A Miracle
By Dr. Jane C. Pan
1st Article for March
Do you believe in miracles? A miracle is an extraordinary event, a
wonderful phenomenon that happens at a critical moment, and as a supernatural
act made possible by God. In another word, a miracle is something only God can
do.
Sometimes in order for a family to be really happy and united, it requires
a miracle. You may be the one who is frustrated and unhappy with your
marriage. You may have tried everything you know how to make your marriage
work, but it is just not happening. You must confess, you really need a
miracle in your marriage!
I believe in miracles. In the years my husband and I are married, miracles
happened in our lives that bind us and make our marriage stronger. I would
like to share with you just one miracle that happened this year that is
incredible and awesome!
My husband Robert, my friend, my partner, and my lover of 37 years was
diagnosed with terminal liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma) in August
2005. This was a surprise for both of us because he is still young and
energetic, always looking for ways to help people. He was always so healthy
and in his 29 years with IBM, he hardly used his sick leave.
From the time of his diagnosis of liver cancer to the selection of liver
surgery in November 2005, we never doubted God one moment. We knew this was a
good trial for both of us. We decided to fight this thing together with God
leading and guiding. We never asked God "why" but rather asked God "how" we
can glorify Him. If he could use us so that people who are at the end of their
ropes can also be encouraged and gain faith with us. Ours was not only a faith
journey, but it was a time of testing. Will our marriage be strong and united
enough to help us carry through. Looking back, I need to be honest with you.
Without God's love and strength, we would have been afraid. Nevertheless, with
God's help, our marriage is stronger today because of the miracles.
After Robert's surgery, this is what I wrote to our friends:
November 10, 2005 Subject: If I Have a Tambourine
Dear Family and
Friends,
Praise God in his heavenly
dwelling; praise him in his mighty heaven! Praise him for his mighty works;
praise his unequaled greatness! Praise him with a blast of the trumpet; praise
him with the lyre and harp! Praise him with the tambourine and dancing; praise
him with the stringed instruments and flutes! Praise him with a clash of
cymbals; praise him with loud clanging cymbals. Let everything that lives sing
praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord! - psalm150.
This is how I felt when the
doctor came out of the surgery and told me the good news. Robert's cancer did
not spread and the rest of his liver is not cirrhotic. The doctor only
excised the part that had the tumor intact. The incision was small and the
operation only took 3 hours. He did not find any questionable spot and will
have the pathology report in a week. Robert may be going home in a few
days.
If I have a tambourine, I
will dance and praise our Lord Almighty God!
We have said from day one and
even now that our Lord's name will be glorified in all this.
Robert is recovering well;
tonight he walked around with his "pretty well-ventilated hospital gown" and
got the curiosity of our two grandsons who came to see him in the waiting
area. They may never decide to become doctors after this. Joshua did say he
wants to become an astronaut without any hesitation.
Thank you for your love and
prayers.
Jane
Then in June 2006, the
doctors after thorough examination found Robert had new tumor growth. Even
when this was happening, we had an unspoken, incredible peace in our hearts. I
wrote to the leaders of our church:
June 1, 2006 Subject: Robert's Health Concerns
Dear Coworkers in
Christ,
After two nights of
prayers and contemplations, we want to share Robert's exam results with you.
We spent a whole day at Duke for follow-up tests and on Tuesday after a whole
day at the hospital, around 7pm, Dr. Clary announced Robert's liver had more
rapid tumor growths. Two were identified about 5cm each and may have others.
Dr. Clary will call us when the final results are in. If there are more tumors
involved and if metastasis to chest/or other areas, then nothing can be done.
If only the two identified, then Robert will go through embolization with
radiation. Because of Robert's condition, he is now outside the
transplantation perimeter; therefore, transplant is out of the
question.
If nothing can be done,
Robert's prognosis is not good. According to Dr. Clary, he has a chance of
living as short as 6 months to 2 years with embolization.
This is a gloomy outlook.
