3.30 p.m…

Thanks to Debbie Richards and Martha Silva who mentioned the song lyrics of TOUGH in their Well Wishes. 

Here they are…

Artist/Band: Craig Morgan
Lyrics for Song: Tough
Lyrics for Album: Little Bit of Life

Tough
Monte Criswell/Joe Leathers

She’s in the kitchen at the crack of dawn
Bacon’s on, coffee’s strong
Kids running wild, taking off their clothes
If she’s a nervous wreck, well it never shows
Takes one to football and one to dance
Hits the Y for aerobics class
Drops by the bank, stops at the store
Has on a smile when I walk through the door
The last to go to bed, she’ll be the first one up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus

She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough
We sat there five years ago
The doctors let us know, the test showed
She’d have to fight to live, I broke down and cried
She held me and said it’s gonna be alright
She wore that wig to church
Pink ribbon pinned there on her shirt
No room for fear, full of faith
Hands held high singing Amazing Grace
Never once complained, refusing to give up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus

She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough
She’s a gentle word, the sweetest kiss
A velvet touch against my skin
I’ve seen her cry, I’ve seen her break
But in my eyes, she’ll always be strong
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

It does sound like Rin.... 

Dave

11.55 a.m…

Today I am reminded of the nonconformist Mark Twain’s quote, “The coldest winter I ever spent anywhere was a summer in San Francisco.”

On this cold, wet, windy, foggy and dreary July Saturday morning in the city, I find myself reflecting on the ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF LIFE…again! So, here is the question: Why are we here (on earth) and what happens (where do we go) when we die? 

I find myself contemplating, again, that, today and forever, we serve an AUDIENCE OF ONE… No amount of public or social approval matters.  No amount of worldly success is important. 

I, personally, really like this quote by John Howard Yoder… “The believer’s cross is no longer any and every kind of suffering, sickness, or tension, the bearing of which is demanded.  The believer’s cross must be, like his Lord’s, the price of his social nonconformity.  It is not, like sickness or catastrophe, an explicable, unpredictable suffering; it is the end of a path freely chosen after counting the cost… It is the social reality of representing in an unwilling world the Order to come.”

As nonconformists to this world, Irene and I seek and desire to represent Him.  We accept being misunderstood from time to time.  NOTHING that isn’t done in the Spirit and to the glory of God will matter.  Nothing!  So, where do we get such thinking?  From Jesus himself, who says, “…apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 14). We take Jesus at his word.  That’s a “goose egg”, zero…NOTHING!  This radical concept causes one to deeply evaluate what is ETERNALLY important as we walk this earth for just a few short years. 

So what does matter to Jesus?

We have concluded from scripture that the answer is summed up in one word: FAITHFULNESS.  At the end of the day, we will give an account of our lives to Him who judges justly.  Jesus asks if he will find our faith in him alive and active when he returns.

Certainly this experience is life changing for all of us, especially for those of us in the heat of the battle.  But we also must remember that the battle is not ours. It is His.  We cannot add a single hour to our life by worrying or fretting.  He alone gives us victory through His Son, Jesus Christ. 

So we remain faithful and obedient to Him…serving Him alone, like children, coming to our loving heavenly father, trusting him to work in and through us….We don’t know what is ahead, but He does.  He is the author and finisher of our faith.  He loves us.

So, what happens when we die?  The short answer: we live with Him forever!  Scripture is very clear that when we are “absent from the body, we are present with the Lord.”

When we understand why we are here and what happens when we die, LIFE PURPOSE BECOMES AN OBSESSION!  …and it has been for Irene and our family for years…and we’re grateful for the privilege of serving our Creator.

Irene had a restful night but a challenging start this morning.  She’s resting/napping now and I am at the Starbucks across the street from UCSF.  Her platelet count is up today from yesterday’s transfusion.  The Bilirubin is slightly elevated today.  The medical team reminded us this morning that the healing process, in light of the significant complications that Irene has faced, will perhaps be a very long time…but we still work toward transition to our home…

Even on a cold, wet, windy, foggy and dreary Saturday morning in SF, we know that God is faithful and in control…and we earnestly seek to glorify Him through our faithfulness.

Thanks for caring…

Caminando, Con Fe’

Dave

Gal 2.20

6.15 p.m…

Good evening...!

Irene started early today with a 3 hour dialysis session...her Bilirubin count is 12.8; yesterday was 12.3.  The medical team says that it may take up to 6 months for the levels to lower to target levels but at least it appears to have plateaued in the 12+ish range…

A platelet transfusion was needed again today; all of the doctors are somewhat baffled as to why she continues to need soooooo many platelets… We hope this is a short term condition because the ongoing platelet need will definitely keep her at UCSF until her levels are maintained at acceptable levels…

Irene was able to enjoy lunch (no breakfast because of dialysis) without excessive nausea… with emphasis on the word excessive… she is still experiencing some discomfort even with the Adovan (anti-nausea med), but at least she is keeping food down...she had no dinner appetite because of an afternoon snack of “pot stickers” from the nearby Panda Express… I saw her desire for the pot stickers as a positive sign...at least she was feeling hungry!!! 

