Wow! Your faithfulness in this trial is so very encouraging! I will keep your family in prayer as you make this journey—as you feel God’s huge arms wrapped around you in His unfailing, constant love! May you experience the peace that surpasses all understanding, remembering that you are loved and cared for by a Heavenly Father who is bigger than all obstacles! God’s grace to you!
Darlene Anderson
Well Wishes from Devin and Veronica
Dave and Irene,
I have been out of the loop for awhile. No computer on a nice beach vacation with family. Devin read me yessterday’ e-mail. We were rejoicing with you. Each day has been towards healing. We will continue to lift you and your family up in prayer. We continue to pray for the nausea to go away and for the kidney’s to wake up. Thank you for the great example of being a FDF.
Love,
The Eckhardt’s
The Big Picture
4 p.m. …
Often, I like to “zoom out” and look at the BIG picture…and have been thinking about all that Irene has experienced since April of this year …
Here is a high level view of her journey…
• Hospitalized for 12 weeks (CHW-Dominican and UCSF)
• Initially diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome (2 blood clots, severe edema, high cholesterol, loss of protein from blood)
• Ultimately diagnosed with Primary Amyloidosis
• One Bone marrow biopsy
• One Kidney biopsy
• Several CAT scans
• Chemo therapy
• One Stem cell transplant
• Two emergency trips to ICU
• Bone pain so significant, that even under heavy sedation, the blood pressure arm cuff, when inflated, would cause excruciating pain
• An unusual and very significant amount of internal bleeding
• Approximately 45 blood transfusions
• One Code Blue
• 2 detached retinas from steroids used in treatment protocol (still has blurred vision)
• Several X Rays & ULTRA Sounds
• Her skin has turned very dark, almost black, from chemo therapy and a medicine rash
• Skin biopsy in multiple body locations
• Experiencing chronic nausea
• Has high levels of bilirubin
• Had a “Quinton” placement in her neck (temporary blood port for dialysis)
• Has a Tesio placement in upper chest (permanent blood port for dialysis)
• In dialysis 3 days a week because of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)
• Amyloid is in the following organs: kidneys, liver, stomach & intestines
• Weight loss: 28 pounds
As I slowly peruse each bullet point, over and over again, I shake my head in wonder and amazement…because I was (and am currently) there, helplessly watching Irene through each one of those challenging episodes. Through it all, I NEVER heard one word of complaint. In her darkest hour of significant internal bleeding, pain and discomfort, her gentle voice would simply utter, “Lord, please help me get through this…”
Is this humanly possible? My short and humble answer is no, it’s not. It is only possible by an ever abiding and growing trust in God through it all…even in the most trying of circumstances. It’s only possible with the Holy Spirit enabling and sustaining Irene through it.
I also think about the attitude Irene has “post-hospitalization” experience…despite the challenges still
“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
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