Dear Dave & Irene,  We like to watch “It’s a wonderful Life” every year too.  I enjoyed your comments about it.  I am praising the Lord of the good report on the platelets and billirubin.  That’s great.  We will concentrate our prayer on Irene’s appetite and strength.  I recall when my Dad had heart by-pass surgery that he sruggled for a while with nausea and then to regain his appetite.  The doctor didn’t have an explanation but my mom thought it was from medication but finally his body adjusted and he began eating great.  He is now 88 and doing well.  I am trusting the Lord to give Irene the relief she needs and more strength every day.  Love,  Dave & Bev

8.30 p.m…

It’s A Wonderful Life is one of our favorite black and white movies and we view it at least one a year.  Here is the storyline as described in a review by Tim Dirks:

“It is actually a dark, bittersweet post-war tale of a savings-and-loan manager who struggles against a greedy banker and his own self-doubting nature in a small town. Earnest do-gooder George Bailey (James Stewart) recognizes his life as wonderful and truly rich, even in its humdrum and bleak nature, only after suffering many hardships, mishaps and fateful trials (including compromised dreams of youth to leave the town and seek fame and fortune, other sacrifices, dismay, losses and the threat of financial ruin, and suicide). He is given encouragement by a whimsical, endearing, trainee-angel named Clarence.

The story turns Dickensian (similar to A Christmas Carol, although told from Bob Cratchit’s point-of-view rather than from Scrooge’s) when the hysterical, despairing, and melancholy family man is shown what the small town (Bedford Falls, now renamed Pottersville after the town’s evil tycoon) would be like without him. It’s a frightening, nightmarish, noirish view of the world (at Christmas-time) that brings him back from self-destruction. He returns to the idyllic, small-town world that he left, with renewed faith and confidence in life itself. Hence, the film’s title: It’s a Wonderful Life.”

More detail on the plot can be found at:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It’s_a_Wonderful_Life#Plot

So, you’re asking, what in the world does this have to do with an update about Irene Dias?  Well, as with George Bailey in the movie, you’ve probably noticed that our life has been kind of tough lately.  Especially for Irene.  However, we have always believed that there are two kinds of people in the world: “those that have problems and those that will.”  The real question is where do we turn when we have significant challenges in our life?  Paul the Apostle answers that question in Philippians 4:11b-13:

“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

With this very succinct verse, Paul says that through faith in Christ we can be content and overcome our circumstances in order to live the victorious and abundant life…despite what comes our way.  Paul’s faith in Christ is also ours.

We enjoy the movie, It’s A Wonderful Life, because it illustrates that our life is WONDERFUL…despite the HUGE challenges that are in front of us…and especially in front of Irene at this time. 

We had a good visit with the medical team at UCSF today.  Irene’s blood platelets are now at 93!  They are multiplying exponentially.  Her bilirubin count is at 12.6 compared to 14.4 on Tuesday…another good report.  But she is weary. Irene endeavors to eat but her inability to have enough daily caloric in take remains a very significant issue.  We’re trusting God that better days are ahead.

In the meantime, It’s A Wonderful Life!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Hey Dias family! I just wanted to tell you that I have been thinking about today and I am praying for you!
I was reading some of the entries in Jocelyn’s and JoAnna’s journals and it is such an encouragement to me to see how they are taking this whole situation!
We are going through Mr. Ingram’s series “God as He longs for you to see Him” and the whole passage on God’s goodness comes to me when I think about Mrs. Dias and everything she has had to go through. The verse:
“And we know that all things work together for the GOOD to them that love God, to them who are the called according to HIS purpose.”  -Romans 8:28
That verse is so comforting to me and I know you have probably be sent that verse before, but I just thought I would send it to you tonight =)!
Well, I need to go. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers! I love you all =)
In His loving arms,
Lauren Ball

So glad to hear that you were able to keep some food down today. I hope that you can go for a drive by the beach soon and see the waves and smell the sea water. We pray that tomorrow will go well. Have a good nights rest.

