Irene is very grateful for the encouraging and uplifting well wishes from so many!!  Your cards, calls, emails and well wishes are gladly received as she continues treatment as a patient at UCSF.

Irene is now resting comfortably, having just undergone the Quinton catheter installation in her neck and her second stem cell shot.  It was quite a procedure, similar to a full blown surgery.  As you’ll remember, this is preparation for the stem cell harvesting which comes soon.

The White Blood Cells are increasing dramatically.  This is GREAT news!  We were first informed that the collection had achieved the levels for the harvest to begin sooner than expected, perhaps even tomorrow.  However, that information has been modified and it looks like they are taking a more conservative position and the harvest will begin either Thursday or Friday, perhaps one day ahead of schedule.  We were also told she would probably experience signficant pain in the large bone masses of her body from the shots, but thankfully, she hasn’t experienced any such pain and/or discomfort yet.  Yeah!!

Irene’s vision is SLOWLY improving.  We are so grateful.  Her right eye is almost back to normal;  the left eye is still blurry.  This is very encouraging news!!!  Rejoice with us!

Irene is still on the blood thinning medication and the edema continues.  She is right on the border of perhaps requiring dialysis, which may occur for a short period of time.

Thank you for your continued encouragement and support!  It means so much to all of us!

Dave