Greetings all....!!!!

We’re very encouraged after a successful procedure installing the tesio catheter.  Yeah! 

Irene is resting comfortably and looking forward to the next step of beginning the chemotherapy.  We’re still unsure as to when that will occur....

In the meantime…

Thank you for the strong support of blood banking on behalf of Irene’s immediate need.  Please see the “Donate Blood for Irene” for additional information! It’s really not that bad!  I’ve been donating blood for over 25 years… although Gary Daichendt told me that next time he’ll bring flowers instead!!!! 

We are learning that this process is a marathon and not a sprint… Irene has a long road ahead but is very encouraged by God’s grace and love expressed through the outpouring of so many...!!!!  Thank you sooooooo much!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow is hopefully a rest and recovery day.  I am the FOOD POLICE… making sure that she gets “bulked” up for the next phase…

Take a look at these photos and rejoice with us. Who else could smile in the face of such adversity but those who know that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us (Romans 8:18)”?

Trusting and trudging ahead, one day at a time… and sometimes, one moment at a time,
Dave

Hello friends and family,

It’s almost 6 p.m. on Monday evening.  Irene is in dialysis as I write this update.  Even though she is now in Oncology, she has had a rough day… extreme fatique and can only stand from the sitting position with significant assistance. 

Tomorrow she faces a surgical procedure to “install” a new catheter called a Tesio.  This will replace the Quinton catheter.  The Tesio is a more permanent port which will be placed under her collar bone and will be used for more dialysis.  Doctors would not give us a date for starting the chemo therapy as they want her to grow stronger first....

Irene’s brother David flew in from Virginia on Saturday to donate blood.  Her niece, Cecelia, drove to SF yesterday from L.A. and donated blood today.  She’s driving back now...Simply amazing.  Other family members and friends are also donating.  We can’t thank you enough; her life depends upon it!!!

Irene is determined to beat the odds and wants to get to the chemo therapy asap!! 

God is LOVE and faithful; He never changes; we can depend on Him to be near us and in us during this difficult journey.  His Word comforts us.  Thank you for all of the scriptural references being sent to us in well wishes and emails.  It is very meaningful and I read everyone of them to Irene.  Mark Joseph’s two young daughters sang “Mighty Fortress” to Irene over the telephone several days ago… from the mouth of babes for sure… because HE is our Fortress…

Thanks to all of you who are visiting the “Donate Blood for Irene” section of the website.  We’re hopeful that an abundance of blood will be donated for Irene and others in need of this precious commodity. 

Brennan Manning wrote a book called “Ruthless Trust” which was recently given to Irene.  I have been reading it because she hasn’t been able to do so because of her blurred vision.  Manning talks about trust being “ruthless” because it is a bold act… to trust God in the most trying of circumstances.  We’re endeavoring to do just that, no matter what the outcome is, and no matter what God in his sovereignty decides to do.  We’re asking in faith for His divine intervention...and we sense His presence in our midst because we gather in His Name…

Dave
Gal 2.20
Is 48.17

Friends,

I have had MANY people comment on the quality of the website… I must give credit where credit is due… because I am TECHNICALLY CHALLENGED!!!

My good and faithful friend, Frank Johnson, is one of the most gifted internet strategist that I know… I am EXTREMELY grateful for Frank’s assistance keeping everything up to date and for all that he’s doing to support Irene and our family during this time!

When you get a moment, read more about Frank at http://www.strategicdigitaloutreach.com.

Thanks, Frank!!!!!
Dave

Greetings this Saturday morning!!

Just a very quick and positive report… Irene is undergoing another dialysis treatment this morning and is in a remarkable place considering where she was about 40 hours ago… we can’t express how we’ve been touched deeply by the encourgement, love and support of so many...!!!!

God is hearing his people…

Enjoying the air that we’re breathing,
Dave

What a 24 hours!! 

Around 6 p.m. Irene started passing significant levels of blood and doctors were puzzled in terms of its source.  Her blood pressure dropped considerably so they moved her into the ICU unit stat.  Gastro specialists were called in.  About 12.30 a.m. this morning it was determined that a scope/camera should be inserted through her mouth into her stomach.  As they were doing so, I was outside in the hallway.  I heard a CODE BLUE 823 called out several times over the intercom and recognized the room as Irene’s.  As I entered the unit there were probably 15-20 people in her room tending to Irene and stabilizing her.  Once they did so, a 1.5 hour procedure took place where they located Amyloid substance in her stomach.  Most of her stomach was “oozing” blood. 

Frankly, it was one of the most terrifying evenings of my life…

After a 2.5 hour nap, I called the girls and they joined me at Irene’s side today.  They had stopped the blood thinner, added 4 units of blood and she had a machine helping her breathe.  It was an intense morning…

By the grace of God, she seems to be responding and doing much better, despite the HUGE scare last night!!

