I entered TMMC for a VATS lung biopsy. I had thought for 7 months that I had stage 4 cancer which had metastasized from my digestive system to my lungs. I had survived the devastating news, a near-death experience following treatment with Fluorouracil (5-FU), following diagnosis as being DPD deficient.
I had withstood 35 radiation treatments while recovering from the devastating 5-FU treatments. I had overcome the trials of balancing medications and special diets. I was exhausted and hanging on a thread of hope that the lung spots could be something other than cancer. Juliana Enge was, I am convinced, sent by God that day to be my pre-op nurse. She was patient and kind; she was understanding of my digestive disturbances and helped me get to the bathroom several times during the wait.
After the surgeon and anesthesiologist spoke with me, we were quietly waiting for me to be wheeled into the operating room and my husband and I decided to pray. During those prayers, Juliana took my hand and said them with us. Then there was a pause. We didn't seem to know what else to say because we had been praying for a miracle for 7 months, we had no more words. That is when Juliana prayed for me. She added a personal impromptu prayer asking for peace for me, clear biopsy results and blessings on my surgical team so the operation would be performed flawlessly. She prayed that my recovery be swift and painless. She took her time and kept holding my hand even though the orderly had arrived and was waiting to take me to the OR. She was wonderfully perfect at that moment for us.
I was fortunate enough to return to the hospital last week for a port-o-cath removal surgery! Those lung spots were not metastatic disease. My original cancer has been restaged as stage 3. Juliana's prayers for me were answered! I was lucky enough to be able to tell her in person what a wonderful impact she had on me at a time when I needed it the most.