The Santa Cruz Surgery Center is a phenomenal place!!  (It’s also the same place where my gall bladder was removed in February of 2007).

Dr. Brian Waddle removed Irene’s Tesio chest catheter without incident.  Dr. Waddle is the same physician that removed my gall bladder and is a very impressive professional.

Photographed above is Nurse Margarite holding several of Irene’s Journey of Faith bookmarks.  Margarite was extremely gracious, hospitable and encouraging to Irene.  She also shared a unique story.  Margarite’s husband is an ER doctor at Dominican Hospital.  Last week he treated a young woman who was recently diagnosed with Primary Amyoidosis.  We’re hoping to learn who she is so we can send some encouragement her way!!!!

The noteworthy aspects of this interesting development are the TIMING and LOCATION.  Irene’s Tesio removal has been re-scheduled FOUR different times .... ultimately landing on today’s date .... and it was originally scheduled at UCSF.  Irene made the decision to have the procedure done locally by Dr. Waddle.  She also commented to me every time it was re-scheduled that there was a “reason” for the postponement that we could not comprehend.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

Irene has a sense of FREEDOM just knowing the Tesio is nonexistent .... and hopefully it never returns ...!!!!!!

Following the successful surgery this morning, Irene resumed her usual and customary Wednesday afternoon routine .... treatment at the Satellite Dialysis Center .... another exceptional organization!!!!  The photos depict the needle entries into each “buttonhole” (there are 2).

By day’s end, the importunate queasiness had reared its vile head .... but we conclude with one final reflection .... that the Santa Cruz Surgery Center is a phenomenal place and we’re grateful it is staffed with wonderful professionals like Nurse Margarite!!

Thanks for caring,

Dave

9 pm quick update........

Irene has a myriad of emotions running through her mind this evening concerning tomorrow morning’s procedure.  We need to arrive at the Surgery Center by 7.30 a.m.

Irene’s tesio chest catheter, used for dialysis since June of 2007, will be surgically removed since the Cimino Fistula is now functioning.

I’ll be her “driver” to the surgery center, back home, then back and forth to dialysis in the afternoon/evening since she’ll be heavily sedated…

The unyielding nausea remains…

Stay tuned...and thanks for caring,
Dave

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
Philippians 3:10

Despite Irene’s unrelenting nausea, we broke the routine this weekend and made a mad dash to the Sacramento region and attended worship services on Saturday evening at Bayside Church, where our good friend, Dr. Raleigh Washington, was speaking.  Raleigh was recently appointed President/CEO of Promise Keepers.

We were able to get in a quick but meaningful visit with Devin & Veronica Eckhardt Saturday afternoon.

I had dinner with Raleigh after the services as Irene retired for the evening at a nearby hotel.  We made an early return home Sunday morning.

Few people that I am aware of, even those most ardent to follow Christ, have the courage to fervently pray as Paul exemplifies ....

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death
Philippians 3:10

I know one who knows Christ intimately and shares in the fellowship of his sufferings.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High
Psalm 9:2

Irene was treated early this morning for whiplash by her chiropractor and also experienced a footbath which was intended to remove toxins from her system.  Her Friday afternoon tradition continued .... sitting in the dialysis seat for 3+ hours.

Her nausea is unrelenting and I continue to be amazed by her joyful and persevering spirit.  And, she’s still smiling…

As another day comes to a close .... and despite the interminable challenges, our prayer is INTENTIONAL, a DECISION, and mirrors that of King David who proclaims ....

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High
Psalm 9:2

Caminando con Fé

Dave

ICE and GAUZE were the prescription for the day ....

Irene had two rear molar extractions today .... one Superior and one Inferior, one directly on top of the other, as illustrated in the schematic below.

Chemotherapy, as part of the stem cell transplant process in June of 2007, created long term gum damage and chronic pain in the region.  Root canals or extractions are the only mitigation measures available. 

The major challenge was this: Irene was unable to use any painkillers after the extractions because of allergic reactions.  Her body will not tolerate even the least amount of Tylenol or similar pain medication.

So, ICE and GAUZE were the only remedy.

Combining the procedure with unrelenting nausea made for a very long day .... and it would not be characterized as amiable.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

One of the things that I did not report in the update over the weekend was that Irene was rear ended in a traffic accident on Saturday.

Irene, Carmen and Jane were traveling to the mall.  Irene was driving and legally stopped at a stoplight in Aptos when she was struck from behind by a Toyota Prius.  A full size Chevy Suburban rammed into the Prius triggering the three vehicle chain reaction.  The Suburban was traveling approximately 30 mph when it hit the Prius.

Needless to say, Irene is being treated for WHIPLASH by her chiropractor, Dr. Buford McCharen.  Dr. McCharen is the same person who graciously provides Irene with her twice a week toxin removal foot baths.  Irene’s back pain is located in the Cervical region.

Irene met with Dr. Brian Waddle today regarding removal of the chest catheter.  He is the same physician that removed my Gall Bladder in February of 2007 so we’re acquainted with him.  He’s been closely monitoring Irene’s journey.

