6.15 p.m…
I never envisioned sporting a pinky ring…
Okay, let me explain… when Irene was hospitalized, she secured her diamond ring and choose to wear her gold band in the hospital for obvious reasons. When the edema prevented her from wearing it any longer, I slipped it onto my right hand pinky and told her that I would wear it until she could put it back on…it remains a fixture on my hand…a small but constant reminder of what Irene is facing 24/7….
On Saturday, June 30th, it will be two months that Irene has been laying in a hospital bed… I have paid close to attention to this as she struggles to get comfortable… I can’t even imagine laying down for that long, much less dealing with all that she has been facing… she is incredibly strong and determined, fueled by the notion that she is going to overcome the Amyloid and return home soon! She has the patience of Job…never complaining, but constantly fidgeting in bed and wrestling with multiple pillows to find just right comfortable position…
Today was fairly benign in terms of reporting anything new. We’re simply in a holding pattern, waiting for validation over the next week or so that the stem cell transplant is going to be successful and supporting Irene through it. As JoAnna reported in her journal entry, Irene was moved to the 9th floor of ICU, where she is receiving dialysis 24/7 for the next few days…Thank you for your continued thoughts and prayers. We simply could not get through this ordeal alone….speaking of which…
…in the early 90’s I began meeting with a small group of business and civic leaders in Merced, which is where we lived at the time. To this date, these guys still meet once a week and they visited me today at UCSF. What an encouragement they were to me today… just to spend a few minutes with them….but isn’t that what community is all about…even “community” via this website…where we as family and friends can walk the journey of life together…even when geography separates us, the technology enables…to encourage, inspire and challenge each other…what a privilege to have so many who care so deeply…
I’m soon back to Irene’s room adorning my pinky ring…until it can be slipped back onto Irene’s ring finger…hopefully very soon…
Walking by faith,
Dave
We all admire Irene’s courage and determination to get well as well as her positive attitude in facing the many things that she has had to endure. But as mentioned, we admire your courage and ongoing commitment to her….You two were meant to be together, and your marriage is one that has been an example of what a marriage should be in terms of enduring love,commitment, friendship, and forever–not to mention firm Christian values. I know that Irene will wear her ring again soon–love and prayers always.