Skip to main content

Baffling the Doctors

By

             My son Samuel went from being treated for parasites to having major intestinal surgery in just a few days. It was so quick: we discovered the tumor on Monday; on Friday we were in the hospital in São Paulo, waiting for one of the best surgical teams in Brazil to operate on him.
            They removed a five inch adenocarcinoma and several swollen lymph nodes with it. This is extremely rare in a child who hasn't had a lifetime to harm his colon with bad diet, alcohol, and cigarettes. Though our surgeon has decades of experience, having done this same surgery thousands of times, we could tell by how she told us how big the tumor was that it caught her by surprise.

            She said that they got it all, but because of the lymph nodes, Samuel would have to do at least six months of chemotherapy. Edda asked if he would be able to have a normal life, but she didn't give much hope, saying that it depends on each person's organism. The five year survival rate of children with this type of cancer was probably going through her head.

            I happened on the anesthesiologist and I asked him about the surgery, hoping for more details. He looked disturbed, "Hasn't anybody come to talk to you?" "Yes, the surgeon came." "Then I don't have anything else to add." And he was gone.

            Then came the long wait for the biopsy. Edda had been reading over and over Philippians 4:6, and she proposed that we pray and fast that God change this situation. We decided, of course, to give glory to God no matter what He chose to do in our son's life, but our plea was for Him to baffle the doctors, so people wouldn't just see our son being saved by a great surgeon in a great hospital, but would look to the Great Physician for an explanation. During our wait, the peace of God took hold on Edda's heart.

            Only God knows how many people around the world were talking to Him on Samuel's behalf, and He took control of our son's health. Though the tumor was scary, the biopsy showed that the lymph nodes were clean. Hurray! The second sign was Samuel's CEA test - came back zero - no antigens in his blood! Wow! The last hurdle required by the oncologist was the immunohistochemistry testing for microsatellite instability – what in the world? If stable, Samuel would have to go through five months of chemo. The doctor called from Sao Paulo with the results, and his first words were "Your prayers worked!" Of course, doctor, our prayers always work, because we serve a living God who is constantly hearing his children and acting according to His will! Praise be to the Father, who cares for us always and no matter what!

            We have committed to tell this story of how God changed Samuel's prognosis. How can a surgeon who has spent forty plus years taking cancer out of people's intestines see things one way, but the tests show another? It’s God - He made the difference! All praise to Him! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your prayers!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Consecration

By
           We know that God can do anything. The question is what will He do? What will the Lord do in the lives of His people when they consecrate themselves to Him? We hope to find out.           Friday, May 22 nd , the Luna congregation had an all night vigil of consecration. We went from 9 pm to 5:30 am, and over 50 people participated, from the ages of 10 to 75 years. In the prayer corner, brothers and sisters signed up for time slots so that we would have prayer without ceasing. The vigil focused on Consecrating our Lives, in Gratitude, in Unity, in Service, and in Sharing . Each part consisted of prayer, singing, Bible Reading and Reflection, and practical activities, like in Service, we washed everyone’s feet, and then everybody joined in making breakfast for the group: homemade bread, fruit, tapioca and eggs, juice, and coffee. In Sharing, we ended with a wonderful meal together in family, talking about people with whom we want to share the gospel.           Spend
Post a Comment
Read more

Luna Men

By
The men of the Luna church of Christ have a weekly meeting for the purpose of edification and planning God's work in the congregation. Some are going strong, others have family problems, and we all want to grew in God's purpose for our lives.  Last night's meeting included a discussion of what really happened on the cross, on resting in Lord in the Psalms. We made plans about the upcoming Carnaval (Mardi Gras) retreat, and talked about the need to do some manual labor on our building.  Though the group was smaller this week, there is a hunger to serve. Five out of the six committed spending Wednesday ripping up a big wall that needs to be redone. Whether leading, studying, admonishing, evangelizing, or tearing up a wall, let God use us to His glory!
Post a Comment
Read more

Pentecost in Paraíba

By
"This is Pentecost in Cajazeiras," Rivaldo Café said, "Almost three thousand were baptized in Jerusalem, almost ten in Cajazeiras." A wild comparison, of course, but the excitement that produced it was legitimate. Six young men gave their lives to Jesus and were baptized on Saturday.   I was blessed to be there: the sixteen hours on a bus, going and coming, was worth it. I went to teach a weekend couples' seminar on the theme "God Gave Me You". The couples (around 12) were mostly parents of kids in the Right Step Program. The changes in these boys' lives have made an impression on the families, many of which have started Bible studies too.   Saturday morning, after the soccer practice, three of the boys asked to be baptized. We headed to the building. Café began filling the portable swimming pool while I talked to the boys about what it means to come into the Family of God.     Franze (15 yrs), Luam (14 yrs), Jorcelam (17 yrs)
Post a Comment
Read more