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It's important to share the good things we receive from God with others. "Silver and gold have I none...but such as I have give I thee....." Before reading this, you may want to make yourself comfortable first ....it's LONG! ENJOY! |
| Since being diagnosed with "Crohn's disease" over nearly 20 years ago, I have had to endure many regular, routine tests to monitor the activity of the disease. Some of these tests have included upper GI series, small bowel follow-through, barium enema (but I've only had this one done once or twice since the Crohns was mostly in my small intestine), CT scans of the pelvis and abdomen, colonoscopies and LOTS of blood work. I'm not a "junkie" but I've got plenty of tracks on both of my arms from getting stuck with the needle! ROTFL
Every test I've had done in the past has always shown findings that are "consistent with Crohn's disease". Some of the re-occurring findings that have been noted in my medical records from the past have been, "bowel wall thickening" and/or "abnormal mucosal lining". These findings are consistent in most patients with CD.
In one of my more recent small bowel x-rays, which I had done in 1999, the radiologist saw and noted that I had "several strictures" with multiple "skip areas". A stricture is a 'narrow spot' in the intestine caused by scar tissue which has built up because of recurrent periods of inflammation caused by Crohns. Strictures are one of the primary causes of bowel obstructions in CD patients.
As previously stated, I had my first bowel resection in 1993. It has been medically documented in my surgical reports that during this resection, they removed a large portion of my distal ileum and they completely removed my "ileocecal valve". The ileocecal valve is a valve that separates the large and small intestine preventing a backflow of the contents of one to the other. Even though some of the symptoms of Crohns temporarily subsided after my first resection, I suffered with chronic diarrhea from that time on. The reason was because (as my doctor explained it to me) bacteria was backing up from my small intestine into my large intestine since I no longer had an ileocecal valve present to prevent it from happening. Supposedly the missing valve is what caused me to have chronic diarrhea for years. When I say chronic, I am talking about going to the bathroom anywhere from 15 to 25 times a day--sorry, don't mean to be gross, but I just want you to understand how bad it really was.
Well, I had 2 tests done since my last surgery in June of 2002. I had them done in February of this year (2003). I had an abdominal/pelvic CT scan done, and then a week later, I had a small bowel x-ray performed as well.
The test results came back "unremarkable". That is what my doctor's office reported. I wasn't sure exactly what that meant, so I went to the radiology clinic myself and requested a copy of the results. I was quite surprised and curious after reading the medical transcripts. There was NOTHING on either report that even remotely suggested that I had Crohn's disease. On the CT scan, there was NO bowel wall thickening seen or abnormal mucosa. ALL of my previous tests have reported these things consistently. On the small bowel x-rays, it showed the same thing. The only difference was that on the x-rays, the radiologist stated that it appeared I had an "ileocecal valve re-implantation". On the IMPRESSION part of the report, it stated that I had had a "re-implantation of the distal ileum" It also noted that there were NO "focal strictures" seen. The radiologists have been seeing strictures on ALL of my x-rays and scans practically since I was first diagnosed! They were never surgically removed and they don't disappear by themselves!
Let me explain what this means. First, I'd like to say is that a "lack of diarrhea for the past year and three months as well as no pain has been absolutely wonderful! It has been literally YEARS since I haven't had diarrhea (It was AWFUL to live with--believe me!)
Now, the doctors would like to simply explain this away by saying that I have gone into "remission". That is all fine and good. HOWEVER...considering the fact that I have had my ileocecal valve REMOVED and now seem to suddenly "have one", the simple use of the word "remission" will be difficult to casually pass off. Not only that, but strictures simply do NOT disappear by themselves. If they are not surgically removed, they don't go anywhere (medically speaking).
The reason that several strictures were left inside of me after all of the surgeries I've had is b/c they were spaced out so far apart. They were noted in my medical reports as "several 'skip areas' noted. The surgeon didn't want to compromise any more of my small intestine than he absolutely had to, so he left the strictures that weren't posing an immediate threat alone. At the time, he realized and even stated that they would more than likely need to be removed at a later date if/when they obstructed [closed off].
The radiologists could not see ANY strictures on EITHER of the last two medical tests I had done in February of this year. I can assure you that I have NEVER had them (the strictures) surgically removed! Strictures do NOT just "disappear" (they are composed of thickened scar tissue). Has anyone ever heard of scar tissue disintegrating???
I had to check to be sure that I was reading the correct medical transcripts and be certain that I was reading about the right patient!.....ME! LOL
The thing I saw on both medical reports that helped me to believe that I did in fact have the correct reports was a note talking about all of the staples and clips that had been used in the several previous surgeries I had being seen. It was both that and the fact the paper had my correct name, patient number, and social security number written on the top as well.
I have literally been praying for YEARS to see this day!! Any doctor or medical professional will tell you that Crohn's disease doesn't "go away" by itself. They say it is something a person has to live with for the rest of their lives. The only (medical) explanation for periods of inactivity is what they typically call a temporary state of "remission" (that's what the doctor's call it). I know that some will argue the fact because what has happened to me doesn't logically "make sense". It contradicts the statistics.... but I know what I know and I have all the "proof" that I need.
