Dear Dave & Irene,  We continue to check this site several times daily and are praying when the Lord puts you on our hearts, which is very often.  I have a feeling you have already read a story about a man named John Rizzo who was treated at the Mayo clinic in 1996.  He had the same amyloid disease that Irene has.  He was treated and as of the internet story had survived and thrived 9 years and was still going strong and had resumed his job and all normal activities.  The story says that he was in the hospital for 2 months after the transplant and it took him almost a year at home to gain all of his strength back, but that he was having check-ups every 6 months and was doing great.  I read that a few weeks ago and have been praying for Irene to do that well and even better in her recovery.  Your update today, Dave, was an encouragement to us