We’re taking a couple of short walks around the hallways everyday...slow and steady wins the race...and we know it’s a marathon...not a sprint…

We still wait for the kidneys to wake up as well…

Thanks for caring....your words of encouragement are well received…

Caminando Con Fe’
Dave
Gal 2.20

6.30 p.m…

Good evening!

Irene has eaten 3 light meals today without any adverse affects… Yay!!! This is incredibly encouraging...and a direct answer to many, many prayers from people like YOU!!!! 

Irene received two units of blood and 1 unit of platelets today…to all of you who have donated...THANK YOU!!!!!!!  It’s very encouraging to receive transfused blood from directed donors…

Irene’s platelets count is 26 today with a target of 40; thus the transfusion need.  Her red blood cells were also down...thus that tranfusion as well…

Irene’s bilirubin count today is 12.3, down from 12.6 yesterday… I will take a marginal decrease anytime!!!

So here is the bottom line:  the medical team has now suggested that if Irene can keep food down and the blood counts can be maintained for some period of time, we can begin talking about hospital DISCHARGE...perhaps sometime in the next 2 weeks!!!! 

I also want to once again publicly thank Frank Johnson, our web-strategist and the guy backing me up on IreneDias.com.  Frank quietly serves behind the scenes, uploading and positioning photos, making sure the links work, etc, and has been absolutely critical to this communique’.... thank you, Frank!!!!  You can learn more about Frank at the following address:

http://www.strategicdigitaloutreach.com

Let’s endeavor to put a “full court press” on the Lord for intercessory prayers related to Irene’s ability to continue eating without adverse affects and that her blood counts stabilize...!!!  We can’t thank you enough!!!!

Caminando Con Fe’

Dave

I am grateful to our good friend and prayer intercessor, Dr. Andy Isch, of Indianapolis, for sending this to me recently… it’s just plain uplifting…

With all of the “heaviness” around Irene’s journey, I thought you would enjoy it…

GREAT Story—And True!

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

“I want to repay you,” said the nobleman. “You saved my son’s life.”

“No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,” the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.

“Is that your son?” the nobleman asked.

“Yes,” the farmer replied proudly.

“I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.” And that he did.

Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name?

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around. 

So.....
Work like you don’t need the money.
Love like you’ve never been hurt.
Dance like nobody’s watching.
Sing like nobody’s listening.
Live like it’s Heaven on Earth.

and finally…
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

We couldn’t be on this journey without your constant encouragment...!!!

Thanks…
Dave

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

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

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

7 p.m…

Dictionary.com defines the word REPRIEVE as “any respite or temporary relief"… RESPITE is defined as “to relieve temporarily, especially from anything distressing or trying...”

Whether it is a reprieve or respite, the last few days have certainly been a breath of fresh air...!!! We’re grateful that Irene isn’t experiencing pain, the internal bleeding has slowed down considerably, and she hasn’t been extremely nauseated. Today Irene had an early morning 3 hour session of kidney dialysis and we enjoyed a consultation with the medical team. Irene is scheduled for a LIVER Ultra Sound on Monday to look for any functional abnormalities.

We rested in her room this afternoon and I thoroughly enjoyed watching Irene drink a vitamin rich, 550 calorie, chocolate hospital milkshake!!!

Irene is being given platelets on a regular basis...with the UCSF team closely monitoring all of her fluid levels… Other than the liver function reading all of the other quanitifiable numbers are within normal ranges… Yay!!

We continiue to apply the ointments related to Irene’s skin condition...it is a very thick application that leaves her uncomfortable and “sticky"… but a very minor inconvenience considering all that she has already been through…

Al DeValle visited briefly after donating platelets at the blood bank...it was good to get caught up with him!

We have grateful hearts!! Although Irene’s energy level is very low, she is in good spirits and is more determined than ever to get home!!

I have been sporting a baseball cap with the inscribed words, “Caminando Con Fe’” (2 Corinthians 5:7). English interpretation: “Walking with Faith”. The baseball cap was one of four given to our family (Dave, Irene, Jocelyn, JoAnna) by Uncle Bill and Aunt Carol Moorehead as a sign of family unification during this journey. What an encouragement and reminder as we trust God wholeheartedly and personally grow through this experience!




THANK YOU for your continued prayer cover and support..we know that our God hears the cries of his people… He is answering our prayers!

At least for today we’re enjoying the REPRIEVE and/or RESPITE, however you want to define it...from the last 2+ very challenging months…

Caminando Con Fe’

Dave

8.30 p.m…

Greetings everyone!!

While I was doing a load of laundry and running errands in Aptos today, Irene enjoyed a short and refreshing visit and prayer time with Rene’ and Lena Mendoza.

