I was on the train on my way to a youth weekend. My journey took me to Mosbach via Würzburg. The closer I got to this city the stronger my emotions became. I was looking out the window and my thoughts went back to the year 2001. Back then I had to undergo a risky surgery because of an extremely rare disease.
For a whole year I had suffered from strong pains in my neck, bad headaches and dizziness. Physicians couldn’t help me or figure out the reason for my symptoms. I had not been able to work out anymore which was very hard for me since I like to do sports a lot. I had missed out on my school schedule and had a restricted everyday life. I was so desperate and devastated. Like David I cried: “My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?” I couldn’t understand why all this misery was happening to me!
Finally experts in neurosurgery at the university hospital of Würzburg found out that I had a malformation of the cerebellum (Latin for little brain), a region of the brain that plays an important role in motor control. They told us that this malformation sooner or later leads to paralysis and finally to death. However, they gave us hope and offered us the possibility of a risky surgery. I had to sign a paper in which it was stated that there was a 50 percent chance that all would go well and a 50 percent chance that I got out paralyzed. The name of the malformation is, Arnold Chiari Malformation.
In the paediatric clinic I got to know a lot of other children and youths – serious cases from all over Germany. When experts are at a loss they send their young patients here. This university hospital is their last resort.
I experienced many sleepless nights and shed a lot of tears. Here my life was hanging in the balance, but God helped me through this difficult situation. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
My family, relatives and friends were praying for me, and that gave me strength. God answered our prayers, and through skilful physicians I was given a second chance at life.
While sitting in the train, the words of Psalm 77:11, 12 came to my mind: “I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.”
In my opinion it is very important to review and to remember what God has done for us in our lives. He calls on us: “Ask now about the former days” (Deuteronomy 4:32). God simply wants to say: don’t forget My benefits! We will realize that whatever we suffered He never let go of our hands.
This experience of the past is the reason for my gratitude in the present and my confidence for the future.
Manuela Di Franca