Irene, Dave, Jocelyn and Joanna:

We praise the Lord for the good news about Irene’s progress today.
We pray that God will do miracles in Irene’s body and continue to heal and strengthen her.
As this journey continues, our prayer is that He continues to give all of you strength, rest, patience, courage and understanding.

While we were traveling last week, we listened to CDs and thought and prayed for you often.
This from Casting Crowns “Praise You in This Storm”

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

Love you,
Bob & Susan

I have been waiting with lots of worry and lots of prayer waiting for your update today.  I am so amazed at all your friends and their outpouring of love and faithful prayer - so cool!!!!

I just pray for peace for all of you Dias’ and healing for you, Irene.  We MUST do our dinner at Shadowbrook and you need to be WELL for that!!!

Well, I am sitting in the solarium on the eleventh floor of the hospital. It has huge windows that overlook gigantic eucalyptus trees. My mom just finished kidney dialysis and is now trying to rest. My dad is taking a nap.

The doctor’s came in a little bit ago and said that things are looking okay. Her blood pressure is lower than they would like because they removed fluid from her during dialysis, but they are working on getting her some blood platelets and probably getting some fluid also............

She “ate” something for the first time in 3 days - she had a protein drink - which is an encouraging sign as well. They think they are going to keep her in the ICU until tomorrow to monitor her progress.

Other than being extremely tired, my mom seems to be doing well.  And my dad and I are kind of in the same boat, but, of course not to the extent that my mom is.

One of my dad’s best friends offered to come and pray with my dad this afternoon so I am glad for that as I know he needs encouragement too after being mentally alert for the last 30 days.

People have been generous in their love and support to all of us, which we really appreciate.

One last thing before I stop (sorry, I’m a little more “wordy” than my dad :o) ) is a few verses that I have been reminded of in the last couple of weeks:

“ ‘Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD GOD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation.’
Therefore you will joyously draw water
From the springs of salvation.
And in that day you will say,
‘Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name
Make known His deeds among the peoples;
Make them remember that His name is exalted.’
Praise the LORD in song, for He has done excellent things;
Let this be known throughout the earth.
Cry aloud and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion,
For great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.”

Isaiah 12:2-6

Be blessed!

Dave,

I read your last update at 10pm last night. Oh no! I had trouble sleeping even though I am exhausted from too much overtime this week.

I don’t know what to say other than how much I love you and Irene. My eyes are full as I try to type. Please call me. We need to talk.

Love you bro,

Mark

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

http://website.lineone.net/~cewhitehead2/agespast.htm

OH GOD OUR HELP IN AGES PAST

O God, our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Our shelter from the stormy blast
And our eternal home.
Under the shadow of thy throne
Thy saints have dwelt secure
Sufficient is thine arm alone
And our defence is sure.

Before the hills in order stood
Or earth received her frame
From everlasting thou art God
To endless years the same.

A thousand ages in thy sight
Are like an evening gone
Short as the watch that ends the night
Before the rising sun.

Time is like an ever-rolling stream
Bears all its sons away
They fly forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day.

O God our help in ages past
Our hope for years to come
Be thou our guard while troubles last
And our eternal home.

http://www.hymnsite.com/lyrics/umh110.sht

1. A mighty fortress is our God,
   a bulwark never failing;
   our helper he amid the flood
   of mortal ills prevaling.
   For still our ancient foe
   doth seek to work us woe;
   his craft and power are great,
   and armed with cruel hate,
   on earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide,
   our striving would be losing,
   were not the right man on our side,
   the man of God’s own choosing.
   Dost ask who that may be?
   Christ Jesus, it is he;
   Lord Sabbaoth, his name,
   from age to age the same,
   and he must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled,
   should threaten to undo us,
   we will not fear, for God hath willed
   his truth to triumph through us.
   The Prince of Darkness grim,
   we tremble not for him;
   his rage we can endure,
   for lo, his doom is sure;
   one little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers,
   no thanks to them, abideth;
   the Spirit and the gifts are ours,
   thru him who with us sideth.
   Let goods and kindred go,
   this mortal life also;
   the body they may kill;
   God’s truth abideth still;
   his kingdom is forever.

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

Tia, Uncle Dave, Joci, and Joanna,

Tia Jane just called me to inform me of Tia’s recent update. As i read your messages my sadness was conforted by unstanding that she is in the best hands, God. What better place to be. I am coming up to see you all and to donate blood. I love you all so deeply. To my Tia i know your keeping Faith. You are one of the most sweetest and loving person I know. As i have gotten older you and Tio have taught me so much without even know you were. My prayers and thoughts are with you.

I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From whence does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord.
who made heaven and earth.
PSALMS 121: 1-2

He his here to help us all. I love you!!!
see you soon.

Love, Ceci Alvarez 6/9/07 9:45 am

We’ve been reading the updates on Irene, and we know it’s getting scary.  We are praying constantly and all of you know we love you so much.

