Thanks for checking in and I hope you’re having a GREAT Memorial Day Weekend...!!!

Irene never ceases to amaze me.  She prepared all week with anticipation and enthusiasm for what we hoped to be a really fun weekend at the coast hosting my brother, Greg, and his bride, Colleen. 

Well…...we had a great time at lunch on Saturday but I had a slight medical emergency develop where I eventually ended up in the hospital ER.  Needless to say, I’m beyond the matter now but Irene really sprang into action.  She went from patient to CareGiver in seconds.  She sprang into action, setting aside her own physical challenges, and served me with a rigor that would cause Florence Nightingale, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale, to be proud.  Greg and Colleen were also there, ready to set aside their plans for the weekend to serve my needs.  Wow…nothing compares to being surrounded by GREAT people when the going gets tough!!!

It’s 2 p.m….Irene is at dialysis for the typical Monday afternoon routine, I’m resting comfortably at home, Greg and Colleen had an abbreviated weekend and are currently enjoying their beautiful home and swimming pool in Modesto.  Not the weekend we had planned and hoped for, but sometimes life does take us on a circuitous route. 

Thanks for checking in…and for caring,
Dave

Whew…!!!

Frank Johnson has been working FEVERISHLY since our hosting facility was hacked with hundreds of viruses…!!!  We apologize for any inconvenience….we’re finally back on line with a new hosting company…!!!

Dave

6.45 p.m….

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s nausea is raging and her head “pounding” this evening following dialysis.

Hoping for a recovery and better tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

A pom-pom is, at its most basic level, a decorative ball of fluff. Pom-poms may come in many colors, sizes and varieties and are made from a wide array of materials, including fabric, wool, cotton, paper, plastic, or occasionally feathers. While not necessarily the most common usage of a pom-pom, the most noticeable and widely-recognized use is generally in cheerleading and often by fans during other spectator sports.

After nearly three years of dialysis treatment three days a week she has come to know and become known by many of the people there .... both the professionals and patients.  This morning Irene was telling me about two dialysis technicians who have been taking classes to become nurses.

For some time these two particular technicians have been sharing with Irene their longing for professional growth and desire to provide for their family as nurses.  They share their doubts and uncertainties of whether or not they can pass the testing and achieve their goals.  As they were going through the process Irene would give each of them strong words of affirmation such as “YOU CAN DO IT!!!” literally cheering them on ....!!!  After these guys passed their respective tests and receive nursing status they report their conquest to Irene with joy and jubilation.  She then comments to these young men that that they have grown up before her .... and how proud she is of them ....!!!

Irene provides a safe environment for people to openly share their challenges and dreams.  Irene is CHEERING ON those around her .... despite the challenges she faces daily on her own journey .... and she does it CHEERFULLY.  It’s amazing and inspiring.

Thanks for caring and for being Irene’s cheerleader.

Dave

Irene had a GREAT time with many friends (listed below) on Thursday afternoon at Monte Vista Christian School. Martha Price is the daughter-in-law of the school founders and has been a loyal friend to Irene for many years.  Irene worked at Monte Vista for 7 years when Jocelyn and JoAnna attended.

Cheryl Sharp, wife of Stephen Sharp, took the photo .... and, unfortunately, is not pictured.  Thanks, Cheryl….!!!

Suzanne Roth, Martha Price, Isomi Doyle, Irene, Lenora Barthel, Marsha Tarr, Joan Bresley

8.30 p.m.

At dialysis today Irene’s needle penetrated the fistula wall and literally “struck a nerve”.  Needless to say, today’s treatment was cut short. 

Irene’s been icing the wounded area this evening.  It’s been a fatiguing day…with the ever present nausea on the warpath this evening.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

8.15 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s experiencing a VERY ROUGH evening following dialysis.  Her head is POUNDING and the NAUSEA rages on.  We hope the ice pack on her head will deliver some relief!

Hoping for a REBOUND tomorrow…and thankfully on most days…she does.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

“It is not genius, nor glory, nor love that reflects the greatness of the human soul; it is kindness.”—Jean-Baptiste-Henri Lacordaire

I think of Irene whenever I read that.

Irene’s been wrestling with the nausea but continues to live above her circumstances.

I also think that she mirrors this old, old proverb:

“...A kindhearted woman gains respect...”

She certainly has mine.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

1 p.m…

Irene’s fever broke early this morning.  Her energy is very low, the nausea has calmed to 5 on a 1-10 scale, and she’s “laying low”.  Rest and recovery are the defining words today. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

8 p.m.

Thanks for checking in…!!!

Irene’s running a 101.1 temp this evening following dialysis treatment.  She’s also got a headache and the nausea is ever present. 

We’re hoping she’ll REBOUND tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

We have raised a thousand voices
Just to lift Your holy name
And we will raise thousands more
To sing of Your beauty in this place
Well none can even fathom
No not one define Your worth
As we marvel in Your presence
To the ends of the earth.

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

As we fall down before You
With our willing hearts we seek
In the greatness of Your glory
It’s so hard to even speak
There is nothing we can offer
No nothing can repay
So we give You all our praises
And lift our voice to sing

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

Our hope is drenched in You
Our faith has been renewed
We trust in Your every word
Nothing else can even measure up to You.

We give You glory,
Lifting up our hands and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart
Glory, lifting up our voice and singing holy,
You alone are worthy
We just want to touch Your heart, Lord, touch Your heart

9.15 p.m….

Thanks for checking in.

Irene had a much better day after bouncing back from a challenging yesterday/last evening.

She retuns to dialysis tomorrow for her usual Wednesday treatment protocol. 

I can’t imagine having diallysis three hours plus a day, three days a week… M, W, F, now going on for almost 3 years…especially with such an inspiring attitude. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Thanks for checking in...it’s amazing how qiuckly things can change in a day…

By way of background, I’ve always told Irene that on a scale of 1-10 that she’s a 10...in all areas of her life.  The one area that I wish she WASN’T a 10 is on the nausea scale...which is where it is as I write this update following her dialysis treatment today (5.30 p.m.).  She just shared that the nausea is RAGING at 10 on a scale of 1-10. 

Please pray for her to get relief from this chronic issue...as we hope for a rebound and better tomorrow. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave