Dave’s Updates

Irene is very grateful for the encouraging and uplifting well wishes from so many!!  Your cards, calls, emails and well wishes are gladly received as she continues treatment as a patient at UCSF.

Irene is now resting comfortably, having just undergone the Quinton catheter installation in her neck and her second stem cell shot.  It was quite a procedure, similar to a full blown surgery.  As you’ll remember, this is preparation for the stem cell harvesting which comes soon.

The White Blood Cells are increasing dramatically.  This is GREAT news!  We were first informed that the collection had achieved the levels for the harvest to begin sooner than expected, perhaps even tomorrow.  However, that information has been modified and it looks like they are taking a more conservative position and the harvest will begin either Thursday or Friday, perhaps one day ahead of schedule.  We were also told she would probably experience signficant pain in the large bone masses of her body from the shots, but thankfully, she hasn’t experienced any such pain and/or discomfort yet.  Yeah!!

Irene’s vision is SLOWLY improving.  We are so grateful.  Her right eye is almost back to normal;  the left eye is still blurry.  This is very encouraging news!!!  Rejoice with us!

Irene is still on the blood thinning medication and the edema continues.  She is right on the border of perhaps requiring dialysis, which may occur for a short period of time.

Thank you for your continued encouragement and support!  It means so much to all of us!

Dave

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Today the approval came from the insurance carrier for the stem cell transplant.  That’s a big victory because the process usually takes several weeks!!!!  The first injection to build up the bone marrow begins this evening.  This is the first of 4 daily injections.

Irene continues to have blurred vision in both eyes.  She has 2 detached retinas from steroid treatment last week. The medical team hopes that as the steroids leave the body that the vision should self correct.  They will monitor her vision over the next several weeks.

Irene’s bed is waiting in Oncology…..

Irene’s spirits are strong …. She is ready for the road ahead …. Thank you for your support!!!!!!!!

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Here’s a great email we recently received from our friend Marsha Tarr.

Martha, Kent, and I left after church Sunday to drive to San Francisco. We drove over the Golden Gate Bridge to have lunch in a small café in Sausilito. We enjoyed walking along the Bay and viewing the San Francisco skyline. We stopped tog et some taffy to take to Irene and Dave Dias at the University of San Francisco hospital, where she is in treatment for primary amyloid.

For all that Irene has endured, her spirits are soaring.  For the hour we were with her, she recounted all the blessings and provisions that God has given to her in providing them with the finest medical care and key moments when just the right doctor stopped by and got her the immediate care she needed.

Irene sings hymns while laying in her room and witnesses about God’s goodness and care to those (caregivers, family, friends) that come to see her.

The abundance of steroids caused bleeding in her eyes and both of her retinas became detached this week.  She is hoping that they will correct themselves after the steroids are reduced.  She could see us, though we were blurry to her.  She begins her stem cell harvesting and chemo treatments in the next few days, so will be going through a “journey,” as she calls it. Her hair will fall out, but that is of no concern to her.  She just keeps singing God’s praises!!!!!!!!!!!!

The scripture chorus we sang in our worship service at church this week reminded me of Irene’s outlook on life.  What a powerful testimony!!!!

Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord,
We will wait upon the Lord
We will wait upon the Lord.
Our God, You reign forever.
Our hope, our strong Deliv’rer.

CHORUS:
You are the everlasting God, the everlasting God.
You do not faint, You won’t grow weary.
You’re the defender of the weak,
You comfort those in need.
You lift us up on wings like eagles.

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