Own NOTHING; possess EVERYTHING.

I value home ownership but the privilege translates into LOTS of hard work.  Yard maintenance, painting, roofing, plumbing, electrical, carpeting and repairs can become a year round chore.  Not that we would trade buying a home for renting; we have to live somewhere and we would rather live in an appreciating asset.

Irene napped and relaxed all afternoon after driving herself to and from dialysis treatment this morning.  The extreme nausea and fatigue were a challenge but she overcame them by plodding through various activities around the house…including “playing” in the Wisteria Garden.

Spiritual OWNERSHIP, like home ownership, can also be burdensome because we’re not intended to spiritually “own” anything.  That’s because we’re designed to be stewards, not owners.  So, what’s the difference?

A spiritual STEWARD doesn’t OWN, but rather MANAGES another’s holdings.  The mental and philosophical distinctions are gargantuan.  Ownership brings burden; possession promises and delivers freedom.

And here’s a spiritual bonus of stewardship .... He possesses us and we possess Him through our faith and trust in His reliable Word.

As followers of Christ we STEWARD that which we POSSESS and has been entrusted to us.

Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Deuteronomy 16:20

When you have entered the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance and have taken possession of it and settled in it,
Deuteronomy 26:1

But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever — yes, for ever and ever.
Daniel 7:18

.... having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
2 Corinthians 6:10b

Irene POSSESSES the promises of God in His Word and appropriates them into her life.  She enjoys the sweet fellowship of the Holy Spirit as He manifests Himself to her afresh and anew each and every day.  She breathes deeply and savors the smells and sights all about her.

Is it truly possible to own NOTHING and possess EVERYTHING?  We think so, even along the Amyloid journey.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

No one on the planet knows what causes Primary Amyloidosis.  However, there is wisdom in applying what I would call the “discipline of our decisions” to the degree that we’re able to positively influence our health and well being.  We hope that your find this recently released information helpful on your pilgrimage. 

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY. 

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins Hospital

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the
cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person’s lifetime.

3. When the person’s immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color. Better alternative is Bragg ‘s aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork.  Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.  About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to
nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day.

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine.  Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body’s killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body’s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body’s normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising DAILY, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

Our message is simple…

God SUSTAINS no matter what someone is going through.

* He is faithful
* He is trustworthy
* He loves us without condition
* He is worthy to be praised
* He manifests His Presence in our midst
______________

Irene’s sister’s Carmen and Jane arrived Saturday afternoon and it wasn’t long before the three of them were dashing about the region on a shopping spree!!  Carmen and Jane spent last night at our house.  It’s a JOY to see how much they enjoy being together.  Carmen and Jane really breathe life into Irene.  Despite all she faces, Irene continues to exhibit the peace that passes all understanding which can only be explained by a vibrant and dynamic faith. 
______________

God is PRESENT in our midst on this outrageous journey and we realize and experience His PEACE inside of each passing day.  We don’t know what the future holds but we know the One who holds the future. 

Does this mean that the amyloid journey has been easy?  Obviously, not.  Without question, it’s the most difficult challenge we’ve ever faced. 

Does this mean that we haven’t had moments of deep despair and discouragement?  Obviously, we have.  Without question, the pendulum of emotions swing as far as the east is from the west.  The ultimate issues of life and death have lead to brutally candid and heartfelt dialogue on topics that we would have never imagined in our wildest nightmares. 

However, we rest and are comforted by God’s Word where he tells us that…

We are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.
Romans 8:37

We also see him “show up” every step of the way because He tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.  His presence is in our midst because we gather in His Name.

And, we could not have done it alone.  We are blessed to have…

• God’s ever abiding presence through the Holy Spirit
• His Word that never changes
• The community around us…such as the person reading this update

So, we don’t “land” in despair but we have HOPE in each day. 

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

“To Him who is able to keep you from falling…”
Jude 24

Our message is simple:

God SUSTAINS no matter what someone is going through.

As is the book title written by Holly Wagner, “When it Pours, He Reigns”. 

And we pay tribute to Him this Memorial Day Weekend.

We don’t know where you are on your particular journey, but we encourage you to put your trust in Him this weekend and “memorialize” the day you first acknowledged His rightful place in your heart, which is Lord and Savior over all of who you are and all of who you will become.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

According to Wikipedia…

A Cimino fistula, also Cimino-Brescia fistula and arteriovenous fistula, is a type of vascular access for hemodialysis. It is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein in the forearm.

