Welcome to "Hope Does Not Disappoint"


There are two key reasons I have finally decided to join the world of blogging:

First, my cancer has become active and there is a loving congregation and many family & friends who want to keep track of what is taking place. This provides a way for me to update them as often and with as much detail as they desire.

Second, the Lord often links Scripture with circumstances in life for a much more potent 1 - 2 punch. I have already found that to be true and I hope to share some of those lessons for those who are interested.

So almost every entry in this blog will have two parts to it: Body (what's happening physically with the treatments) and Spirit (what God is sharing as I open His Word).

Thanks for visiting. I hope some of the "Points Along The Road" in my journey are helpful and encouraging to you.

Dave



Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Set Back, Reprieve, and a New Plan

Body:
Set Back -- As the nurse said to us today, "Your body is really tired from all the chemo." While my counts are climbing, the stem cell count isn't climbing as quickly as they would like. If they went ahead with stem cell collection, it would take a number of days...too many. That is disappointing, obviously, because we would like to see this process continue and come to completion as quickly as possible.

Reprieve -- So they told me that for the next several days (until July 26), I don't need to have any blood tests, extra medications, chemo or doctor's visits. In other words, I get a 10 day vacation! I must tell you, I'm not too unhappy about that. I will try not to overdo, but this is a great blessing and I'm looking forward to a more normal life with family and church for the next week and a half.

New Plan -- Starting Friday, July 23, my ladies will start giving me two Neupogen shots daily which mobilize stem cells. On Monday, July 26, I go in for blood work and the placement of a catheter in my neck through which the stem cell collection will occur. That afternoon I'll have a shot of Plerixafor which expedites the process even more. Stem cell collection will take place beginning Tuesday morning and could take up to four days.

Following the stem cell collection, I'm scheduled for another PET scan on Monday, August 2, and an appointment with my doctor for evaluation on progress being made. I may then possibly have another regimen of chemo as an inpatient at Yale beginning Wednesday and being discharged Saturday or Sunday.

Spirit: So that's the new plan for the next couple of weeks. It is nice to have a game plan and I ask you to be praying that the plans which unfolded today will be blessed and used by the Lord for good. I continue to be grateful for His goodness and confident in Him because Hope Does Not Disappoint.

I just want to say "Thank you" from my heart for so many kind and encouraging notes, calls, emails, Facebook posts, offers of help, meals, and especially assurances of prayer. God is using you to keep us strong in the struggle. At our most vulnerable times, your prayers are lifting us up and moving us forward. God is so very good!!
Posted by Dave McIntyre at 9:47 PM

6 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 14, 2010 at 10:51 PM

    I'll be praying about the Neupogen shots. They were part of my bi-weekly regimen.

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  2. One Bored MommyJuly 14, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    We love you Pastor Dave! Hang in there...

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  3. UnknownJuly 14, 2010 at 11:04 PM

    Am continuing to keep you all in my prayers. His amazing grace. Blessings

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  4. ElaineJuly 15, 2010 at 2:44 PM

    Thanks for writing this blog, Dave! I am going to read it consistently ... it helps to know how to pray more specifically for you. What you have written above is encouraging my faith!!

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  5. Elvia Chalmers/Dickerson-SummielJuly 15, 2010 at 10:22 PM

    As usual you are leading the way....... and teaching us to gracefully accept change and news we would to prefer to go a different way. Bill and I will continue our prayer for you and we trust God to complete His good and perfect will for the McIntyres.

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownJuly 19, 2010 at 4:08 PM

    Dear Pastor Dave,

    You are a very strong Man indeed. You are, and will continue to be, in my prayers. I am certain that the Doctors and hospital staff has truly seen the love and peace of God in you. I am also certain that our Lord is well pleased with your life and your expression of His love in your daily walk. Keep up your strength - you have so many people pulling for you and the whole host of Heaven smiling on you and your family.
    Peace.

    C. Kevin

    ReplyDelete

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