Dean P. Demos

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!!!