Daily people come up to Dan at work and let him know that they, too, are reading Irene’s updates.  The website is a great thing and it’s leading to so many prayers from people you don’t even know.

Joel came home from youth group Wednesday night, and said that the evening’s gathering was pretty much a big prayer meeting, with different tables set up for prayer on different topics.  He said, “I hit them all!  I think I got a lot more people praying for Aunt Irene.”

So know you are loved,

Hugs,
Dan, Kathy and Joel

We are praising God this morning. reading that Irene is doing better-He is faithful, and we see your testimony to that fact in the postings and updates.  Our prayers continue for restoration of physical health, for His peace and sweet presence through each minute of this journey.  “...I will restore you to health declares the Lord...I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.  I will build you up again...” Jeremiah 30:17, 31:3.

With Love,

Steve and Sue Azevedo

Hi Mr and Mrs Dias!

I don’t know if you remember me, but I was one of the nurses on 14M at UCSF who took care of you.  I heard from one of your other nurses about the website and went on it to see what it was all about and I was simply stunned.  All of the love and support that your family has is simply wonderful!!!!  The two of you truly are blessed and so lucky to have that network. It’s so funny; I come across so many different patients and there are only a few that stand out and your family and you (Irene!) really stand out. I haven’t stopped thinking of you even though the last time I saw you was almost two weeks ago!  There was something special in your smile and I noticed how brave you really are. True bravery is hard to come by. I hope and pray that everything is okay. I was reading on the website that you had gone to the ICU and I’m sorry for that. It must have been a really scary moment for your family. If you are still at UCSF, let me know and I’ll try to stop by, if it’s okay of course. I’m working Saturday and Sunday. Hope to see you soon, but if not, I’m thinking and praying for you!!!

we just read about your day… I continue to be amazed and encouraged by Dave and Irene’s (and the girls) courage, faith and security in the Lord.  You all have an amazing testimony for the Lord and in the midst of this significant trial God is working both in you and through you.  Veronica and I are heavy-hearted for you all.  Not a minute goes by without us praying for you and thinking about you.  We’re trusting God for total healing and are secure in knowing His best will prevail.  We pray daily that you will sense the closeness of the Lord and will be comforted as only He can comfort during this trial.  We love you all!

So I received a call this morning from my dad at 5:30 telling me that I needed to take a flight to San Francisco. Today was opening day of our Executive Program at work, so I had a car full of stuff for our retreat in Encino, which meant I packed, bought my flight, drove in to Hollywood, dropped everything at work, and then drove to the Burbank airport.

When I arrived in San Jose, Jocelyn picked me up, and we headed to San Francisco. We basically praised God the whole way up. It was amazing to head into an unknown situation and to put myself and my mom back in God’s hands. He truly is faithful.

When we got to San Francisco…

we stopped to pick up breakfast for our dad and us. Afterwards we went to the hospital.

My mom had a massive tube down her throat. She couldn’t even talk - though she did speak sign language to us. (Thus the picture on my dad’s update when she motioned like she was taking a picture and pointed at my sister and I.) Thankfully a couple hours later they had the tube out. She has a scratchy throat, but she made it though. And she was strong enough to have the stem cell harvesting today as well. Thankfully she had an ultra sound on her legs too, and it showed no clots.

God has been so faithful. Simply overnight, He has proven to me that He is listening. I am amazed that God would bend down and care so intimately about us. I suppose we ARE His children. :o) I sat down and prayed last night after I heard that my mom wasn’t doing well. The Holy Spirit guided me so that I was praying things I never would have thought of on my own, and so that I don’t remember most of what I prayed. But all I know is that I prayed that God would stop the bleeding, and He did. He is the great I AM.

Every time I think about my mom, I think about Job. Satan tried so hard to do everything to destroy him, but Job did not falter. My mom is the same way. Satan wants her, but he can’t touch her soul - he can’t touch the heart that God has adopted. He can take her to depths physically, but God is STILL in control. He’s not taking her anywhere that God has not seen. So we cry: Our Redeemer lives! He spoke the world in existence - I did not. He is in control - I am not. He is good. He is faithful. We have hope because He IS.

Praise to the God of all comfort!

Irene,
I wish I could send you something to make you feel better like the popsicles you use to give us.  Or we could watch Puff the Magic Dragon together.  When we hear about you getting better we will run around in circles as fast as the train around your Christmas tree.  When we see you next time we will eat “ikeemy” and you will look at Jakedy’s face and say “wha a mess!”

Jokes to cheer you up

When is cheese not yours?  When it’s nacho cheese!!

What did the number 0 say to the number 8?  Nice belt!

What key cannot open a door?  A donkey

(As dictated by Caleb and Jake Fidiam)
PS Ashley and Maddie say hi and get better!!

Irene, you are in our thoughts and prayers and we love you so much
Love,
The Fidiams

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