9 p.m. ….

The UCSF team has told us over and over again that if there was a critical path related to Irene’s medical treatment protocol, she’s the patient that took the radical departure …. on almost every occasion.  If there was a prescribed medication noting that it “may cause side effects”, Irene was the patient that did, in fact, have those side effects!! Irene’s medical case is already being used over and over again in the UCSF Resident Program classroom.

The degree of complication related to her journey has baffled many and has been, at times, almost overwhelming.  I say almost, because, in my humble opinion, Irene is a walking miracle …. today.  We are seeing God at work and answering prayer.  We haven’t seen her body completely healed of this disease, yet, but what we do see is that she has overcome significant obstacles and is making slow, but steady progress.  Despite it all, she still maintains an amazing and positive attitude with the same gentle spirit.

For those who have followed the updates closely, you’re aware that I have often used the “Mount Everest” illustration.  To briefly elaborate, I have stated that Irene, with very little cold weather clothing or equipment, had to take this journey to the top of the mountain.  My job, and that of many others, especially the primary medical team, has been to set up base camp for her along the way and support her along the journey.  Today I am willing to say that she has made it to the “Summit of Everest” and is now heading down the snowy, icy and dangerous mountain.  It’s still a treacherous journey, with known and unknown risks along the way, but Irene is hopefully over the most difficult part of the trail.

Here is what we do know after the UCSF outpatient services exam today which also included seeing Dr. Lloyd Damon:

• Irene has very high blood pressure but is on medication; it is not unusual for abnormal kidney function to cause high blood pressure
• Chronic nausea is still an ongoing issue but hopefully it will subside over time
• Weight loss stands at 28 pounds since hospital admission
• Amyloid is still in her bloodstream, but hopefully the manufacturing of new amyloid has stopped; tests will be taken in about 30 days to ascertain the amount of amyloid still in Irene’s system or hopefully we’ll find out it is in remission
• The kidneys still need to wake up; MWF dialysis will continue. The longer Irene is on dialysis the more likely that the kidneys will not respond
• All of the blood counts were acceptable today; the additional good news is that the Dapsone was causing an abnormality (hereditary and once again a medical tangent specific to Irene) which raised the concern about internal bleeding.  The medication was changed last week and there is no further evidence of internal bleeding!
• Irene doesn’t go back to UCSF for outpatient services again until October 1st!

I have told Irene for years that she is “one in a bazillion”.  With all of the medical tangents she’s been on she has proved it over and over again!!!!  She has taken the dangerous journey to the “Summit of Everest” and is an inspiration to many of us along the way because of her gentle yet determined spirit.  We continue to pray that she now makes it down and completely off the mountain soon.  Thank you for your continued care, prayer, concern and support for us during this incredible season of our lives!!

Caminando con Fé

Dave