Dr. Waddle is scheduled to remove the chest catheter at the Surgery Center early next Wednesday morning, November 19th.  Irene will be sedated so I’ll be providing transportation for her that day which includes back and forth to dialysis treatment that afternoon.

One last matter .... we’re not sure if the fierce nausea that began last evening and continues today is related in some way to the traffic accident or whether it stems from the Stinging Nettle tea which Irene sampled yesterday morning.  At least the fever from last evening broke.  Needless to say, however, Stinging Nettle is off the sipping list.

We’re hoping for a better tomorrow.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Irene’s nausea has reared it’s ugly head this evening following dialysis treatment.  It’s as fierce as it’s ever been.  She left dialysis with a fever and cannot get herself into a comfortable position.

Hopefully tomorrow is a better day…

Thanks for caring.
Dave

According to Wikipedia ....

Urtica dioica, commonly called stinging nettle, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is the best known member of the nettle genus Urtica.

As Old English Stiðe, nettle is one of the nine plants invoked in the pagan Anglo-Saxon Nine Herbs Charm, recorded in the 10th century. Nettle is believed to be a galactagogue and a clinical trial has shown that the juice is diuretic in patients with congestive heart failure.

Urtication, or flogging with nettles, is the process of deliberately applying stinging nettles to the skin in order to provoke inflammation. An agent thus used is known as a rubefacient (i.e. something that causes redness). This is done as a folk remedy for rheumatism, as it provides temporary relief from pain.

Extracts can be used to treat arthritis, anemia, hay fever, kidney problems, and pain.

Today, Irene was shopping with her sisters, Carmen and Jane, at Way of Life, an organic health food store.  She purchased a small quantity of Stinging Nettle tea leaves.

Photographed above is the Stinging Nettle tea which must be steeped for four hours.  Irene is exploring its medicinal use since it includes treatment of kidney problems and pain.  She plans to try it tomorrow!!

Perhaps it will also give her nausea relief.

Stay tuned and thanks for caring.

Dave

What a week!!

Irene soloed while I was in S. Cal on business from Tuesday through late Friday evening.  Betty Fairhurst treated Irene to lunch on Friday but the unrelenting nausea reared its very ugly head most of Friday night.

Shirley Churchill worked with Irene for several hours on Saturday morning giving her some relief.  Yay, Shirley!!!

Carmen and Jane arrived Saturday and stayed overnight.  Irene joined her sisters and they shopped most of Saturday.  Irene was tired but blessedly content and joyful after spending the day with them.

This coming week will be a busy one for Irene.  On Tuesday she’s scheduled to have two back molars removed which are causing continued discomfort.  On Thursday she’s scheduled to have the catheter removed at Dr. Waddle’s office in Watsonville.  Of course she has dialysis treatment on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.

Stay tuned and thanks for caring.

Dave

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation ....
Philippians 2:14-16a

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Ephesians 6:10-20

Irene humbly and courageously proclaims her fervent faith in the midst of colossal circumstances.  Armed with spiritual, metaphorical weaponry, she fiercely battles the formidable opponent, primary amyloidosis.

Irene’s nausea remains at a low roar and the biggest challenge she’s been facing the last several days is chronic fatigue.  Today she learned that there may be a local option for removing her chest catheter.  We’re pursuing the matter and will report our findings soon.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Ephesians 6:12

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life — in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Philippians 2:14-16

Perhaps you’ve observed that Irene’s journey is a raging battle on many fronts.  She is obedient to scripture and does everything without complaining or arguing, is blameless and pure, a child of God without fault .... and yet engaged in spiritual warfare, 24/7.

She’s an inspiration and shines like a star in the universe amidst a dying and depraved generation.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

More from Brother Lawrence on suffering…

Twelfth Letter ~

If we were well accustomed to the exercise of the presence of God, all bodily diseases would be much alleviated thereby. God often permits that we should suffer a little to purify our souls and oblige us to continue with Him.

Take courage; offer Him your pains incessantly; pray to Him for strength to endure them. Above all, get a habit of entertaining yourself often with God, and forget Him the least you can. Adore Him in your infirmities, offer yourself to Him from time to time, and in the height of your sufferings beseech Him humbly and affectionately (as a child his father) to make you comfortable to His holy will. I shall endeavor to assist you with my poor prayers.

God has many ways of drawing us to Himself. He sometimes hides Himself from us; but faith alone, which will not fail us in time of need, ought to be our support, and the foundation of our confidence, which must be all in God.

I happy not sure how God will dispose of me. I am always happy. All the world suffer; and I, who deserve the severest of discipline, feel joys so continual and so great that I can scarce contain them.

I would willing ask of God a part of your sufferings, but that I know my weakness, which his so great that if He left me one moment to myself I should be the most wretched man alive. And yet I know not how He can leave me alone, because faith gives me as strong a conviction as sense can do that He never forsakes us until we have first forsaken Him. Let us fear to leave Him. Let us be always with Him. Let us live and die in His presence. Do you pray for me as I for you, I am, Yours…

We’re reading The Practice of the Presence of God, with Spiritual Maxims, by Brother Lawrence.

