I’m Sis. Arlene Dela Cruz from Cluster 7. I want to glorify the Lord for His goodness in the life of my 9-year-old niece, Iezhea.
When she was 6 years old, she was diagnosed with Rheumatic fever. There was thickening in the valve of her heart and its beat was irregular.
She had to take monthly shot of Penicillin, which although cannot treat Rheumatic fever, prolongs the condition of her heart. Meanwhile, she had to keep herself away from fear, stress, and from extreme physical activities. We still thank God that her condition was detected at an early stage. Since then, in every ExCEL service, our family prays together for the wellness of her health.
After 2 years of medication, another trial came in. Iezhea was rushed to the hospital because of sudden immobility of her legs, dizziness and vomiting. She was then diagnosed with focal seizure. So she had to maintain another medicine for seizures. After 3 weeks, she suddenly had fever and developed rashes all over her body. Later on, we had been told that she had allergic reaction to the seizure medication or medically referred to as Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systematic Symptoms (DRESS). This is a very rare case, with a ratio of 1:1 million.
Because of the severe allergy, all her internal organs became swollen and her liver was failing. Her liver enzymes were 27 times higher than the normal. All her medications had to stop, even the paracetamol. In effect, her fever worsened, she was vomiting all the time and could not take any food.
The doctors were giving us words that brought discouragement, but we did not stop praying. We know that only God has the final say.
Because of her complicated situation, she needed to undergo emergency 2D Echo to know if she also acquired cardiac problem.
But praise God, aside from her rushing heartbeat because of her high fever, the result was normal! Her heart was improving! But at the same time, we were still worried about her swollen liver and other organs. I told my sister that if the Lord has healed her heart, it’s not impossible that her other organs would be healed as well.
One night, I asked my co-ministers to help us pray for her healing. Then I cried out to God and promised that if it’s His will for Iezhea to be healed, we would proclaim His goodness. The next day, His Word for me was revealed in Psalm 22:22-25,
“I will praise you among your assembled people.
Praise the LORD, all you who fear him!
Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob!
Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel!
For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy.
He has not turned his back on them,
but has listened to their cries for help.
“I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.”
Then my sister told me that Iezhea’s fever was gone and that she could now eat! We were so amazed. We knew that the Lord indeed moved. In addition to that, her liver enzymes went down from 1003 to 300 and she was not experiencing seizures anymore.
Her recovery was faster than everyone was expecting. The doctors told us that it would take 4 to 6 months for her recovery period. But she was discharged after a week, and Iezhea’s liver enzymes normalized within just 2 months.
There were 7 doctors who attended to Iezhea, but they all submitted to their Chief Doctor and His Name is Jesus Christ.
Now Iezhea is well and is currently working on the improvement of her immune system which we are still praying for.
Another answered prayer is that Iezhea’s father, who was initially not interested in the church, is now attending the Sunday services with us!
Difficult times are unavoidable. Sometimes we could not see hope in the darkness but the Lord is giving us the eyes like that of an eagle to GO BEYOND our present situations, to GO BEYOND the problems in front of us. Despite of the problems we face, we know that the Lord can see us and is always working for us. We just need to continue to trust Him.
All the glory and honour belong to our Lord Jesus Christ!
