HEALED OF CANCER OF THE ESOPHAGUS
In June of 2019, I started having a problem swallowing as I was eating. I made an appointment with my doctor and after some discussion, we agreed that I should have an endoscopy done to find out if there was a problem with my throat. The results of the endoscopy showed swelling just above my stomach and a small sample of the esophagus was taken for examination. The doctor asked to speak to my wife and me right after the endoscopy and told us he had seen some swelling just above the stomach and it was likely cancer. Incredibly, neither of us had any feeling of anxiety, despair, or other reactions. This reminded me of Philippians 4:8, which speaks of having the peace of God which passes all understanding.
We then met with a cancer doctor who set up a six-week program of Chemotherapy and Radiation and a PET scan was ordered. The PET scan showed I had a tumor on the esophagus 3 inches long, 1 inch wide, and about ¼ inch of the tumor was protruding into the esophagus.
After the first week of radiation, I met with the Radiologist who wanted to know if I was having any negative effects, as is common to a lot of patients. I told the doctor I felt fine and had no reactions at that point. In the second week, I again met with the Radiologist and felt fine with no adverse reactions. The doctor looked like she may not believe that I was telling her the truth. At this point, I told her I had a secret why I felt I had no reactions, and she asked what it was. I said, “I pray before each radiation treatment.” She smiled and said, “That’s good,” and quickly started talking about something else. By the third week, it was the same story, and the same reaction from the doctor, with a little more disbelief because by now I should have had some adverse reactions like sores in the mouth, burning of skin, stomach problems, or other negative effects.
In the third week, I was reading in James 5:14-15, where it says, “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” At this point, I felt I needed to do that right away. I called Pastor Tim Gambino at the church and told him I felt I needed to have prayer for the cancer. He said, “Come on over to the church, and we will pray right now.” Pastor Tim also asked Pastor Rob Stancer to join us, and the three of us joined together in prayer.
When I got home, it was dinner time, and my wife and I sat down and ate our dinner. My wife asked if I had any problems swallowing the food like I had previously. I stopped for a second and realized I had no problems. I yelled, “NO! I have no problems swallowing!” At that moment, I felt that the prayer of faith prayed earlier had healed me. A PET scan requested by the doctor further proved the tumor was no longer on my esophagus!
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS HEALING POWER!!
Don Van Akin
