Dear Irene and Dave,

Recently I have pondered the significance of the word “Nevertheless” in Scripture:  “Nevertheless” - In the midst of and in spite of tribulation, unwelcome challenges, pain, suffering, all the ramifications of Amyloid.

“Nevertheless (yet) I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the victorious God of my salvation!  The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds’ feet and will make me to walk (not to stand still in terror, but to walk) and make (spiritual) progress upon my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility.” Habakkuk 3:18, 19

“Nevertheless, I am continually with You.  You do hold my right hand.  You will guide me with Your counsel and afterward receive me to honor and glory.  Whom have I in heaven but You?  And I have no delight or desire on earth besides You.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever.” Psa 73:23-26

We love you and uphold you in prayer.

Jacque (for Paul, too)

How exciting and wonderful news, first news of the bilrubin going down. Second Andrae Crouche calling...God sent a messanger---- very touching to our spirit. WHAT a BLESSING!!!
Dave you are a excellent pilot and Rini is your Co pilot and attendant. Great Team. Dave you describe Rini to a tee. Rin’s nature is caring, kind, genorous, and a loving lady.  We appreicate the updates..since we are far away. Always praying (today focusing on your digestive system and nutrtion) Love you Rini, Dave, Joce and Joanna (Annie)
God Bless
Bro Bill,Terry and Clayton
The Gongoras

Dave and Irene,

It was truly a blessing to read this morning that Irene’s billirubin count is down!  And such encouragement from Mr. Crouch, we know that has to be fortifying your strength and determination even more.  We are praying fervently for freedom from nausea, that the Lord would touch each area of the digestive system so that it would all work perfectly as He has designed it.  We are praying that each thing Irene consumes will be infused with an extra measure of health to build up, to heal and to strengthen.

You guys are never far from our thoughts and prayed for many times each day, thanks for keeping us updated with specific requests, helps so much to pray for those certain things.

Love,

Steve and Sue Azevedo

1 John 5:14:  Now this is the confidence we have before Him:  whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.  And if we know that He hears whatever we ask, we know that we have what we have asked Him for.

7 p.m…

Our good friend, Mark Joseph, who founded the following organizations…

http://www.mjmgroup.com
http://www.bullypulpitnews.com

...is a close friend of Andrae’ Crouch, one of Irene’s favorite artists!!  You may recall an update on this website done by our daughter Jocelyn and recorded on May 14, 2007, which talks about an Andrae’ Crouch album mysteriously showing up on Jocelyn’s car windshield… (you can read the full story here).

At about 6.15 p.m. tonght, Mark Joseph and Andrae Crouch called Irene here at UCSF!! 

http://www.andraecrouch.com

Andrae gave Irene several wonderful words of encouragement including the following quotes:

“If God can snatch us out of hell and give us eternity with Him, He can certainly heal you, Irene”

“The Lord wants us to marvel, but not be surprised at His work in our lives”

Andrae prayed for Irene and and broke out in a song he has yet to record, called “I am not afraid anymore"… a song of inspiration and hope.  Andrae’ also rebuked every “discouraging spirit” that may interfere with Irene’s complete healing.

The telephone call from Andrae’ was a blessing for Irene, especially given the last couple of challenging days she’s faced.  We’re forever grateful to Mark Joseph for setting up this call!!!

We thought you would like to know…

Dave

3.15 p.m…

“A kind hearted woman gains respect…” Proverbs 11:16a

I think of Irene every time I see that verse of scripture and have her name written in the margin of my Bible right next to it…!!!

Irene has never been pre-occupied with impressing others for the purpose of gaining their respect.  She is very unassuming and simply accepts and loves EVERYONE with a servant’s heart.  She is the person that goes out of her way at the post office or the bank to make sure that some other customer gets the help that they need.  She’s the patient patron that let’s someone else go ahead of her in that long grocery line…or frequently stops to say a kind word to some stranger along the way….always to my chagrin, because I am so “directed” and “focused”!!!  If she wasn’t so KIND and patient with others we could get on with the next task or activity at hand…there’s always so much to get done!!!! 

The truth be known, I simply don’t get it…but Irene does and has….for years…!!  She’s obviously been my perfect counter-balance!!!  Of course, the kindness doesn’t stop with strangers… those who know her best would testify that these words ring true for all of Irene’s acquaintances… As a result of her consistent kindness to others, I have seen her respect “quotient” grow and grow and grow….Sooooo, I guess that verse of scripture must be true…”a kind hearted woman gains respect”. 

