Surprised by Healing – A Story of Victory Over Cancer

In March 2012, my husband was diagnosed a type of bladder cancer so malevolent it would not respond to chemo.  Doctors were 95 percent sure they’d have to remove his bladder completely to save his life.  Nine months later, he is cancer free and his bladder is intact!  How did we do it?  Please read on– we want to share this with the world!

First and foremost, we pause to acknowledge and honor our magnificent Creator who “formed our inward parts and wove us in our mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13); the Savior who died to cleanse us from our sins, restore our relationship with God the Father and birthed in us a fervent faith that helped us believe we could move mountains.  To God be the glory!

Secondly, there are no words to express our joy and gratitude.  We recognize that we’ve been graced with a miracle of lavish proportions:  The gift of life and health!  Many have contributed to our journey’s success and we literally would not have made it through without the support of this outstanding and loving community of family, friends, pastors, and healers.  God bless you all!

Blessed to Be a Blessing
.
We know this healing journey was not just for us. God has blessed us so we could bless others. So, in that spirit, we offer here those strategies and resources that He provided to direct our steps.  They came at different times from different sources: His Word, during prayer, through doctors, counselors, friends, books, articles, medical research, conferences, documentaries, and other sources.  Each arrived exactly when we needed it, bringing solutions, hope, faith, strength, and courage as we diligently pursued the path of healing.  May these be a light to your own path.

Be Prepared to Fight.  The minute cancer strikes, you are in a war. This is not just a trial or a storm.  You are in a fight for your life (or your loved one’s life), so make the mental adjustments necessary and prepare for combat.  The afternoon that we got the news, in the blink of an eye we were hurled from our comfortable lives into the “valley of the shadow of death.”  We sat in the doctor’s office in a state  of shock and disbelief, facing a terrible, advancing enemy.  There was no way out but to armor up and prepare for the uphill battle.

Make Your Own Roadmap– As we were to find out, there is no one path to healing.  The path for us unfolded only one step at a time as we prayed, researched, consulted, and moved forward.

Get Several Expert Opinions-  Our first urologist diagnosed the bladder cancer and immediately operated to remove a small tumor.  Naively, we thought that would be the end of it, but to our horror, we learned that still more cancer lurked in the tissues. Being unhappy with this doctor’s handling of our post-op care, we sought a second opinion. (Never hesitate to get a second, third or even fourth opinion!)  Through referrals from friends, we found and switched our care over to one of the best bladder surgeons in the U.S. at a more renowned facility (details below in related links).  His prognosis was equally dark, with terrifying statistics, but we did feel we were in better hands.

You Need a Clear Vision.  I am a woman of strong faith and prayer, but this trial was such new territory and the stakes so high, I didn’t dare believe for healing if God had other plans.  Normally, I would have found my way by praying and reading the Word, but this time I was paralyzed with fear.

I sought the counsel of a pastor and his wife whose ministry has encouraged me deeply over the years. Their faith dwarfed my fears and emboldened me to believe that healing was possible.  They prayed for God to give me wisdom, strategy and endurance and armed with a clear vision, I found my courage and strength for the journey. This enabled me to inspire and motivate my husband so that, together, we pressed on towards the goal of a complete recovery.  I pause to clarify that I’m painfully aware that God does not always heal– we all know of wonderful, deserving people who didn’t make it– but, that was not my Father’s message to me that night through this couple.

Prayer Therapy- Mobilizing our community of family and friends to join us in praying for complete healing was a critical strategy that provided ongoing comfort, inspiration and encouragement. We also believe it contributed greatly to the success of my husband’s treatments. People were outstanding and responded from all over:  California, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Idaho, Virginia, Texas, Mexico, Australia, and even India!  Everyone appreciated knowing what to specifically pray for so we could be aligned in purpose.  Jesus often asked people “What is it you want me to do for you?”  So, being specific and focused in prayer is extremely important.  I also kept everybody up to date with e-mails as things developed.  

