Paul Reid: healing from
lymphoma
I
had been suffering from chronic fatigue for a
number of years. I also suffered from colds and
chest infections, which lingered on for months,
sometimes requiring up to five courses of
antibiotics to regain health.
In
December 1996 I went for a CT scan which showed
probable lymphoma, a cancer of the lymphatic
system. Although suffering from a persistent
cough, and in no condition to undergo surgery, I
was strongly urged by the specialist to undergo
diagnostic surgery as soon as possible. This was
to find out the exact type of lymphoma so that
appropriate treatment could be given.
My
wife and I were given much confidence by the
specialist, who assured us that 90% of all
lymphoma cases are completely curable by
chemotherapy. Because most cases of lymphoma are
aggressive, and fast moving, diagnostic surgery
seemed fairly urgent. This would involve removal
of some lymph nodes deep down within the abdomen,
which we were told would be a fairly 'tricky'
operation.
Shortly after Christmas we were given the name of
a health retreat in Queensland run by naturopaths.
The retreat, Living Valley Springs, offered short
term live-in sessions involving fasting, colonic
cleansing and natural therapy. At the same time we
were reading as much information as we could get
our hands on about natural therapy.
Despite strong opposition from the cancer
specialist, I decided to cancel my diagnostic
operation, scheduled for January, and instead go
for 9 days of natural therapy. On returning home,
there was no sign of the cough, and I felt much
rejuvenated. As I continued with a strict diet and
food supplements, as recommended by Living Valley
Springs, my health continued to improve. We were
gaining more and more confidence in natural
therapy. We were also greatly encouraged by our
local Christian naturopath who supplied herbal
tonics and much valuable information.
Additionally, I went for prayer at a Christian
church where I received a strong visitation from
the Holy Spirit, experiencing waves of warmth and
'electricity' flowing through my body for half an
hour. Three people from the church, including the
pastor, had a strong impression that I would be
healed. This was to be a great source of
encouragement later, when I experienced times of
despair and depression. Each time of depression
presented a battle which I had to fight with
determination, holding on to the promise of life
through faith in God, rather than focusing on the
prospect of terminal illness.
Later in February I had a call, out of the blue,
from the cancer specialist who explained that it
was imperative that l submit myself for diagnostic
surgery because there was a strong chance that the
lymphoma was aggressive. I finally decided to go
for the surgery. I was now feeling much stronger
and able to face it. The surgery involved seven
days in hospital, five of those days on an
intravenous drip of saline solution. This was a
fairly traumatic experience but I made a good
recovery. I returned immediately to the strict
diet and supplements.
Two
weeks after the surgery we were called to discuss
the results. Much to everyone's surprise, I was
not in the 90% of curable lymphoma cases. I had a
rare type of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, (small-cell
follicular), for which there was no medical cure.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy were ineffective on
this type of cancer. The cancer was said to be
fairly slow growing, which meant I had
approximately four to seven years to live.
Instead of being shocked by the news, we were
relieved. By this time we had done enough research
on natural therapy to know that chemo and
radiotherapy were not the only way. In fact we
were relieved to be free from making the decision
on which way to go. Because my cancer was slow
growing, it meant that there was time for natural
therapy to work. We also believed in the healing
power of a mighty God who was working for us!
We
continued to believe that God would heal by both
natural and supernatural means. For me, obedience
to a strict healthy diet, and making use of the
healing properties in God's creation, played as
much importance as our faith in the supernatural
Creator. One year after diagnosis, I was no longer
suffering from chronic fatigue. The occasional
cold was thrown off within a week without
resorting to antibiotics. In fact I have had no
need of any antibiotics since starting on natural
therapy. I was now feeling better than he had felt
in five years!
Eighteen months after the diagnosis of the
lymphoma, I decided to visit my cancer specialist
to report my amazing good health. A physical
examination showed that the spleen was quite
normal and not swollen as it was previously.
Neither was there any swelling of the lymph nodes.
The specialist advised that there was no need for
another CT scan, which involved some degree of
exposure to radioactivity. The physical evidence
was enough!
We
have much to thank the Lord for: His guidance,
wisdom and healing power!
Check our Paul's web site
http://www.christian-faith.com/truestories.html
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