Journey to Hope

By David Laton

The purpose of this book is to give insights into what we learn from God’s word about what true hope is and how it is available for everyone. I also want to humbly offer some practical help for developing and sustaining hope or restoring a hope that seems lost. I pray that if you are seeking hope that this work will help.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BibleTalk.tv
• Release date: May 25, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215634080

David Laton

Dave Laton has more than 40 years of experience developing and managing education and training programs for business, industry, governmental agencies, academic institutions and congregations of the Churches of Christ. Dave holds degrees in education administration, business management, adult education and a Doctor of Ministry in Religious Education Leadership. He is currently serving as the deacon for missions at the Prattville Church of Christ in Alabama. Dave and his wife Lynne are members of “National Evangelism with Sojourners” where he is currently serving as the Co-Director responsible for policies, procedures and guidelines.

Book preview

Journey to Hope

The purpose of this book is to give insights into what we learn from God’s word about what true hope is and how it is available for everyone. I also want to humbly offer some practical help for developing and sustaining hope or restoring a hope that seems lost. I pray that if you are seeking hope that this work will help.

Copyright © 2023 by David Laton, D.Min.

Produced by: BibleTalk.tv

Cover illustration by: Westside Art

ISBN: 9798374207835

C ONTENTS

1. My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

2. I’m Pressing on the Upward Way - Our Journey to Hope

3. God Guarantees Our Hope

4. Outrageous Courageousness - Dealing with Life’s Valleys

5. Robbing Us of Our Hope

6. Restoring What Was Lost

7. Cleansing the Unclean

8. Just One Touch

9. From Madman to Missionary

10. Going Out on a Limb

11. Throw Away Your Stones

12. The Man Who Called Jesus by Name

13. From Feeble to Free

Introduction

The purpose of this book is to give insights into what we learn from God’s word about what true hope is and how it is available for everyone. I also want to humbly offer some practical help for developing and sustaining hope or restoring a hope that seems lost. I pray that if you are seeking hope that this work will help. I also pray that through this effort, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be glorified because of the true and everlasting hope we find in Him.

There was no indication about what was going to happen as I began my journey from what seemed hopeless to hopeful as I fought and won my battle with cancer. That unforgettable day started with a trip home from a mission activity in east Texas. Everything seemed normal with a long drive ahead.

The first symptoms began with a stiff back from what I thought was a long day’s drive. When we arrived home that evening, I noticed heavy blood in my urine. Putting these two together, I thought I might be experiencing a kidney stone. The symptoms proved temporary and soon were gone. Again, I thought it was just a kidney stone attack. A couple of days later I woke up in the morning with a sore mouth as if I had bitten my cheek during the night. When I looked in the mirror, I saw that my tongue had turned black. That caused a feeling of fear I had never felt before. I realized that all this together was not a kidney stone but something much more serious. My doctor referred me for a CAT scan and to a urologist for further testing. Then, the bleeding returned along with bruising in several places for no apparent reason.

The urologist’s office didn’t seem overly concerned and gave me an appointment three weeks away. Unfortunately, the symptoms worsened. Finally, after a third call, the urologist’s office said to come in and they would see me but to expect a couple hours of delay. When I arrived at the office, I was asked to provide a urine sample. Before I had barely sat back down in the waiting area, I was called back to an examination room with the doctor in near panic. He informed me that it was certainly not a kidney stone. He told me he suspected leukemia due to the combination of symptoms I was experiencing. He Immediately referred me back to my doctor for more extensive testing. As expected, further testing indicated leukemia and I was referred to our local cancer treatment center for confirmation.

Fortunately, I was quickly seen at our local cancer center. Because of the disease, my platelet levels were severely low to the point that they had to give me platelet infusions before they could proceed with transfusions of blood. After several days of treatment, the platelet levels rose enough to permit a bone marrow biopsy. The biopsy confirmed Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL). APL is a rare, aggressive and deadly strain of leukemia that if left untreated can cause death within a matter of weeks.

My cancer doctor immediately admitted me to the hospital to begin what was expected to be six weeks of intense treatment. He indicated that if I had not begun treatment immediately, I would likely have died within a month. You can imagine my state of mind going through all of this. Although I held onto hope, my fear of death was natural and justified.

The treatment that I received on my first night in the hospital was at a level of intensity I had never experienced. The medical staff administered several transfusions of platelets, blood and chemo as well as other drugs. I must have fallen unconscious several times during the night. I do remember once waking up to find my nurse holding my hand and praying. I don’t remember anything else after that so I must have gone under again. By the way, that was not the only time my doctors and nursing staff prayed for me. Actually, there were times that we prayed together!

When I awoke the next morning, I was exhausted and had no appetite or thirst. The staff worked much of the day continuing to give me transfusions of platelets and blood along with chemo treatments to try and arrest the disease’s evil march. I must confess that the fear I felt during this time was a very real thing, but so was prayer. I knew that many were praying for me. I commented later that I could feel the impact of prayer in both a physical and spiritual way as well. I truly believe it was God’s Spirit working in my life helping me continue to grow in hope and faith.

The second night was more stable. However, sometime after midnight I woke up with my heart racing, shortness of breath and intense pain in my chest. I could see on the monitor that my heart rate was erratic and beating at an extreme rate. I alerted the staff and was quickly surrounded by a group of nurses and technicians. My charge nurse said I was not having a heart attack, but a good old fashioned panic attack brought on by the situation itself, the medications and a mild case of claustrophobia. She explained that the monitor on my chest relayed to the nursing station everything that was going on. She assured me that I was in good hands and would not be left alone. She disconnected everything except life support and dismissed everyone from the room. She then sat on the end of my bed and we talked and shared scriptures for about an hour.

I was concerned that if I was a man of faith, why was I experiencing fear? Was my faith weak? She reminded me that I was only human and that all of us experience fear at some time or another, especially in life-threatening situations. The difference was that I was not letting my fear control me. As I look back on the event, I see that this was a turning point in my journey. I began with a feeling of fear but then saw a spark of hope as I recalled that I was a child of God.

The results were not all positive. There were several times when things were difficult, but the trend was moving in a positive direction. Early on in treatment, the medications in the chemotherapy caused injury to my kidneys causing the doctor to stop the chemo until they recovered. Fortunately, my kidneys quickly recovered, and I was able to restart treatment.

It was remarkable that as the days wore on, I continued to sense even more hope as I began to gradually regain strength and see positive results from the care I was receiving. After a while I steadily reacquired my appetite. One evening my daughter asked if I wanted anything since she was going to go get something to eat. I told her that I was craving a fish sandwich. She came back later with a McDonald’s Filet of Fish sandwich and fries. The nurse came in, saw the food, and said to not worry, that I could eat anything I wanted. No sandwich has ever tasted so good! I still had trouble eating much of the hospital food. My daughters would bring me some wonderfully prepared home cooking that helped tremendously in my recovery.

As the treatments continued, my doctor reported that I was making very good progress. He said that if things continued as they were I would be allowed go home and receive outpatient care. It would depend on my upcoming medical tests the next morning. It was a long night as I waited for the technicians to come in during the early morning to conduct their daily tests. Even though I was eager to go home, I also experienced concern about leaving too early. I spent a lot of time that night in prayer, and I asked everyone I knew to pray for my tests to be positive.

My doctor usually came by about the same time each morning to review my test results and progress, so I was listening for the sound of his distinctive walk. When I heard him approaching my room, I called out a good morning to him. He came in with a spring in his step and his customary wide grin as he pointed to me and said, You’re going home today! I quickly texted my wife Lynne and posted the good news