We held regular times of worship and prayer in our homes that included the laying on of hands and anointing with oil. On one occasion, we arranged for an 800 number so friends could call in and participate in the prayer session from a distance. The outpouring of love and support was profound and we felt the Holy Spirit move powerfully.  It also became clear that this “prayer therapy” was as important to my husband’s healing as the medical and nutritional treatments that he was receiving.

Stay Hopeful-  A hopeful state of mind is terribly important to keep up the good fight.  For months I chose to keep the most frightening statistics about my husband’s bladder cancer to myself and to shield him from them. I knew these would have eroded his resolve and possibly even triggered despair. Either would have been devastating to his faith and regime. However, the burden was too heavy for me to carry alone, so I partnered with close family and friends, as well as met with pastors and a counselor who helped me deal with my deepest fears.  These relationships and my faith were two of the strategies God used to help me remain a positive force throughout my husband’s fight for his life.

A Lamp for Our Feet and a Light to Our Path.  Every day and night, we read the Scriptures and found passages that gave us conviction and hope.  We poured out our hearts to God in prayer.  We memorized verses to give us courage.  As we listened (often taking and comparing notes), the Holy Spirit gave us assurances of His love and impressed on us which way to go.  Over the months, we were often led to new passages and promises. These became our rock and compass. When the the enemy tried to weaken our resolve with doubts and fears, we used these passages shield our hearts from his lies. These spiritual battles were often fierce and as real as the physical and did not hesitate to seek additional support from others if we felt under severe attack.

“Wisdom comes from a multitude of counselors.”  God used the wisdom of our close friends to make us aware of  healing resources.  One friend guided us to a nutritional regime that had healed her of a lifetime of ailments and we’re convinced contributed greatly to defeating my husband’s cancer (See “Know the Cause” links at end of this post).  Another friend, who lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts, saw a television ad about a Christian facility in Irvine, California that specializes in alternative cancer treatments (See “Oasis of Hope” links).  We believe that the Oasis of Hope treatments were also pivotal in helping defeat my husband’s cancer.  In addition, we underwent alternative treatments of BCG (see below) at USC Norris Cancer Center, and this method has a 40-50 percent success rate.  I think that includes us!   We made sure all our doctors knew of each other’s therapies to ensure that they were complementary and, thankfully, every physician was supportive.

Foods that Heal.  Your body will gladly cooperate with your healing.  Although my husband had always led a healthy lifestyle, in his youth he did enjoy working with wood and had built two boats, home furniture and theatre sets. Today, it’s believed that the benzene in lacquer is cancer causing and it’s possible that his repeated exposure to it over the years triggered the slow growing malignancy that was diagnosed last March.

Regardless of the cause, we had to deal with it, and embarked on a suite of natural therapies that included an anti-fungal diet, Hyberbaric Oxygen and vitamin C therapy, Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMP), Class IV Laser, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG), supplements, 80 daily ounces of alkaline water, and regular exercise (for a details, see link below “The Unexpected Adventure”).  Aside from his first surgery to remove the tumor, he underwent three biopsies with a full anesthetic at which time they took tissue samples that revealed levels of toxicity at a cellular level.

Unlike conventional cancer treatments that weaken or destroy the immune system, these alternative treatments strengthened my husband’s immune system and he was able to continue working and feel well throughout his course of therapies.  However, we had no idea month to month how things were really progressing.  To his credit, he was disciplined with his regimes. I chose to follow the same nutrition program to support him in his efforts– it was surprisingly healthy and delicious and has made me a better cook!

On January 2nd, 10 a.m., we called USC Norris Cancer Center to get the lab results from my husband’s third biopsy.  We were bracing ourselves for whatever came.  He was on one phone receiver, I was on another.

“The tests were negative,” said the nurse.

“What does that mean– negative?” asked my husband.

“The tests were all clear,”  she replied.

