Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Write an INSPIRATIONAL article (11/27/14)
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TITLE: Needle Phobia | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ellen Carr
12/04/14 -
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As they sat in the waiting room Elise checked her phone and Tom thought about what lay ahead. He had never liked injections and, as far as he knew, he had to have three today. He turned his thoughts deliberately to his work and the things going on there.
Doctor Vincent called them in. She asked about their trip, where exactly they were going, then left them alone while she collected the inoculations.
“Do you want me to go first, Tom?” Elise asked. “That might make it easier for you.” She knew his fear of needles.
“No. I'll go first. Get it over with,” said Tom.
Doctor Vincent returned, and Tom moved across to have his jabs. As she picked up the first syringe … Crash! Tom had collapsed onto the floor. He had fainted. Elise rushed to him, but Doctor Vincent reassured her.
“It's not that unusual, Elise. It's usually the big, strong guys who faint at the sight of the needles. He'll be OK.” She called for assistance, and two nurses helped Tom onto the surgery bed. He was full of apology.
“I can't help it. It's most embarrassing. I just can't stand those injections.”
“Lie down this time, and shut your eyes. Elise, you talk to him about something else while I administer the inoculations.”
It became a favourite family tale, how Tom had fainted at the sight of a syringe. Even Tom could see the funny side, later. It seemed to come up at all the family barbecues and parties. His mates wished they had been there, preferably with a video camera.
Eight years later Tom was again at a doctor's surgery. A constant feeling of tiredness and continuing weight loss had led him there, at Elise's urging. There were blood tests – lying down of course, and the results were not good. Tom had developed lymphoma. The doctor sent him off to an oncologist.
“I'll be frank with you. The prognosis is unsure,” he told Tom. “I recommend chemotherapy, starting next week. You'll need to come in each day for injections.”
Tom's face paled, and he felt his throat tighten. “Injections every day!” he said. “I will need God's help to cope with this.”
“There will be side effects too, Tom. I'll go through those with you.” The doctor explained the possible side effects and suggested that Tom ease back at work. “Perhaps you can work half days for a while.”
As they caught the train home, Elise held Tom's hand. “I'll be with you all the way through this, honey. You know that.”
“I do. I know you will. But, it's those injections that worry me. I think I can cope with the rest. I'm going to have to ask God to heal me of my needle phobia. I can't be fainting every day!”
Tom and Elise called their family and their Christian friends and asked them to pray for Tom, especially for healing from his injection phobia. At least thirty people offered to pray.
Monday came, and Tom headed in to the clinic for his first treatment. As he entered the building he felt a sense of peace and calm descend on him. He just knew that he would be all right. When the doctor produced the injection he was able to sit calmly, and even talk to him. But, he made sure that he looked away as the needle went in.
Two years later, Tom is in remission. He has faced countless injections and blood tests without faltering. He delights in telling people how he used to faint at the sight of a needle, and how God has healed him of his needle phobia. He is a testament to the power of prayer, to God's healing power.
Note: This story is fictional, but based on a true story. Names have been changed.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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