Medical Therapy: Prayer and Humor Combine to Beat Life-Threatening Disease

I received a letter from the American Cancer Society informing me of "good news." The letter said I was cancer free. I wondered how this organization reached that conclusion. I don't recall anyone asking my permission to check my medical records. I'm sure if the ACS had asked, I would have said OK.

It's true, I've had five cancer surgeries during the past 22 years. After each of the last two surgeries the surgeon told me he removed most of the cancerous tissue, but didn't get it all. He didn't recommended chemo because of my age. (I was born in 1911.)

Family members and friends said they would pray for me. Does prayer change things? The question often asked is "Why do some experience a miracle of healing, while others receive no apparent healing?" I believe in miracles of physical healing although I believe we don't have control over them. I also believe God heals through medical science, too. All healing comes from God.

When we experience heartbreak and grief, we often call upon God to help us. We all experience painful situations. It's impossible to live full, active lives on earth without encountering physical and mental pain. However, if we call out, God will not abandon us to live through them on our own. I've always found God's love sufficient during these tough times.

I have a friend Joe, about my age, who is under the care of Hospice of Portage County. Joe is terminal with cancer. Joe and his wife are in awe of the love, concern and professional care they are receiving from the hospice team in their own home.

I acquired a hospice booklet recently, which says they provide a team-oriented program of care that seeks to comfort terminally ill patients and their families at home or in a homelike setting.

It's comforting to know that under hospice care, pain management is fully under control. Hospice also understands psychological and spiritual pain are as significant as physical pain. They are a great organization staffed by many volunteers. Portage County is indeed fortunate to have many volunteer groups helping people. In God's eyes and others too, they are "Good Samaritans."

There was a Pharisee standing on a street corner in his elegant robes and other finery, twirling his colorful beads and declaring how great was his faith in God. A Good Samaritan standing nearby, who knew the pride of the Pharisee said, "What good is it for a person to claim faith but has no deeds? Can such a faith save the person?"

I'll close this writing with two quotes and a short bit of mirth.

Quote: "Through humor you can soften some of the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it."
- Bill Cosby.

Quote: Dr. Hunter "Patch" Adams said, "Humor and health are intertwined."

A little mirth: A newly-appointed young clergyman was contacted by a local funeral director to hold a graveside committal service at a small country cemetery. There was to be no funeral, just the committal, because the deceased had no family or friends left in the area. The young pastor started early to the cemetery, but soon lost his way. After making several wrong turns, he finally arrived a half-hour late. The hearse was nowhere in sight, and the workmen were relaxing under a nearby tree, eating their lunch. The pastor went to the open grave and found the vault lid was already in place. He took out his book and read the service. As he returned to his car, he overheard one of the workmen say, "Maybe we'd better tell him it's a septic tank."

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