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

Gwen and I are keeping you, Irene, and your family in our prayers.  We have an understanding of the dialysis issues (Gwen’s brother).  But through Christ, we know that this too can and will be overcome.
Our Friday Men’s Group still considers Dave “our Papa” - and you are all kept covered in prayer from that venue also.
God Bless.  Jim

Having just spent a wonderful weekend renewing our friendship with both of you, we were shocked to hear of Irene’s illness. Over the years we don’t always make the time to spend time with people we care for and we enjoyed the time we spent with both of you. We were so impressed with what a loving and giving couple you had both become, but especially the way you both reach out to others in your lives. I can see by the tremendous support on this website that you have both touched the lives of many people. What a wonderful testament to both of you. Ron and I are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Irene…you are an inspiration. Dave…we admire your love and strength. We love you both.  Ron and Debbie Richards

Dear Beautiful Irene,
Your mom is watching you.
Irene,  both our mothers are now in heaven…
mine just went there one month ago today.
I am comforted by the thought that they are in that great
cloud of witnesses. 

Irene,  your mom is in the grandstand
cheering you on in the race set before you. 

I see your picture on the web site.  You are wearing the
the regal color purple and your smile comes from within.
I send you a hug my friend, love, Christine Kobayashi

Dear Dave and Irene,

Our hearts and prayers are with you and your family.

God Bless,

John, Aldora, George, and Lisa Dias

Dave and Irene,

Caryn and I are thinking about you and praying for God’s power, strength, comfort, peace and miraculous blessing to surround you!  We love you guys!

Psalm 18:6, 16-18
In my distress I called to the Lord;  I cried to MY God for help.  From His temple He heard my voice;  my cry came before Him, into His ears. ... He reached down from on high and took hold of me;  He drew me out of deep waters.  He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me.  They confronted me in the day of my disaster, but the Lord was my support.

Dear Dave and Irene,

Just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you and praying for you. to the best of your abilitiy enjoy each moment together.

We love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John and Betsy

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dias,

Please know that your family at Walk Thru the Bible are praying without ceasing for you. Thank you for keeping us updated and we love you very much.

-Aisha

Devin and I have just spent time with our Heavenly Father praying for restoration and healing. We love you all so much and our asking our God to fill you with the PEACE only he can give.

Veronica and Devin

Dear Irene,

Becky and I have been in much prayer for you and for those who are caring for you!  Dave tells us that your life has been a great blessing to others, in the midst of pain and suffering.

Times like these are very difficult, and while God doesn’t always keep us from the hard places in life, He has promised never to leave us or forsake us!  When we are driven into a corner, and if He is with us, then we are driven closer to Him and He to us.

May God’s loving presence be very real to you during each step of these medical procedures.  He is with you!  He is still your loving Heavenly Father!  Remember, “there hath not failed one word of all His good promises.”  ( I Kings 8:56)

We love you and Dave!  We wish that we were closer so that we could stop by and see you both, but you are daily in our thoughts and prayers.

Dave and Becky

Hello family,

Bill and Jane told me the news of Rini. Our thoughts and prayers are for her healing. We pray God gives the family strength and his precious love in this difficult time. God’s hands are surrounding the family. Please call any time or send email.

Love,
Bill, Terry and Clayton

Dave,

I had been meaning to send you a message all week for best wishes, and that my family’s prayers are pulling for Irene’s rapid and complete recovery.  We are constantly amazed about what rare and unusual things can befall us at any time, and we are fully behind how you and Irene decided upon a full counter attack.  I can’t imagine how tremendously difficult it must be on all, but also know your faith cannot be any stronger than it is.  I just saw Greg who said you were looking good all things considering.  Hang in there Dave, and we are all saying prayers for Irene’s speedy recovery.

Mike