The Practice of the Presence of God is a text compiled by Father Joseph de Beaufort of the wisdom and teachings of Brother Lawrence, a 17th century Carmelite monk.  It is a collection of his letters, and records made, by other participants in them, of his conversations. A constant theme is the development of an awareness of the presence of God.

Brother Lawrence (c. 1614 - February 12, 1691) was a lay brother in a Carmelite monastery, who is today most commonly remembered for the closeness of his relationship to God as recorded in the classic Christian text.

Irene is recovering from the root canal performed this morning.  Performing a root canal is routine.  However, the defining issue in Irene’s circumstances is the notion of adding the root canal and pending dental issues to her already challenging days.

I agree with the writer of the classic “Foreword” ....

The Practice of the Presence of God is a spiritual classic, which means it is contemporaneous with every age.  It is not easy to read such a classic, however.  Though its values are perennial, its structure and language are not.  I get bogged down in it from time to time and need to read in shorter sittings to keep my fresh and open.  Lawrence requires careful attention, reflection, and even study.

Four chapters of the book are dedicated to the theme of SUFFERING.

We share Chapter 11 in its entirety:

I do not pray that you may be delivered from your pains, but I pray God earnestly that he would give you strength and patience to bear them as long as He pleases.  Comfort yourself with Him who holds you fastened to the cross.  He will loose you when He thinks fit.  Happy are those who suffer with Him.  Accustom yourself to suffer in that manner, and seek from Him the strength to endure as much, and as long, as He shall judge to be necessary for you.  The men of the world do not comprehend these truths, nor is it to be wondered at, since they suffer like what they are, and not like Christians.  They consider sickness a pain to nature and not as a favor from God; and seeing it only in that light, they find nothing in it but grief and distress.  But those who consider sickness as coming from the hand of God, as the effect of His mercy, and the means which He employs for their salvation – such commonly find in it great sweetness and sensible consolation.

I wish you could convince yourself that God is often (in some sense) nearer to us, and more effectually present with us, in sickness than in health.  Rely upon no other physician; for, according to my apprehension, He reserves your cure to Himself.  Put, then, all your trust in Him and you will soon find the effects of it in your recovery, which we often retard by putting greater confidence in physic than in God.

Whatever remedies you make use of, they will succeed only so far as He permits.  When pains come from God, He only can cure them.  He often sends diseases of the body to cure those of the soul.  Comfort yourself with the sovereign Physician both of the soul and body.

Be satisfied with the condition in which God places you; however happy you make think me, I envy you.  Pains and sufferings would be a paradise to me while I should suffer with my God, and the greatest pleasures would be hell to me if I could relish them without Him.  All my consolation would be to suffer something for His sake.

I must, in a little time, go to God.  What comforts me in this life is that I now see Him by faith; and I see Him in such a manner as might make me say sometimes, I believe no more, but I see.  I feel what faith teaches us, and in that assurance and that practice of faith I will live and die with Him.

Continue, then, always with God; it is only support and comfort for your affliction.  I shall beseech Him to be with you.  I present my service.

I am, Yours ....

As written in the Forward, Lawrence requires reflection and study.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

Needle Infiltration .... round 2 ....

Irene experienced another needle infiltration at dialysis treatment today.  The medical team created a third entry point rather than using the chest catheter.  Below, you can see the bandages covering the needle entry point.  Bandaging occurs after every dialysis treatment.

Thanks for caring.

Dave

A cheerful heart is good medicine
Proverbs 17:22

This morning Irene announced that she was going to see Liz ....

I inquired, Liz who ....??

What was her response ....??

“Liz Claiborne, of course, at the Gilroy Outlets ....!!!!!!!!!!”

So, early this morning she was off to Starbucks for a soy green tea latte, her toxin foot bath at Dr. McCharen’s office and then drove to Gilroy .... further remarking that she doesn’t need a swollen arm to drive .... because she has two feet ....!!  She indulged a burger and fries at one of her favorites. 

Irene came home this afternoon and even worked in the yard ....

I told her that she’s like a Timex watch .... she takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’ .... with attitude ....!!!

A cheerful heart is good medicine
Proverbs 17:22

Thanks for caring,

Dave

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
Psalm 31:7

There are some days when we must be intentional and MAKE A DECISION to rejoice because rejoicing doesn’t come naturally.  At least it’s true today because Irene experienced a rough day.

We were going to stay overnight in San Francisco this evening because Irene’s chest catheter was scheduled for removal very early tomorrow morning.  However, a needle infiltration at dialysis treatment today has significantly altered that plan.  So, what’s an infiltration?  An infiltration occurs when the needle goes through the wall of the fistula.

The needle infiltration causes significant swelling, pain and discoloration.  It also precludes the notion of removing the catheter until her arm heals because it serves as the backup for the Cimino Fistula.  So, we’ll re-schedule the chest catheter removal sometime in the near future.

This development does beg the question .... what happens if, after the catheter is removed, she experiences another infiltration?  The answer?  She will endure another surgically implanted catheter .... not a fun prospect to consider.

There are some days when we must be intentional and MAKE A DECISION to rejoice because rejoicing doesn’t come naturally.

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
Psalm 31:7

Caminando con Fé

Dave