Dean P. Demos

We met with Dr. Solomon yesterday.  He spent plenty of time with us, and made it clear, he feels I should do a “tandem transplant.”  That means two stem cell transplants rather than one, spaced apart by several months to recover.  He kept emphasizing that it was the “standard of care.”  I am not totally buying that right now.  Each transplant procedure takes you out of commission for at least 60 days … 24/7 care, no driving, heavy chemo dosage, a difficult ordeal.  I’m not discouraged.  My hope is in the Lord.  I have friends who have done it.  They are doing well.

We have some decisions to make.  I will consult with Dr. G. about this development.  I will prayerfully talk it through with my wife and family. 

Life has its challenges.  You have yours, and I have mine.  Let’s keep each other covered in prayer.  I wouldn’t want to walk this road without the Lord.  How about you?

Today, Patty and I will travel to an office near Northside Hospital for a consultation with Dr. Steve Solomon, a specialist in bone marrow transplants.  According to Dr. G., he will evaluate my numbers and discuss a strategy to provide further treatment.  He will most likely suggest that I do a stem cell harvest, a procedure that extracts my healthy stem cells and stores them for the future should it be decided that I need to have them reinserted. 

My understanding is that in this process, strong chemotherapy kills off your cells preparing for the reintroduction of healthy cells back into your marrow.  Supposedly, the healthy cells now take over a reboot process yielding a new start to healthy blood.  Make sense?

A bone marrow transplant is practically a near death experience.  That’s not attractive.  I have many friends who have undergone this procedure.  They have all come out the other end with new health, although describing it as a difficult journey.

My future is in the Lord’s hands.  He is my healer.  Although I greatly appreciate all that medical science can offer, I put my total hope in the Lord.  (Hear that, Jesus?  You are MY HOPE!)

I will report on today’s consultation, so stay tuned.  Also, thanks for your interest in my health and for your prayers.

Patty and I have been “juicing.”  We purchased a Hurom slow juicer.  She gets up and prepares juice from organic vegatables every morning.  She is “Wife of the Year” in my book.

Also, except for an occasional “little treat,” I am off sugar.  Since my steroids dosage has been reduced, I don’t walk around with eating on my mind 24/7.  Consequently, I am beginning to notice some trousers fitting better.  Now that’s a good feeling.

My goal is to eat foods that will foster good health in my body.  How about you?