Author Archive for: DaveDias

Despite Irene’s blood pressure once again dropping fairly low…. 81 over 62, she was able to get through the 3 hour dialysis treatment today. Her heart rate was racing at 115 and it took awhile to subside before she was released for home. The arm pain was tolerable but certainly with some discomfort.

Irene had a surprise and pleasant visit from friend, Victoria McCharen, which gave her great encouragement.

She’s still smiling and bouyant.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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6 p.m.

Irene was able to complete her dialysis treatment today after they used yet another needle entry point. There was minor discomfort but NOTHING like what she experienced yesterday.

Here are some words of encouragement:

“True hope dwells on the possible, even when life seems to be a plot written by someone who wants to see how much adversity we can overcome. True hope responds to the real world, to real life; it is an active effort.”
— Walter Anderson

“No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”
— William Penn

“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow.”
— Thomas Paine

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not grow faint.”
— Isaiah 40:28-31

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverence. Let perseverence finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
— James 1:2-4

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD,
the Maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will

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7 p.m.

I’ve heard it said that “you’re judged by the strength of your enemies.“  If that is true, and perhaps it is, then Irene stands tall.  She’s faced this horrendous battle with more poise, dignity, grace, patience and faith than I can hardly imagine.  In fact, if I wasn’t observing her response first hand, I wouldn’t believe the manner in which she defies and lives above her circumstances…with victory and joy.

Having said that today was REALLY difficult.  She was not able to get through dialysis, again, and is scheduled for a 2 hour make up session tomorrow.  The pain in her arm was so intense that they terminated after 2 hours of treatment.  Most people on this planet cannot even begin to understand the emotional challenges related to the ongoing physical FIGHT that Irene endures on a daily basis…and has been for now going on 5 years…and magnified on dialysis days.  Her bouyant spirit on non dialysis days conceals the true anguish of what I would define as emotional terror or what our friend, Wayne Connell would describe as invisible disabilities.  It even becomes more pronounced when judgement is cast by the casual shopper who questions Irene’s disability placard in the windshield of her car.  Have we got some stories that could be shared someday…

Needless to say, Irene’s “enemy”, this unrelenting disease with accompanying complications, is daunting.  It is Irene’s FAITH that allows her to navigate the terrain so thoughtfully.

YOU be the judge.

Dave

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