The circuitous amyloid journey continues. 

On the positive side, Irene drove herself to and from dialysis today and did not experience the usual extreme fatigue but, rather, had a slight physical energy bounce.  Without overstating the case she simply didn’t come home completely wrung out and enjoyed most of the day although the nausea was relentless. 

The discouraging news she received at dialysis was that her CREATININE CLEARANCE test, which measures kidney function, has declined to 4.5.  Previously it had been as high as 6.0.  The low point on the journey has been .30 in October of 2007.  Any value below 15 requires dialysis.

As the circuitous amyloid journey continues, we rest in Him and the promises of His Word…

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Despite Monday, Wednesday and Friday dialysis treatment days where she’s literally physically washed out, Irene usually has somewhat of a “bounce” on the “non dialysis” days.  Today, there was no bounce.  She remained severely fatigued and nauseated.  Perhaps it was because of the early morning trip to UCSF for the blood test. 

Irene hopes that tomorrow her energy will return despite it being a dialysis day.  She did muster enough energy to meander outside for awhile to breakup the monotony of the day.

UCSF will alert us as soon as the amyloid test values are reported. 

Stay tuned, and thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

The BIG question…

We venture to UCSF tomorrow, Thursday, May 8, 2008, for another blood draw and amyloid test to see what the current value is in her bloodstream.  Obviously, the question of the day is whether or not the value has diminished or otherwise. We will not learn the test results until sometime next week. 

Here is the amyloid value history…


June 2007 652 (stem cell transplant)
July 2007 78.5
October 2007 33.1
February 2008 56.7
March 2008 90
May, 2008 ??

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning and, once again, came home completely washed out.  The extreme nausea and incessant fatigue, combined with a severe headache, caused considerable discomfort.  She napped and rested all day. 

So, the big question remaining is what the current amyloid value is.  The answer to that question defines much of what the future looks like. 

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

12 p.m. QUICK UPDATE!!!

Thanks for checking in!!  Irene is having a much better day...she’s reporting it is 90% better than yesterday…

Thanks for praying!
Dave

How do you spell EXHAUSTED?

According to dictionary.com, exhausted is…

• drained physically
• depleted of energy, force, or strength
• extremely tired

How do you spell FATIGUE?

According to dictionary.com, fatigue is …

• the decreased capacity or complete inability of an organism, an organ, or a part to function normally because of excessive stimulation or prolonged exertion
• physical or mental weariness

EXHAUSTION and FATIGUE have been the prevailing words defining Irene’s experience today.  Combine those realities with EXTREME NAUSEA and they’re a combination for a very challenging day. 

After driving herself to and from dialysis she napped and rested, utterly wrung out.  Irene rests in the comfort of 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

…we wait with hopeful expectation of a new and better tomorrow. 

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Irene soloed last Wednesday through Friday evening as I traveled to Washington DC for client meetings.  She did well, driving herself to and from dialysis treatment and keeping the house in order. 

The highlight of her last few days was attending a luncheon at Monte Vista Christian School, http://www.mvcs.org, where Marsha Tarr, a dear friend, was celebrated for 30 years of faithful service as a science teacher.  Sue Martinez picked Irene up from dialysis treatment and took her to the event. Marsha taught both Jocelyn & JoAnna.  MVCS is a “city on a hill” and has been a significant place where Irene has enjoyed sweet fellowship, support and community with many wonderful people over the years. 

The dialysis center is testing Irene again this weekend for kidney function and we should have results by mid week.  Her nausea prowls and chronic fatigue is a growing challenge.  However, Irene's attitude and enthusiasm are inspiring. She regularly flashes her signature smile along the journey!!!

Thank you for your continued support.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Sunday afternoon “candid” .... a casual day on the Monterey Bay ....

When I am weak, He is strong
2 Corinthians 4:12b

Irene has been recently praying for a good attitude, strength and courage for the acceptance of whatever is required of her each day.  The uncertainty of being told that she was in remission and then to learn soon afterward that the amyloid values have actually increased have been the underlying motivation for her prayers at this time. 

Today she was sitting in the dialysis chair feeling somewhat diminished emotionally and was becoming very introspective related to the journey that she’s on.  She longs for the day that she doesn’t have to do dialysis three days a week.  She longs for the day when the Lord will completely heal her.