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

The procedure was invented by doctors Cimino and Brescia in 1966. Before the Cimino fistula was invented, access was through a Scribner shunt, which consisted of a Teflon tube with a needle at each end. Between treatments, the needles were left in place and the tube allowed blood flow to reduce clotting. But Scribner shunts lasted only a few days to weeks. Frustrated by this limitation, Dr. James Cimino recalled his days as a phlebotomist (blood drawer) at New York City’s Bellevue Hospital in the 1950s when Korean War veterans showed up with fistulas caused by trauma. Cimino recognized that these fistulas did not cause the patients harm and were easy places to get repeated blood samples. He convinced surgeon Kenneth Appel to create some in patients with chronic kidney failure and the result was a complete success. Scribner shunts were quickly replaced with Cimino fistulas, and 40 years later, they are still the most effective, longest-lasting method for long-term access to patients’ blood for dialysis.

June is shaping up to be a busy month at UCSF.

• Monday, June 2, 1 p.m., Fistula consultation with Dr. Charles Eichler

• Wednesday, June 11, 1.45 p.m., Fistula pre-op appointment

• Tuesday, June 17, 6 a.m., Fistula procedure

Since June 2 and June 11 are both morning dialysis days the afternoon UCSF appointments will make for a long day in San Francisco. 

Irene does not want to stay overnight at UCSF (standard protocol) following the June 17 procedure.  She can avoid staying overnight if she’s the first scheduled procedure of the morning which is why she’s scheduled at 6 a.m.  She will be released late that evening barring any complications.  She has dialysis early the next morning!!! We plan to spend the previous Monday night lodging in San Francisco. 

You’ll recall that this Fistula procedure is necessary to replace the Tesio dialysis port currently in her chest. 

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Fandango’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This evening was a FIRST!  We joined my InterWest colleagues, Chuck and Nancy Coppage, at Fandango’s Restaurant in Pacific Grove, http://www.fandangorestaurant.com/, for dinner this evening!!  It was the first time we’ve ventured out to dinner with another couple on a dialysis day.  Irene really enjoyed the refreshing and upbeat conversation!!!  She arrived home very fatigued but joyful at this evening’s accomplishment. 

We also made several appointments with UCSF in the coming weeks related to Irene’s upcoming “Fistula” procedure.  More on the specifics in tomorrow’s update.

We pray you have a safe and relaxing Memorial Day Holiday weekend!!!

Thanks for caring,

Dave

.... A CONSUMING FIRE!!!!!!!

From FoxNews.com:

Out-of-Control Wildfire Whips Through Santa Cruz Mountains, Prompts Evacuations

Santa Cruz, CA — Gusty winds fanned a wildfire Thursday that burned several homes, forced evacuations and closed schools in the mountains of central California, where rugged terrain frustrated efforts to get a handle on the fast-moving blaze.

Hundreds of people fled as the nearly 4-square-mile fire continued to grow despite more than 500 firefighters and a swarm of tanker planes and helicopters dousing the area.

Residents of hundreds of homes were asked to leave, but many are unoccupied vacation houses. No injuries had been reported.

Irene was up early, went to Starbucks and to the bank, strolled Bed Bath and Beyond and ultimately rushed her way through Safeway because of hunger pangs.  She was “blown away” by the fierce wind each time she was in and out of the car running errands.  However, I came home to dinner and enjoyed a delicious home made turkey pot pie!!  Yum .... !!!!!!!!

Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar until evening when it intensified and her extreme fatigue continues…

Do you know the song, “same song same verse” .... !!!??!!!

Second verse, same as the first!!!!!!!!!

For the LORD your God is a consuming fire
Deuteronomy 4:24a

Describing God as a “consuming fire” is an intriguing metaphor worth musing upon.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

A condition of the HEART ....

According to Wikipedia ....

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG, abbreviated from the German Elektrokardiogramm) is a graphic produced by an electrocardiograph, which records the electrical activity of the heart over time. Its name is made of different parts: electro, because it is related to electrical activity, cardio, Greek for heart, gram, a Greek root meaning “to write”. The abbreviation “EKG” is preferred over the more straightforward “ECG” in oral communication, because the latter may be misheard as EEG.

Electrical waves cause the heart muscle to pump. These waves pass through the body and can be measured at electrodes (electrical contacts) attached to the skin. Electrodes on different sides of the heart measure the activity of different parts of the heart muscle. An ECG displays the voltage between pairs of these electrodes, and the muscle activity that they measure, from different directions. This display indicates the overall rhythm of the heart, and weaknesses in different parts of the heart muscle. It is the best way to measure and diagnose abnormal rhythms of the heart, particularly abnormal rhythms caused by damage to the conductive tissue that carries electrical signals, or abnormal rhythms caused by levels of dissolved salts (electrolytes), such as potassium, that are too high or low.  In myocardial infarction (MI), the ECG can identify damaged heart muscle. But it can only identify damage to muscle in certain areas, so it can’t rule out damage in other areas. The ECG cannot reliably measure the pumping ability of the heart; ultrasound is used for that.

