Dean P. Demos

On Thursday, I had my fourth joint replacement, my right knee. My surgeon’s nurse practitioner said it was very arthritic, and was actually the largest prosthesis he had ever installed. It’s done and I’m doing well. I am so grateful for all the prayers that were uttered for me in my time on need. I don’t know how unbelievers handle the challenges of life without the Lord.

I came home last evening and it’s so nice to be in my own chair and bed. Patty is such a good caregiver.

I hope each of my friends who read this are doing well. If not, contact us and we would love to lift you up in prayer also.

If you don’t already, please check out my daily devotional at http://www.tcsdevos.org where I share a very brief thought lifted from the Bible reading of that day. This is the third year I’ve been doing this, and it has been one of the great joys of my life, listening to the daily reading using the NIV Dramatized Audio Bible available through Biblegateway.com  ( I’ve missed a couple the last few days because of the surgery.)

The very best to all of you.

Here’s a special prayer request: Pray for Jeanne Woodruff Sczblewski and Barb Leader. They both have extreme health challenges and are being so graciously cared for by those that love them so deeply: Becky Woodruff-Jeanne;  and Jim Leader-Barb, respectively.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You will not suffer us  to be tempted above that we are able, but will with the temptation (challenge) make a way to escape that we may be able to bear it. Give great grace to Becky and Jim as they care for these wonderful saints, Jeanne and Barb, whom we all love so much.

On this Thursday morning I will again have a joint replaced with titanium and space-age plastic. The procedure is being performed in the new Newnan hospital which is only a couple of miles from our home. Very handy. My surgeon’s office is likewise very close. Convenience is more attractive the older I become.

Whereas Blue Cross was the provider on the other three joints, this one will be paid by Aetna.  Healthcare coverage is a Godsend.

I hope to continue my daily devotional (www.tcsdevos.org) but it may seem a little different as I will be on heavy pain killers. We’ll see.

I continue to feel good and am able to work everyday. Last month Patty and I attended a Stem Cell Transplant Survivor’s Reunion at the Aquarium in downtown Atlanta. Over 300 survivors were there.  It was encouraging to both of us. I talked to a lady who had her transplant in the late 90s. Another gent mentioned 2002.

One of the themes survivors embrace is that EACH DAY IS A GIFT! We can all do well to adopt this theme.

Thanks for your friendship and prayers. Every day we are alive is a chance to bring glory to the Lord and seek to be a tool to accomplish His purposes in the earth.

I am grateful for the health to witness the wedding of our final child to get married, Jeffrey. The wedding will be on Friday, Sept. 16, just two weeks away.

I have the strength to still be working at my job as Headmaster of Trinity Christian School. The question, “When are you going to retire?” is getting more frequent now. As long as I have the strength and health to go in every day, I want to continue. The opportunity for influence that I have is one of the reasons the Lord has sustained me.

I continue to take a maintenance dose of Revlimid every day, and I have my blood checked on a regular basis to monitor my status.  My quality of life is good.

I am so grateful for the strength and health the Lord is giving me. Just two days ago, I was given an abbreviated drivers license renewal physical exam by a clinic doctor, and he mentioned having a friend who had recently passed from Multiple Myeloma.

I have started a spiritual support group called “C” Jesus. (Get it?…) Our first meeting was last night. We only had three in attendance, but I trust it will grow.

Much heartfelt thanks to all our friends who have prayed for my health. I am indebted to you. God is the strength of my heart.

Trinity Christian School participated in the National Day of Prayer yesterday with a prayer assembly which I led. Standing in front of 800 students in grades PreK3 through 8th grade (our 300+ high school students are on another campus) was a glorious opportunity to give testimony to God’s mercy in sustaining my life in spite of my affliction, multiple myeloma.

I thanked them for praying for me, and encouraged them to pray to God for more miracles in the lives of others they know who have health challenges. For me, it was a very meaningful moment and opportunity to give thanks and glory to God.

To look into the bright, healthy eyes of those students and see them receive instruction and encouragement about prayer is a spiritual high point in my life. Next fall, my grand-daughter Boston will be there.

Influence – to me it’s one of life’s greatest opportunities and rewarding aspects. I will gladly forego the chance to seek my own pleasure and well-being if I can continue to have opportunities like yesterday to make a difference in the lives of so many hungry, mold-able little lives.

