Author Archive for: DaveDias

7 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene has an 8 am appointment @ UCSF tomorrow morning with a NEUROLOGY team relative the ongoing and significant PAIN Irene is experiencing at dialysis. This evening is HORRIFIC; the nausea and discomfort are RAGING.

We hope for a mitigation strategy soon.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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7.30 p.m.

Thanks for checking in.

Irene’s experiencing a very rough evening following dialysis today. She has horrific pain in the arm region which begins 90-100 minutes into the 3+ hour session on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. She endures the episode then has an even greater “recovery” following these days.

The UCSF medical team of surgeons, specialists and technicians never cease to amaze us in terms of their commitment to patient care but to date have not recommended a new course of action which could mitigate Irene’s experience. The FISTULA is functioning as it should be; it’s the ARM PAIN that emeges during the dialysis episode which is unrelenting. There’s also significant emotional trauma she faces because of the Monday, Wednesday, Friday dialysis “DREAD”…unfortunately anticipating the RUTHLESS pain she will undoubtably face.

Irene continues to have boundless faith, complete trust in God and wears her signature smile. For those who interact with her on a non-dialysis day…they have no clue of the grueling and brutal path she faces 3 days a week.

We continue to pray for a kidney transplant. Irene’s learned from recent contact with the UCSF transplant team that the average waiting time remains at 7+ years. She’s been on the waiting list for just under 3 years.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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8.30 p.m.

We hope to be on the road at O’Dark Thirty tomorrow morning for an early morning out-patient check in at UCSF. Dr. Stephen Gluck (kidney specalist and department head), who attended to Irene in 2007 during the stem cell transplant procedure, has ordered an MRI in order to learn more about the crazy pain Irene is experiencing from her neck throughout her shoulder and into the fistula region.

Irene is recovering this evening from dialysis treatment and the nausea is raging.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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