PRAYER PACKS A POWERFUL PUNCH ! ! ! ! ! ! ! by Gisele LeBlanc, Reiki Master

Featured in the December/January 2003 issue of THE SOURCE HEALTH AND WELLNESS JOURNAL, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

• Do you believe in the power of prayer and the amazing healings that prayer can accomplish? I will admit to paying lip service to the effectiveness of prayer. After all, I couldn't really see the results of prayer, could I? Well, I was willing to be convinced should the opportunity present itself – and, of course, it did. Meet Kathleen Weir of Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia (affectionately known as Kathy to her friends).
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• As I approach Kathy working in her garden, I see a hunched form wearing large rubber boots and big floppy hat. She's kneeling at the ground, holding a trowel, digging in the earth. Kathy is fighting several battles, one against the weeds in her garden, another, not so obviously, against her cancer. With a sigh she raises herself from her knees and attends a bush to her left; Kathy has time neither for weeds nor for cancer.
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• As I look at her, I see that Kathy is an energetic and feisty 78-year-old mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, with the usual complaints of a life well lived - diabetes under control with insulin and high cholesterol. A war bride from England, Kathy has seen her fair share of suffering as well as joy in her almost eight decades of life.
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• One morning in May, 2002, Kathy woke up feeling dizzy and fell to the kitchen floor. Luckily her son Charlie was there to take things in hand; he called for an ambulance and she was off to the Dartmouth General Hospital. Thinking it might be her heart, an X-ray seemed in order. After a full day in Emergency, doctors determined that the fainting spell was due to a rapid drop in blood sugar when Kathy jumped out of bed a little too quickly first thing in the morning. However, the X-ray brought to light a very alarming and serious problem - a cancerous tumor on the lower lobe of Kathy's right lung. Her breathing had just not been quite 'right' of late and here was the reason.
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• Next came a CT Scan and the news was not good - along with a 4.7cm tumor in her right lung, there were two additional areas of cancer around her esophagus. Further biopsy of the esophagus in June confirmed inoperable Stage 3 cancer. The oncology and radiation doctors presented Kathy with the option of radiation treatments, possibly followed by chemotherapy, in an attempt to extend her life by just a few short months. The news was grim, and after some very uncertain weeks trying to absorb all of this bewildering information, Kathy prepared herself to accept the challenge.
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• Kathy knew she could have some rough times in the months ahead. But summer was approaching - Kathy's favourite time of the year - and gardening is her passion! She knew she would probably spend the summer feeling very ill from the treatments, so after due consideration, she very firmly and politely declined treatments, at least until fall. It was very important to Kathy to have the summer to work in her garden and enjoy the beauty of summer. Besides, she had things to do! Projects to finish! She said she just didn't know how to be sick.
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• Okay, if not radiation or chemotherapy treatments, then what? Kathy began exploring alternative ways of healing by reading books on self-healing and faith and the power of the mind to heal the body. Several groups started praying for her recovery including New Covenant Ministries, her daughter Marie's church. Another daughter, Annette, included Kathy on a Sunday intercession prayer list at Dartmouth's St. Peter's Catholic Church. Various other groups and the remainder of the family prayed for her recovery as well. Encouraged by the supportive people around her, Kathy began her own daily prayers and visualizations of being well and cancer-free.
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• In July, and before making any firm commitment to undergo radiation in the fall, oncologist Dr. Mary Davis sent Kathy for one more X-ray to determine how much the lung tumor had grown. To everyone's amazement, the tumor was now only 1.7 centimeters in size. Reduced 3 centimeters in 3 months, an astounding improvement for a cancer of this nature! The doctors were excited and beaming as they gave her the good news; after all good news can be in scarce supply at the Oncology Unit. And better yet, the doctors said that she could wait until the fall to begin treatment as it wasn't as urgent as before.
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• A month later another CT Scan revealed that the tumor had reduced itself even more and without medical intervention! The doctor asked Kathy what she attributed this spontaneous remission of the cancer to? What was she doing differently? Prayer, she replied to the doctors, and a firm belief that she was able to make herself well. A few months later, another X-ray revealed that Kathy's tumor was not big enough to warrant aggressive treatments at the moment. Kathy didn't need to see the oncologist again for another 6 months and she was adamant that there would be no sign of the cancer by then.
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• Six months rolled around quickly, too quickly, and on June 30, 2003, another Xray and another trip to the oncologist's office. Kathy bravely braced herself for the results of these latest tests, never really doubting that the news would be good, but anxious nonetheless. A beaming Dr. Davis gently informed her that the lung cancer tumor was completely gone! Not even a shadow if it remained on the Xray. A little over 1 year since her initial diagnosis and without medical treatments of any kind, Kathy's cancer is cured! A miracle of healing brought about by prayer.
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• Kathy feels that there is no limit to the amount of praise she would like to express about the wonderful doctors and staff of the QEII's Health Science Centre's Oncology Unit in Halifax, and in particular Dr. Mary Davis, MD. Dr. Davis's compassionate understanding, respect and honour for Kathy's feelings and wishes reflects the strong dedication of this hard-working professional.
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• Kathy has conquered her lung cancer and, in the process, has revitalized her spiritual faith. Kathy's experiences bring light and hope to those who have heard her extraordinary story. She is a shining example of determination, intention and the incredible power of faith and prayer. Her children are astonished and delighted at the resiliency of this very tenacious woman. Thanks, Mom!!!