We love you,

Devin and Veronica

9 p.m…

Greetings family and friends,

Most of you know that we have been in a 24/7 CRISIS mode since Irene was admitted into the hospital on April 30th… Since Irene was discharged last Friday, we’re now entering a STRATEGIC and intentional transition…

Irene’s sister, Carmen, and I, escorted Irene to an early morning dialysis treatment in Watsonville.  Because Carmen is staying at our home for a few days, I was able to attend an important client meeting today.

Irene is weary but encouraged because she was able to keep food down all day, despite some lingering nausea.  We’re hopeful that the new nausea medication ($200.00 per pill, twice a day) will help.  We also hope that she won’t be taking this medication for very long!!!! 

We met with a home health agency which happens to be a client.  They are a first class operation!!  We’re trying to understand exactly what Irene’s needs will be in the coming weeks and months.  We need WISDOM!!

This is a critical transitional time for Irene and we appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers for her complete healing and recovery!  We are hopeful for brighter days ahead!!

Stay tuned… we’re headed to UCSF for CLINIC tomorrow.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Hi Irene - I am so glad to hear you are home!  A huge thanks to Dave for keeping us so well informed on your progress.  Our prayers now will be for you to get the rest that you need, and that the doctors will be able to find the right medication to conquer the nausea. 
Love and Blessings
John and Carole Reynolds

8.30 p.m…

Good evening!!!

We had a good visit at UCSF today!  Irene’s blood counts are doing well except for an elevated bilirubin (14.4).  As a result, they want her back on Thursday…

A very positive report is the blood platelet levels which are at 77.  You may recall that they were at 40 when she was discharged from UCSF last Friday… this is wonderful news!!

The other very encouraging information is that the Amyloid blood test has revealed a significant decrease of Amyloid in her bloodstream.  This is obviously a result of the stem cell transplant!!!!  Yay!!!! 

A lingering issue is the 24/7 nausea.  A new medication was introduced into the mix today.  We hope for a breakthrough in this area soon… her current calorie intake is just not sustainable…

Irene’s sister, Carmen, arrives this evening for a few days to help around the house. 

We continue to be overwhelmed with thanksgiving from the many expresssions of care and concern from so many.  THANK YOU!!!! 

Irene is up early tomorrow morning for another round of dialysis…

Thanks for caring…

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Dave and Irene,

We continue to hold you up in prayer. We also pray that you will start to hold your food down. We look forward to hearing how your report turns out. It is a long hard road and I pray that it will start to get a bit easier.

Lifting you towards heaven for peace and strength,

Devin, Veronica, Connor and Sabrina

Sis- I need to tell you something. I knew there was a God, But until you were in the Hospital Did I start beliveing in him. (Sad BUT TRUE)I learned how to pray and I thank God everyday for all the great things he has done. Thank you Sis for opening my eyes. I love you Guys. I am so happy that you are feeling so good. If I can help you clean or anything else PLEASE let me know. I will try to work around watching Carin’s kids.
LOVE jane and Family
God is Powerful

7.45 p.m…

Good evening!

As shared with you last night, Irene completed her first kidney dialysis session in the Watsonville center this morning. I worked out of the Watsonville InterWest office while she was being treated.

The dialysis center is an interesting place. 20 “lazy boy” type chairs are spread out in an open bay. It’s a very informal setting compared to UCSF. We observed people of all persuasions...It was very humbling to see the amount of physical need represented in the room…

Irene rested most of the afternoon and is moving around the house very SLOWLY. The home environment is definitely more condusive than that of a hospital setting!!! She isn’t experiencing any physical pain but just has NO energy...and 24/7 nausea...she’s having lots of difficulty keeping food down and we’re also counting calories. She definitely needs more intake!!

We’re going to UCSF tomorrow for the first out-patient clinic. We’re very anxious to see how her blood counts will be reported. We’re especially hopeful that the blood platelet counts are holding and that her bilirubin counts are down. By Friday we should learn the results of the AMYLOID blood test. We won’t know for some time whether or not the stem cell transplant has been successful and if the production of the amyloid has gone into remission.




We’re also learning about and discussing arrangements for home health care needs. There is a lot to understand and plan for.

Thank you for your continued prayerful support for Irene’s complete healing!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Dear Irene and Family,
So excited to know you are home surrounded by your loving family!  We Mom’s love those special times, don’t we?  Can picture your girls taking such good care of you and so happy to have to home.  Hope to talk to you soon and also to get to see you before too long.  You have been missed around here!
All praise to our God who has done wondrous things and will continue that good work in YOU.
Love and a Hug,  Phyllis

9 p.m…

Good evening!!!

