Thursday, March 13, 2008

God is So Good!

A little over a year ago, my OB-Gyn found a tumor on my thyroid gland while doing a physical exam. Because of his findings, he ordered blood work to check my thyroid levels. He found that my levels were very low, and immediately started me on thyroid supplements. He never really gave me a reason for my levels being low, and when I asked why I would have a tumor on my thyroid, he stated that it could be just inflammation from my thyroid having to work overtime to produce more hormones. I was okay with that answer for a while, but because I could feel the tumor myself, and because I was becoming increasingly tired and run down, I decided to take it upon myself to make an appointment with an Endocrinologist. Endocrinologists deal with the study of the endocrine system, which includes the thyroid.

Almost one month after my initial Doctors visit, I had an appointment with the Endocrinologist. During that visit, my blood levels were drawn, only to find that my thyroid levels were still very low. He also performed an ultrasound to get an idea of the size of the tumors. Before I left, he explained to me that he was concerned about the size of the tumors, and was also concerned about the lab results. He told me that he didn't want me to be alarmed, but he felt like the tumors were cancerous. He said that if that were the case and these tumors were cancer, then I would have to have radiation treatments to shrink the tumors, then have my thyroid gland removed. He explained to me that very rarely does cancer that begins in the thyroid travel to other areas of the body. I also remember him saying that if he had to choose any type of cancer to have, that he would choose thyroid cancer. He immediately scheduled me for a biopsy of my thyroid the next day.

Craig was out of town on business, so when I called to tell him all that the Doctor had said, he was very upset, and wanted to immediately come home so that he could be there for the biopsy. I told him that everything was going to be okay, and that I would have Mom go with me to the hospital the next day. Craig prayed with me over the phone, and prayed that the Lord would heal my body and take away all sickness. I didn't tell many people about what was going on. I called my immediate family and grandparents, but I told no one else. My family immediately began praying for my healing, and I remember very clearly my Dad praying that when the doctor went in to biopsy the tumors, that they would no longer be there.

While I was lying on the stretcher all alone in the ultrasound room awaiting my biopsy, I began to pray. I remember talking to the Lord and telling him that I didn't want to have cancer, even if the Doctor told me that thyroid cancer was the best cancer to have. I told him that no cancer was good, and I didn't want it in my body. I clearly remember speaking against this sickness that was taking over my thyroid, and my body, and I asked the Lord to remove it all from me.

Several minutes later, the radiologist entered the room and began setting-up for the biopsy. At that moment I felt a peace like I have never known. I was completely calm, knowing that there is nothing my God cannot conquer, and I knew at that moment that he had conquered my sickness. The Radiologist began the ultrasound in order to find the tumors. After several minutes of searching all over my neck, he paused, and asked what exactly he was supposed to be looking for, because he could see nothing. I immediately grabbed my neck to feel of what had been tumors, and I felt nothing. What I had felt ten minutes prior to the procedure, was now gone. What the ultrasound had shown just one day prior was no longer there. My God had taken them away!

I just recently went for another ultrasound of my thyroid to ensure that the tumors had not returned. They haven't! I must now have ultrasounds once a year for the rest of my life, but it will only be to once again prove that my God is the ultimate healer.

God is So Good!

4 comments:

Magen said...

Such an awesome story, Rachel! I still get chills when I hear it! He always provides in every way...it gets proven over and over again. I am so thankful He healed you.

Kerri said...

God is amazing..It has been awesome to see you grow in your walk with Christ..all I can say is WOW!!!!Love you~Kerri

The Barnyards said...

Oh wow! This is amazing!! Thanks so much for sharing!! What a beautiful God!! I'm so glad he healed you the way he did!

John and Natalee Warren said...

WOW!! That is so crazy, praise our Great God! My best friends Dad was diagnosed with Stage 4 lymphoma and luekemia almost 5 years ago...he changed his entire diet and no longer has one of the cancers and the other is stage 1 now...its amazing how the Lord works!
Good to see you on here, I just found you today! :)I can't believe how big your kids are! So cute!