From Wikipedia ….

Auroras (North/South Polar Lights; or aurorae, sing.: aurora) are natural colored light displays in the sky, usually observed at night, particularly in the polar zone. They typically occur in the ionosphere. Some scientists call them “polar auroras” (or “aurorae polares”). In northern latitudes, the effect is known as the aurora borealis, named after the Roman goddess of dawn, Aurora, and the Greek name for north wind, Boreas. It often appears as a greenish glow or sometimes a faint red, as if the sun was rising from an unusual direction. The aurora borealis is also called the northern polar lights, as it is only visible in the North sky from the Northern Hemisphere. The aurora borealis most often occurs from September to October and from March to April. The Cree call this phenomenon the Dance of the Spirits.  Its Southern counterpart, the aurora australis/southern polar lights, has similar properties. Australis is the Latin word for “of the South”.

Benjamin Franklin first brought attention to the “mystery of the Northern Lights.” He theorized the shifting lights to a concentration of electrical charges in the polar regions intensified by the snow and other moisture.

Irene drove herself to and from dialysis today.  They were unable to remove the prescribed amount of fluid from her body today because of her radically decreasing blood pressure.  Dr. Kumar was vague in his attribution of this fact and speculated that perhaps it is related to the amyloidosis which may be invading her heart.  We hope to learn more in the weeks ahead following the fistula procedure and subsequent meeting with Dr. Damon at UCSF on June 26th.

The Aurora Borealis is fascinating.  It points to the wonders of space, time and the mystery of our galaxy that we long to explore and understand.  It also point to the infinite wonders of a created universe by an Almighty God.

Aurora australis (September 11, 2005) as captured by NASA’s IMAGE satellite, digitally overlaid onto the Blue Marble composite image

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Psalm 19:1

…. and we trust in Him.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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This is not the path that was planned or conceived when their journey began…

MONTERREY, Mexico — A car plowed into a bike race along a highway near the U.S.-Mexico border Sunday, killing one and injuring 10 others.

The 28-year-old driver was apparently drunk and fell asleep when he crashed into the race, police investigator Jose Alfredo Rodriguez said.

A photograph taken by a city official shows bicyclists and equipment being hurled high in to the air by the collision.

Irene had a reasonably active day which included exercising her right to vote in our free and sovereign nation.  The nausea came in erratic waves but she was able to successfully navigate through the various activities and we took a casual stroll at the beach this evening.

This is not the path that was planned or conceived when our journey began …. the amyloid journey, that is. Who would have imagined, in one’s wildest imagination, that such a circuitous path was even plausible, much yet the reality of life today.

Like the photo above, there have been times when both Irene and I feel like we have been hurled high in to the air by the “amyloid collision” and don’t have a clue where we will ultimately land; thus, the absolute requisite, at least for us, to walk by faith, and not by sight.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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Irene came home from dialysis completely wrung out because the treatment removed an excessive amount of fluid from her body today.  The nausea was a brutal challenge.  However, after traveling to San Francisco, today’s Cimino Fistula consultation at UCSF went well.  We met with Dr. Charles M. Eichler who will perform the procedure @ 6 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17th.

We return to UCSF next Wednesday, June 11, for the pre-op exam which evaluates Irene’s readiness for surgery.  Pre-surgical testing includes labs and x-rays.  She will also meet the anesthesiologist.

The amyloid journey of faith continues.

Stay tuned…and thanks for caring.
Dave

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