Dean P. Demos

I have recently been diagnosed with Smoldering Myeloma.  May I take a moment to share with you the events leading up to this diagnosis?

In August of 2005, I received a TKR (total knee replacement) because my left knee was “bone-on-bone.”  It was an ordeal.  I’m glad I did it because I don’t have pain and I don’t think about it at all.  I have been able to do virtually all the activities I want to do … after all, I’m not a young man anymore.

My primary care physician, Dr. John Schuler, discovered an elevated presence of protein in my blood and urine during that process.  He referred me to a local hematologist named Dr. Gerald Goldklang.  Dr. G ran tests to further evaluate this condition, including a full body bone scan and a bone marrow biopsy.  I remember the day he called … we were in Findlay Ohio in my mother-in-law’s living room.  Frances Beck, Patty, Gary and Marge Anthony, and myself were about to have a word of prayer.  Dr. G said, in his fluid verbal style, “You have a condition known as ‘MGUS,’ monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance.”  This benign condition should be watched and evaluated every 6-12 months.  I received the news as “interesting.”  I had just been through the TKR.  This was merely another bump on the journey of becoming older.

I followed through on my visits to Dr. G’s office for my tests, even missing a year or two.  I remember getting scolded by the nurse for being neglectful after I eventually renewed my visits.  Nevertheless, the numbers of the levels Dr. G watched were still slightly elevated but not progressing.

PAIN – several months ago, I began noticing pain in my humerus bone on both shoulders.  “Is this just more arthritis, or could it be something related to my condition?”  Upon informing Dr. G, I was given instructions to go back to the hospital to have another bone scan done.  The results showed a very small lesion on my right side.  “I’d like to do another bone marrow biopsy right away, tomorrow if possible,” was his response.  This process involves the extraction of marrow in an outpatient setting in his office.  It was no problem … when you’ve had a TKR, all else is a piece of cake.

The following Thursday my support team (Patty, my wife, and Julie, my oldest daughter) and I sat in his office and were told that 10 percent of my plasma cells were cancerous, thus yielding the Smoldering Myeloma diagnosis.  He was very encouraging as he shared that although Myeloma is presently incurable, it is treatable.  He told me about a medicine combination called RVD (Revlimid, Velcade, and Dexamethasone) that he wanted to start immediately.  To date, I have received two treatments.  Although I am presently beginning to experience annoying side effects, I am purposed to take advantage of the medical treatments available to me.

Even as the Apostle Paul said, “The life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son  of God Who loved us and gave Himself for us,” I am positioned in faith.  I intend to walk in and receive all that the Lord has provided for me.  I am encouraged, challenged, and actually stimulated to “Give to Jesus all my days, for it’s the only life that pays.”  I am grateful for His healing, keeping presence in my life, and want to be faithful to the ministry opportunities He allows me to have.

More later …