Hello! I am Den. I am 17 years old, and currently a Sunday School teacher at COG Jabez. Let me share God’s good works in my life last year (2018).
Back in 2014, I was diagnosed with a small cyst in an unlocated part of my body. I underwent a CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound. Then, the doctor found out that the cyst is on the top of my pancreas. Even the cyst was small, he advised us to go for a check-up in a prominent hospital in Manila. The doctor suggested for me to undergo a major operation. Nevertheless, my parents disagreed to that surgery because I was only 13 years old at that time.
Moreover, we attended EXCEL service. We, along with our churchmates, prayed persistently that the sickness would not stay any longer. After a while, I felt no pain.
Last February 23, 2018, I had actively joined a school activity. It was a day full of joy and we celebrated afterward. Early morning of February 24, I felt an unbearable pain that I just crawled forward towards my parents. I told them to take me to the hospital immediately. They took me directly in the emergency room. The doctors asked us if I could stay in the hospital for full observation and analysis of my unbearing pain. However, my parents did not agree. I remembered when they injected a syringe to me with a painkiller, I still felt the pain. Then, we went home without knowing what would happen to me. At home, I was still in pain.
Last February 26, 2018, God gave a vision to my father that we should be back to the hospital we visited way back four years. Then we found my previous results of CT scan and MRI in 2014, and we went through re. By God’s grace, the doctor who had observed me in 2014 was available at that time. He advised us that I should undergo surgery because he found out that the small cyst had started to enlarge based on the recent CT scan results. On the same day, we were recommended to seek help from a charity of a prominent hospital that would support my medical needs.
After a week, there was no procedure doing to me but they only maintained my good blood pressure all the time. Then my father asked them what will they do to me since it was over a week I have been confined in the hospital. Then, the doctor replied that they were still going to discuss in a meeting with the board of directors about the surgery. Because when the cyst gets enlarged, it would touch the major vessels in the abdomen part. So it was really difficult for the doctors to remove the cyst.
Then we went home. We still prayed and attended EXCEL service. We uttered to the Lord that everything is in His hands and He knows what would happen when we come back to the hospital. After a week, we received a call from the hospital that I would undergo the surgery.
My first surgery happened last March 13, 2018, which lasted for 14 hours (9 hours in the operating room and 5 hours in the recovery room). When I opened my eyes, I saw that there were drainages attached to my organs, an 8-inch vertical stitch, MGP and IV (intravenous medication). Besides, the doctor informed me that I would not be eating for 7 days. So I affirmed to God that I would obey the doctor’s instructions because I really wanted to eat.
Four days after my surgery, I felt numb. There was a lot of anesthesia injected to me. I could not move my body. however, I can talk. Also, my MGP suddenly malfunctioned. [MGP was used to collect the bile in my body after the operation.] That time, I vomited. The doctors decided to renew the MGP manually. I said to God that I could not handle this pain alone. Gratefully, I was strengthened by the prayers of my parents and the word of God.
Subsequently, I was still not eating for 10 days. On the other hand, one day, I sat in a monoblock chair and straightened my body despite that I have a big stitch. I also wore a smile to impress the doctors since they are visiting me once in a day. But, they only passed. I doubted why they did not notice me, yet I was still smiling. Then, when they were leaving, they called my mother. Suddenly, I asked the Lord why it happened. When my mother came back, I was still sitting in the chair, and she told me that I would be undergoing another surgery. I was terrified and just cried and cried. Despite that, I still believed that God has plans why he allowed it to happen.
Then, I underwent my 2nd surgery, which lasted for 5 hours. My MGP was removed, and a tube that stored food was replaced. It costs 7,000 pesos per bag, and I have 14 of them. This is where I am eating. My doctors also advised me to move so the organs to avoid the jam.
Furthermore, I had experienced 3 chills after the operation for three nights. My body was aching and shaking. Then the doctors told me that I would experience chills because my stitch was big. It was difficult for me. Before, I was an active Sunday School Teacher and J12 discipler in Jabez. Sadly, I left everything and I could not do anything because I was lying down on the bed.
After the chills, I thought everything would go well, but I vomited again. I complained to the Lord that everything which happened to me was like a cycle. But again, I still trusted God. The doctor told me that the system would be slowly renewing. They removed my gall bladder and cut a half of my pancreas that is affected by the cyst. They also cut a small portion of my small intestine. The usual digestive processing was no longer normal to me.
Few days passed, some of my friends from COG Jabez visited me. They encouraged me. The kind of fellowship we have had should be treasured because every person who is involved in, will be a channel of encouragement.
Moreover, I followed what the doctor instructed me. I also had my devotion to God because he has messaged for me.
Then one day, the doctor told me that I can drink water. They measured the amount of water I would take. When I drank it, I felt that I drank a mineral bottle. After a few days, I ate my first ice cream after the operation. I was really glad despite I have MGP. Then I sent a picture to my friends. I felt exceeding joy because I know it is the Lord who is working in me. When the MGP was removed, I was really happy. I asked my mother to take a picture of me because I would testify and I wanted to show how extremely glad I was when I did not have MGP anymore.
Then, I thought everything was going well. Nonetheless, the doctors told me that I would inevitably experience vomiting because it is part of my recovery. Moreover, the doctor told me that I could go home, and come for follow up check-ups.
I still had one drainage. I was finally discharged in the hospital last April 30. Then I asked my mother that I want to go to church to let my friends see how God’s marvelous power works in me.
After a few days, I was able to attend a church service. I met my friends again, and they were amazed by how God healed me from a rare disease. This disease is often experienced by people aged 40 and above, but I am only 16 years old who had it. So the doctors were really interested in why I was in Pedia though I was only a minor.
Nevertheless, God wants me to realize that I should trust Him because He never fails me. No matter what the sickness we might be experiencing, let us always remember that our greatest breakthrough is a miracle. Life may experience a series of waves, unbreakable pain, troubles, or trials, but only God can move mountains and calm storms. I thank the God of Moses and other people in the Bible who is still the same living God we serve today. His Presence is here! So let us fully trust Him. Thank you!
