9 p.m.

Irene’s circulation in her hand is worsening and she’s counting down the days to the UCSF procedure (although it’s not as if she is looking forward to the upcoming skirmish).

This evening she commented that after two hours on the dialysis machine today the pain escalated to an 11 on a 1-10 scale.  Not good.  She endured colossal pain and discomfort but was determined to finish the session so she that didn’t have to return tomorrow.  She’s using hand warmers to promote circulation; her arms even have burn marks on them.

The nausea is raging this evening; the emotions are raw…but she remains faithful.

Irene deeply appreciates the expressions of care and intercessory prayer.

When It Pours, He Reigns,
Dave

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Thanks for checking in…!!!

Here’s the latest development.

On Tuesday, July 26, 2011, Irene is scheduled @ UCSF for an Angiogram, using CO2 rather than DYE in order to minimize what remaining kidney function she currently enjoys.

Following the Angiogram she will be admitted at UCSF.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011, Irene will have an Angioplasty procedure, in order to expand the vein diameter in her right arm. This is her FISTULA arm and where the dialysis needles penetrate. Following the procedure UCSF Irene will be dialyzed. We hope that she can be discharged late Wednesday.

Certainly this is not a process that Irene wants to go through but the arm pain has become excruciating after about 2 hours on the machine. She’ll endure 4 more days of dialysis before the procedure is done on July 26.

Angioplasty is the best mitigation measure available with the most amazing medical team on the planet…!!!

Stay tuned and thanks for caring,
Dave

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8 p.m.

Thanks for checking in!

Irene’s local vascular specialist believes that the dialysis discomfort is primarily due to poor circulation in her arm. He will consult with her nephrology team in the coming days. If his observation is validated he is recommending an angiogram http://www.vascularweb.org/vascularhealth/Pages/angiogram.aspx to increase the size of the vein in her arm.

Irene has a 3.5 hour dialysis session scheduled for tomorrow to make up for lost time on Monday. Hopefully she can complete the entire session!

On Thursday she is seeing Dr. Charles M. Eichler @ UCSF, the specialist who performed original the FISTULA surgery, in 2008.

Thanks for caring,
Dave

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