7 p.m. ….
It was a beautiful day on the Monterey Bay and Irene was able get outside for a short time to admire the high blue sky and feel the 70 degree ocean breeze.
If we have a recurring theme recently it’s been one of learning “patience”.
Reporting Irene’s ongoing challenge with nausea as a prayer request seems so very redundant. But we will continue to do so. We’re not sure what the expected “norm” is for people who have gone through this type of treatment. I’m not sure if we will ever know because Primary Amyloidosis is such a rare disease and there isn’t a lot of empirical data available.
The “nausea” that Irene has goes beyond the icky feeling that most of us experience and are familiar with. She’s unable to lie on her stomach at all, anytime, anywhere, even when she’s not feeling nauseous. So when she is nauseous, it’s EXTREMELY uncomfortable … especially because it’s been going on for months. The UCSF nursing staff would tell us that experiencing CHRONIC NAUSEA, like Irene is experiencing, is worse than pain. The last two NIGHTS have been especially uncomfortable for her.
As a noun, Dictionary.com defines AFFLICTION as the following:
- a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
- a condition of suffering or distress due to ill health
- a cause of great suffering and distress
Given all that she has and is going through, I would say that Irene qualifies under all three sub points of the definition.
Scripture teaches us that we are to “be joyful in hope, patient in AFFLICTION, faithful in prayer” (Romans 8:12).
Irene personifies that Romans verse and both of us continue to have grateful hearts for LIFE itself. I marvel that she is still so gentle, smiling and will have no part of any kind of pity party! We joyfully hope, however, that this “season of affliction” will quickly pass!!!
In the meantime, we recognize that we’re on a long journey and must be patient.
We will accept TODAY for what it is and look forward to a better tomorrow!!!
Caminando con Fé
Dave
