Lillian, TN Patient

Her Personal Story

I had been suffering indescribable face pain for over 2 years. During the past year, the pain had become severe. It was a stabbing pain that began at my jaw and would travel down the side of my face sometimes to the lower teeth, or across my cheek to my nose and up into my eye, and then at times across the brow. It was an excruciating face pain and always on the right side of my face.

My neurologist became exasperated as no pain medication or specialized medication provided any relief. I was referred to a pain specialist who was more knowledgeable about pain medication and could hopefully prescribe remedial medications for me. My pain specialist was a great help for a little while. I have great respect for him. He too reached a point where he was unable to offer more than what had already been done. In all honesty, he let me know that he knew of nothing other than surgery that would be of help to me. He was also sincere in telling me that even surgery might not help.

Back in November of 2007 I contacted my neurologist who assured me that he had made a referral to Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, TX. As of this date I had heard nothing from the Medical Center. The pain had now become unbearable. I was unable to talk or smile without pain. Eating and drinking was painful. Tooth brushing was out of the question. I was very careful while showering not to the let water hit my face.

I arranged a visit with my general physician and we discussed Gamma-Knife Surgery of the trigeminal nerve. There were, of course, many downfalls to the Gamma-Knife. Possibilities included the failure of the surgery to provide any relief at all and that, at best, it could take 4-6 weeks to realize any relief. The side of the face could droop or be paralyzed, my smile might be crooked, and on, and on. “Then again” she said, “there are those who have been very satisfied.”

I had made up my mind. My doctor made the referral to the Gamma-Knife Treatment Center at Baylor All-Saints Hospital in Fort Worth. Wednesday, February 27, 2008, a neurosurgeon, examined me. He informed me of all of the negatives and warned me there had only been a couple of reports of immediate pain relief and that they were questionable. I was warned that the surgery was not a cure-all and not to expect 100%. I assured the doctor that I believed that I would experience 100% pain relief immediately upon surgery because I believed God. He smiled and went along with me. He let me know that he was very pleased with my positive outlook but that I was not to be discouraged if that did not happen. I did not change my mind.

I visited the Oncologist on Friday. February 29, 2008. He was to assist in my surgery. Like the others, he also informed me of the possible pitfalls of the surgery. A massive amount of radiation would be used to do the job. My mind was made up and the doctors knew it. I would undergo the surgery on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. The question in my mind was, ”Will I make it that far?”

As the days passed and the pain steadily worsened, I gave up. My body was so swollen due to the medicines I was having to take that my clothes did not fit and I had to wear sweats all of the time. My feet swelled so that I had to wear tennis shoes or no shoes at all. I had to take diuretics twice daily to combat the swelling and take an even stronger diuretic once a week along with the 2 that I would take in the day. Diuretics deplete the potassium in the blood so it was necessary to take 3 potassium tablets a day. My other medications included Baclofen taken 3 times daily, 4800 mg of Gabapentin taken as prescribed, Methadone 2 times a day, Oxycodone 2 times a day, Hydrocodone every 4 hours, Cymbalta 2 times a day for depression and pain, Mirtazapine at bedtime, Requip at bedtime for restless leg syndrome, Amitriptylin at bedtime for pain, and Clonazepam as needed for anxiety.

I turned my life over to the Lord and told Him that I was ready to go home. I cried and cried. I squeezed my head and repeated scripture after unfailing scripture. I say “unfailing”, because that is exactly what it was and what it is. I went out for dinner that evening with my youngest son and his wife. When we had a moment alone, I informed my son of my will to die and that I had resigned my life to the Father. I took my dinner home with me as eating was extremely difficult. After returning home, I phoned my oldest daughter and told her of my will to die.

Later that same evening, I spoke with Becky, my prayer partner of 30 years and also told her of my wishes. I was scared, very scared which was totally out of my character. Becky heard the pain and the fear in my voice and immediately began speaking the Word, reminding me of what God had to say. The fervent prayer of the righteous had begun. The fear I sensed was beginning to flea. I began repeating; “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” And so it was and is, satan is defeated and my fight of faith grows stronger and stronger.

The surgery was performed as planned on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. It was a tremendous success! To the amazement of all except those who prayed, I recovered realizing 100% pain relief. It is now Sunday, March 16, 2008. It is no surprise to me that I remain pain-free! I have spoken to the physician’s assistant on 2 occasions since surgery. She is very pleased with my recovery. Yesterday I received a wonderful book that she sent to me. The name of the book; “Striking Back! A Layman’s Guide to Understanding What Is Often Called the World’s Worst Pain.” I have to agree except that Jesus already suffered the worst pain for me. There is now no reason for me to bear what the world calls its “worst pain.”

Jesus is Lord. It is my desire to be like Him. He is the very center of my universe. I trust that the Lord will give me the strength to carry out everything He has commissioned me to do. I take advantage of every possible opportunity to proclaim the name of the Lord, to tell everyone I meet about what God has done for me. He put me in the path of the very best doctors I could have had. They are called "the A-Team" and for good reason. Many people in stores, parks, at sports events, and in the schools are amazed. I make it very clear that it is God who has done this marvelous miracle in me and through the hands of 2 wonderful men. Believing for my healing of multiple sclerosis and neurofibromatosis was nothing compared to that needed for healing of the “world’s worst pain,” trigeminal neuralgia.

The Lord recently led me to the book of Matthew ch.:24. He told me that He is preparing me for such a time as this. On Monday, March 10th, I was overcome with grief and sadness. I asked the Lord what He would have me read in scripture that night. He inspired me to read only one verse of scripture, Job 5:19. On Tuesday night, March 11th, I sought the Lord for guidance once again being weighed down with sorrow. He led me again to Job ch:5. This time I was to read the entire chapter. The Father was letting me know that He would satisfy me with long life. My life was not to be filled with sadness. It would be filled with joy. He is going to make up for my many years of sadness, sickness, and struggle. He has given me the magnificent fit of unconditional love for others. My greatest pleasure in life is to be of help to others in need.

Posted 3-18-08