Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

True Testimony

My medical dilemma began in February of 1999 when I went to the doctor because I noticed changes in my bowel movements -- the doctor performed a sigmoidoscopy which showed a polyp. He sent me to a gastroenterologist for a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy was performed in April of 1999 -- the results on May 4, 1999 showed colon cancer en situ (1st stages of cancer). Praise God it had not spread and was removable and I did not need chemotherapy nor radiation.

During my second check-up visit I complained about not being able to swallow food. The doctor then order an endoscopy along with the follow-up colonoscopy (June, 1999). The endoscopy -- during the colonoscopy, and thanks to God, the doctor decided to look around in my stomach since he was already in that area -- that's when the stomach dysplaisa was discovered. -- this was in July of 1999. During the office visit, the doctor informed me that I definitely had low-grade stomach dysplaisa and recommended either stomach removal or he would just monitor me closely. Stomach removal is normally recommended in cases like this because if the dysplaisa turned cancerous, then my survival rate would plummet to 25% or less. The doctor and I agreed to monitor closely. However, after 2 months had passed, I was not comfortable with this decision and asked to be referred to either Yale New Haven Hospital or Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute for a 2nd opinion. Thus began my medical nightmare.

The doctor at Yale New Haven performed an endoscopy and came up with the same results -- stomach dysplaisa - recommended removal of entire stomach. I was devastated. I cried, called out to God why? What is it that you are trying to teach me? What is it that I have changed in my life? I had already been through 3 major surgeries during my lifetime -- had spent 13 months in the hospital for one of them -- and thought I had passed any test God had for me in this area. Was I ever wrong? I was to find out that test did not have anything to do with endurance.

I still was unable to accept the doctor's diagnosis -- I did not want to give up my stomach. I did not want to change my quality of life. I had suffered enough with medical problems. I was looking forward to retirement in 3 years and wanted to be able to travel some, eat heartily and enjoy life. I also did not believe that this was what God wanted. I began to spend quality time in prayer, fasting and reading the bible and other biblical literature. I connected with many prayer circles. People were praying for me all over the United States. I could feel the prayers but there was still that doubt deep inside me. I felt that God was not listening to me. I kept asking Him to show me what He wanted from me. But I still persevered in diligent prayer - daily, nightly, in my car during the day -- I continued to praise Him, I continued to sing songs of Praise. But deep inside my faith was wavering. It seemed that the more I prayed, the more devastating the reports from the doctor were. Each report seemed worst than the one before. Thank God for my friends and family who kept telling me that God was fighting the battle for me. That I was not to worry. I tried to believe this, but there were days when I had my doubts. But I continued to pray. I never stopped praying and praising God, even though the situation appeared bleak.

Finally, I had the last endoscopy before I met with the surgeon. The news was devastating. This last report showed high dysplaisa -- there was cancer hiding some place in my stomach. The doctor recommended total stomach removal within the month. I was at work when I received this report. I sat at my desk and cried and cried. I felt that God had forsaken me. I could not believe that all of these prayers were going up and I still had to submit to surgery.

The surgeon gave a glimmer of hope -- he said because there was also a bacterial infection that I was being treated for, he suggested holding off the surgery until the infection was cleared up. His exact words were "sometimes this type infection (which is a cancer causing infection) gives off signals that cancer is present when in actuality, it is not. He suggested that I make another appointment in 2 weeks, after another endoscopy, then we would talk further about surgery.

But things got worse. It was now time for my colon cancer follow-up. I had another colonosocopy done on May 31, 2000 -- the report came back on June 5th -- the colon cancer had returned. But Praise God, the doctor believes he got it all out. (I am due for another colonoscopy follow-up on July 13, 2000.) So now I was dealing not only with possible stomach cancer -- but the colon cancer had returned also. By this time, Praise God, my prayer life had finally clicked in and I remembered that I had not cried in months. I had a peace around me. When the doctor called my home last Monday night at 7 p.m. to inform me that the polyp removed from my colon was cancerous. I merely responded -- did you get it in time? He said he hoped so. I said fine. When do I see you again. And that's when he scheduled me for July 13th. I thanked him, called my family and some close friends and thanked God and went to sleep. No tears. No fears. No anxiety.

I met with the surgeon at Yale New Haven on June 15th - one week after I received the report from the doctor about the return of the colon cancer. But, by this time I was on a spiritual high. It had finally kicked in. I knew that God had finally answered my prayers. I felt at peace with whatever prognosis was forthcoming. If surgery was necessary, I thanked God for guiding the hands of the physician. I thanked Him in advance for taking me through the surgery if it was needed. I thanked Him in advance for surrounding me with family and friends who would be there for me after surgery. I had no fear when I met with the surgeon this time. The surgeon said to me, Ms., I do not have the total report from the pathologist, but what I do have indicates that the dysplaisa located in the lining of your stomach is GONE. The red spots located in your stomach are GONE. The only part we are waiting for now is the area that showed high dysplaisa (possible stomach cancer). You should hear from your doctor either Friday or Monday. Today, June 16th, the Dr. called me around 1:15 p.m. "Ms. , I have the final report from the pathologist -- your stomach is back to NORMAL. You do not have high dysplaisa -- you do not have cancer. You are NORMAL. If I had not been at work -- I would have been shouting, crying, praising God LOUDLY. I am still floating. I am still mesmerized. I went to my desk and lifted my hands up in thanksgiving to God Almighty. The Great Physician. The Healer.

I have spent a year and a half being tested, meeting with doctor after doctor, traveling between Bridgeport, New Haven and New York. Poked and probed. But through it all, God had never left my side. I finally knew what my test was. I had been praying for years for God to help me with my patience. I am one of those people who want instant answers. I knew that God answers some prayers instantly and some later but ALL IN HIS TIME. I also knew that in my missionary work I was quick to tell people that I visited to have faith, trust in God, He will see you through all this, etc. Well, my patience and my faith had been tested to the fullest. I thank God now for the testing. I know that I am a better person and a better missionary because of what He allowed me to go through. I am also thanking God for using me and allowing me to be a testimony to His name and His great works.

I want to especially thank all of my friends at Brooklawn S.D.A. Church for all of their continuous prayers. I also want to thank the Brooklawn S.D.A. Church family for placing me on their prayer list.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

We would be glad to pray for you. Please send your requests to Prayer Requests.