A large malignant melanoma did not metastasize thanks to prayer
Early in January 2013 Eva, Dirks’ wife, noticed changes in a mole on her husbands’ back, it had become darker and larger. However she didn’t mention it to him.
During a check up in February 2013, the occupational physician tells Dirk about the mole and advises him to have it checked because it does look suspicious.
In april 2013 Dirk is ill, when his GP examines Dirk, he notices the mole as well plus another smaller one. He confirms this doesn’t look well, the mole must be removed and he advises not to wait too long.
Dirk has Ann and Nadine, both GP’s, take a look at his back. They confirm what Dirks’ physician said. By now the mole was a nodule.
Dirk expected and believed God would remove it one way or the other and wanted to wait. Meanwhile he prayed about it. As nothing happened and the nodule kept on growing, Dirk told God he would have it removed if it was still there after the Fatherheart school in July.
During the Fatherheart school Dirk had to deal with severe balance disorder. He could barely get up, he was very nauseated, unable to do anything. And so he went home, unable to work … this continued for several months. In that condition he didn’t feel up to dealing with the growing nodule on his back. So it kept growing.
By November the tumor had a diameter of 3 to 4 cm. Dirk could barely lie on his back. He tried to make an appointment with a dermatologist who lives in the vicinity, but it wasn’t possible. When he heard of a friend who was going to a dermatologist on free consultation, he decided to go with him. Friday 29th November at 9 AM he saw the dermatologist. She decided the tumor had to be removed at once. This was done that very afternoon.
Friday 13th December, the stitches had to be removed, having had no news up to then, Dirk and Eva went for the check up thinking “no news is good news”. Not so, though! The dermatologist explained the two melanomas (malignant growths) had a very different nature: one was superficial and slow growing, the other clearly a fast growing nodular melanoma. These often have a bad prognosis. She was alarmed because the melanoma had grown so much in one year. She referred Dirk at once to the Dermatology Unit of the Academic Hospital in Leuven.
On Sunday 15th December the whole church prayed for Dirk, Eva and the children and Dirk was anointed for healing. It was a very special moment for every one!
On Monday 16th December Dirk and Eva went to the hospital, they were told the large melanoma was very malignant with possible metastases. More examinations were needed and for both melanomas more tissue had to be cut out, also one or two lymphatic glands should be removed. It was very urgent. They said the surgery should be done before 1st January.
The same week Dirk had several medical tests. These were forwarded to the Academic Hospital, where the surgery would take place. Then the waiting started…it took a long time! Nonetheless Dirk and Eva experienced peace and quiet and always slept well during these trying times. They celebrated Christmas with the church and New Year within their family, and greatly enjoyed it!
By 8th January, Dirk was still without news, so he called the hospital himself. They told him he was on the waiting list. They would soon call him. The call came Friday 10th January, he would be taken in on Thursday 16th January and after some more examinations the surgery would be performed the next day, 17th January.
The additional tests were finally taken in the morning of 17th January and the surgery took place at 10:15AM. Both tumors were cut out wider and two lymphatic glands were taken out the left armpit.
On Monday 3rd February Dirk and Eva returned to the hospital for the outcome of the examinations. “You’re here for the stitches and the outcome” said the dermatologist…”well, I have very good news: we haven’t found a single trace of cancer, not in the extra tissue we removed, nor in the lymphatic glands!” You can imagine how relieved Dirk and Eva were….and so were we all! Dirk still needs to be followed up but he trusts His heavenly Papa will take care of him in the coming months and years! Thank you Father for such a wonderful result. You prepare a feast for us in the presence of our enemies!!!
