Dean P. Demos

Fun.!? …  I have a whole new respect for diabetics who live with the self-injection process. 

The biggest down-side of this weekend is the side effects.  Neupogen leaves you with flu-like symptoms and, for me, a pulsing, throbbing nerve-type pain in my lower back, especially when I lay down to sleep.   I spent much of last night on the recliner upstairs in our bonus room to get relief from this annoying side effect.

I keep telling myself, “The neupogen is stimulating more white blood cells in my bone marrow, a process important to the stem cell harvest process.”  That gets me through.

My lovely little care-giver, my wife of 43+ years, has been the best in this process.  Normally a “suck it up, buddy” type of person, she has flowered with a very comforting, merciful, nurse-type disposition.  She’s the BEST.

Jesus, thank You for my wonderful wife, who helps me locate plump body areas to inject myself without hitting a vein.  Lord, thank You for EVERYTHING … everywhere I look, I see Your hand of blessing.  You are Great.  You are Good.

Yesterday, Patty and I drove up to Northside Hospital where I did my blood check with the triage nurse and a neupogen injection training session.

In the course of the blood being drawn, my triage nurse, Tim, a man in his 40s who has the fit and trim appearance of an Army drill sergeant, made a comment about my blood not carrying enough oxygen to my body.  Thus, my fatigue.  It really hit me.  Patty thought I was not myself for about an hour, as I wrestled with the fact that it’s really true.  And, there’s little more I can do about it. 

It’s no fun to lack for energy.  Hitting the wall in the afternoon occurs regularly.  As my Mom and Dad often say, “Getting old is for the birds.”  I know what they’re talking about.

The Apostle Paul said, “I labor according to that which He works in me.” 

Jesus, I need You to work in me, both to will and to do of YOUR GOOD PLEASURE.   Your grace is my answer.  What else do I need.  Apart from YOU, I can do nothing.

I thank you in advance for giving me what I need.  I can do all things thru You … You strengthen me.

Today at 1:30 p.m., Patty and I will again visit the Transplant Dr.’s office to learn how to give myself neupogen.  Neupogen is a synthetic drug that stimulates white blood cell growth.  I give it to myself this weekend, and then on Monday, I have my port put in.  On Tuesday, I begin the collection process.

We drive to Northside Hospital for these procedures.  It’s near Ashley and little Boston.  Hopefully, we can integrate some grandparent time with the process.

Thanks for your prayer.  The process is bothersome when compared to my prior life.  But, I am committed to maintaining my health for the sake of those who love me and depend upon me.

Jesus, I need YOU.  I depend upon YOU.  I trust YOU.  I love YOU.  YOU are my life and hope.  Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Yesterday I attended the funeral of Stanton Johnston who just passed last week from an inoperable brain tumor.  His daughter is a Trinity High School student.  Just hours ago, the father of one of Trinity’s new incoming students passed from drowning in a rip tide at the beach in Destin, Florida.  Two dads are in gone from this life and in the Lord’s presence.  My heart goes out to their mothers, wives, and children.  It’s tough to lose someone you love and depend upon.  This coming Father’s Day will be challenging to these families.

Two thoughts:

1.  At the funeral, Pastor Ken Adams quoted Paul in saying, “To live is Christ, to die is gain.”  Stanton’s life did just that.  Those of us who remain have more time to show Christ’s Kingdom through our lives.

2.  Father’s Day is coming.  If you still have your father, show your love and appreciation to him through a meaningful gesture.  If he’s gone, consider giving appreciation to somebody else’s father.

I’m glad to still be here for my loved ones.

“Better Way” Ministries restores men whose lives have been devastated by sin.  While having some signs made at their sign shop, I noticed a very nice hot tub in their warehouse.  It aroused a desire to have one.  I had hot tubs on the brain for several weeks.  It occurred to me how I could spend time in one during my “middle of the night” sleepless periods to get sleepy again.  Also, my aching muscles and joints could get some relief.

After doing my internet research, I began patrolling Craigslist for a used hot tub.  I looked at one nearby, but they wanted $1250 for it.  I didn’t want to pay that much.  Then, one for $300 popped up.  Jeffrey was home for the weekend, so I enlisted his help to go get it … to Barnesville, Ga., 1.25 hours away.  They said it just quit.  I brought it home and promptly found an internal wire that had burned.  I cleaned it and reconnected it, and … it started running!!!