She had 3 hours of stem cell collections today and the plan is to delay chemo for at least a week to stabilize her blood and strengthen her body.

Our friend, Janette Bruffey, has volunteered to coordinate the blood donor process.  She will work closely with Bridget at UCSF.  Please visit the blood donation section by clicking on the “Donate Blood for Irene” link in the right-hand sidebar.  Janette traveled to UCSF today and has already donated 1 unit of blood! Thanks Janette!!!!

We also had a visit and prayer time with Pastor Dave and Laura Gschwend.

God is faithful… what a journey we’re on and we can’t thank you enough!!!

The photo was taken this morning when Irene was heavily sedated and gestured for me to take a photo of the girls.  You’ll notice that her eyes are closed and she is definitely “hooked up” in the ICU unit…

The medical team at UCSF once again… is nothing short of FANTASTIC!!!!  Wow… we have really grown to love them…

By faith,
Dave
Gal 2.20

Irene is bleeding, has low blood pressure, and is being moved to ICU stat.

What a day!  Irene underwent the dialysis and stem cell harvesting!!  She was very lightheaded and weak from the treatment and from not eating because of nausea the last 24 hours.  She is now in her room recovering!!! We hope she will sleep well tonight because she will go through the same process tomorrow!!!!

She is also beginning to experience pain and discomfort in her bones from the bone marrow shots she received a few days ago.  This was anticipated; she’s certainly got a lot going!!

She is grateful for your prayerful support.  Enjoy the two pix that I took today while she was attached to the machine and going through the process!! She gave me a thumbs up!! One photo is with the two attending nurses; the other is Dr. Catherine Smith, her Hemotology specialist.  The team at UCSF has been extraordinary.  They’re smart and they care…

Stay tuned…
Dave

It’s 11.30 a.m. on Thursday morning. 

Irene is just completing two hours of kidney dialysis.  They are immediately transitioning her to three (3) hours of stem cell collections.  This is excellent news!  Her White Blood Cell count is over 73,000.  After the stem cells are harvested they will be frozen until needed for the transfusion.

More later…
Dave

It’s 6:55 p.m. on Wednesday, and it’s been a very rough day for Irene.  She has experienced the worst bout of nausea over the last 24 hours than I have seen her experience since her hospitalization on April 30th.  X 4 days, she’s been in the hospital since then!  They finally gave her the right combination of medicine and she’s finally REALLY resting. 

Irene is very tired, but her stamina and determination is inspiring.  I know it’s because of the many who are praying for her!!!

Thank you soooo much!!!!

Let me tell you of a very personal experience that Irene and I shared together last week.  It was evening hours and only the two of us were in her hospital room.  Irene said, “Dave, as your wife, I am under your authority.  You are our family priest.  You represent the spiritual leadership in our home.  Will you anoint me with oil and pray for my healing as the elders would do”?  Talk about feeling the moral weight of our family spiritual leadership!!! 

So, I did exactly as Irene requested.  I anointed her with oil on her forehead, heart and kidney areas and we prayed in agreement, asking HIM for her healing.  We also worshiped together and thanked God for the gift of life.  We rejoiced in who Jesus Christ is in our lives!  It was a special time that I will remember for the rest of my life.  We continue to ask in faith for her complete healing and restoration.

By way of additional background information, about two weeks earlier our friend and Pastor Dave Gshwend had prayed over Irene and had given me the anointing oil and vile he used.  I used the same vile of oil.  I am very grateful for Dave’s prayer over Irene and that he gave me the oil vile which is now on my key ring as a reminder of His Holiness.

I share the above story with you because we have hope in a risen Savior.  We have asked in prayer, which is what we’re supposed to do as followers of Christ.  It is God’s decision, in his sovereignty, whether or not He decides to heal Irene or not.  We trust Him… whatever decision He ultimately makes.  I will tell you, however, that we are trusting him at new levels and new heights....because we are desperately dependent upon the Lord’s favor. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

It’s Wednesday, at 1.30 p.m., and Irene is undergoing kidney dialysis at this time.  She is scheduled on the machine for two hours today and the plan is for her to have dialysis for the next several days.  Her kidneys levels continue to deteriorate… thus the radical treatment.  The purpose of the dialysis is to stabilize the kidneys in light of the forthcoming stem cell harvest and chemotherapy, all in prepartion for the stem cell transplant.

She’s now been moved to a shared room with another patient.
Irene is tired but her spirits are good.  She’s a real trooper!!
As always, thanks for your continued support!!

By faith,
Dave

Irene is very grateful for the encouraging and uplifting well wishes from so many!!  Your cards, calls, emails and well wishes are gladly received as she continues treatment as a patient at UCSF.

