8 p.m. ….

I perceive many astonishing and intriguing similarities between the psalmist’s prayer and Irene’s experience as I read several verses of Psalm 102, from The Living Bible version.  Simply read through it slowly; my observations follow.

1 Lord, hear my prayer!  Listen to my plea!

2 Don’t turn away from me in this time of my distress.  Bend down your ear and give me speedy answers, 3 for my days disappear like smoke.  My health is broken and my heart is sick; it is trampled like grass and is withered.  4 My food is tasteless, and I have lost my appetite.  5 I am reduced to skin and bones …. 6 I lie awake, lonely as a solitary sparrow on the roof.

11 My life is passing swiftly as the evening shadows.  I am withering like grass ….

17 He will listen to the prayers of the destitute, for he is never too busy to heed their requests.  18 I am recording this so that future generations will also praise the Lord for all that he has done.

23 He has cut me down middle life, shortening my days.  24 But I cried out to him, “O God, you live forever and forever! Don’t let me die half through my years.  25 In ages past you laid the foundations with your hands!  26 They shall perish, but you go on forever.

28 But our families will continue; generation after generation will be preserved by your protection.”

Can you, like me, see Irene’s “fingerprints” all over these verses?  Could it be that the psalmist was also afflicted with Amyloidosis or ESRD? Obviously, without empirical evidence, here is how I humbly interpret the above:

Verses 1,2,3: Irene petitions the living God as she faces Primary Amyloidosis

Verse 4: Because of the chemotherapy, nausea and ESRD, Irene’s food is utterly tasteless (there’s even a metallic taste to it)

Verse 5/11: Irene has lost 28 pounds from the disease and treatment

Verse 6: Irene is plagued with nightly insomnia; a direct side effect of ESRD

Verses 17, 18: Irene continues to petition the Lord for His healing touch and has full confidence in him, trusting that he is never too busy to heed our requests

Verse 18: http://www.irenedias.com is way to record Irene’s journey as a testimony for generations to come ….

Verses 23, 24, 25: With symptoms and diagnosis of incurable Primary Amyloidosis at the age of 50, with a lifetime expectancy obviously much higher, Irene prays to God for him to preserve and extend her life

Verse 28: Irene is confident that God will preserve our family through this ordeal

I would recommend that you re-read the first section overlaying Irene’s symptoms to the psalmist’s prayer …. it’s fascinating to think about ….

Irene’s day started very slowly and with intense nausea, but as the day progressed she felt better.  We enjoyed Ahi tuna steaks and spinach for dinner and have settled in for the evening.  We travel to UCSF tomorrow after Irene’s early morning dialysis treatment in Watsonville.  It will be a big day for her.

Please join me and pray that Irene’s symptoms subside, her petitions and desires are fulfilled, and that she is completely healed and restored.

Caminando con Fé

Dave