Please pray for my continuing strength to present Christ to these children.

Last Thursday, Patty and I met with Dr. Solomon, my transplant physician, for the results of my 2 year bone scan and bone marrow biopsy. As he walked in the consultation room, I asked him if his smile was indicative of a positive report. He said, “Yes,” that everything looked good, and in one category, my numbers had actually gone down. The biopsy again revealed no detectable myeloma cells in my marrow, and the full-body bone scan showed no concerning progression of bone deterioration from the myeloma activity. Yes, I have lytic areas where the bone is weakened from the disease, but the progressive damage has been suspended through prayer and my medication.

I am grateful for the prayer support of my spiritual family. I want my days to be fruitful for the Lord.

On Friday, while taking my tests, I sensed the power of prayer lifting me up. I am so grateful, and want to give testimony that I have been living with a boost since then.

We are nearly done moving and getting our “stuff” out of the old house. Yesterday, I felt so good that I worked from 7 in the morning until 7 last night.

Another blessing was that the person performing my bone marrow biopsy did a fabulous job. Minimal pain and uncomfortableness. This process can be otherwise …

Again, thanks to my friends who have given me their prayer support. It made a BIG DIFFERENCE.

Tomorrow I return to the Blood and Marrow Transplant facility at Northside Hospital (on the north side of Atlanta.) I will undergo another skeletal survey to check for any lesions forming in my bones, and a bone marrow biopsy (extracting some marrow from my hip bone to be sent to lab to measure any cancerous cell activity.) It is now two years since my transplant. For the most part, I feel good.  I’m so grateful, considering that I have known of at least 4 men, younger and healthier than me, that have been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma and have passed on. I still go in to work everyday and conduct a somewhat normal life. I run out of steam about mid afternoon, but usually get enough of a boost to get through the evening … until 8 o’clock, our bedtime.

A week ago Sunday, Patty and I attended a senior aged home group meeting where I expressed the need for some refreshing prayer. I had sensed the need all day for a spiritual boost. I was somewhat weary of dealing with this disease, and just needed some spiritual TLC. I began weeping, and the saints gathered around and began praying for me. It was so special. I thought of the Biblical expression, “Seasons of Refreshing.” I received one.

Although Dr. Goldklang had noticed a slight rise in one of the indicators he checks, I am anxious to see what the extensive tests at Northside reveal.

Please continue to lift me in prayer. I am willing to battle as long as the Lord can use me here.

I am grateful for those who care about me. Please communicate to me any prayer burden you may have, and I will return the favor.

It’s been a year and a half since i had my stem cell transplant at Northside Hospital in Atlanta.

Yesterday, Patty and I met with Dr. Solomon to review the results of my bone marrow biopsy and skeletal survey which were taken one week earlier.  He was very pleased to say that my numbers are all very good.  One had even dropped.  Again, there were no detectable myeloma cells in my marrow.  There were just a very few little spots in my skull and neck, but he was not concerned.  I’m not either.  I live by faith.

Dr. Solomon shared with enthusiasm that there are amazing medical advancements in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma.  That also in encouraging.

Thank you for your prayer support.

Patty and I would be honored to join you in praying for whatever challenge you may be experiencing.

We can be reached at dpdemos@gmail.com

Joseph could only maintain his disguise to his brothers so long until he could no longer contain himself.  God’s forgiveness welled up within him toward his brothers.

Allow God’s forgiveness to overpower your selfish desire for retribution.  Let it flow as the tears of Joseph did.  Be restored.  Be healed.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, You have forgiven us so much.  Freely we have been forgiven.  Freely we forgive.

DAILY READING:  Gen. 42-44

In Rev. 19, the Bride of Christ has made herself ready for her marriage.  She wears fine linen, dazzling and clean.  It represents the righteous acts committed by the saints.

Dorcas was a woman who was known for doing many righteous deeds.  Her reputation followed her in death.

Allow God’s Spirit to direct you today to do acts of righteousness.  We are making ourselves ready.

DAILY PRAYER:  Spirit of God, empower and direct us today to show Your righteousness through our deeds.

DAILY READING:  Rev. 19