Other developments… Irene had another short round of physical therapy and was told by the therapist that he won’t be returning because she is so physically strong!! Yay!!! Irene had another round of kidney dialysis and enjoyed some soup and a short walk with me after dinner. So far, no nausea!! Yay again!! The medical team removed the TPN and lipids (IV nutrients) today. We hope that her “tummy” diet will continue to advance daily…

The most pressing prayer request is for Irene’s LIVER counts to go down. Currently, they are going the wrong way...an obvious impact of the primary amyloidosis. The normal reading is 1.5; Irene’s reading was 7.6 yesterday and is 8.6 today…

We’re once again humbled at the commitment of our friends and family to donate blood… Pastor Larry Acosta flew in today from Orange County with the sole purpose of donating blood for Irene. He had his friend, Pastor Angel Ruiz of Gilroy, pick him up at SFO and drive him to UCSF where both of them donated… Larry oversees the largest urban youth ministry in the U.S… and has over 300 representatives in the bay area. He sent an email blast to all of them yesterday challenging them to donate blood for Irene in the coming weeks! Impressive...yes, but here is the most interesting part of this story: neither Larry nor Angel know Irene. They read about her story on the website and were inspired by her life and testimony...!! Now, that is amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!




We want to thank ALL OF YOU for your continued friendship and support...your kind words of encouragement are inspiring to Irene and our family!!!

We are...Trusting Him,

Dave

7.30 p.m…

By 9.15 p.m. last night, Irene was in her new room on the 11th floor and we were enjoying the SF Fireworks at Fisherman’s Wharf from a distance..

Today she completed a long dialysis session, had physical and occupational therapy sessions, took a walk and had soup for both lunch and dinner without feeling overly nauseated…

Our consultation with the UCSF medical team went well, with obvious conversation still focused around her kidney and liver functions. 

I was at the UCSF Blood Bank today donating platelets...we’re thrilled and overwhelmed with the number of people who are still donating blood and platelets for Irene… our humble thanks to all of you.

I ran into Mike Fitzgerald at UCSF this morning donating blood and saw Hugh Chalmers this afternoon donating platelets (for the second time!!).  I understand that today there were 11 more friends and associates from our Merced InterWest office donating blood as well!!  Wow!!!

Irene is incredibly humbled and encouraged by all the support for her during this season of her life… and sends her heartfelt thanks and a great big smile...!!! 

By faith,
Dave

8 p.m… Happy 4th of July!!!!! 

Irene’s smile says it all...!!! 

She’s an amazing person, isn’t she!!????!!!?? 

Zach was her attentive ICU RN for the last 3 dayshifts…

More good news…

This very hour they are preparing Irene to leave ICU and transfer her back to the Oncology Ward on the 11th floor!  Her vital signs are stable and she was able to digest chicken broth and a hospital milkshake today without any apparent side effects!!  Yay...!!!!!  UCSF will continue to advance her diet everyday… we continue to hope that there will be no nausea or other adverse side effects… UCSF wants her off the TPN (IV nutrients) as soon as possible.  TPN is hard on the liver (which we know has amyloid) and the longer Irene is on TPN, the greater risk there is for infection.

Irene had dialysis today and also a limited physical therapy session to work those muscles which haven’t been exercised for a long time!!

Tomorrow more dialysis and fluid relief from the edema…

We appreciate everyone’s support in more ways than words can adequately express…

Walking by faith,
Dave

4th of July EVE…

Last year we spent an incredible 4th of July holiday with Gary and Cathy Daichendt at their lovely home in Laguna Beach.  Right at dusk, we watched an incredible fireworks display from a small watercraft just offshore.  This year we celebrate in San Francisco...not exactly our first choice, but we’re where we are supposed to be at this appointed time…

My mom and dad came to UCSF today… and I was even able to sneak them in for a very quick visit with Irene… the first in a long time that she has been able to have visitors…

Irene had 3 hours of dialysis today; they took off a whopping 4 liters of fluid…

She is lucid and smiling...I enjoy seeing her feeling so much better...Dr. Stephen Gluck was tending to Irene in her room this morning; we’re forever grateful to him for first receiving Irene during the onset of this disease before it was even diagnosed.

We’re also eternally grateful to Dr. Alan Buchwald, who was the “Fairy GodFather” as Irene calls him, because he was the first doctor at Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz to diagnose the Nephrotic Syndrome, the symptoms leading to the Primary Amyloidosis diagnosis.  Dr. Buchwald went beyond the call of duty doing work during his “off hours” and day off to assist and coach us as well as make the initial call to Dr. Gluck at UCSF.  What amazing commitment to people...they care so deeply...!!!

Obviously still very fragile, the next step for Irene is to consume some liquids beyond water (i.e. broth or herbal tea) and not feel nauseated or experience other side effects.  Please pray to that end…

Many of you are still donating blood and platelets; the need is still very significant and we thank you so much!!!!

As we celebrate our country’s freedom tomorrow, our family is grateful for the community surrounding us and thinking of us in so many wonderful ways...may God bless YOU this 4th of July holiday!!!

Dave