human being, and that, as Americans, is what we do.

Being on the front line of the battlefield, our Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marine Corps continue to sacrifice greatly as we enjoy FREEDOM on U.S. soil.  Facing the enemy and combat tours which can last an average of more than one year, most of our young military HEROES go unrecognized and many deal with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome upon their return to the states.

Irene, too, faces a battle, except that her colossal enemy is an unseen, vicious disease.  Her “tour of duty” has caused her to endure, to date, a two year raging battle.  This encounter has caused significant, ongoing pain and suffering.  Although currently in remission, the callous enemy has ravaged her body and continues to challenge her with chronic nausea and fatigue.  Dialysis treatment, which has been occurring now for almost 22 months, is still required three days a week because the disease has attacked her kidneys, rendering them ailing and useless.

She perseveres, however, with a joyful and inspiring perspective, placing her complete trust in the Commanding General of the Universe, God Himself, in and through the Person of Jesus Christ.

Above, General Bob Dees (standing), the Executive Director of Military Ministry, poses with friends, Mary and AC Musgrave.  General Dees’ bio is here.

We are extremely grateful for our Armed Forces and the indiscernible, heroic deeds they perform 24/7 in the battlefield and on our behalf.  Without their selfless work, our FREEDOM would be non existent.

We’re also grateful for Great American Heroes like Colonel Oliver North, who boldly challenge those who don’t understand nor appreciate all that our military represents.

General Bob Dees is also a Great American Hero, leading Military Ministry and valiantly proclaiming truth, serving the spiritual needs of the Armed Forces both here and abroad.

Irene’s battle has not only grotesque physical challenges and uncertainty ahead, but takes on many spiritual dimensions.  With an unwavering faith, she is showing all of us how to face the relentless enemy at HEROIC proportions, quietly and reverently trusting the Loving and Sovereign God of all Creation.

We face death all day long ....
Psalm 44:2a

Caminando con Fé

Dave

The weather changed dramatically today with a high of 55 degrees and all day FOG….!!

Irene came in from dialysis this evening completely wrung out.  The techs had to stop treatment prior to its normal course because her blood pressure dropped to 85/50…

She’s hoping that tomorrow is better…with new carpeting installed today she’s looking forward to “playing”...

Thanks for caring,
Dave

8:05 p.m….

This evening’s experience is the converse of yesterday’s...

Coupled with 90+ degree heat during the day which lingers through dusk, and without air conditioning in our coastal home, Irene’s nausea RAGES following dialysis treatment. She is completely wrung out and unable to find any resting or comfortable position…whether sitting, laying or standing. 

Hopefully relief is on the way…as we look forward to a new day.

Irene clings to 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

Thanks for checking in…and for caring,
Dave

Irene enjoyed the balmy day on the bay and canned locally grown strawberries.

This evening Irene relaxed in the therapeutic spa which helps the renal failure ....

Thanks for caring,

Dave

If you haven’t already seen it, check out this video on YouTube.

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
1 Corinthians 1:27

.... stop judging by mere appearances ....
John 7:24a
.... the LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.
1 Sam 16:7b

He Reigns!

...pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever.

1 Timothy 6:11b-16

Have a JOYFUL Easter!
Dave & Irene