After a Starbucks run on the way home and chatting with her new pals (Starbucks employees), she was really blessed by a conversation she had with a friend.  This particular person has been a blessing to Irene along the journey by reaching out to her in a variety of ways and acknowledging her constant support which includes DAILY reading of the updates on the website.  Today she shared with Irene that because of Irene’s faithfulness she and her family are now attending church believing that it is important for her children to have a spiritual foundation.  Irene was very encouraged by these words, knowing that her faithfulness is influencing others and their relationship with God.  The words spoken to Irene were a reminder that God is in control.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Proverbs 16:24

Irene emphatically acknowledges that the faithful prayers of many are sustaining her on the journey and for that she has a THANKFUL heart. 

When I am weak, He is strong
2 Corinthians 4:12b

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Proverbs 8

Wisdom’s Call

1 Does not wisdom call out?
Does not understanding raise her voice?

2 On the heights along the way,
where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 beside the gates leading into the city,
at the entrances, she cries aloud:

4 “To you, O men, I call out;
I raise my voice to all mankind.

5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
you who are foolish, gain understanding.

6 Listen, for I have worthy things to say;
I open my lips to speak what is right.

7 My mouth speaks what is true,
for my lips detest wickedness.

8 All the words of my mouth are just;
none of them is crooked or perverse.

9 To the discerning all of them are right;
they are faultless to those who have knowledge.

10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
knowledge rather than choice gold,

11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
I possess knowledge and discretion.

13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
I hate pride and arrogance,
evil behavior and perverse speech.

14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
I have understanding and power.

15 By me kings reign
and rulers make laws that are just;

16 by me princes govern,
and all nobles who rule on earth.

17 I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me.

18 With me are riches and honor,
enduring wealth and prosperity.

19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
what I yield surpasses choice silver.

20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
along the paths of justice,

21 bestowing wealth on those who love me
and making their treasuries full.

22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,
before his deeds of old;

23 I was appointed [d] from eternity,
from the beginning, before the world began.

24 When there were no oceans, I was given birth,
when there were no springs abounding with water;

25 before the mountains were settled in place,
before the hills, I was given birth,

26 before he made the earth or its fields
or any of the dust of the world.

27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,

28 when he established the clouds above
and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,

29 when he gave the sea its boundary
so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.

30 Then I was the craftsman at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
rejoicing always in his presence,

31 rejoicing in his whole world
and delighting in mankind.

32 “Now then, my sons, listen to me;
blessed are those who keep my ways.

33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
do not ignore it.

34 Blessed is the man who listens to me,
watching daily at my doors,
waiting at my doorway.

35 For whoever finds me finds life
and receives favor from the LORD.

36 But whoever fails to find me harms himself;
all who hate me love death.”

I took this extemporaneous photo of Jocelyn when she came by the house today. 

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis and came home very fatigued and particularly nauseated which was incessant.  She rested for the balance of the afternoon.  Irene enjoyed seeing Jocelyn for an early evening visit!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

What’s got a 500-foot wing-span, flies at 90,000 feet and stays up in the air for five years without ever touching the ground?

If the Pentagon has its way, it’ll be the Vulture, its planned long-, long-, long-range unmanned surveillance and communication aircraft.

.... and, in some circles, SURVEILLANCE is a nasty word ....

Irene had a wonderful time meeting with Denise (Cauwels) Haikkila at a local Starbucks (where else??) today.  Irene’s energy was up, her nausea was present but bearable, and she was busy with household activities.  It was quite a contrast to yesterday’s fatigue and a much more encouraging day!!

Some call Him the “Hound of Heaven” because of His unremitting pursuit of man.  I call that pursuit “surveillance of the heart”.  Why, you ask?  Because God knows our deepest thoughts and longings, whether well intended or otherwise, and before we even dare to utter them to our lips, He is initiating activity all around us and drawing our hearts and minds to Him.

SURVEILLANCE of the HEART is occurring 24/7 by a loving and caring God, who surveys the condition of our hearts that we might be in right relationship with Him, for He calls us to an intimate, dynamic and fulfilling relationship with Him.

We need not fear God’s “surveillance of the heart” for He isn’t a vulture and doesn’t spy on us, but rather, He relentlessly pursues us in order to accomplish His purposes in us. 

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11

This is what the LORD says —
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.”

Isaiah 48:17

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John 10:10b

This kind of “heart” SURVEILLANCE is welcome anytime!!!!!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave

When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,

what is man that you are mindful of him,
the son of man that you care for him?

Psalm 8:3-4

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis treatment today but came home extremely fatigued and nauseated.  She took a 3+ hour nap and rested for the balance of the day.  The quick weekend to S. Cal and today’s dialysis treatment really took a physical toll.  Thanks for prayerfully intervening on her behalf.

The wonder of His care for us remains a mystery other than that which He reveals to us in His Word.

Psalm 136

1 Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good.
His love endures forever.

2 Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.

