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



Saturday, September 4, 2010

Stem Cells Reclaimed!!

Body: After two days of intensive chemo (Wed. & Thurs.), I received the stem cell transplant on Friday. Those of you who have been following this journey know that those stem cells are actually my own and were gathered in late July and frozen. So, now they are back in my own body and getting ready to rebuild the bone marrow which the intensive chemo is wiping out (along with any remaining cancer...hopefully).

While I'm definitely experiencing side effects, I am very grateful that I have not been feeling too badly. I was able to spend some time outside cutting the grass today and have felt well enough to eat.

Beginning tomorrow, I will be heading to Yale each morning for blood work which will determine just what treatments are needed (platelets, transfusion, fluids, etc.). Blood levels are expected to drop and by Wednesday I will most likely be admitted to the hospital to monitor my condition carefully. The doctor expects this hospitalization could last up to a week.

Spirit: "Praise Awaits You" Psalm 65:1
David makes a strong statement as he begins this Psalm. He indicates that as God enters Zion He can expect to receive praise. As he goes on through the Psalm, he describes why God can expect praise - - from His forgiveness, to answered prayer, to His kind deeds, to the wonderful land, to the provision of rain and crops, to the sheer bounty -- God is good and gracious to His people!

Can God expect praise every time He comes to the sanctuary of my heart? The same provisions David describes in the Psalm are experienced by me on a daily basis. However, praise is not what He can expect, sadly, on many occasions from my life. While I know He understands the hurts of hearts and the Gethsemane struggles we face, isn't or shouldn't there be opportunity for Him to expect praise for His presence, goodness and grace in my life? (See Psalm 63:2-5)

That needs to be at the core of my being today. It will shape my focus and my priorities. It will also affect that which God can expect when He visits the sanctuary of my life.

"Lord, may that be true of me during these next days and beyond as I enjoy Your blessings even as I struggle with Your choice of path at times. You deserve my praise...always. Come, Lord, and receive the praise that is due You."

Posted by Dave McIntyre at 8:42 PM

3 comments:

  1. masnoh wilsonSeptember 5, 2010 at 5:28 PM

    Thanks Dave. This post really blessed my heart on Thursday. I saw your blog on Dawn Schwartz's facebook page a week ago and I've enjoyed reading your posts. May God continue to bless and strengthen you as you go through this time of your life; only God's mercy can allow us to say,"though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." Amen and Amen!

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  2. Elvia Chalmers/Dickerson-SummielSeptember 5, 2010 at 5:56 PM

    And I say yea ... Lord, Oh do I also wish each day in each moment of each day my heart and mind and soul would praise Him who deserves all praise. I am so glad He knows our hearts and He loves us and He holds us with His mighty right hand.

    "When we can't trace God's hand, we will trust God's heart"... so grateful you received your stem cells and Bill and I continue to pray for wisdom for your doctors, for strength each day for you, Andrea, your girls and your family as well as your Calvary family.

    And my heart says Yes Lord... Yes Lord .... Yes Lord ! ! !

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 11, 2010 at 2:25 PM

    Daily I praise Him for my salvation and that of my immediate family. From there other praises cannot help but flow, regardless of the circumstances.

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