For a little over six years now, I have been giving you my thoughts as God shared them with me. However, today I want to share with you exactly what I think and I truly believe God will go along with me on this.
In my 60 years of life, I have been blessed with 3 wonderful children, 6 tremendous grandchildren and lifetime partner (wife) who has surpassed all expectations. She just naturally flowed into my caregiver as I got sicker and sicker and I seldom even gave her a "pat on the back" for her loving efforts. For over 6 years she has been there for the little things as much as the big things. How a person does not lose their mind in the process, I will never understand. But to me, Barb Stallings, my wife of 40 years is a "saint",
Today, Barb and I were invited up in church to share our lives and try to explain how in the middle of the chaos we remain joyful and caring of others. It was a wonderful experience and I wish I could share it again and again to other fellowships because what we have (which is a supernatural experience) is something out of our reach and others need to hear.
In a week from todas, Barb and I will pack up the 5th Wheel and head, once again, back to Redlands (at least for the first 20 days while they do all their testing at City of Hope). Can't say it's not an anxious move but I always remember the Lord's command at the end of the book of Matthew "...and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." This shouldn't take 30 days so I'll be admitted into the hospital and they will begin to administer the harsh chemotherapy and radiation that will erradicate all of my own Bone Marrow over a 10 a day period. On day 11 they will transplant me with my brother's healthy (please pray he will pass all physicals and tests) Bone Marrow and they consider that "plus day one." From there they will count forward and it is up to my body to respond to the transplant.
I have a 60% chance of getting through this as long as my other organs hold together as they are supposed to. I do have hepatitis C which can cause some difficulties and so they will be treating the liver before we even get started but there is a problem called VOD Venus Occlusion Disease involving the liver that will not be a good thing if that happens and things could go bad very quickly they tell us.
Finally, I told all of you at church this morning that your communion with God over my condition has more value to me and any amount of your money or possessions possibly could. My complete faith and trust is in the ONE who made me. If He has that power, which He does, He can watch over me in a hopital bed.
I think we are on the right path and and convinced by God that this is the right path, however, if God has chosen differently, remember the one sentence I said to you from the stage: "I Win Either Way".
I love and cherish your faith and prayer support.
This is where "What Dave Thinks" takes a turn in the road. My plan is to start a new blog with this experience and be able to share all the good, bad and indifferent things that got me through it.
Remember if you're struggling with God, I have a link to the 4 spiritulal laws on this site that will help you completely understand your ability to relate to God. He loves me, and He loves you too.
Dave
