Brain tumour, but God’s healing hand at work

Before August 7, 2021, I was a perfectly healthy individual. The morning started like any other, but it ended in a way that would change my life forever.

I later learned that I collapsed, unconscious, covered in blood, and my body violently shaking. My husband, Maurice, daughters Alexis and Arian were in shock—my blood was everywhere, and my body would not stop convulsing, I was having a seizure.

An ambulance arrived swiftly, despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. At the hospital, the doctors ran tests and confirmed I had a Grade II Brain tumour. The seizures continued, 17 in total. I experienced limited mobility on my right side, which made walking difficult, and my speech was extremely slurred.

This diagnosis could have left me devastated, but instead, I asked Arian to contact a close friend, and she quickly formed a prayer group. They came together virtually, lifting me up in prayer and reciting the Liberation Rosary.

I was able to connect with someone who had the same diagnosis and did her surgery in Miami. I felt a surge of hope.

We organised a GoFundMe to cover the costs of the surgery. The outpouring of support from family, friends, my employer, and strangers left me extremely overwhelmed, allowing me to undergo the surgery in Miami two months after my diagnosis.

Obtaining Forex was extremely difficult. One of my friends made a call to the bank and negotiated on my behalf. I was able to secure the remaining funds required for the surgery. Once again, it felt like the work of God.

Unaware of my situation, a friend who is extremely spiritual contacted me. She began praying and meditating with me. Her encouragement to “choose joy, live, love, and fly” deeply inspired me. Because of her, I have developed a deeper spiritual routine, incorporating prayer, Bible reading and novenas. Practices I once took lightly but now cherish.

My illness transformed my spiritual life, helping me to connect more meaningfully with my faith.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, I had limited visitors and sensed that some people feared it might be the last time they saw me alive. Despite this, I had to stay strong, believing that God was on my side. Maurice accompanied me on the trip, while Arian stayed with Alexis to ensure she continued preparing for her Secondary Entrance Assessment (SEA) exam.

God at work again, my local neurologist happened to be on the same flight to Miami, which eased my anxiety about having a seizure during the flight.

The night before hospitalisation, I laid in bed praying. I saw a light shining above me, and a voice whispered, “Do not worry.” I knew it was the Holy Spirit and felt everything would be alright.

With Covid-19 cases surging, visitors weren’t allowed at the hospital. Maurice and my aunt had to drop me off at the entrance. Devastated, I cried uncontrollably, expecting them to stay until I settled.

On October 26, 2021, I woke at 4 a.m. to prepare for the procedure. Before the surgery, I prayed, placing all my trust in God. The Awake Craniotomy lasted five hours, with me being awake for one of those hours.

Thank God, everything went smoothly, and the surgery was a success—miraculously, most of the tumour was removed. I spent one night in the Neurological Intensive Care Unit before being discharged. God’s healing hand was at work, and my recovery had begun.

My family rallied around me to assist with my recovery. Each step forward was continuous improvement and a form of victory. God was not done with me as I was encouraged to keep pushing, and before I knew it, I was walking on Hollywood Beach, Miami.

The beach has always been my happy place, this is when I felt a return to normalcy.

Returning to Trinidad was very emotional. Alexis and Arian surprised me at the airport with tears of joy. God had brought me back to them safely.

Recovery was not an easy process. There were days when I felt strong, and other days I felt weak. I lost over 30 lbs and was quite embarrassed to go anywhere as persons would usually comment about my weight loss.

I returned to work just three months after surgery, and even though I struggled with typing due to weakness in my right hand, I kept practising until I regained my full ability. But through it all, God gave me the strength to persevere.

There is a possibility that the tumour may grow back. I continue to undergo regular Magnetic Resonance Imaging scans, but my faith has never been stronger.

I never questioned why this happened to me, because through this journey, my relationship with God has deepened. I have learned the power of prayer, and I believe wholeheartedly in the goodness of God.

He has granted me a miracle, and I am living proof of His healing power.

To everyone who supported me, prayed for me, and showed me love during this time—I would like to thank you.

I leave you with a verse that carried me through this journey:

“Everything you ask and pray for, believe that you have it already and it will be yours” (Mk 11:24).

God is real, and He is always faithful. Never stop believing in His miracles.