Satellite Dialysis used the existing chest catheter today because Irene’s forearm fistula still couldn’t be used.  The continued swelling and tenderness still remains from the needle infiltration last week.

The eventual catheter removal @ UCSF has been postponed until further notice.

Irene’s nausea was unremitting and the nausea merciless.

Before retiring this evening, Irene’s final comment was that “His mercies are new every morning”

…as she looks forward to a better tomorrow.

Thanks for caring.
Dave

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Without question women are the CROWN JEWEL of God’s creation.

God created Adam first, but examine what happened He did next, which is this …. God created woman.

So, why did God create woman after man?

I’m convinced that after creating man He thought, “I can certainly do better than that!!!”

August 26 is a great day.  It’s great because it’s my mom’s birthday!!  Happy Birthday, Mom…!!!!

My mom’s birthday is reminding me of God’s creation and the role of women and the influence they have on the next generation.  And I’m grateful for the momentous role that women play in our society and the world around us.  Mom has always been a champion for all three of her boys …. i.e. me and my brother’s Greg and Dan.

Dave’s mom, Myrna Dias

Irene came home from dialysis having dealt with low blood pressure during the duration of the protocol. What was the result? The treatment was unable to remove the ultimate fluid reduction objective.  Certainly we hope this doesn’t become a trend.  She rested this afternoon and battled the relentless 24/7nausea.

Irene is certainly a jewel.  Her persevering and joyful spirit is convincing testimony of her inner strength.

This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created. When the LORD God made the earth and the heavens and no shrub of the field had yet appeared on the earth and no plant of the field had yet sprung up, for the LORD God had not sent rain on the earth and there was no man to work the ground, but streams came up from the earth and watered the whole surface of the ground- the LORD God formed the man The Hebrew for man (adam) sounds like and may be related to the Hebrew for ground (adamah) it is also the name Adam (see Gen. 2:20). from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Now the LORD God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. And the LORD God

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I have been musing on the word HOPE since meeting last Friday with Mark Laret, the President & CEO of UCSF.

HOPE is defined in the Online Etymology Dictionary as…

hopian “wish, expect, look forward (to something),” of unknown origin, a general Low Ger. word (cf. O.Fris. hopia, M.L.G., M.Du. hopen; M.H.G. hoffen “to hope” was borrowed from Low Ger. Some suggest a connection with hop (v.) on the notion of “leaping in expectation.”

I really identify with the notion of HOPE as “leaping in expectation”.

Mark Laret describes HOPE as a primary motivator that encourages patients at every turn of their hospitalization.  He comments that HOPE gets redefined along the way depending upon the patient’s diagnosis and prognosis.  He describes patients who have HOPE of feeling better, HOPE of healing, HOPE of not experiencing pain, HOPE of being discharged, and so forth.  Mark affirmed that HOPE combined with FAITH are a powerful combination.

Lauren and Caleb Murray, with their 21 month old son, Rowan, visited Irene and presented her with a PRAYER & COMFORT QUILT.  There were many “conspirators” to this loving and gracious surprise including…

Kathy & Kacey Cook
Andrea Palmer
Susan Bernal
Sue Hasty
Caroline Kirchner
Betty Fairhurst
Jan Messini
Marsha Hesketh

The quilt is PURPLE Irene’s favorite color, displays beautiful HEARTS, and has her favorite verse sewn into the fabric…

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23

Irene hugs Lauren with a grateful heart

Anecdotal …. Many years ago Lauren taught sewing and worked with Irene at Monte Vista Christian School.  At that time Lauren and her class presented Irene with a Christmas theme quilt completed by students …. that we still use to this day!!

Caleb, Rowan and Lauren Murray

Scripture uses HOPE in abundance .…

May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

Blessings of HOPE from God were delivered through the hearts and hands of Lauren and the team of prayer intercessors who lovingly

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