I have really been enjoying my $300 hot tub.  I just got out of it minutes ago.  The jets massage my feet and bring some relief from the peripheral neuropathy (numbness and tingling) which is one of my medication side effects.

I’m grateful for little blessings like this.  The Lord is always mindful of us, and will provide our every need if we’ll wait on Him to do it. 

Let’s see … $1250 minus 300 …  I saved myself $950.  I’m happy, especially when I think of the deal I got.

Yesterday I had testing done by the transplant office that will do my “Collect and Store.”  I filled 15 test tubes of blood, had a bone marrow biopsy, a full body bone scan, and an EKG.  Wow, it was alot.

Patty was in the room this time for the biopsy procedure.  She said it looked like someone was drilling me for oil.  She had to turn away.  Me, I was already face down on the table as they draw the marrow from your hip on the back near your spinal column.  Hey, I’ve had a knee replacement and a hip replacement.  I’ve been in the medical trenches before.

I appreciate the pleasant medical personnel that attend me.  Sure, they’re making good money.  But I appreciate the effort on their part to keep me upbeat about the ordeal.  Besides, it’s a great way to try my old jokes on new people.  Life doesn’t have to be so sour.

My son, Mark, called to tell me that he was made aware of recent cancer breakthroughs in the medical industry.  I appreciate all that medical science is doing to relieve suffering and cure cancer.  My HOPE is still in the Lord.  Every breath is a sovereign gift.  The brains in the medical scientists were put there by GOD. 

Jesus, comfort those who are mourning right now … the family of Stanton Johnston who passed yesterday from an inoperable brain tumor.  Heal Scott Carter, one of our new TCS dads who drowned yesterday in Destin, Fl., and was revived on the beach.  Jesus, keep us!!!

Twanya from the transplant office has issued a schedule to me for the proposed Collect and Store (stem cell harvest) which starts the process on June 5 and concludes on the 28th, just before we leave for our family vacation at Lake of the Ozarks.  Patty has suggested another plan which has me doing the collection procedure when we get back.  It might work in that they need some time for Blue Cross HMO to approve the procedure.  The main problem with Twanya’s timeline is that I would go on vacation with the port wound, near my neck, still fresh and recovering.  I wouldn’t want to get lake water into it, and I am looking forward to some hot tub time.

Then, fall school preparation gets into gear late July and early August.

Between Dr. G and Dr. Solomon, the transplant Dr., I will find out what my medication schedule will be.  These side effects are wearying, especially the personality change that happens when you take a big dose of steroids once a week.  (Merely step out of the way if you see me coming on a Saturday)

That’s my summer.

If your summer is easier, enjoy it.  Thank the Lord for your health.  Pray for friends who have health challenges.  Visit someone in the hospital.  Offer to mow somebody’s lawn, or paint a room for them.  Gestures of love and support mean so much.

Christ came to serve, not be served.

Actually, I just received a Velcade injection yesterday, and did not see Dr. G.

This is an interesting period in the treatment … a C&S looming, reduced schedule of visits, questions about “where do we go from here.”  I guess Patty is the one who has the most questions.  I always say, “Write them down, Honey, and I’ll ask the Dr.”

The things I don’t question: I am in the Lord’s Hands; I am going to be OK; I have a unique perspective on life that enables me to focus on what’s really important – people; how many more years I have are up to the Lord, not medical professionals.

If you are reading this, please know “I LOVE YOU, I VALUE YOU, and YOU MEAN ALOT TO ME.”

Today I will see Dr. G.  We will consult on the looming Collect and Store (stem cells) process.  Also, I will ask about the med strategy for the summer.  Believe me, it’s not a chore any of us want … taking meds to live … but for the time being, I’m going along with it.

Some sad news.  Kristi Bannister, one of our former TCS mothers and employees, passed away yesterday afternoon after a long struggle with cancer.  Dr. G was her doctor also.  She leaves behind three children, one just graduating from HS.  That is a very painful side of life … when children their mother.

“Lord, our hearts go out to the Bannister family today in their time of grief and loss.  Comfort them, and give them grace to face the future without one who sacrificed so much for their wellbeing.  Jesus, fill the void in their hearts.  Overwhelm them with Your Great Love today.  We trust You for their future.  We ALL trust You for our future.  In Your Mighty Name, Amen.”