Dean P. Demos

I’m sorry I’ve been negligent to post on this blog.  Here goes for some updates.

Yes, my numbers have been steadily improving.  Also, Dr. G. has lowered my medications somewhat.  I will see him again tomorrow.  We will probably discuss a Stem Cell C&S (collect and store.) 

End of the year school activities have kept the TCS staff very busy.  Hiring new teachers for the fall has been a priority.  I have sensed a prevailing guidance and buoying from the Lord’s Spirit that has kept everything moving.  Our new grand daughter, Boston Noelle Caldwell, has also fully engaged our heart and mind to complement our focus on normal duties.  So, the blog and Myeloma matters have not been on the front burner of my life.

Look for an update soon.

God left inhabiting tribes in the promised land to occupy until Israel could focus on removing them.  As soon as school lets out, I intend to see some pesky inhabitants removed from my land.  My (our) utmost for His highest.  Join me.

Wow!  I visited Dr. G. yesterday and we had a TALK!!!

He was in the mood to talk sports … we are about the same age, and he likes to engage me because the other doctors don’t know who you’re talking about when you say “John Havlicek” or “Oscar Robertson.”

Anyway, I was anxious to discuss what Dr. Solomon, the transplant specialist, had proposed … a tandem transplant.  Dr. G. related that they had talked, and that my numbers were so good right now that he wasn’t even recommending a transplant.

Here are some numbers:  was 3.2, now 1.9 (normal, under 2.5);  was 1860, now 1111 (normal, under 1500)

Needless to say, we are excited.  Patty had been discouraged after talking to Dr. Solomon, but she was back up yesterday.  We are also up because our baby, Ashley, is about to give birth to our 7th grandchild.  We are READY!

God is so good.  I’m so grateful for the Lord’s healing and keeping presence in our lives.  Prayer and faith in Christ, juicing organic vegetables, drinking “Essiac” tea, cutting out most sugars and “crap,” getting rest and exercise … I’m a regular 300 lb. Jack LaLanne here.

Jesus, we are overcomers because of YOU.  Thank you, thank you.

For the past two days, a Trinity dad and I rode our bikes to Warm Springs and back.  43 miles to, and about 25 plus back … I had Patty come and pick me up in Luthersville.  Chris Flournoy and I stayed in the local hotel, a historical place, and toured the F.D.R. Little White House.  F.D.R. had polio, and made 41 trips to Warm Springs to seek a cure in the 88 degree water.  It provided relief for him.

Although I would have loved to enjoy the water, they don’t open up the springs to the public very often.  I had to settle for a hot shower.

I soaked in our jetted tub when I returned home yesterday.  It helps to soothe the aching leg muscles and feels good on my feet … peripheral neuropathy.

It’s wonderful to be able to ride for exercise and recreation.  You may know, I really enjoy bicycling.

These are both examples of how I am getting exercise, seeking relief, and spending time enjoying life and it’s opportunities with an incurable disease hanging over me. 

I’m grateful to the Lord for His “Springs of Refreshing” every time I read His Word or pray or praise.  He is my cure.  He is my life coach.  In His presence is fulness of joy, and at His right hand, pleasures forever more.  It’s too bad F.D.R. didn’t know the Lord.  He was possibly the most influential man on the earth during his presidency, yet he never really found the relief I have.

Trust Jesus today.  He’s the KING!

We met with Dr. Solomon yesterday.  He spent plenty of time with us, and made it clear, he feels I should do a “tandem transplant.”  That means two stem cell transplants rather than one, spaced apart by several months to recover.  He kept emphasizing that it was the “standard of care.”  I am not totally buying that right now.  Each transplant procedure takes you out of commission for at least 60 days … 24/7 care, no driving, heavy chemo dosage, a difficult ordeal.  I’m not discouraged.  My hope is in the Lord.  I have friends who have done it.  They are doing well.

