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The greatest three months of my life:
May 3: I went for my routine blood
work and an ultrasound for my Hep-B
which has been with me since I was ten
years old. I have been taking medication
for the past 6 years and it seemed to do
the job.
May 10: The blood work indicated that
my AFP was elevated. This is normally
caused by the formation of cancer
tumors. I had two different types of
MRIs and was referred to a liver
specialist. Dozens of blood tests were
done and another ultrasound. After
testing, I arrived home and there was a
parcel from Dickinson, which contained
the oil and cord of St. Philomena.
When my wife put the cord around my
waist, I gave my heart to St. Philomena.
May 25: Visit with the liver specialist.
He told me that I had two tumors in
my liver and all indications pointed to
Hepatocellular Carcinoma. I made an
appointment with a team of 3 specialists:
Radiologist, liver specialist and liver
oncologist. I asked the doctor again if
his diagnosis was definite and the answer
was YES. That evening, we went home,
cried a little, hugged each other and I
said, “Lets not be afraid; lets pray and
be fearless.”
May 30: Two additional CAT scans were
done. The liver specialist said they now
suspected it was Cholangiocarcinoma
which is cancer of the bile ducts - a
much worse prognosis. The biopsy was
set for July 23. I had missed so much
work that I decided to work a few
weeks. I drive a truck with military
loads. We had lots of time on the road
to think and pray, and continued to
use the holy oil and wear our cords.
July 23: The biopsy was done. August 1,
we got the final report: NO cancer, NO
malignancy, only three soft tissue cores
that are not life threatening. I thank
the Holy Trinity, Jesus and Mary, and
the Angels and Saints for lifting me up
so high during such a low time. I thank
St. Philomena for her intercession and
forming a bond with me for all my
life. I will never be without her cord.
Cancer or no cancer, I have learned
more in these few months about faith
and prayer, and to live without fear. I
will pray for others in need and never
take this gift for granted. God is Great! < Salvatore, PA - USA >
My deepest thanks and gratitude for all
your prayers, Masses, Sacramentals and
words of kindness and comfort of which
I was in dire need. The hemorrhage in
my brain has healed. I am so thankful
to St. Philomena but, deep down, I
was glad to share the brain bleed with
Jesus, Who was crowned with thorns
from the ‘marine junk’ thorn bush. Its
thorns are 3 inches long, sturdy and
deadly sharp. They penetrated the
forehead of Our Savior and were in
themselves mortal. I am encouraged
by the way the ULRA upholds every
aspect of the Faith. I can rest on it
completely without any concern. Our
Lady wakes me every night about 3 a.m.
and I pray my daily DECADE. What a
grace! < Mary Carroll – ENGLAND >