3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

4 to him who alone does great wonders,
His love endures forever.

5 who by his understanding made the heavens,
His love endures forever.

6 who spread out the earth upon the waters,
His love endures forever.

7 who made the great lights—
His love endures forever.

8 the sun to govern the day,
His love endures forever.

9 the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Jesus transcends man-made DENOMINATIONS.

According to dictionary.com, TRANSCEND is defined as…

• to rise above or go beyond; overpass; exceed.
• to outdo or exceed in excellence, elevation, extent, degree, etc. surpass; excel.
• Theology (of the Deity) to be above and independent of (the universe, time, etc.).

Irene and I left S. Cal early this morning and arrived home around 2 p.m.  She then ventured to Trade Joe’s and Bed, Bath & Beyond.  Her nausea was off and on again and her energy was somewhat diminished but she had a very fulfilling weekend.  There’s no place like home!!

According to Wikipedia there are five major branches of Christianity:  Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant ....

Denominationalism is an ideology which views some or all Christian groups as being, in some sense, versions of the same thing regardless of their distinguishing labels. Not all churches teach this. The Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches do not use this term as its implication of interchangeability does not agree with their theological teachings. There are some groups which practically all others would view as apostate or heretical, and not legitimate versions of Christianity.

Here is a list of man made denominations…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Christian_denominations

Denominations, in my humble opinion, have confused the core message of Jesus. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_denomination

Jesus, as the God-Man, TRANSCENDS all man made denominations.  We keep our eyes on Him and on His Word.  We are to FOLLOW Him, TRUST Him, OBEY Him, and LOVE Him with all of our heart, mind, soul and strength.  We are to love others as we love ourselves.  He is to be FIRST in ALL THINGS.  His Holy Spirit indwells all those who receive Him and we will spend eternity with Him when we pass from this world.

The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:14

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
John 13:35

Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Matthew 6:33a

It is in this God-Man that we HOPE and wait on for Irene’s complete healing and restoration on her journey of faith.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

We must remember that Jesus is a Jew…

NEW YORK (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI became the first pope to visit an American synagogue Friday, bringing greetings for the Passover holiday and accepting gifts of matzo and a seder plate. Benedict, 81, stopped briefly at Park East Synagogue on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, near the Vatican residence.

“I find it moving to recall that Jesus, as a young boy, heard the words of Scripture and prayed in a place such as this,” he said.

The German-born pontiff then offered a gift of his own: a reproduction of a Jewish codex.

“In our lifetime, we have experienced the ravages of war, the Holocaust, man’s inhumanity to man and tasted the joy of freedom,” said Rabbi Arthur Schneier, who lived in Nazi-occupied Eastern Europe.

“This momentous occasion takes places on American soil, where men and women escaping the clutches of oppression and religious persecution have built a nation of democracy and freedom. This is a nation which has allowed all religious communities to flourish.”

The Jewish community makes “a valuable contribution to the life of the city,” Benedict said. “And I encourage all of you to continue building bridges of friendship with all the many different ethnic and religious groups present in your neighborhood.”

Irene is thoroughly enjoying our S. CAL trip.  She was energized by spending quality time with JoAnna and having a fabulous dinner at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant in Newport Beach with our dear friends, Gary and Cathy Daichendt.  You may recall that they made a special trip to visit Irene when she was going through several very challenging days throughout the stem cell transplant process at UCSF and Gary even became a blood donor.  We’ll never forget that.  Since getting Gary’s blood, we’ve also noticed a dramatic improvement in Irene’s math, and executive business skills!!!!

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
Matthew 5:17 (Jesus speaking)

Pope Benedict’s visit to an American Synagogue is inspiring.  It is more than symbolic; it is an exemplary example of bridge building and reconciliation.

Despite the distinctions between Jew and Gentile as well as Protestant and Catholic, Jesus, as the God-Man, is the manifestation of the invisible God that came to reconcile and fulfill the Law and the Prophets.

His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,
Ephesians 2:15b

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5

The Jewish nation, Israel, is dear to God.

Jesus is a Jew, and we are dear to Jesus.

…and Jesus is dear to us.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Update from AZUSA, and the Azusa Street Revival.

After Irene’s dialysis treatment this morning she came home, finished getting the house in order and we departed for southern California for the weekend.  It’s the first time we’ve been in S. Cal since October of last year.

Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar and she was fatigued but determined to make the trip.

The Azusa Street Revival was a Pentecostal revival meeting led by William J. Seymour, an African American preacher.  Today, the revival is considered by historians to be the primary catalyst for the spread of Pentecostalism in the 20th century. 

Caminando con Fé

Dave