We have some decisions to make.  I will consult with Dr. G. about this development.  I will prayerfully talk it through with my wife and family. 

Life has its challenges.  You have yours, and I have mine.  Let’s keep each other covered in prayer.  I wouldn’t want to walk this road without the Lord.  How about you?

Today, Patty and I will travel to an office near Northside Hospital for a consultation with Dr. Steve Solomon, a specialist in bone marrow transplants.  According to Dr. G., he will evaluate my numbers and discuss a strategy to provide further treatment.  He will most likely suggest that I do a stem cell harvest, a procedure that extracts my healthy stem cells and stores them for the future should it be decided that I need to have them reinserted. 

My understanding is that in this process, strong chemotherapy kills off your cells preparing for the reintroduction of healthy cells back into your marrow.  Supposedly, the healthy cells now take over a reboot process yielding a new start to healthy blood.  Make sense?

A bone marrow transplant is practically a near death experience.  That’s not attractive.  I have many friends who have undergone this procedure.  They have all come out the other end with new health, although describing it as a difficult journey.

My future is in the Lord’s hands.  He is my healer.  Although I greatly appreciate all that medical science can offer, I put my total hope in the Lord.  (Hear that, Jesus?  You are MY HOPE!)

I will report on today’s consultation, so stay tuned.  Also, thanks for your interest in my health and for your prayers.

Patty and I have been “juicing.”  We purchased a Hurom slow juicer.  She gets up and prepares juice from organic vegatables every morning.  She is “Wife of the Year” in my book.

Also, except for an occasional “little treat,” I am off sugar.  Since my steroids dosage has been reduced, I don’t walk around with eating on my mind 24/7.  Consequently, I am beginning to notice some trousers fitting better.  Now that’s a good feeling.

My goal is to eat foods that will foster good health in my body.  How about you?

A quick trip to Ohio to visit Mom and Dad, and the relief of a week of Winter Break at school are the reason for no post in some time.  I’m sorry.  I value your interest and concern, so here we go again.

I missed my Velcade injection Monday because of my trip home.  So, yesterday morning I received it.  Because of some out-of-the ordinary skin eruptions on my chest and neck, I asked one of the nurses if they had any advice.  They said, “I will get you in to see Dr. Goldklang as soon as we’re done here.”

Dr. Goldklang did see me shortly.  After some diagnostic questions and a quick stethoscope check of my breathing, he addressed the issue.  Meanwhile, the office manager came in to my room and thanked me for the positive feedback I had given to their COO, Dr. Wendy Lenz.  By the way, the office manager’s niece and nephew are happy students at TCS.  🙂

Dr. G. proceeded to remark how well I was responding to the treatment. On the spot he made an adjustment to reduce my medication intensity.  He even said I was doing so well that I may not need a bone marrow transplant.  To me, that’s big!  (It’s an ordeal)

I was LIFTED!  As I stood in front of the check-out girl, I was flooded with the “knowing” that so many of my friends and loved ones have supported me with prayer.  To me, that’s the big reason I’m doing well.  I am so grateful for each of you who take a little time to mention me to the Father.  He goes to work with the faith and A.S.K.ing we do. [A-ask, S-seek, K-knock] -Matt. 7:7

Please be encouraged by my results, and aim those mighty prayer guns of yours on others who need the Lord’s HEALING POWER.  It’s working!!!

Just got back from the Dr.’s office.  My visit went much quicker and more encouraging than what I described earlier this morning in my post about these treatment visits.  I will eat those words with the proper combination of organic leafy greens and some feta cheese in a bowl.

My numbers continue to go down.  That’s good.  Kennan, Dr. G’s P.A. said I am doing as well as can be expected.  My abnormal protein count has dropped from 1.5 to 0.6.  Praise the Lord!  I told him I’m doing my part also … we are in the market for a health food processor/juicer/blender … whatever!  If you have some valuable advice, please email me. 

