What GOOD can possibly be intended or accomplished through Irene’s incurable diagnosis of Primary Amyloidosis?  When we’re asked that question we respond by simply saying that we’re trying to make “spiritual lemonade” out of lemons.

Joseph had to reconcile a challenging situation when he was banished as a young child by his older brothers.  What was his response, decades later, when he was finally vindicated and in a powerful political position to dispense revenge?

…. Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.:
Gen 50:19-20

Irene had a relatively good day.  Though very lethargic, nauseated and itchy, the cold symptoms appear to be dissipating.  She was able to run errands, accomplish much around the house, enjoy the cool, sunny day and exercise her right to VOTE.

…. we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

And, perhaps, as God used Joseph, He may be using Irene for the saving of many lives.  We don’t know why Primary Amyloidosis came Irene’s way.  What we do know is this …. that WHAT WAS MEANT FOR HARM GOD INTENDS AND CAN USE FOR GOOD.

We hope that through Irene’s enduring testimony many will place their faith in Christ, assuring them of eternal life extending beyond all that we see and experience in this fallen world.

We hope that for those who have placed their faith in Christ that it will take on new dimensions of confidence in Him who promises eternal life.

What GOOD can be intended or accomplished by the diagnosis of Primary Amyloidosis?  Saving lives and spending eternity with Christ, in our humble assessment, is very, very GOOD.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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According to Wikipedia ….

A Cimino fistula, also Cimino-Brescia fistula and arteriovenous fistula, is a type of vascular access for hemodialysis. It is a surgically created connection between an artery and a vein in the forearm.

The procedure was invented by doctors Cimino and Brescia in 1966. Before the Cimino fistula was invented, access was through a Scribner shunt, which consisted of a Teflon tube with a needle at each end. Between treatments, the needles were left in place and the tube allowed blood flow to reduce clotting. But Scribner shunts lasted only a few days to weeks. Frustrated by this limitation, Dr. James Cimino recalled his days as a phlebotomist (blood drawer) at New York City’s Bellevue Hospital in the 1950s when Korean War veterans showed up with fistulas caused by trauma. Cimino recognized that these fistulas did not cause the patients harm and were easy places to get repeated blood samples. He convinced surgeon Kenneth Appel to create some in patients with chronic kidney failure and the result was a complete success. Scribner shunts were quickly replaced with Cimino fistulas, and 40 years later, they are still the most effective, longest-lasting method for long-term access to patients’ blood for dialysis.

After her dialysis treatment this morning Irene and I drove to San Francisco and consulted with the Vascular Surgery team at UCSF to discuss the FISTULA procedure.  Candidly, in some ways, it was somewhat of a letdown.  As previously reported, on December 11, 2007, Irene and I traveled to UCSF for the “vein mapping” …. which is the pre-procedure work in preparation for the fistula process.  Unfortunately, UCSF has no record of the December 11 work.  So, we’re re-scheduling another date in the near future to go through the process again.  Irene did, however, have another blood draw for the current Amyloidosis value.  We hope to learn the results inside of two weeks.

We remain hopeful that Irene’s kidneys will “wake up” so she won’t endure the fistula procedure at all.  In the meantime, Irene’s Journey of Faith continues on a circuitous path.

Thanks for caring.

Caminando con Fé

Dave

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