5 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s dialysis treatment was cut short today because of a needle infiltration.  She returns tomorrow for 2 hours.  She’s very wrung out, battling a raging headache and nausea.

4 days of dialysis this week…

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Thanks for checking in…!!!

June 15, 2011 will officially celebrate and commemorate Irene’s 4th Stem Cell Transplant BIRTHDAY…!!!  It’s sobering and amazing to reflect on all that has transpired.

The photos reflect the recent San Jose KIDNEY WALK which include Irene walking with Jocelyn, Jordan and Vince, Howard and Jane Smalley, Carmen Pedroza.

Special thanks to Matt, Shannon, Caleb and Jake Fidiam, Tresemay Briceno, Howard and Jane Smalley, Carmen Pedroza, Cristy, Matt, Nina and Felix Arnold as well as Kalyn Bertelsen for helping Irene surpass her KIDNEY WALK fundraising goal…!!!

Thanks for caring…to God be the Glory,

Dave

6 pm

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:12

Certainly that verse is magnificantly manifested in Irene’s life. 

JOYFUL in HOPE, PATIENT in AFFLICTION, FAITHFUL in PRAYER.

Irene did extremely well while JoAnna and I traveled to Israel.  Jocelyn, other family members and friends provided great encouragement and support for her since I was out of the country.  To all of them, THANK YOU...!!!

Irene still experiences some very difficult Monday, Wednesday and Fridays which represent here kidney dialysis treatments.  The nausea rages on those days and chronic fatigue chases her.

Most who see her on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays are not even aware that she is walking a long distance marathon.  Her signature smile and joyful attitude accompany all that shes does.

Thanks for caring so deeply that you regularly check on her status.

Dave

9 a.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s amazing sister Jane is spending the weekend with us.

Jane delivered an envelope to Irene with the following label:

“for Kidney Walk
To: Tia Rini
from: Tresemay Briceno.”
Inside the envelope was $79.00 in mixed bills.  Tresemay is 8 years old.  She’s been saving for the last year.  She’s Jane’s grand-daughter.  Jane explained to us that Tresemay asked, “How much does a kidney cost?  Can I get a part time job doing dishes or cleaning houses so we can buy Tia Rini a kidney?”  Jane patiently explained the research purpose behind the the “Kidney Walk”.

We’re humbled and inspired by an 8 year old with a HUGE HEART for giving…and hoping for her “Tia Rini” to get a new kidney. 

We’ll convert the cash to a cashier’s check and apply it toward the kidney walk on on June 4, 2011 at the CityView Plaza in San Jose.

Thank you, Tresemay, and may God richly reward the longing of your heart…!!! 

Thanks for caring,
Dave

Take A Life Saving Step...raise money to fight kidney disease!

Irene will be participating in the Kidney Walk on June 4, 2011 at the CityView Plaza in San Jose. 

You can support her efforts by visiting this website:

2011 Kidney Walk

Be a DIFFERENCE MAKER...and act now…!!!

Thanks for your support,
Dave

7 p.m.

We received official word from UCSF today that the Primary Amyloidosis remains in remission…!!!  YAY…!!! 

The official values are as follows:

Kappa Light Chain: 43.9
Landa: 58

The ratios are even better than the last report.  This is GREAT news…we’re celebrating…!!!       

THANKS for caring,
Dave

Dr. Lloyd Damon, Irene’s amazing oncologist at UCSF, is all grins because Irene continues to defy the odds; the Primary Amyloidosis remains in remission.  It’s now approaching 4 years (the stem cell transplant was in June of 2007)!!!  He’s so pleased with her progress that her next appointment is scheduled in October ...!!!

“X” the chronic nausea (which is manageable but brutal at times) and 3 days a week of dialysis treatment, one would never suspect that Irene is plagued with a debilitating disease.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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