It’s been a good day and a great weekend.  Irene has slept very well the last two nights and had a good, long nap today. Out of the blue, one of our gracious neighbors, Pamela Rivas, brought us a full course dinner this evening…!  Wow, was it delicious!!! 

Late this afternoon Irene even CAREFULLY ventured downstairs and into the backyard “wisteria garden” area where we sat her down on a garden chair and she watered plants from a distance with a garden hose.  It was a delight to see her enjoying the warm afternoon in such a comfortable and relaxing setting!  Amazingly, she walked back into the house and GINGERLY up the stairs on her own power!!  Jocelyn and I merely stood nearby just in case…but she did it completely on her own… Yay!!!  There’s no place like home…

She’s already sleeping soundly and I’m sure she’s very encouraged by all that was accomplished today.  Given where she has been, these developments are HUGE…!!!!

Thanks for caring and praying…we’re up early tomorrow morning for her first outpatient dialysis session beginning at 7 a.m.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

7.15 p.m…

Her darkest hour; His brightest moment; His darkest hour; her brightest moment…

That’s one of the ways that I have come to think about Irene’s experience with Primary Amyloidosis.  Let me explain.

Paul the apostle says that adversity always means advance (Phil 1:12).  Peter says that we are being purified like gold being refined through fire (1 Peter 1:7).  There are hundreds of additional scriptural illustrations which illuminate that the most trying of times bring about God’s glory.

And so it is so with Irene.  God is using the Amyloid disease that struck Irene’s body to glorify His Name.  My new friend, John Grover, put it this way…

“I am feeling both sorrow and joy at the same time. Sorrow for the uncertainty and pain your family is going through but joy for the wonderful testimony from you, Irene and your daughters. The Lord loves your family a great deal, Dave. Scripture talks about those faithful saints who have been tested and refined more than most.  I think he only refines to this degree those that are the finest and most capable of producing a Christ-like response that brings him great pleasure and glory.”  (email dated: June 9, 2007).

…and that is how I would describe Irene.  Her Christ-like response to this hideous disease, (perhaps her darkest hour), is also possibly her greatest opportunity to testify of her faith, trust and confidence in Jesus, (perhaps His brightest moment in her).  And she is doing just that.  I stand in awe of her courageous and gentle response to all that she has encountered…and, as you can imagine, my updates cannot come close to describing the brutal nature of that which she has truly endured.

Jesus died for Irene in “His darkest hour” in order for her to enjoy “her brightest moment” which is to glorify Him on earth (perhaps especially by encountering the Amyloid) and to live with him in heaven forever!  That Christ would die not only for Irene but for all people and for the sins of the world is difficult to imagine, much less comprehend!!

Irene is having a restful day and enjoying our home (especially Jocelyn & JoAnna being around, of course!).  She knows the journey in front of her is a long and challenging one and not one that she would necessarily choose.  However, knowing that she is on this road, she chooses to walk this journey with joy, peace, and confidence in our living Lord. 

And so it is…”her darkest hour” is perhaps for His brightest moment in her and we know with confidence that “His darkest hour” (death on the cross) is for her brightest moment…now and forevermore!

Caminando Con Fe’
Dave

Dear Irene and Family
We are sorry that it has taken so long to send our well wishes and support to you.  That doesn’t mean that you haven’t been in our thoughts on a regular basis.  We are so happy to hear that you made it home safely yesterday.  The news of your homecoming is fantastic.
Finally making it to UCSF yesterday to the blood bank was long over due which I am sorry for( Juli). Hearing that you were returning home was comforting.  We hope that your recovery at home will be rejuvinating for you.  Please let us know if we can run an erand, cook a meal, or pay a visit.  Much love to you all,  the McDermotts

Hello Irene and Dave,

I just read the great news.  I am so excited that you are home.  I know that you are so happy to be with your family in your own home.  I have prayed for you daily, and you are constantly in my thoughts.  Take care of you!  The Lord is good - isn’t he?

Lori Gongora