“Do you mean ‘clear’ as in no cancer?” I asked, my heart pounding.

“That’s right,” she said cheerfully.  “No cancer.  No traces of cancer.”

“Praise God!” yelled my husband.

“Yay!” giggled the nurse. 

And so, just like before, in the blink of an eye our lives changed, except this time, we’d been set free.  The most spectacular New Year’s present anyone could ever hope for descended from Heaven into our laps.  We could hardly contain ourselves.  The journey had taken nine months– from our first diagnosis in March to this phone call in January. The path had been terrifying, difficult, inspiring, and profound– and now, it was suddenly over, except for some mini-treatments and check ups we must do every three months to play it safe for a while. 

As I write this today, we’re not the same people who began this journey in 2012.  The experience has deepened our faith, strengthened our marriage, fortified our health and blessed our community.  When I see the extraordinary good that God has brought out of it, I take off my shoes and worship.

“All things work for good to those who love Him.” (Romans 8:28)

Looking back, God’s love, guidance and provision was so evident from the very first moment:  He allowed us to catch this malignancy early, led us to good doctors, the right treatments, provided the financial resources, blessed us with an outpouring of healing prayer.  We could go on and on about His lavish, loving care as He walked through this “valley of the shadow of death” with us!

If we valued community before, today we truly cherish it, recognizing the love and support of our family and friends, pastors and ministers who helped shoulder our burdens and carry us on eagles’ wings.  We appreciate each one of them so very, very much!!

We also thank all our doctors, nurses, practitioners who expertly took care of my husband month after month helping him get well.  We’re grateful to all the pastors, counselors and ministers who worked dedicatedly with us so we could remain spiritually, mentally, physically, and emotionally strong for this journey.

Lastly, I honor my husband, my dearest love, for his courage, discipline and commitment to his faith in God, to our relationship, and to the therapies and treatments that he followed so faithfully to help him overcome.

I pray that you have found this article helpful and that you will share it with others who may need it.  Feel free to leave any comments or questions at www.spiritbeats.com/Surprised by Healing.  God bless you with the guidance, grace and healing you need for yourself or your loved one as you journey down your path to fullness of life.

I Cor. 1:9-11 
“Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death.  But this has happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such an deadly peril and He will deliver us.  On Him we have set our hope that He will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers.  Then, many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”  

Amazing Grace by John Newton
“Through many dangers, toils and snares we have already come.  ‘Twas grace that brought us safe this far, and grace will lead us home.”  

Related Links

ARTICLES

The Unexpected Journey
 https://spiritbeats.com/2506/2506/

Lessons from Life’s Roller Coaster
https://spiritbeats.com/2069/lessons-from-the-roller-coaster-2 

How To Pray in Times of Trouble
https://spiritbeats.com/2142/2142/

FACILITIES

Oasis of Hope, Cancer Treatment Facility
http://www.oasisofhope.com

USC Norris Cancer Center  
http://ccnt.hsc.usc.edu
TELEVISION

Doug Kaufman, “Know the Cause”
http://www.knowthecause.com/index.php/know-the-cause-webcast

“Forks Over Knives” (Documentary)
http://www.forksoverknives.com

BOOKS
“Beating Cancer” by Dr. Francisco Contreras
http://www.charismahouse.com/sample-chapters/19261-beating-cancer-by-francisco-contreras

“The Fungus Link Trilogy” by Doug Kaufman  
“The Germ that Causes Cancer” by Doug Kaufman
https://knowthecause.gostorego.com/index.php/

“Healed of Cancer” by Dodie Osteen
http://books.google.com/books/about/Healed_of_Cancer.html?id=62MEAAAACAAJ

“Breaking Free From the Spirit of Death”
http://www.embracinglife.us/breaking-free.html

MINISTRIES
Embracing Life Ministries 
http://www.embracinglife.us 

Lake Avenue Church
http://www.lakeave.org 

St. Louis Family Church
http://www.slfc.o