Irene’s three days a week of dialysis treatment continues.  The dialysis team is increasingly concerned about Irene’s consistent blood pressure DROP which measures in the 89/50 range.  They are recommending that she schedule an electrocardiogram.  The amyloidosis can invade all of the internal organs including the heart.

Above all else guard your heart for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 4:23

.... if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with you heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 8:9-10

Are our hearts aligned with God’s?

Is our heart soft toward Him?

Is our heart teachable?

Do we guard our heart?

Do we believe in our heart?

God is intensely concerned about the condition of our HEART.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.
John 9:1-3

Irene and I were out of the house early this morning running several errands, enjoying breakfast and people watching at the Dolphin Restaurant on the Santa Cruz Wharf.  We savored the high blue sky, sailboats, seals and the rigorous surf.  Irene commented several times .... ”it’s a good day to be alive....!!!!”

The nausea remained at a low roar and she was able to remain fairly active for most of the day.

For those of you who have been traveling Irene’s Journey of Faith with us for the last year+, you may recall that when she was hospitalized at UCSF in May of 2007 BOTH of her eyes experienced detached retinas from steroid treatment as part of the stem cell transplant preparation protocol.  UCSF had never seen that reaction before and it wasn’t until their research discovered a white paper written in 1986 that they learned that the side effect was, in fact, possible.  You may also recall that Irene wore protective sunglasses in her hospital room for several weeks to offset extreme blurriness until her sight was finally restored without undergoing any sort of surgical procedure.  Maintaining a sense of humor at that time, she referred to herself as having vision akin to Mr. Magoo!!!  Both retinas naturally re-attached and her more normal vision returned over time, although she now wears glasses more often than ever before.

However, through that experience Irene’s VISUAL blurriness lead to significant SPIRITUAL insights and an abiding peace which sustained her and continues to this day, keeping her laser beam focused on Jesus.  As a follower of Jesus her attitude is a mirror image of His, which is that this entire state of affairs has happened so that the work of God might be displayed in her life.  She is a willing vessel channeled for God’s ultimate purposes.

As long as it is day we must do the work of him who sent me.
John 9:4a

You can read John, Chapter 9 here.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Irene received GOOD NEWS on this day which is her 11 month stem cell transplant birthday!!!

Yes, UCSF reported that the Cappa Light Chain value is 39.4....!!!

Here are the historical values....

June 2007	652 (stem cell transplant)
July 2007	78.5
October 2007	33.1
February 2008	56.7
March 2008	90
May 2008	39.4

We are reminded of the lyrics of the great hymn:

Our God is an awesome God,
He reigns from Heaven above,
With wisdom, power and love,
Our God is an awesome God.

The GOOD NEWS put lift into Irene’s spirits, a skip in her step and a smile on her face .... after a tearful and eternally grateful, first response ....

Please join us in worship, adoration and praise of our AWESOME God ....!!!

.... and THANKS for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Still waiting.........for the UCSF lab report…

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis this morning and came home completely washed out and napped/rested for the balance of the day.

Stay tuned, thanks for caring and praying; we will report the update as soon as we hear from UCSF!!

Caminando con Fé
Dave

Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay sick, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair. So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.”
John 11:1-3

The intriguing story of Lazarus’ sickness is illustrative of faith in Jesus being acted upon by his followers in spite of very challenging circumstances.  Mary and Martha, knowing Jesus for who he is, sent word to him that the one he loves is sick.

Our prayer of faith on the amyloid journey has been the hope contained in Jesus’ response to his intercessors:

“This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
John 11:4b

Irene and Denise (Cauwels) Haikkila had a pleasurable day, venturing out early, shopping in the city of Marina and exploring at a number of stores.  After lunch Irene settled in and enjoyed her hobbies.  Irene’s nausea remained at a low roar and her energy level was much better than the previous days have been.

We’re still anxiously awaiting lab results from UCSF.

Our longing on this colossal journey has been to bring glory to God’s Son.  Our prayer of faith is that Irene’s sickness will not end in death.  We trust in Jesus’ words, His sovereignty, and His control, despite what occurs in the days ahead.  Our hope is in God and the Biblical account of Lazarus’ life being spared.

As prayer intercessors, we thank you, in advance, for agreeing with us and believing that God’s Son will be glorified within the sovereignty of His will.

Jesus said, “this sickness will not end in death.  No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.”
John 11:4b

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Hebrews 12:1

This day is especially memorable since Irene was hospitalized during the Mother’s Day celebration of 2007.  It’s been quite a year ....

Irene is running the race with joy, dignity, grace and perseverance.

Caminando con Fé
Dave

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