Dean P. Demos

There I go again, publishing on my health update site the daily devotional I also publish.

Sorry.

Join me daily at http://www.tcsdevos.org

The book of Galatians deals primarily with the classic struggle between our flesh and the Holy Spirit of God.  This conflict not only appears between the Old Testament law and the freedom from Jewish ordinances Jesus brought, but between the appetites of this body we live in and the conduct it should display when controlled by God’s Spirit.   Chapter 5 catalogs the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit.

Simply put, he instructs that a life of faith in Christ conducting itself only through the words and deeds of a loving heart is what our real goal should be.

DAILY PRAYER:  Jesus, let Your Spirit completely displace any carnal appetites we have that don’t please the heavenly Father.  Grace us today to live for You.

DAILY READING:  Galatians 1-6

Last Saturday, Patty and I attended a seminar about Multiple Myeloma held at Emory University.  A panel of experts in this field of medicine had been gathered to present an overview of the disease and information about new treatments and medicines to combat it.

It’s helpful and encouraging to know that dedicated men and women are doing their best to come up with solutions for those afflicted.  It quickly becomes apparent that treating cancer is BIG BUSINESS.  I get the impression that they just want to find the drugs that will keep you alive … and keep charging you for them until the end.  Gratefully, my Blue Cross, Blue Shield policy absorbs the greatest brunt of the bill.  My heart goes out to those who don’t have good coverage.

I continue to realize a subtle increase in energy since the stem-cell transplant, and can more often make it though the day without resting.  This week we have evening programs and graduations at the school.  I should be good for them, tho.

Above all, my hope is in the Lord.  He is my health.  He is my Rock.  He is my strength.  The chance to impact so many children and families for the Lord at Trinity Christian School keeps me going.

A grateful mother came up to me at Friday evening’s High School graduation and shared that her son’s life was changed through the ministry of Trinity.  Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ …

(Sorry I didn’t get this up yesterday)

Patty and I met Dr. Solomon, my transplant physician, at 8:00 a.m. yesterday at the Northside Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Center (BMT.)  He had a smile and told us that again, the bone marrow biopsy could not detect any bad myeloma cells, and that my blood work and kidney function were good.  There was a slight rise in what they call the “M spike.”   That is the measure of the useless proteins produced by myeloma cells.  So, Dr. Solomon is recommending a slight increase of my Revlimid dosage.  Revlimid is the most effective drug available that keeps myeloma in check.

There you have it.

We are encouraged.  I get exhausted easily, (what 66 year old doesn’t?) but generally feel good most of the time.

We are grateful for your prayers.  Please don’t let up.  I get reports of others who haven’t done as well.  It grieves us to hear that.  It hits close to home.

Dr. Charles Stanley had a message on TV this past Sunday that addressed pain and suffering in a Christian.  Essentially, he encouraged me to see God’s care and purpose for it.  Also, that it works in us a greater trust and dependency upon the Lord.  I’m there.

Last February, I underwent a stem cell transplant at Atlanta’s Northside Hospital Blood and Marrow Transplant Unit (BMT.)  It was a memory for Patty and Me to visit again last Friday to have another bone marrow biopsy and skeletal xray survey done to evaluate my condition.  I will get my results from Dr. Solomon on Tuesday, March 24.

We look back and see the grace God gave us to go through that process for my diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma.  I am happy to report that I am feeling good, and my energy levels have steadily improved since the transplant.  In just the past two weeks, it seems that I don’t “Hit the wall” as early in the day … say 1:30 or 2 p.m.  I have been able to last some entire days.  I’m grateful.

Thanks to an understanding and capable leadership team, Trinity Christian School has not seemed to miss a beat in my periods of absence.  For that, I am also grateful.  The health of the school means a great deal to me.

I will report the test results on this blog as soon as I get them.

Thanks for your prayers and interest in my well-being.  It’s wonderful to belong to the family of God.

King Josiah, in contrast to many ungodly rulers, provided Godly leadership to Judah.  His heart to do what was right set a tone for all who followed.  His influence and leadership brought God’s blessing upon the entire nation.

Joshua was another Godly leader who said, :As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Whether a parent, boss, teacher, … a Godly leader’s influence has a profound, positive impact upon all who follow.

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, for all who lead today, give us a heart to honor and follow You.  May our influence be a positive one upon those who watch our lives.

DAILY READING:   2 Chron. 34-6;  1 Tim. 4

King Josiah spent a good part of his life purging his kingdom of the idolatry and detestable practices of his father, Manasseh, and other evil kings.

Holiness is more an issue of what is removed rather than added.  The removal of lifestyle pollutants yields a simpler, purer and healthier existence.  It allows a greater focus on what’s truly important in life … loving God and one another.

DAILY PRAYER: Father in Heaven, put your finger on the things that need to go. I want the focus of my life to be on what pleases You.

DAILY READING: 2 Kings 21-3

Although Solomon built a magnificent temple for God’s presence, you and I, we are His desired dwelling place.

God has chosen to live in us … think of it. Our bodies are to be cared for accordingly. “We have this treasure in these earthen vessels.”

DAILY PRAYER:  Lord, live in me today, and forgive me for taking Your presence so lightly. Show forth Your power thru my life today.

DAILY READING:  1 Kings 7,8

Rashi, the mid-level nurse practitioner who assists Dr. Solomon gave us the initial good news … they found NO cancerous myeloma cells in my bone marrow.  It hit me hard, in a good way.  I got a little emotional.  She went on to say all the other indicators were way down too.  Our spirits were lifted.

Then Dr. Solomon came in.  He had a big smile.  It must be difficult to give out so much discouraging news, dealing with incurable disease patients.   When they have some good news to give, it must be refreshing.

I have felt better recently.  My body is rebuilding and gaining strength.  I am so grateful.

To all who have prayed … THANK YOU.  It’s working.  I believe the Lord.

I am so appreciative to all the staff at the Northside Blood and Marrow Transplant facility.  I bought a great big box of jumbo Snickers bars and was handing them out right and left.  It was fun.  They know they mean a great deal to me.

So do YOU!!!

The day of testing was pretty easy.  My monthly dose of bone strengthener must be working … Janice had a tough time drilling thru the bone in my hip for the biopsy.  Patty says the process looks like someone in the garage working on their car.  I’m the car.

We travel back to Northside Hospital to meet with Dr. Solomon on Sept. 30, our daughter Julie’s birthday.  He will discuss the test results and answer any questions we have.

Personally, the biggest downside to having Multiple Myeloma is going thru the inconvenience of all the medical procedures, medicinal side effects, and the loss of energy.

One of our school nurses mentioned that the disease depletes my energy.  It’s a new challenge I must face … so I try other methods of energy recovery; B-12 energy packs, pacing, resting before I exhaust myself, and simply putting my hands in the air toward heaven and declaring, “I can do all thing thru Christ Who strengthens me.”

Lord Jesus, give me the strength I need to accomplish Your will in my life.  Everything I have and need is found in You.