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I had been sick on and off for over twelve years. Pains in the stomach, diarrhea and vomiting were treated with antibiotics prescribed by my doctor. I was twenty years old at the time I first got sick. I had just moved to Staten Island from Brooklyn when I collapsed at work. I spent one month in the hospital. The doctors were convinced it was psychological, bulimia, they thought. I weighed 90 pounds! It was only after my white blood cell count began to rise significantly that the doctors suggested special testing at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Manhattan. There, a biopsy confirmed my worst fear: Crohn's disease. The doctor informed me that Crohn's disease is an inflammatory disease of the bowel. It generally progresses causing blockage of the intestines and sometimes fistulae-abnormal passages between the intestines and the surface of the abdommen. Complications may involve other parts of the body including inflammation of the eye, severe arthritis, inflammation of the spine, skin and mouth ulcers and kidney stones. Surgery to remove the colon usually does not cure the disease. The end results are usually fatal. The disease progressed. I was started on some experimental medication which caused loss of hair and joint disease. It was now 1995. I was thirty-seven years old. I had been hospitalized five times this year alone. I was unable to walk or eat solid foods and suffered from constant diarrhea. A deep depression came over me. I now had a feeding tube and it was suggested that part of my intestine be surgically removed. As my husband's family were Christians, they began to pray and witness to me. My husband's cousin, an evangelist, came to the hospital to visit me. He prayed, and then a strange thing happened. He left his Bible in my hospital room. Tired and despressed, not wanting surgery, I signed myself out of the hospital against medical advice and went home and brought the Bible home with me. A privately-hired home health aide cared for me at home where I had resigned myself to die. I began to read this Bible. I had never witnessed nor heard of a modern miraculous healing but wondered if it could happen today? Asking God if he still cared -- still healed, I got out of bed -- and promptly fell! I cried out to God. Then, the Holy Spirit spoke to me, He said, "Get up, Take up your mat and walk" to which I promptly replied, "I can't do it!" Then, I felt someone lift me up. I began to walk, but I was scared. I was told to get rid of fear and I began to walk a little bit more every day. I was skin and bones by now and, had to learn to eat all over again. I prayed over my food and it stayed down. I knew that God had touched me. Soon after these events, I went for a drive and was led by the Spirit to a church where I heard beautiful music and a prophecy spoken concerning "doubt". I went to the altar. The pastor prayed for me and I received Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Over the next several months, I got stronger and stronger as I continued in the Word. The doctor finally insisted that I go back in to the hospital for tests. My colonoscopy and X-rays were normal! The Lord had healed me! I was also free from pain. My physician, Dr. Walter H. Rothman, a gastroenterologist at Mt. Sinai Hospital said, "I've never seen this!" I have been saved, healed, and delivered for over 13 years now. I have been back to work full-time for over six years. The Lord opened the door for me to attend Assemblies of God Bible Institute where I graduated in June 2000! I now spend my time evangelizing, sharing the love of God and my testimony. God has blessed many people with it and many have come back to the Lord. God also confirms His word through healing and deliverance as I give my testimony and minister in the power of the Spirit. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened to you. (Matt.7:7) ****************************** |
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