It’s been about a month since reporting that Irene continues to battle the 3 day a week GRIND on dialysis, challenged by continuous forearm pain.  We’ve endeavored to brainstorm about whether it’s a NERVE or tendonitis issue and have concluded that it’s a chronic nerve issue without much opportunity to reverse the condition.  She mitigates the pain by alternating between COLD & HOT compresses.  She endures significant TORTURE then rebounds on non-dialysis days to the point that people hardly believe she has any challenges at all.  On the long nights of insomnia following dialysis, she tosses and turns, battling unrelenting NAUSEA and chronic fatigue the following day.  However, her attitude is amazingly POSITIVE….she looks TERRIFIC and is truly a JOY.

The sobering reality is that she suffers in silence and with a smile.  She has, to a large extent, an “invisible disability”.  Her buoyancy is inspiring; her smile never ending.  She’s determined to overcome, persuaded that through it all that God has a plan and she endeavors to live for him and glorify His Name.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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For the last six years I’ve been inspired by Irene’s courage on this surreal journey.  I’ve shared on many occasions that you can see Jesus in Irene’s eyeballs.  Those that know Irene best confirm that observation.

We left the house for UCSF at O’Dark-Thirty this morning for an Ultra Sound and visit with Irene’s Vascular Surgery team because she’s been experiencing excruciating pain after about an hour of dialysis treatment since last Wednesday.  Since her treatment lasts about 3.5 hours on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, you’ll deduce very quickly how much time she’s endured such agony.  The news today was mixed; the good news is that from an anatomical and scientific perspective, her dialysis fistula and cadaver vein are functional; the bad news is that there’s no easy explanation nor is there an elegant mitigation of her forearm pain.  So, it’s both painful physical and emotionally at this time.  Painfully hard, EMOTIONALLY, because Irene’s resigned to the acute awareness of what’s awaiting when she arrives at the dialysis center.  Painfully hard, PHYSICALLY, because Irene is reconciled to the acute awareness of the pain which she must sorely endure.

We’ll be exploring several brainstorming ideas and asking a lot of questions about how to alleviate the unyielding agony….is there a cream, is there a non-narcotic, fast acting and short duration protocol which can be attempted,  is there….what…?

In the meantime, her demeanor remains determined to defy the odds and overcome the adverse circumstances set before her.  She inspires and humbles me.  Those who know her best, see Jesus in her eyeballs.

Thanks for caring,

Dave

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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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