Fear of Cancer Healed
Mary Baker Eddy states that “Christian scientific practice begins with Christ’s keynote of harmony, ‘Be not afraid!’” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 410) This statement was meaningful to me when I was medically diagnosed with melanoma, the most severe type of skin cancer. The tumor was surgically removed and I went through a large battery of tests to see if the cancer had spread. During this time, I asked a Christian Science practitioner to pray for me to help me not be fearful. Throughout the period of diagnosis, surgery, and testing, I had no fear even though each physician I saw was alarmed over the depth of the tumor.
Over the following five years, I saw an oncologist, a dermatologist, and a general practitioner for testing since there is no medical treatment for melanoma nor did I want such treatment even if available. Again, I had no fear that the cancer would reappear. At the end of 5 years, the oncologist said he didn’t need to see me any more since I was cancer free.
Several months ago my brother said he had a small yellow pimple-like blemish on his skin that was diagnosed as melanoma and had it surgically removed. Shortly after that I noticed a similar blemish on one cheek. I thought it was just a pimple and would go away in a week or so. However, several weeks went by and it grew larger. I became fearful and started to imagine the melanoma had come back. I had an appointment scheduled in about a month with the dermatologist but I thought about calling her to get an immediate appointment. Then it occurred to me that I should use the month to focus on praying as I have learned in Christian Science. I began to pray and almost immediately the fear left. About a week later while reading in bed, I felt something on my cheek. I reached up and picked up a small, round, hard object and went into the bathroom to look in the mirror. The blemish was completely gone and I couldn’t tell where it had been. My later appointment with the dermatologist went routinely.
My prayer followed Mrs. Eddy’s admonition to “Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients. Silently reassure them as to their exemption from disease and danger.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 411) When I did this, the fear left and the healing began.
Over the following five years, I saw an oncologist, a dermatologist, and a general practitioner for testing since there is no medical treatment for melanoma nor did I want such treatment even if available. Again, I had no fear that the cancer would reappear. At the end of 5 years, the oncologist said he didn’t need to see me any more since I was cancer free.
Several months ago my brother said he had a small yellow pimple-like blemish on his skin that was diagnosed as melanoma and had it surgically removed. Shortly after that I noticed a similar blemish on one cheek. I thought it was just a pimple and would go away in a week or so. However, several weeks went by and it grew larger. I became fearful and started to imagine the melanoma had come back. I had an appointment scheduled in about a month with the dermatologist but I thought about calling her to get an immediate appointment. Then it occurred to me that I should use the month to focus on praying as I have learned in Christian Science. I began to pray and almost immediately the fear left. About a week later while reading in bed, I felt something on my cheek. I reached up and picked up a small, round, hard object and went into the bathroom to look in the mirror. The blemish was completely gone and I couldn’t tell where it had been. My later appointment with the dermatologist went routinely.
My prayer followed Mrs. Eddy’s admonition to “Always begin your treatment by allaying the fear of patients. Silently reassure them as to their exemption from disease and danger.” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 411) When I did this, the fear left and the healing began.
M.H., State College, Pennsylvania, United States