7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in…and thanks for caring so much about Irene’s Journey of Faith…!!!

Irene experienced a really good weekend.  The nausea remained at bay and her energy was good throughout each day.  Yesterday evening we attended church @ Venture in Los Gatos and enjoyed the teaching of our friend, Chip Ingram, http://www.lote.org.  It was also great to see his bride, Theresa…!!!

Today we enjoyed a local nursery and spent the afternoon planting some flowers and ground cover.  I went on a bike ride and, from all appearances, one would never even know that Irene had health concerns at all.  It was a great reprieve.

This Thursday Irene has her quarterly trip to UCSF for blood panels and to see Dr. Lloyd Damon, her Oncologist.

Irene continues to walk in victory…certainly living above her circumstances…for which we’re grateful.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Yesterday Irene and I had a great day in the San Simeon area and stayed overnight at one of my client’s hotels, The Morgan. We produced a short commercial advertising The Morgan so were able to mix business and pleasure.  The Morgan is very close to Hearst Castle and a variety of other fun areas to explore .... Harmony, Cayucos and Morro Bay to name a few.  The Morgan is named after Julia Morgan, the architect of Hearst Castle.

Looking at Irene’s photo one would never know she has Primary Amyloidosis, struggles with 24/7 nausea and has kidney dialysis 3 days a week!!!  She’s certainly living above her circumstances ....!!!

We also enjoyed a brief visit with long time friend, John Heading, who owns Cambria Drug and Gift Store.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

8.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s sister Jane was notified by UCSF that her kidney won’t match Irene’s need.  We DEEPLY appreciate Jane’s willingness and know that this development is disappointing for all parties.  We hope for a positive development soon.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Thanks for checking in.

Jane Smalley, Irene’s sister, is scheduled for another round of tests at UCSF on March 24th to continue on the path of kidney donor eligibility.

Irene’s nausea remains “at bay” today…it’s tolerable state is a welcome relief.  Her blood tests have been good. 

We’re enjoying a relaxing day on the bay. 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

6.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in...Irene's experiencing much of the same and hoping for a better tomorrow. Her perseverence continues to amaze me and we hope for a BOUNCE tomorrow...

She continues to "live above her circumstances".

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene had dialysis today...because her dialysis treatment was cut short again...yesterday. She was experiencing a significant amount of fistula/arm pain and needle complications.

So, 4 days of dialysis this week.
She's back at dialysis again tomorrow....and definitely challenged by the ill effects...today.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

6 p.m.

Thanks for checking in...!!!

Irene BOUNCED back today; the nausea remained at bay and her energy was good. The body's resiliance is amazing...

Thanks for caring................

Dave

8.30 p.m.

Irene and I have boycotted Valentine's Day for 31 years. It's not that we don't celebrate. The question is why would we limit celebrating the love to one day a year?! So, our philosophy has been to celebrate the love 24/7/365.

This evening she's really struggling after dialysis was cut short because of significant pain radiating from her fistula arm toward her broken wrist region. She will have to make up the 45 minutes at dialysis on Wednesday in order to remove the toxins that could not be removed today.

The nausea continues to rage, and candidly, she's self conscious for all of the updates related to her plight...especially on dialysis days...

So, she's taking no prisoners and is endeavoring to live above her circumstances...which she usually does!

Hoping for a better tomorrow...

Thanks for caring,
Dave

10.4

That's Irene's red blood cell count which is UP. This is good news; hopefully an increase in her energy level will be a mirror image of the uptick!!! She's still awatiing that...!!!

In spite of the good news above, Irene commented this evening that TODAY was the worst day she has experienced at dialysis in a very, very long time. The pain was horrid; she fought off nausea and cramps during the all afternoon session which was cut short because of her misery.

Hope she BOUNCES tomorrow...which is the usual pattern.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene spent about an hour in the garden today, having somewhat recovered from last evening's agonizing episode.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

9.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in. 

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day but this evening is absolutely RUTHLESS.  Following dialysis treatment, Irene’s struggling with a massive headache and nausea at 9+ on a 1-10 scale.

We are convinced that disrupted electrolytes, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrolites, are the root cause of that which Irene struggles with following dialysis.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oral_rehydration_therapy

Thanks for caring…and hoping for a full recovery tomorrow.

Dave

6 pm

Call it an extreme YO YO or call it an extreme ROLLER COASTER ride but whatever you call it, Irene’s really struggling today.  The nausea is RAGING at 9+ following dialysis today.  She’s tustling and longing for that comfortable position.

Hoping for that better tomorrow…and leaning into 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

Thanks for caring,
Dave

8.4

That's Irene's red blood cell count. It should be 12+.

She's been on high levels of Epogen, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epogen for weeks. They increased the dosage today and she'll probably have a blood transfusion next Wednesday if the numbers don't trend upward. The lower red blood cell count has a HUGE impact on her energy level.

The nausea is RAGING following dialysis treatment today.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene experienced another needle infiltration today causing dialysis treatment to be cut short. She's icing the wound this evening and wrestling with intense nausea.

Hopefully her pattern will be consistent...with a recovery tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

9 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene's experiencing a very rough evening.

Leg CRAMPS following dialysis

RAGING nausea

INTENSE lower back pain...again. She is flopping like a fish out of water trying to find a comfortable position.

Hoping for a better tomorrow.

Thanks for caring,
Dave