Irene’s platelets are holding at 42; her bilirubin is 12.6 today, down from 13.4 yesterday.  Yay!

She is working so incredibly hard and wants to come home…!!!!  Irene is asking for people to pray that her appetite would grow without experiencing any nausea…the key words are NUTRITION, NUTRITION, and NUTRITION…!!!!!

Thank you for your encouragement and support!

Caminando Con Fe’
Dave

San Francisco is “buzzing” with the Major League All Star Baseball game being played this evening at AT&T Park! My cousin, Tom Dias and his son, Tom, visited Irene and me today before going over to the “yard”!! Tom Jr. also donated blood before leaving UCSF .....

Irene’s blood counts:

	5-Jul	6-Jul	7-Jul	8-Jul	9-Jul	10-Jul
WBC (White blood Cells)	9.2	8.6	8.4	7.5	8.5	6.8
Neutro	6.8	6.5	6	5.2	6.3	4.8
HCT (Red Blood Cells)	30	31.5	31.4	30.7	30.2	30.2
Platelets	42	86	43	41	53	35
T.bil (Bilirubin)	7.6	8.6	10.1	11.8	12.5	13.4

We’re obviously hoping the Bilirubin counts will plateau and trend the other way!!! The target Bilirubin level is 1.5. Irene is also getting blood platelets (almost daily) to maintain a target level of 40. She is less nauseated today, but still not able to ingest/digest any food…

Irene is encouraged to learn of JoAnna’s website being launched and wants to encourage everyone to visit the site!

http://www.joannadias.com

In the meantime, we wait…and appreciate your endearing support for Irene’s body to heal…

Dave

Every morning our day starts with reading the Word and your updates on this web site.  Oh, Dave and Irene, what a journey it has been and what faith and strength you are showing to all of us.  We praise His name for the past few days of respite from pain and suffering.  Tom was so pleased to be with you this past week-end.  This morning Psalm 5 keeps ringing in my soul...."Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my groaning.  Head the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to Thee do I pray.  In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch.” We continue to eagerly watch His faithfulness today, as He has been faithful every day to bring you this far.  We are standing with you in this and pray many times throughout the day for complete healing from Him who is our only strength and help.  We love you!

I haven’t really known Irene for the longest time, but the time that I have known her has been speacial. I have known her daughter for around 7 years. I might have meet Irene maybe twice, but she is the nicest person. I have memories of helping Jocelyn move and Irene and Dave being there helping, and making us food and just being a positive attitude. She is a very strong woman and Dave is a very strong Man. I wish that I could have meet them earlier in life and that we could have developed a stronger relationship. I know that God has a plan for Irene and all that surround her and that she has come in-contact with. I know she is a fighter and will continue to fight and get better.

Just by knowing her the little that I do, I can tell she is has a no quit attitude. Her family wont let her! I will be praying everynight that we can all again help Jocelyn move to yet another house

7.15 p.m...

Hello everyone!

Candidly, Irene had a very rough Monday…she was VERY nauseated and not able to hold anything down all day…she slept most of the afternoon after a 3 hour dialysis session this morning. The LIVER counts are still trending upward with a reading of 12.5 today, up from 11.8 yesterday.

The UCSF team is consulting with the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, NY, and getting affirmation in terms of the course that we’re on. David Wright and Ian Wright gave blood and platelets today at the UCSF Blood Center. Yay!



Phil Wilder and his daughter, Sarah, and son, Adam, came for a short visit with me late in the day. Irene was obviously not up to visitors today...



One of the nurses commented today that she and the entire nursing team are amazed at Irene’s endurance and gentle spirit despite her not feeling well...all of them are expressing such genuine concern for Irene!!!! What a testimony of Irene’s faithfulness!! I told her that she is reaping what she is sowing…even at UCSF!!!

Thank you for your continued care and concern!!

Caminando Con Fe’

Dave

Good Evening Dave, Irene and Family,

Christy and I are praying for your family continuously.  I have found in scripture that, “As children of God we can trust that our Father will provide for us.” In Irene’s case, God’s angels are with you in this time of need.  God will see you through this journey.  Many prayers and thoughts are rushing from the “hot” San Joaquin Valley toward your “cool” hospital room at UCSF.  The staff at UCSF are awesome!  They have taken good care of me with my cancer and I KNOW they will take care of you.