Anyway, the very good news is that the medical community now has treatment options that can keep you alive for 20, 25, 30 years.  Just a few years ago, that expectancy was around 5.  I’m grateful … very grateful for all medical science has done. 

However, I’m grateful for what our Healing Savior has and shall do. The major healings I’ve received (MRI documented herniated discs, severe bursitis in shoulder as teenager) have come at the most unsuspecting moments.  They seemed to come when my attitude was way beyond the category of “religious colloquializms” and squarely in the desperate, reality realm of “Dear JESUS, please HELP ME.”  The Psalmist said, “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the ROCK (Jesus) that is higher than I.”  That’s where I go.

Thank you all for your love, prayers, and gestures of concern.  They likewise are overwhelming to me also … pleasingly overwhelming, that is. 

Be blessed today.

I have a visit with Dr. G. this morning.  My appointment is at 9:30 a.m.  That means I will sign in as soon as I go thru the door, sit down in a reception lobby with 8-25 others and wait until I am called to sign a “waiver” type of form.  Then, sit down and wait some more until I am called by a triage nurse who takes my vitals and draws blood.  I am then directed to another smaller “inner sanctum” lobby to wait for Dr. G’s nurse who will take me to a small patient room.  Then again, I wait for Dr. G., or his P.A., Kennan, have my visit to discuss lab results that monitor my progress and discuss the next step the medical world recommends to treat me for this health challenge .  When I get jumpy about it, I muse about the many processes encountered by students and parents alike at Trinity Christian School where I work.  I think how many times our parents sit there and wonder what the TCS administration could and should be doing about being considerate of the time and schedules of others.  Then, I realize that I don’t want to be a squeaky wheel like some you and I know.  So, I give my full attention to whatever they want to do, commend them on their professionalism, and try to get some work done on my phone or laptop in the meantime.

Then, after my visit with Dr. G.’s staff, I walk 20 feet to the “Chemo room” where black vinyl recliners line the perimeter of a large area that reminds me of a sterile hair parlor.  A glance around the room reveals assorted patients, mostly seniors, dressed comfortably, receiving their cancer-fighting drugs via a slow-drip intravenous method or direct injection.  Mine is generally the direct injection technique … a quick poke into my “fuel cell,”  that large growth that hides my belt buckle from my sight. [It’s getting smaller, thanks to my nutrition mentor, Gary Demos]  Mind you, this process also includes another sequence of waiting periods to allow the attending staff to process you in the order they received your paperwork.  They really hustle, give critical, accountable attention to their mission to avoid potentially devastating accidents (oops, you just got Aunt Maude’s anti-depression chemo cocktail by mistake).  Think of it.  If I act different, now you know why.

This whole process can take up to three hours.  I have a full time job.  Praise the Lord, the steroids I am taking put me in a higher gear so I will just knock out a lot of stuff before the day is out.  Then, there’s always tomorrow morning when I wake up at 1:30 a.m. WIRED!  I can do my work then.

I have completed another cycle of Velcade and nearly finished with a 14 day cycle of Revlimid.  Therefore, I’m off for 7 days.  My next appointment will be with Dr. G.  He will give me a progress update on Monday, Feb.11th.  I will get my Velcade and a Zometa injection.  The first Zometa treatment I had gave me flu symptoms … a muscle ache all over and a bad stiff neck.  The second wasn’t anything like that.   I’m grateful that I have the benefit of  medical technology and caring people to do what they can to fight this disease. 

I wonder what in my body causes those plasma cells to become abnormal and malignant.  That’s where I want a change … for my body to STOP IT!  It makes me think of the contrary nature of us all.  “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way, and the Lord put on Him [Jesus] the guilt and iniquity of us all.”  Is. 53:6

Jesus, I ask You to heal my body and cause these bad cells to die and the new ones to be healthy.  I ask the same for all my friends and loved ones, that we can live healthy spiritual lives and healthy physical lives.  That everything that displeases You would be gone, and grace-enabled obedience in everything would abound.