141 ~ Carolyn's Triumph Story

By Kay Heitsch

When I saw Carolyn step out of her car, I was surprised. I was thrilled to know she was well enough to come and visit.

Carolyn had been through a tough time. It all started with a bad cough she couldn't shake off. She went to the doctor, and he ran some tests. Lo and behold, the test showed there was no problem with her lungs, but a mass on Carolyn's kidney.

The doctors were very concerned about this mass and told Carolyn they wanted to do surgery right away. This was pretty scary to hear since she had not had any problems with her kidneys before.

A couple of days went by, and all of a sudden Carolyn noticed that her toes, then her foot, then her ankle, and finally her leg began to swell. She went right to the doctor.

The doctor said that they could not wait much longer. Carolyn would need the risky surgery. The doctor told Carolyn that he thought it would be best for her to have the surgery at the university hospital, a few hours away.

Carolyn's heart stopped. Her mind was racing. She had not been to that hospital since her husband had died there several years before. All kinds of unrealistic thoughts rushed into her mind.

Carolyn wasn't saying these things out loud, but she was thinking, if there is any other hospital that is closer to home, I want it done there. Carolyn didn't say a word to the doctor, as she knew this hospital he suggested was one of the best. Carolyn didn't want him to know she was having these thoughts.

Carolyn told her 5 grown children about the upcoming surgery. She didn't tell any of them that she did not want to go to the university hospital because her husband had died there. Carolyn knew she was being unreasonable, but still, she didn't want to go there.

Finally, she decided to pray about it. Carolyn told the LORD of the dread she was feeling. She asked Him if it was at all possible that she could have had the surgery at another hospital closer to home.

Carolyn didn't want to die, but if it was her time to go, she was ready.

The doctor scheduled the surgery for Friday. On Thursday, Carolyn's daughter called her. She said, "Mom, the doctor has been trying to call you. He said your surgery will be in the hospital close to home."

Carolyn couldn't believe her ears. No one knew except her and the LORD of her dread of the surgery at the other hospital.

Carolyn said she felt a flood of relief and peace go through her. The dread was gone. She still didn't know how the surgery would turn out, but she knew that the LORD had it taken care of.

Remember how I led you on this long journey. Deuteronomy 8:2