On the morning of 2nd September 2024, I woke up with pain and swelling across my neck with multiple enlarged lymph nodes. I consulted our family doctor with my mom, who suspected a viral infection and recommended I get IV drips twice a day for a week at the hospital.
However, at the hospital, the ENT specialist had a different approach. Instead of IV drips, the specialist prescribed new antibiotics to help reduce the swelling and fever and treat the enlarged lymph nodes. Although I started taking the antibiotics, I noticed no improvement. Instead, I felt the lymph nodes in my neck increase in size and in number, making it difficult for me to eat, drink, and speak properly. The pain when I moved my neck became unbearable and I became fatigued and weak. I returned to my doctor, who further suggested I get a blood test, an FNAC test, and an Ultrasound.
As soon as the results came in, the doctors became quite concerned. They examined my neck and mouth and then discussed my test results. They informed me that the reports indicated “Blood Cancer” and recommended that I see a cancer specialist without delay.
This statement was completely unexpected and shook me. However, I tried to remain strong in front of my family and was holding on to my faith in Jesus. We decided to share the reports with other doctors to get another opinion, and we broke down in tears when the diagnosis was confirmed.
Following this, we went to HCG Cancer Specialist Hospital in Bangalore, India through a referral, and shared my reports. I was asked to do an additional blood test, where the results confirmed I had blood cancer, and fear began to set in.
The doctors proceeded with a series of cancer tests i.e. FNAC, PET scans and Bone marrow biopsy. The PET scan results revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in my neck, chest, underarms, stomach, and abdomen which were spread throughout my body. To determine the stage of the cancer and begin treatment with chemo immediately, I underwent a bone marrow biopsy test.
I meditated and emotionally held on to the word of God for healing- Psalms 91:
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.
Thus saith the Lord that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jeshurun, whom I have chosen. – Isaiah 44
My family, friends, and church were constantly praying, worshiping, and encouraging me to rely on Jesus and hold on to my faith during this challenging time.
Before the bone marrow test procedure, the nurse in charge of me spoke kindly to me. She shared her faith in Jesus and encouraged and prayed over me for healing. She confessed in faith that Jesus would heal me, and my reports would return to normal.
During the bone marrow test procedure, I felt as if I was near death. The pain was unbearable, and I was fully conscious, screaming and crying. The nurse had tears in her eyes as she held me, and she told me to keep my eyes on Jesus in front of 7 other doctors who were not believers in Christ. This was very unusual and felt supernatural.
The doctors eventually put me to sleep to complete the procedure, and I was then moved to the ICU. When I woke up in the ICU, I was surrounded by critically ill cancer patients. I felt overwhelmed with hopelessness and fear. Many looked like stage 4 patients, and the experience left me feeling deeply depressed as I began to face the possibility of death. Death felt so close.
I remembered this song that we used to sing in church when I was a kid and sang It in my heart:
Trust in the Lord and don’t despair,
He is a friend so true unto you!
No matter what your troubles are,
Jesus will see you through.
I began to sense His presence and peace, and I cried out to Jesus in my heart saying, “Jesus, please heal me! I’m just 25 years old and not ready to die unless it’s Your will.”
If I live, I want to live a normal life and be free from cancer. I don’t want to endure the treatment process; please heal me so I can live and serve you.
I expressed my desire that I needed to live and support my family and serve Christ. I prayed and asked to please confuse the doctors and change my reports. I don’t want to proceed with treatment or endure this pain. You alone can do this for me.
At that moment, I felt His peace!
While lying in my hospital bed, uncertain of my future, I promised Jesus that once I walked out of the hospital cancer-free, I would dedicate my life to serving Him.
After I was discharged, I had to wait for a few days for my doctor to provide me with updates on the next steps. We held worship and prayer at my home almost every day with family and friends, believing that I was healed.
HEALING
After a few days, my doctor informed my mom that there was confusion regarding my report. The tests indicated cancer, but they could find no evidence of cancer cells in my body. My WBC was very high, and immature cells were present. The senior doctors held a meeting to address this confusion but were unable to provide answers.
Isaiah 53:5 – By his stripes, we are healed.
So, they decided to call me in for another check-up. When I entered the doctor’s checkup room, they examined me and noted that I still had enlarged lymph nodes in my neck. The doctor said that they didn’t understand how my diagnosis had turned out to be negative. I knew Jesus had completely healed me from cancer.
Further, they decided to proceed with surgery to remove one of my lymph nodes from my neck to determine if it was cancerous. I was asked to come back again in a few days to have an appointment scheduled.
We continued to pray, asking Jesus to help me avoid surgery. I didn’t want to go through the pain and process. My lymph nodes remained enlarged, with no signs of improvement. We continued to pray for complete healing and focused on my lymph nodes. My church friends and family friends were updated, and we remained in constant prayer. Within a day, I noticed my lymph nodes began to shrink, and the pain lessened. I could no longer feel the same pain, and I couldn’t help but praise God even more.
After a few days, my doctor called me in to discuss the process and provide details on my surgery to schedule an appointment. However, when he saw me and examined me, he was speechless. He explained that all my reports indicated cancer, yet my lymph nodes had shrunk.
(In pics above – reports show improvements and normalcy)
Jesus took my sins and disease, including my cancer, upon the cross so that I could have life.
The doctors canceled my surgery and declared that I had no cancer, they kept me under observation for a few weeks.
I was one step away from chemo. Jesus Christ healed me from blood cancer even before I could start treatment.
Realizations & Reflections:
During this time, I realized and reflected upon a few pointers:
- I reflected on whether I was ready to meet my Creator, Lord Jesus.
- I questioned myself on how I had lived my life on earth.
- Did I serve others enough? Did I do the will of Christ?
- Did I live according to the Bible that Jesus had called me to live? Did I fulfill the purpose and calling that Jesus has for me?
- My accomplishments or possessions weren’t going to save me.
I want you to know that Jesus is the true God. He is real and personal, an ever-present God. He is always with us, no matter the situation, all we need to do is trust in Him, live by his word, and believe in Him. There is no situation He can’t help with.
I realized that we will never know when death will come. We must always be prepared. Each one of us would have to give an account to Christ on how we lived our lives on earth. The best thing to do is to be ready all the time.
-Payal Sachdev
