Author Archive for: DaveDias

8 p.m…

Good evening…and are you ready for some GOOD NEWS?

If Irene’s blood platelet levels are maintained and she is able to keep food down with no other complications, UCSF is planning to discharge her on Friday afternoon!!!!   

So, here’s the plan…

Thursday (tomorrow) we meet with all of the related medical teams, social services and pharmacy.  All coordination related to the dialysis and other out patient services will be finalized.

Friday morning dialysis is scheduled at UCSF and the afternoon is dedicated to removing a renal port that is currently in her neck.  Discharge follows.  Jocelyn and JoAnna will be on point this weekend to assist their mom!!!

Saturday morning dialysis is scheduled in Santa Cruz!!

All day Monday we’re back at UCSF for outpatient clinic services with the Nephrology team.

Tuesday more dialysis is scheduled in Santa Cruz.  Irene’s sister, Carmen, will arrive at our home this day to help Irene for the next few days.

Wednesday nothing is scheduled at this time.

Thursday more dialysis is scheduled in Santa Cruz.

Dialysis will be scheduled every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday in Santa Cruz.  Clinics at UCSF will be weekly for the first month then less frequent.

We’re obviously REJOICING and PRAISING God for this wonderful news!!!!  Please pause and thank God with us for answering our many prayers.  Thank YOU for your prayerful intercession, care, concern, cards, flowers, well wishes, telephone calls, visits, blood donations and support for Irene during this most difficult journey…and please don’t stop praying!!!!!  Your prayers and support have carried us in so many ways!!!

The next 3-4 months will be a REST and RECOVERY season for Irene.  Her energy is still very low but she’s optimistic and hopeful that she will gain strength each and every day….

Please pray that there will not be any setbacks to this plan of action!!!

Caminando Con Fe’
Dave

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Good evening!

On their rounds today, Dr. Lloyd Damon and the UCSF medical team gave us a very encouraging report! Dr. Damon is going to challenge the approach they are using related to the blood platelet count to see if Irene can tolerate a lower threshold. So, the new threshold is now 15!! Historically it has been 40. This is obviously a substantial drop with some risk involved related to the potential of bleeding, but well worth the risk according to Dr. Damon. If Irene does well at this new threshold the outpatient treatment is not as complex. We’ll see how Irene responds to this new approach over the next few days!!

The best news that Dr. Damon shared is that we’re continuing to discuss hospital discharge planning!! All of the related details concerning out patient services are being arranged with the appropriate people and organizations. We are hopeful that there will be no further setbacks!!! We will drive to UCSF for clinics on a frequent basis, but traveling to UCSF is better than LIVING at UCSF!!

Irene was able to eat small meals yesterday and today without intolerable nausea…! Yes, some nausea, even with meds, but certainly slow and sure progress…

My mom and dad visited a cool and foggy SF from a very hot and dry Modesto and were present when Dr. Damon spoke with us today…

Tom Steipp and I also enjoyed a cup of coffee this afternoon at the Starbucks across the street…

…and lest I forget, I am no longer sporting a pinky ring…because it’s back on Irene’s ring finger where it belongs!! (See the related UPDATE, Thursday, June 28, 2007).

Caminando Con Fe’

Dave

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