Christian Analysis of American Culture (CAP)
Brain Tumor Survival Story
Prepared by Jeanne Tomlinsom
Director - Prayer Ministries
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Right from our own "ranks" comes a miracle story. One of courage and endurance that could come only from our Lord and Savior -- several times! -TC- by Jeanne Tomlinson My husband, Howard, is a walking miracle. With God's help, he has survived 4 surgeries for brain tumors during the past 6 years. Like the house founded upon a rock, he stands firm while the storms rage. He is doing well and has peace and joy in his heart because his hope is in the Lord. In 1991, Howard was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. We were still newlyweds (married for 2 years), and I was devastated. Howie's strength helped me to take courage. We prayed for the Lord to guide our steps and He did! We went to Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC for a second opinion and found out that the tumor was benign. We were given the choice of radiation therapy or waiting and we chose to wait. During the next two years, God taught us how to walk by faith and not by sight. As we look back, we can see that those two years was a time of great growth in learning to trust the Lord. We knew it was time for the tumor to be treated when Howard started getting weak in late 1992. We found a surgeon at Sloan Kettering who was willing to operate. This was a miracle in itself, for the tumor had previously been considered inoperable! On February 10, 1993, Howard had a 7-hour surgery. We had asked hundreds of people to pray for him that week and God answered our prayers in an amazing way. The surgeon had been convinced that the tumor was malignant, so he was amazed when the pathology report came in saying that the tumor was a low-grade benign oligodendroglioma. The surgeon had not removed all of the tumor because of the risk of paralysis, so Howie had 6 weeks of radiation treatment a couple of months after his surgery. Following radiation, Howie returned to work full-time. Over the next three years, he only had one sick day. To keep his memory sharp, he started memorizing vast amounts of Scripture, including 6 books of the Bible! In December, 1995, Howie had a routine MRI which showed a small regrowth. We decided to fly out to Phoenix, AZ, in February, 1996, for his second surgery. World-famous neurosurgeon, Dr. Robert Spetzler of Barrows Neurological Institute, performed the surgery. Within a week, Howie was released from the hospital. Howie was feeling so well that we spent the remainder of our two-week stay in Phoenix exploring the area and visiting friends. It was almost like a vacation for us! Shortly after we returned to New York, Howie returned to work full-time. God had again showed us the power of prayer in a mighty way! Because we had seen so many answers to prayer over the past few years, Howie started spending more time on his knees and I started a national email prayer ministry. In October, 1997, Howard suddenly experienced weakness in his left arm and hand. We went to the emergency room and he was immediately admitted to Huntington Hospital. A neurosurgeon, Dr. Chalif, was visiting the hospital that very day. He looked at Howie's MRI's and told us the tumor had come back. It looked like there was also some bleeding in the area. He was willing to operate within the next couple of days. Howie was transferred to North Shore Hospital in Manhasset, NY, and had his 3rd brain surgery on October 27th. The majority of the mass was blood, which explained the loss of functioning on his left side. Within two days after surgery, Howie started regaining movement in his left arm and hand. By the time he left the hospital at the end of the week, he was much stronger. After six weeks of therapy, his left arm and hand was stronger than it had been before! God had come through for us again and had answered prayers on our behalf. Howie returned to work again full-time at the beginning of 1998. We had researched treatments and decided to go with nutritional therapy. Over the next few months, Howie continued to feel good and function well. In July, however, we noticed that he started getting weaker again on his left side. We requested a routine MRI in August, and it showed that the tumor had indeed returned. Dr. Chalif told us that Howie would need surgery again. Howie felt at peace in his heart and bravely faced the knife again. On August 14, 1998, he had his 4th brain surgery. Following surgery, he was his normal happy self again. We had the opportunity of sharing our testimony story (Hope For Those Who Hurt- Part 1) with several nurses and patients in the hospital and they were deeply moved. Howie is now undergoing physical therapy to strengthen his left arm and hand again, and we are investigating post-operative treatment. We don't know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future, and we know He holds our hand. Those who know Howie are amazed that he has been able to handle four brain surgeries without wavering in his faith. He gives the glory to God. One of his favorite scriptural passages is James 1:2-4 (NASB): "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." A favorite passage of mine is Jeremiah 29:11 (NASB)- "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope." We both know that God is our Good Shepherd who has cared for us and will carry us forever! Amen. (For more information on Jeanne and Howard Tomlinson's devotional biography, Hope For Those Who Hurt- Part 1, you may email them at HJET@aol.com). |