Irene is now resting comfortably, having just undergone the Quinton catheter installation in her neck and her second stem cell shot.  It was quite a procedure, similar to a full blown surgery.  As you’ll remember, this is preparation for the stem cell harvesting which comes soon.

The White Blood Cells are increasing dramatically.  This is GREAT news!  We were first informed that the collection had achieved the levels for the harvest to begin sooner than expected, perhaps even tomorrow.  However, that information has been modified and it looks like they are taking a more conservative position and the harvest will begin either Thursday or Friday, perhaps one day ahead of schedule.  We were also told she would probably experience signficant pain in the large bone masses of her body from the shots, but thankfully, she hasn’t experienced any such pain and/or discomfort yet.  Yeah!!

Irene’s vision is SLOWLY improving.  We are so grateful.  Her right eye is almost back to normal; the left eye is still blurry.  This is very encouraging news!!!  Rejoice with us!

Irene is still on the blood thinning medication and the edema continues.  She is right on the border of perhaps requiring dialysis, which may occur for a short period of time. 

Thank you for your continued encouragement and support!  It means so much to all of us!

Dave

Today the approval came from the insurance carrier for the stem cell transplant.  That’s a big victory because the process usually takes several weeks!!!!  The first injection to build up the bone marrow begins this evening.  This is the first of 4 daily injections. 

Irene continues to have blurred vision in both eyes.  She has 2 detached retinas from steroid treatment last week. The medical team hopes that as the steroids leave the body that the vision should self correct.  They will monitor her vision over the next several weeks.

Irene’s bed is waiting in Oncology.....

Irene’s spirits are strong .... She is ready for the road ahead .... Thank you for your support!!!!!!!!

Here’s a great email we recently received from our friend Marsha Tarr.

Martha, Kent, and I left after church Sunday to drive to San Francisco. We drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to have lunch in a small café in Sausilito. We enjoyed walking along the Bay and viewing the San Francisco skyline. We stopped tog et some taffy to take to Irene and Dave Dias at the University of San Francisco hospital, where she is in treatment for primary amyloid.

For all that Irene has endured, her spirits are soaring.  For the hour we were with her, she recounted all the blessings and provisions that God has given to her in providing them with the finest medical care and key moments when just the right doctor stopped by and got her the immediate care she needed.

Irene sings hymns while laying in her room and witnesses about God’s goodness and care to those (caregivers, family, friends) that come to see her.

The abundance of steroids caused bleeding in her eyes and both of her retinas became detached this week.  She is hoping that they will correct themselves after the steroids are reduced.  She could see us, though we were blurry to her.  She begins her stem cell harvesting and chemo treatments in the next few days, so will be going through a “journey,” as she calls it. Her hair will fall out, but that is of no concern to her.  She just keeps singing God’s praises!!!!!!!!!!!!

The scripture chorus we sang in our worship service at church this week reminded me of Irene’s outlook on life.  What a powerful testimony!!!!

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord.
Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong Deliv’rer.

CHORUS:
You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak,
You comfort those in need.
You lift us up on wings like eagles.

In late February of 2007 Irene (and I) was surprised to learn that her cholesterol had dramatically increased.  After being put on medication, she became extremely fatigued and later had swollen extremities.  A short time later we learned that she had two blood clots; one in her leg and the other in her lung.  Tests were done and she then learned that high levels of protein were escaping her bloodstream through her urinary tract.  She was then diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome, a rare kidney disorder which caused the above symptoms.  Nephrotic Syndrome usually has an underlying problem of some sort.  In Irene’s case, it is Amyloidosis. There is no cure to Amyloidosis.

Irene was hospitalized at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz on April 30, 2007. 

Through an amazing set of circumstances (more on this at a later time) she was later transferred to UCSF where she remains at this time.  The UCSF medical team is amazing.

We hope that treatment will begin soon. 

This is what we have been told by the medical team at UCSF:

• 4 days of shots to separate stem cells in her bloodstream.
• After this is completed, there will be 2 days of collecting stem cells that will be frozen (enough for two transfusions).
• 2 weeks of intense chemotherapy will follow to kill the bone marrow.
• Transfusion of the collected stem cells will occur at this time.  We hope for remission of the abnormal protein antibodies that were being produced in her blood.
• She will remain in the hospital for 3-4 weeks to be closely monitored.  This is the time of highest risk for infection and complications.
• 3 months of convalescing at home follows.

We have been told that there is a 15% chance that the treatment/procedure could produce fatal results.

If Irene has no treatment her life expectancy is about 18 months.

Average life expectancy with a successful procedure is 6 years.

Irene is ready to beat the odds!!!!  I have never seen her more spiritually, mentally and emotionally prepared for the challenge.

Thank you for your continued support!!!

Dave Dias