However, both of us trust the Lord and our faith is forever looking up to Him
for help. We trust Him and humbly obeying His command.
In Habakkuk 3:17-19 we find
comfort: "Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes
on the vine; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and
barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are
empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my
salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my Strength! He will make me as surefooted as
a deer and bring me safely over the mountains."
Yes, we have mountains to
climb, but we know God is with us as we climb.
Thank you again for your
prayers, friendship, and support.
We are forever
His,
Jane and
Robert
On August 2006, we opted for
a new procedure for Robert called embolization with micro sphere. It is a
procedure where the doctors put radioactive glass beads from Australia into
Robert's liver directly into the cancer cells.
In the experience of ours, we
found there are many smaller miracles within the big one. Dr. Andrew Kennedy
"just happened" to be one of five doctors in the United States who specialize
in this embolization micro sphere procedure. In addition, he "just happened"
to practice in Cary. Another small miracle is our IBM insurance covered the
more than $200,000 procedure and follow-up. This is the first unheard of
precedence in the insurance business. Now as Christians we believe in our
destiny all planned and taken care of by our God. There is no such thing as
"by coincidence" or "it just so happened."
With all the things, God is
doing in our lives and making known to us how much He loves us, we become
instrument of love to others. People are watching and feeling the glory of God
in our marriage and are strengthened in their marriage because of it. We
received so many encouragements from our family, friends, church, and some of
you through prayers, visitations, gifts, and letters. Each telling us how much
we are loved, especially by God. We have become instruments of faith and
examples for people who are going through hardship. If you have seen us then,
we did not have gloomy outlook, but rather joy and peace in our talk as well
as our walk.
A big miracle happened! On
January 2006 through more tests and thorough examinations, Dr. Andrew Kennedy
declared Robert free of liver cancer. The large mass had necrotized or dried
up and died at the cellular level. In the place of cancer mass, there is new
liver growth. I wrote:
Dear Family and
Friends,
We want to share this good
news with you of what Robert's doctor told us this morning after thorough
blood work, CAT scan, and physical examination. He is free of his cancer, the
old cancer had necrotized, and he has new healthy liver growth surrounding
his dead cancer area. In fact, the doctor is so happy that he will use
Robert's health case and cat scans for his European and Chinese lecture
tours.
We are elated and thank our
Maker for what He is doing through Robert from the beginning to the end.
We echo what Malachi said in chapter 4:2:
"But for you who fear my
name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you
will go free, LEAPING WITH JOY LIKE CALVES LET OUT TO
PASTURE."
The Lord is good. His mercy
endures forever!
Jane and
Robert
What can unite a marriage
better than a miracle? Some of you may need God to intervene in your marriage
and cause you to unite in faith and hearts. It may not be a devastating
illness like the one my husband went through. It may be a power to change
lives and attitudes. Whatever you are going through now, no one on earth can
help you. You have tried to change yourself, you have tried to change your
spouse, and nothing seems to work for you. You need God, you need Him to
intervene and cause a miracle to happen in your lives. I challenge you now to
try God. He is the ultimate healer and miracle worker.
If this article touched your
hearts, will you pray with me right now this prayer?
"Oh God, I am in deep
trouble. My marriage is not going well. I need a miracle in my life. I have
tried and tried to change my spouse and myself. Nothing seems to work, and no
one can understand what I am going through right now. If you can help me, will
you please intervene with a miracle in my life? Will you come into my heart
and grant me the grace to forgive my spouse. However, I cannot totally blame
my spouse for our conflicts. I pray that I am big enough person to take some
of the responsibilities for our conflicts and fights. I am tired, I am weak,
and I need healing. Oh God, please listen to this prayer and help me. Now I
give myself to you. I want to be merciful so I also give my spouse to you.
Will you be in charge of our marriage and lead us through this valley of
shadow of unhappiness. Help me Lord." In Jesus' name, Amen.
If you need support in
prayer, you can email and contact me at
Panedu@bellsouth.net
