The Power in Prayer
On 9 May 06 approximately nine days after attending the healing service I was taken to the emergency room at Wilford Hall Medical Center
with sharp mid-stomach pains radiating to my back. After large amounts of narcotics for pain relief and many invasive tests, numerous blood clots were found in my bile
duct along with a mass on my liver consistent with cholangiocarcinoma. The blood clots were removed but the diagnosis about the liver came as quite a shock as the
oncologist explained my treatment options, do nothing and probably be dead within a year or surgery to remove the right two thirds of my liver. I left the hospital
three days later with thoughts of why is this happening to me, especially after I had attended the healing services, wasn't this going in the opposite direction that
it was supposed to? My husband contacted our cell leader who immediately prayed and sent out prayer requests for me, God was already at work on me.
Nine days later I had a Portal Vein Embolism (PVE) procedure to stop blood flow to the right side of my liver to enable the left side to
grow larger prior to the removal of the right side.
Two weeks later I was again admitted to the hospital with complications that arose from an ERCP procedure two days prior, this time it was
Ecoli and a bacterial infection. I remained in hospital for another week and everyday members of my cell group and others would gather around my beside for prayer and
encouragement. Again the Lord took my hand and guided me through the illness.
One week later I am back in the hospital this time with acute renal failure, the anti-biotics used to treat the previous illness had caused
my kidneys to shut down. I am fortunate that I have many people praying for me and realize that I am not going through this alone, like the good Father he is the Lord
is suffering with me and giving me words of encouragement.
Ten days later I was again hospitalized for a relapse of the bacteria infection, although as quickly as it came it was gone even quicker,
God worked in me once again.
On 30 June I underwent an eight hour surgery for the removal of a growth the size of a lemon and the right two thirds of my liver. Amazing
results. The surgeon who is the only surgical oncologist in the U S Air Force and one of the pioneers in this field was astounded at how fast the left side of my liver
had grown after my PVE. He stated that never in his career had he seen such a tremendous growth rate, normally for this kind of procedure the growth rate is 30%, but
mine had grown to about 70%. I told him I had people I didn't even know praying for me and that God would not put me through a great trial without performing a great
miracle. He was the surgeon who performed the operation but God is the ultimate surgeon who was guiding his hand. I am a living testament as to God's healing power and
the power of prayer.