A miracle story of healing

It was October 1989 when Peter, one of my six children, came to me complaining about his leg hurting. He was then only 14 and never seemed to get sick, but I could see he was in a lot of pain. I examined his knee and found a strange lump I knew had not been there before. At first I worried about what this lump was on his knee. I called the doctor and got an appointment the next day.

The next two weeks seemed to pass so slowly I it felt like a nightmare. First there were tests after test, then the waiting around for results. I did not think I could make it. Peter, however, leaned on his faith and refused to worry or even be concerned about it. I was proud of him. Every night he read his Bible before bedtime, then thanked God for healing him. I was amazed at his strong belief in God.

Then without warning the doctor came into the room where I waited for the test results. He wore a sad face. I knew it was not good news. He said he’d talked to other doctors and they all agreed that Peter had bone cancer.

I sat there in shock as he handed me a clipboard and asked me to sign papers to remove Peter’s leg. I trembled and felt sick to my stomach. I said, “He’s only 14.”
“It’s important we do this quickly,” the doctor said.

“No,” I screamed, “you’re wrong.” I threw the clipboard back at the doctor and ran out of the room. I jumped in my car with tears running down my face and drove home.
All my children were at school, and I was alone with my fear. I walked through the house crying and shaking. I screamed, “No, no, no,” then prayed as I never have prayed before.

What happened next is unbelievable, and if it had not happened to me I would not believe it possible. On the floor I saw a bright light that seemed to cover me completely. I was no longer crying but completely calm. I ran my hand over the light and looked up to see where it came from, but it was too bright. I was at peace, as if nothing was wrong at all. Never in all my life had I ever felt so secure and loved. It was more wonderful then words could describe. It was as if every care and worry, every pain and grief had disappeared. In spite of how bright the light was it did not hurt my eyes. I don’t know how long it lasted, but I wanted to remain there forever. I remember as if it were yesterday how in my heart I knew Peter was going to be OK and not lose his leg. Did I hear a voice or was it a knowing? I can’t be sure. All I know is that I was convinced without a doubt that Peter would be fine.

When it was over and the light had vanished, I was grateful for what had happened yet longed for the light to come back. I slowly got up from the floor and made it to the kitchen. Then I heard my kids coming in from school. I went over to Peter and told him, “I can’t explain it, son, but you will be well.”

I explained to him a short time later what happened that day. He smiled and said, “I know, Mom, because God spoke to my heart. That’s why I’m not scared at all.” His faith amazed me.

Within the week we were off to Kansas City, Mo., where a biopsy had to be done. If it was cancer, they wanted to remove the leg. I told the doctor I believed it would not be cancer at all. He looked at me a bit funny and more than likely thought I was just being a mother who could not accept what was happening.

As we waited for the results, there were times to doubt, yet my son and I leaned on our faith and refused to accept doubt into our hearts. We spent days in the hospital’s cancer ward before the doctor walked into the room smiling. “It’s not cancer,” he said. He said the bone required shaving but would not trouble him again. I hugged him and thanked him but not before I said thank you to my heavenly father.

As Peter packed up his belongings and we waited to be released from the hospital, we knelt at the side of the bed and again thanked God for healing Peter. I knew God had healed him because seven doctors in Tulsa had test results that said he had cancer, yet he did not.

Peter is grown up now with a family of his own and still reflects on that time when God healed him. I have not had that happen to me again, but in moments when I am troubled and scared I play it all over in my mind, and a peace comes over me. I just know that God heals today and is watching over us all no matter who we are or where we are. God loves us all.

Judy Ann Eichstedt lives in Tulsa, Okla.