There’s an obvious SKIP in Irene’s step this evening ….

Irene with Doctors Stephen Gluck & Nisha Bansal

After visiting the dedicated team at the UCSF Blood Center, Irene met with nephrologists, Nisha Bansal and Stephen Gluck for the initial consultation of whether or not to pursue a kidney transplant. Both doctors previously treated Irene when she was hospitalized at UCSF.

You may also recall that Dr. Gluck initially approved Irene’s transfer to UCSF from Dominican Hospital in May of 2007 when she had been officially declined because of a mis-diagnosis.  A previous medical team at another hospital had identified Irene’s renal failure but wanted to discharge her and treat the matter as outpatient.  We obviously didn’t agree with that conclusion or recommendation and mobilized an army of people who began making telephone calls, one of which was made by our friend, Dr. Alan Buchwald, and answered serendipitously by Dr. Gluck @ UCSF.  If Dr. Gluck had not agreed to receive Irene and transfer her to UCSF, resulting in the diagnosis of Primary Amyloidosis, most likely, she would already be in Heaven.

Reminiscing for another moment, Dr. Gluck literally held Irene’s hand during the kidney biopsy at UCSF, giving her momentous consolation at a critical time in the process.  Unbeknownst to him, Irene was repeating the words of Jesus to herself, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”.  Irene remembers that occasion as if it was yesterday, referring to Dr. Gluck in that moment as the very “Hand of God”.

Upon seeing Irene, Dr. Gluck was excited and exhibited rare emotion, beholding her glowing persona and buoyant optimism …. and recalling her three month colossal challenge in patient @ UCSF approximately 20 months ago.

Both Doctor’s Gluck & Bansal enthusiastically support Irene fully vetting the kidney transplant option.  We’ll be scheduling an appointment with the UCSF Transplant Center and will be working alongside the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).

We’ve got a lot to learn on this next step of the Amyloid journey.

Kidney transplantation, or renal transplantation is the organ transplant of a kidney in a patient with end-stage renal disease. Kidney transplantation is typically

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REJECTION is, perhaps, one of the most challenging issues that we may face in life …. and all of us have faced rejection in some way, shape or form.  Most of us long for ACCEPTANCE, connection, community, and strong family relationships, going to almost any extreme to avoid rejection and division.

God has faced more rejection than any other person who has ever lived.  This fact is particularly striking in the account of a son who demands an early inheritance from his father and ultimately squanders it.

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on

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Hello Dave and Irene,

WOW!!  What a journey you are on!  Please forgive me for not sending you my prayers and love in such a long time!  I think of you often and my beautiful daughter JoAnna!  I would look forward to the times at President council when I could see you and JoAnna.

I too, have been on a journey during 2007 (but nothing like yours).  I was diagnosed with breast cancer and experienced a mastecomy of the right breast.  During my series of chemo I experience a setback in December 2007, the chemo triggered an attack on my liver causing hepatitis B.  Through prayers and our Savior’s great healing powers I was able to return to work in June 2007.

I would describe your journey as a world class trip, in comparison my journey which would classified as an insignificant domestic trip!  Irene, you are such a beautiful and gracious person – I can truly see God’s grace all in your continence.

Well, God will be taking me on another journey soon, due to our economy and the condition that this world is in, I will be joining the ranks of many unemployed people.  I know God has a plan for me so I wake up each morning trusting Him.  You and Dave are truly a union made in heaven.

Love you both,

Helen Bush

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