Author Archive for: DaveDias

Dr. Charles Eichler, Irene’s vascular surgeon @ UCSF, is all smiles after examining Irene’s fistula this morning.  He said that the salt water taffy package Irene gave to him will be devoured this evening …!

Below is Dr. Lloyd Damon, Irene’s oncologist @ UCSF, who is also all smiles as he happily reports that the Primary Amyloidosis remains in remission.

Irene continues to defy the odds with her buoyant spirit, poise, grace and faithfulness, despite the unyielding nausea, which plagues her unmercifully, especially on dialysis days. No one on this earth … including me … will ever truly know what she endures on this surreal, 24/7 journey which now exceeds 6 years … because it is so often masked by the true joy in her heart which you can see in her eyeballs, along with her signature smile … and resolute determination that she will overcome the odds and beat this hideous disease.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

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On June 15, 2007, Irene was @ UCSF where the STEM CELL TRANSPLANT was administered for the hideous Primary Amyloidosis disease which has ravaged her body. 6 years later she continues to defy the odds in all areas …. attitude, buoyancy, perseverance and God-honoring faith with an unshakable trust and confidence in Jesus Christ who gets all the glory. When people see Irene on non-dialysis days, there is no visible evidence of the 24/7 nausea and chronic fatigue which relentlessly haunts her.

6 years ago today …. in some ways the time has flown by; in others, especially on the brutal dialysis days, it seems like eons. Either way, God is faithful to her and us. We rejoice that she lives such a joy-filled life to the glory and praise of His Name.

Today, we were blessed to attend Caleb Fidiam’s high school grad party with his family in our former neighborhood and visited with some of the most amazing people we’ve ever been privileged to know.

Here’s a pic of Irene today wearing her signature smile with graduate Caleb, Vince and Jocelyn Dodge, and proud grad dad, Matt Fidiam.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

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Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
His steadfast love endures forever!
The Lord is my strength and my song; and he has become my salvation.
His steadfast love endures forever!
The right hand of the Lord has triumphed; the right hand of the Lord is exalted.
His steadfast love endures forever!
The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief corner stone;
His steadfast love endures forever!
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.
His steadfast love endures forever!
This very day the Lord has acted:
We will rejoice and be glad in it!

— Psalm 118

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