Truth and Power

Truth and Power


Here it is March, 2013, and yet she remembered clearly the critical events that took place those life-changing months of 2010 and 2011.  Dr. C., the oncologist at Upstate Hospital in Syracuse, NY had put her on a regimen of methotrexate chemotherapy immediately after the diagnosis of CNS lymphoma in the left thalamus of the brain was confirmed.  That chemo had continued for sixteen months!  For the first 4 months in Syracuse, the chemo was given every 2 weeks during her 4 month hospital stay.  But after her discharge from Upstate Hospital the regimen changed.  Her chemo in Michigan basically involved hospital stays lasting about one week each month.

Critical to the chemo regimen was the flushing out the chemo after it had been injected and given time to destroy the cancer cells.  She understood that chemo was essentially a poisonous substance that had to be thoroughly flushed out of the body so the healthy cells would not be destroyed.  She knew how scary the whole process was, but now in 2013, the doctors were amazed at how well she had tolerated this invasion into her body and her health had returned.

She remembered how the nurses kept a running score on her board in the hospital room of the methotrexate level.  During each entire hospital stay she had continuous IV fluids circulating through her body and the administration of the chemo and IV fluids was all dependent on the ph level of her urine.  She remembered how the nurses kept close watch on these factors.  Then once the chemo had run its course, the vigil ensued as the methotrexate level in her body had to decrease to 0.05.  She constantly tried to assist in reducing this number by drinking lots of fluids but the IV fluid always proved to be the most effective.

The month of February, 2011 was especially memorable.  Since the end of October, 2010 she was in Michigan and after 6 months of chemotherapy she was getting used to the idea of admission to the hospital on Monday and (if levels were satisfactory) discharge on Friday.  Who chose to stay longer than necessary?

That week in February on Thursday night she knew the methotrexate level had to go down 6 points by Friday morning for her to be discharged.  The 'magic' number was 0.05 ph urine. So she prayed fervently for that to happen.  And during the night she had a dream.

She saw a beautiful box decorated in shimmering gold sitting on a pile of straw.  There were many angels hovering over the box and printed on the box in plain numerals was "0.05".

She awoke Friday morning and the early lab results announced 0.05 for her methotrexate level!  She was thrilled knowing she could go home that day and amazed at the memory of her dream.  God was praised!  He had heard her prayers and answered.  She rejoiced knowing He was constantly guiding her during this cancer treatment.

BUT then at 7:30 am, Dr. A., her oncologist in Holland and Grand Rapids, entered her hospital room and told her that the creatine level of her kidneys was elevated.  Dr A. was concerned.  The chemo had begun to have a negative effect on her kidneys.  This was serious.  Her kidneys could not tolerate any damage.  Kidney problems could lead to kidney failure and the possibility of requiring dialysis.  As a nurse she knew the importance of healthy working kidneys!  This emphasized to her how devastating, powerful and critical the chemo treatments were.

When Dick arrived that morning she told him the good news about the MTX level but also now the kidney concerns.  Because of the elevated creatine levels Dr. A. told her she had to lengthen the hospital stay until the levels returned to normal.  She and Dick were both upset.  Ugh!  Another day and night in the hospital....another night that he had to return to their condo alone.  Time for serious prayer!

Late that afternoon after Dick had gone home, she picked up her Bible and it just happened (!) to open to the last chapter of Ephesians.  She began reading, starting with verse 10 of chapter 6 about putting on the full armor of God in our battle with Satan.  When she got to verse 16, a thunderbolt hit her!

     "taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one".

She realized with utmost clarity that, of course, Satan was attacking her precious, healthy kidneys!
The chemo therapy was progressing well and she realized the Enemy wanted to mess that up.  She immediately prayed, "Satan, in the powerful name of Jesus, leave my kidneys alone!"  And she repeated that directive throughout the night.  She knew that Jesus is all powerful, all knowing, greater than any evil spirit and she believed how mighty He is.

The next morning, Saturday, her creatine level was normal at 1.1, down from 1.3!  Again God was present, God heard her prayers, God performed a miracle and she could now go home.  The kidneys were not harmed.  God had chosen to bless her because He had more work for her to do....to spread His story of love and faithfulness to everyone she came in contact with.

She knew this underscored the mighty Truth and Power of Jesus!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."         Ephesians 6: 10-17