Dean P. Demos

First I want to mention Fred Miller, a close and lifelong friend, who is nearing the end of his journey here.  He and his wonderful wife, Sharon, were ultra faithful to Hope Temple’s choir which I directed for 8 or 9 years.  My love and respect to the Miller clan for their friendship and their sainthood.  My heart is with you.

Today I had pre-op appointments to have cataract surgery next Wednesday, and then a stem cell transplant at Northside Hospital in February.  Northside, by the way, has the best survival rate for transplants in the nation.  It’s a good thing to have Dr. Jesus on the team, too.

Pray for Patty.  She is overwhelmed by the perceived demands upon her as my primary caregiver.  Already, she is thinking about a schedule of trusted friends and drivers who might be willing to take a shift driving me to Northside for my 21 days of followup care.  Whomever can help, I am hereby offering to buy your lunch!!!

Jesus, Your detailed, complete plan for my care is overwhelmingly comforting.  You TRULY care for me, and EVERYONE who calls upon Your all-powerful name.  There is NO ONE ELSE like You.  You are my Savior, my Healer, my Friend, my Comfort.  I bless You.  Comfort my beloved wife and lift her burden.

Thank you for keeping up with my life. I am honored to have your friendship.

Here’s the latest.

I took a 4 week vacation from the Multiple Myeloma medications while I had my hip replacement surgery and recovery. I’m doing well. Yesterday was my best day yet, going all day with meetings from 7:30 a.m. until nearly noon. No crutches. No pain. Praise the Lord. A difficult day, job-wise, but a healthy day.

As I visited Dr. G, he said my indicator levels have noticeable roller-coaster changes. When I’m off the meds, the levels begin rising. He then recommended that I have the stem cell transplant within the next several months. So, I am hereby working with the Northside Hospital transplant organization to begin planning this procedure. Please pray that this phase of my treatment will fall into place, according to the Lord’s plan for my life.

The transplant process essentially takes you to the door of death to kill all bad cells, then gives you a new lease thru the injection of healthy stem cells (which I had collected last summer) into your bloodstream. It is a 6-8 week process. We are hoping to have it coincide with the TCS winter and spring breaks, thereby giving me 2 weeks of school down time for the recovery.

To me, the stem cell transplant will be a rebirth, a renewal. I am sensing a new level of grace from the Lord to accept this difficult procedure.

I am currently reading the book of Job. Suffering, although not popular, can be fruitful. Remember, we are encouraged to consider Job’s end rather than his beginning and interim period of suffering. (Just listen to me … all bold and everything!)

HELP ME, JESUS!!!