So many people have prayed for me over the years, even when I couldn't pray for myself. I am just so very thankful....especially to God for doing it. Here's my opinion on the whole thing: I believe that God has not only healed me of Crohn's disease (over a gradual period of time), but that He has also given me a re-creative miracle in my body! I prayed and asked God to give me "new parts" (what they took out) and that is what He has done! I got both a healing AND a miracle! Thank you Jesus!
At this point in time, a simple explanation of "temporary remission" JUST won't do! I would never want the doctors to be able to explain things away that easily! What glory would God receive through that?! I know that God can use doctors to help us, but there is no physician alive like the "Great Physician" (Jesus)!
When I had my follow-up visit, My doctor had no explanations for the findings. He told me that he would check into it, go over the reports again and "get back with me". He hasn't gotten back to me on it yet, and that was months ago! I believe that many in the medical profession have a difficult time using the word, "miracle" (as if it were taboo or something). They don't like to deal with things that they can't explain. My doctor may never use those words, but nevertheless, I am totally convinced.
I am so excited about what the Lord has done! I wanted to be able to share this with those who read my story to be able to encourage you. The "good news" for you is that God is "not a respecter of persons" (Acts 10:34) What He has done for me, He CAN (and wants to do) for you! NEVER give up HOPE if you are putting all of your trust in Jesus. You may not always understand, "why" things are allowed to happen the way they do or His timing... but you can trust ALL of His promises. He never lies and He is good ALL of the time. That much you CAN believe. There are still many things I don't understand.
My advice to those who don't have a relationship with Jesus is to invite Him in today and receive His free gift of salvation (for your body, soul and most importantly your spirit). Then, all of the promises in God's Word will belong to you.
If you already have accepted Him and what He did for you on the cross and you are His child, then stay in His Word. Spend time with the Lord (even quiet time)....get to know Him. Pray to Him......talk with Him......make time for Him......and.........most importantly........LISTEN! Listen to what He wants to say to you. He will speak to you from His word and on the inside by (through) His Holy Spirit. Meditate and think about His promises to you regarding healing. Say them out loud....get them on the inside of you. His Word is TRUTH. It is the "sword of the Spirit". When the enemy comes to harass and torment us with affliction use that Word to cut him down to size!
This is my testimony. You can't have a TESTimony without a TEST!
This was ONE of many tests that I will have in life: one that I finally passed (at least on some level). It was when I got a revelation of Jesus as MY "healer" that things began to change. "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for OUR iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him and by his stripes we were healed" (Isaiah 53:4-5). It says, "we WERE healed"! That is past tense.... in other words it was already done over 2000 years ago when Jesus paid the price for us. He took it away. By right healing belongs to His children, it is just that we need to reach out and accept it (and sometimes even contend for it and fight for it).
The Bible says that when Jesus died and rose again He went to Hell (for us). He set the captives free. He took the keys back from the devil. He has give us authority on earth now. So many times we are waiting for Him to do something, but He says, "I have give YOU authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (not necessarily in the physical/literal sense) and to overcome ALL the power of the enemy. Nothing will harm you" (Luke 10:19). He has given us the keys of the Kingdom, but so many times we are waiting for Him to act. He (Jesus) has already done ALL that He is going to do. We need to use the keys He has given us and TAKE what rightfully belongs to us. Another scripture says, "the Kingdom of God suffers violence, but the violent take it by FORCE" (Matthew 11:12).
I knew many scriptures intellectually. I believed them with my mind, but somewhere along the line it FINALLY got on the inside of my spirit....in my "knower". And now I know that I know that I KNOW it is mine because Jesus paid the price and gave it as a gift to be freely received. The principle is so simple that its difficult to receive sometimes. We truly need the faith of a child because its just that simple (unlike most things in this world which we have to give something to get).
The Bible also says that we overcome the enemy "by the blood of the Lamb and the word of OUR TESTIMONY" (Revelation 12:11). Jesus paid the price with His blood and this is my testimony of my own personal experiences with Crohn's disease and chronic illness. My prayer is that many others will find HOPE in this and be ENCOURAGED to keep on keeping on. Fight the good fight of faith and never stop believing in what can be. Everything you could possibly WANT or NEED can be found in Jesus Christ (and a personal relationship with Him). He died to have that kind of a relationship with you! We don't need to FEAR what can happen to our earthly physical bodies as much as we need to be concerned (afraid) of the one who can kill our soul. God is in control and Jesus Christ is STILL the SAME........yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8) What He did in the past (everything mentioned in the Bible....healing, miracles, deliverance.....everything) He will and still does TODAY! He does NOT change! There is NO shadow of turning in or with God (James 1:17)
Rarely, but upon occasion, I still have to battle symptoms of CD that try to come back. When that happens, I just use the Word of God against them and refuse to accept them. I command my body (out loud) to "line up with the Word of God" and I remind the devil that I am HEALED by the power and blood of Jesus and they (the symptoms) have to GO! and they always do! We sometimes have to contend for what we have received in order to keep it. Satan is a liar and a THIEF! If he thinks he can succeed in stealing anything good from us, he will! That's why I say along with the apostle Paul, "fight (and keep fighting) the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12)
Well........that's my MIRACLE story! I hope you enjoyed reading about it and didn't fall asleep too many times! I know it was long.
Life is precious! Be Blessed!
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