I. VAUGHAN
"Can you trust me with this experience, even if I never tell you why?" asked the Lord.
"At that time I thought this was about a much needed knee replacement. With cartilage missing between the bones, the tests showed arthritis on the outside of the knee. In agony I asked at my home group and church for prayer to take away the pain. Two men laid hands on me and prayed for the pain to go. Halleluiah Lord, those prayers were answered, however when I subsequently returned to the Doctor, he informed me under his strict criteria, he could not offer me a knee replacement now there was no pain. Complete healing had not been prayed for, but God answered the prayers and released me from the pain. I tried to explain to the Doctor, the pain relief was in answer to prayer. He just gave me a strange look! I had to go back again 6 months later, as by then I was having problems with my right leg and was put on a waiting list for 4 months. I thought it was playing up as I was putting more weight on it and using it as a crutch to move the other leg. I found sitting uncomfortable and just wanted to lie down and if I went to the kitchen sink I would just fold over. I still had no pain, but did not have the energy to stay upright. I was on a 4 month waiting list, but my son suggested I pay for a specialist to assess what these new symptoms meant.
"After the Specialist examined me, he informed me I would not be going home, but straight into hospital. Little did I know it would be almost 6 weeks before I did return home. I was unable to lift my leg, and when he pricked me with a pin anywhere below my naval I could feel no sensation. From my naval up I could feel the pressure of the pin but not the sharp prick. Of course this affected my bladder and other organs too. There were parts of my body not responding the way they should.
"The first few days in hospital they were doing all sorts of tests to accurately diagnose what was happening. It turned out I had a rare growth on the front of my spine growing at an angle that was difficult for them to get to. The medical staff consulted with Waikato hospital and it was determined they would try and cut the blood supply to the growth. The growth had broken out of the spine T4 bone and spread to surrounding tissue. The pressure from the growth had caused the numbness.
"In surgery it was found the angle of the growth too difficult to safely get the surgical instruments to the source of the growth to sever it. The growth was so hidden that even a slight miscalculation could have paralysed me or given me a full blown stroke. It was too dangerous. At the 5 hour surgery in Waikato hospital it was decided to abort the operation due to inaccessible root of the blood supply of the tumor. I believe if God hid that area from the surgeons then He was healing that. From the moment I was sent to hospital I had no fear and just knew God was in control. Every day that came and went with more and more tests, I felt a peace and miraculously no pain. That calm only comes from God.
"The growth had broken my spine and I needed to have a titanium ladder bolted to T1, T2. T3 was too weak, T4 is the broken link, T5 was too weak. T6 and T7 secure the bolted base of the ladder frame in place. My 8 hour second operation was in Tauranga hospital and the surgeon was able to clear out a lot of the mess, like the broken fragments of bone and as much of the growth as possible. As I woke I was aware of some feeling back in my legs. The ladder goes from my bra strap up to the base of my neck and feels like I'm carrying a steel frame backpack. A rigid feeling but good for my posture. The pressure on the nerves causing numbness in the lower part of my body had been relieved and I believe what they couldn't do, God had done.
"There were some dark moments and a couple of times I could have given up but then a thought would come into my mind 'come on girl you can do this'. I knew it was God and He kicked out any negative thoughts and gave me a peace.
"Can you trust me with this experience, even if I never tell you why?" God challenged me with this question a few days before the specialist appointment. I wondered what the Lord was asking me but now believe He was challenging and preparing me in readiness. All the way through, I felt a peace and trust, knowing God was in control and although I didn't know why, I believed He had a good reason. God has given me an extension to my life, and I'm going to fight for what is mine and not let the devil rob me of it. Am I here to help someone else? Will this be used to strengthen family relationships? I feel my healing and peace is not contingent on knowing the answer. God is with me. I will use the time God has given me, wisely. He promised He would never leave me and I am secure in His hands and feel such peace. I trust God completely".
Proverbs 3 5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge Him and will direct your paths.".