6 p.m.

Thanks for checking in…!!!

Irene BOUNCED back today; the nausea remained at bay and her energy was good.  The body’s resiliance is amazing…

Thanks for caring…............. 

Dave

8.30 p.m.

Irene and I have boycotted Valentine’s Day for 31 years.  It’s not that we don’t celebrate.  The question is why would we limit celebrating the love to one day a year?!  So, our philosophy has been to celebrate the love 24/7/365.

This evening she’s really struggling after dialysis was cut short because of significant pain radiating from her fistula arm toward her broken wrist region.  She will have to make up the 45 minutes at dialysis on Wednesday in order to remove the toxins that could not be removed today. 

The nausea continues to rage, and candidly, she’s self conscious for all of the updates related to her plight…especially on dialysis days…

So, she’s taking no prisoners and is endeavoring to live above her circumstances…which she usually does! 

Hoping for a better tomorrow…

Thanks for caring,
Dave

10.4

That’s Irene’s red blood cell count which is UP.  This is good news;  hopefully an increase in her energy level will be a mirror image of the uptick!!!  She’s still awatiing that…!!!

In spite of the good news above, Irene commented this evening that TODAY was the worst day she has experienced at dialysis in a very, very long time.  The pain was horrid; she fought off nausea and cramps during the all afternoon session which was cut short because of her misery.

Hope she BOUNCES tomorrow…which is the usual pattern.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene spent about an hour in the garden today, having somewhat recovered from last evening’s agonizing episode.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

9.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in. 

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day but this evening is absolutely RUTHLESS.  Following dialysis treatment, Irene’s struggling with a massive headache and nausea at 9+ on a 1-10 scale.

We are convinced that disrupted electrolytes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolites, are the root cause of that which Irene struggles with following dialysis.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_rehydration_therapy

Thanks for caring…and hoping for a full recovery tomorrow.

Dave

6 pm

Call it an extreme YO YO or call it an extreme ROLLER COASTER ride but whatever you call it, Irene’s really struggling today.  The nausea is RAGING at 9+ following dialysis today.  She’s tustling and longing for that comfortable position.

Hoping for that better tomorrow…and leaning into 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 caring,
Dave

Thanks for your prayers!

8.4

That’s Irene’s red blood cell count.  It should be 12+. 

She’s been on high levels of Epogen, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epogen for weeks.  They increased the dosage today and she’ll probably have a blood transfusion next Wednesday if the numbers don’t trend upward.  The lower red blood cell count has a HUGE impact on her energy level.

The nausea is RAGING following dialysis treatment today.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene experienced another needle infiltration today causing dialysis treatment to be cut short.  She’s icing the wound this evening and wrestling with intense nausea.

Hopefully her pattern will be consistent…with a recovery tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

9 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s experiencing a very rough evening.

Leg CRAMPS following dialysis

RAGING nausea

INTENSE lower back pain…again.  She is flopping like a fish out of water trying to find a comfortable position.

Hoping for a better tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

8 p.m.

Thanks for checking in…!!!

Irene’s symptoms are already diminishing.  Her headache is gone and muscle/back/leg pain is significantly less painful.  It appears the the meds are taking hold…!!!  She was even able to enjoy lunch with Victoria McCharen today…a huge breakthrough given the way she’s been feeling over the last week.

We’re still believing God for a full restoration…and healing of her body.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene called me this afternoon because dialysis was cut short again.  The technical team would not let Irene drive herself home because of underlying symptoms being aggravated so I picked her up (fortunate to be working out of the home office today) and took her to the Urgent Care unit @ Dominican Hospital per the dialysis team’s instructions.

After 7 days of a 24/7 horrific headache, even increased nausea symptoms, back and leg pain, Irene was diagnosed with an infection that is now being treated with antibiotics.  IT will hopefully clear in the next 7-10 days.

She had a C scan today (because of the onset of the headache) just to make sure the brain function is normal and that something else wasn’t going on.  The report said that her brain function is normal but Irene wants it redone because she doesn’t believe it! 

Another day on the surreal journey. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

2 p.m.

Irene was treated this afternoon by Dr. Buford McCharen of Aptos Core Care, http://www.aptoscorecare.com. 

“Buf” and his wife, Victoria, have become friends.  They’ve been very encouraging to us; anyone living in the Monterey Bay region would benefit from the Aptos Core Care treatment protocol. 

Here’s a quick YouTube reel about their practice:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeeKQ6dNPpA

Thanks for caring,
Dave

6.45 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s had a massive headache for 5 days in a row.  She’s also had significant ham string pain in both legs for the last 2 days.  The nausea has been raging 24/7. 

At the insistence of the medical team tending to her needs at dialysis today, she agreed to consult her primary care physician.  I drove her to the late afternoon appointment.  Dr. Adam Yarme, representing Dominican Medical Foundation examined her and said that Irene could either closely monitor the symptoms this weekend or go to the hospital ER for a battery of tests.  She obviously opted for the former;  she’s now resting at home.

Thanks for caring,
Dave