On June 15, 2007, Irene was @ UCSF where the STEM CELL TRANSPLANT was administered for the hideous Primary Amyloidosis disease which has ravaged her body. 6 years later she continues to defy the odds in all areas .... attitude, buoyancy, perseverance and God-honoring faith with an unshakable trust and confidence in Jesus Christ who gets all the glory. When people see Irene on non-dialysis days, there is no visible evidence of the 24/7 nausea and chronic fatigue which relentlessly haunts her.

6 years ago today .... in some ways the time has flown by; in others, especially on the brutal dialysis days, it seems like eons. Either way, God is faithful to her and us. We rejoice that she lives such a joy-filled life to the glory and praise of His Name.

Today, we were blessed to attend Caleb Fidiam’s high school grad party with his family in our former neighborhood and visited with some of the most amazing people we’ve ever been privileged to know.

Here’s a pic of Irene today wearing her signature smile with graduate Caleb, Vince and Jocelyn Dodge, and proud grad dad, Matt Fidiam.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His steadfast love endures forever!
The Lord is my strength and my song; and he has become my salvation.
His steadfast love endures forever!
The right hand of the Lord has triumphed; the right hand of the Lord is exalted.
His steadfast love endures forever!
The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone;
His steadfast love endures forever!
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
His steadfast love endures forever!
This very day the Lord has acted:
We will rejoice and be glad in it!”

— Psalm 118

Listen, you heavens, and I will speak;
  hear, you earth, the words of my mouth.
Let my teaching fall like rain
  and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass,
  like abundant rain on tender plants.
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
  Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
  and all his ways are just.
  A faithful God who does no wrong,
  upright and just is he.

            — Deuteronomy 32:1-4

8 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s having one of those very difficult evenings…......too difficult to express in words…..and overwhelmed with tearful emotion….....

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Today Irene and I celebrate 33 years of marriage. God gets all the glory and Irene gets most of the credit for being married to such a Neanderthal, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neanderthal Truly, I agree with the experts that women are, in fact, the greatest civilizers of men.  Irene has certainly had her work cut out for her all these years…!!! 

I commented to her earlier today that it’s hard to believe that we’ve been married 33 years when she only looks 33…!  I MUST have robbed the cradle…......

Irene is recovering this evening from a rigorous day at dialysis; the nausea and headache are rough…we hope she has a strong recovery tomorrow so that we can more formally “celebrate” our anniversary.  It’s my understanding that she did receive a bouquet of purple and white flowers with a balloon @ dialysis today…although I’m not sure how that happened…

Thanks for caring,
Dave

10 pm.........

.....it's BACK.........the nausea, that is.........it's come on strong and she's battling........hoping for a better day tomorrow despite the dialysis she's facing.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

3 pm

As is her usual pattern, Irene BOUNCED back today, taking no prisoners and is tackling the day with vigor. She had an appointment with her primary care physician @ 9 am and just finished lunch with a friend.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

It's been an emotional and physically exhausting day for Irene. Dialysis was cut short because of intense needle pain in her arm; she's wrestling this evening with intense nausea and excruciating headache. ...and, or course, the diverticulitis symptoms (of which I will spare the details) are significant.

...other than than, she's having a great day....

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Last Thursday morning Irene was awakened around 5.30 am with abdominal pain which has continued to escalate. I took her to the UCSF Emergency Room today where she was diagnosed with diverticulitis, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diverticulitis. She is now at home being treated with antibiotics.

...obviously, this is another skirmish which Irene is taking in stride... but she's also dealing with a tremendous amount of discomfort.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington's_Birthday

8.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene's been experiencing the NEW NORM; chronic fatigue, unyielding nausea...especially following dialysis on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays.......but she is so BOUYANT that on her non dialysis days people that see her don't even realize the WAR she's had the previous day and/or night. She's got extraordinary resilience...and determination to overcome. Her cheerful attitude and signature smile still rule the day.

Thanks for remembering her in prayer and thanks for the many expressions or care and concern from so many of you.

Dave

I know who goes before me, I know who stands behind.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.

The One who reigns forever - He is a friend of mine.
The God of angel armies is always by my side.

Chris Tomlin - Whom Shall I Fear (Burning Lights)

Thanks for checking in…....

I came down with the FLU/virus since Thursday, Jan 3; it’s been a vicious ride; I’m just now coming up for air…... Irene’s been “care giver” for me over the last 10 days…as usual, she’s out done me on the care giving front too…....no real suprise, though, given her serving and caring attitude toward all people…....

Irene continues on her journey; not much deviance from what we’ve been sharing for quite some time.  This evening the nausea raised its ugly head; not sure if it’s something she ate or other wise….hope that relief comes soon; dialysis for her again tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 p.m….

Thanks for checking in.  Irene had dialysis today given the holiday schedule so she has tomorrow and Tuesday off…then back on the chair Wednesday.  She’s slowly but continuously recovering from her recent bout and bouyant as usual.  She’s looking forward to 2013 with unending enthusiasm and bountiful faith.

Thanks for caring,
Dave