My wife and I went to Santa Cruz this last weekend.  We had fond memories of the time we spent with your family last year at Jo Anna’s Graduation Party then the year before with the BBQ.  When I passed the exit to your house on Highway 1, I really thought and prayed deeply for your speedy recovery.  We look forward to the day to visiting with you.

Love always,

Christy and Shawn

Dear Irene,
We are back at Mount Hermon as of last Thursday evening.  Denise and Kids are here plus a friend of Kory’s.  I am SO excited at the progress you are making and to see your smile again as well as all those surrounding you at the hospital...!!!
It was great to run into Joci yesterday and catch up with her for a little visit.  It sounded like Dallas was very positive for her.  I did try to call but it was probably at a time you were having treatment.  Will try again....
Will be praying specifically for all the immediate requests that Dave listed.
We Love You.....you are at the top of our list....
Phyllis and Jack

Dear Irene, Dave, Jocelyn and Joanna,

We feel bad that we had no idea of the trial your family is going through right now until this weekend when Dean mentioned you in his sermon.  We will be praying to our loving, gracious Father for your physical healing.  I was so blessed by reading of the purple shawl miracle and it always amazes me how the people who are going through the most difficult times are the ones who inspire us the most.  It’s clear that your courage and faith are coming through loud and clear to everyone you come in contact with.

A few sayings for you:

In our weakest times God’s strength is ours to trust.
In our saddest times His compassion is ours to heal.
In all times His love is ours to share.

Do not be afraid of tomorrow, God is already there.

There are no clouds in the sky when you smile! (Your smile is contagious)

Friends double our joy and divide our sorrow.

Your family will be in our prayers daily!

Love,
Darrell and Christine Daniele

7 p.m…

Hello everyone,

Irene was scheduled for the LIVER Ultra Sound tomorrow but it was done first thing this morning.  We hope to learn more about the liver function in the days ahead.  UCSF is consulting with Boston University and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, NY, tomorrow, related to Irene’s complex case.

Irene drank 3 “Scandishakes” today!!  Scandishakes are the vitamin rich hospital milkshakes loaded with over 500 calories each!  This is the most “food” she has consumed orally in more than 30 days…she has not had any adverse affects… Yay!!

Jocelyn visited today, (JoAnna is in S. Cal working this weekend) read and re-read Irene several of the well wishes sent by all of you… Both of us also enjoyed seeing Irene transfused with Dave’s platelets today…. Wow, what a memory and experience…!!!

Current prayer requests:

Please pray for the Bilirubin levels to go lower, not higher!!!

Bilirubin is the yellow breakdown product of normal heme catabolism. Its levels are elevated in certain diseases and it is responsible for the yellow color of bruises and the brown color of feces. Bilirubin reduction in the gut leads to a product called urobilinogen, which is excreted in urine.

More general information can be found at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilirubin

Irene’s recent Bilirubin levels:

July 5, 7.6
July 6, 8.6
July 7, 10.1
July 8, 11.8

Also, pray…

…That the stomach/intestinal tract improves so that Irene can start eating solid foods

…That her kidneys would “wake up” and start functioning appropriately so that the number of dialysis treatments can be reduced….

We are enjoying the reprieve as mentioned yesterday and are taking this journey one day at a time…thanks for caring…

Caminando Con Fe’
Dave

Dear Irene and Dave, I have been out of town for a week although not far and the first thing that I did when I got home was to check your web site.  We rented a house in Santa Cruz and the family all came down from Sacramento and enjoyef the cool, ocean, breezes.
Dave, I think you are a talented writer.  Thank you for keeping us all posted.  I continue to go on my prayer walks with priority going to the Dias family.  You are a blessing to all.  I will continue to pray especially for the liver numbers to come down.  So glad to hear that other areas are improving. Always remember that you are loved by many people but more importantly by God.  Pastor Dean from SCBC spoke about you folks today in church.  He had your picture up from the Web page.
Much love,
Martha Price

Tia Rini, I am so glad to here you are doing much better. My kids and I include you,Tio Dave, and my cousins Joci & Joanna in our prayers daily. The kids will ask me daily,"how’s our Tia Rini doing?” I’ll read the update and tell them and when I told them you are doing a lot better 4 year old Tresemay said,"God answers our prayers huh mommy, that means if we pray all the time she’ll be all better and out of the hospital.” 4 years old and already understands the power of prayer. Hallelujah! You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you all. God Bless!
Love, Carin & kids