“The Miracle Patient” and Inspiration – Bro. Maurice John

Genesis

In 2007 Brother Maurice John left his home to attend a business event, but instead, ended up in the emergency room suffering excruciating pain. Later that evening, he tried to walk but couldn’t. That marked the beginning of a rapid downward spiral. Within a few days, doctors discovered a malignant tumour on the spine. The diagnosis was non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare form of cancer. The tumour was growing on his spine and caused pain, weakness, loss of weight, and paralysis.

Bro. Maurice’s health deteriorated at an alarming rate. He lost mobility, and likewise, the ability to take care of himself. His body could no longer perform regular functions like bladder and bowel movements, and, in a bid to save his life, his family sought expert care overseas.

He was barely aware of the entire journey to New York and does not remember the car ride that took him to the hospital in New Jersey except for a vague memory of his sister’s voice asking if he was breathing. Bro. Maurice remembers absolutely nothing. “I went into a deep sleep, deeper than when God removed the rib from the man to make a woman,” he said. This meant that he felt nothing, especially, no pain. He doubts that his frail body would have been able to withstand the fatigue of traveling, and he is positive that the pain would have been unbearable. For that reason, he believes that God caused him to sleep unusually deep that night. 

The early period after his diagnosis was fraught with doubt and despair. “Why me?” was the unanswered question that plagued him the most. But even in the darkest moment of despair, God supernaturally lit a spark of hope in his soul that propelled him into full-fledged battle mode. He was intentional about remaining positive. He decided to fight because he knew that God was fighting alongside him. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, he looked past the symptoms and saw the promise. 

Support System 

Bro. Maurice was surrounded by a dream team of family, wife, sister, children, and close friends whose support was tangible and intangible. Their presence and assistance provided the cushion he needed to recuperate. He was not naive to his dire prognosis since the night before the scheduled surgery, he took the time to express appreciation to each of his relatives present in the room, knowing that it could have been the last time he would be seeing them. 

Treatment and Recovery

The road to recovery was tough, as can be expected. He developed fluid in his lungs, experienced chronic fatigue, and often was too weak to speak, raise his hands or walk. But in the midst of those battles, there were also small victories – like the fact that he only needed seven rounds of chemotherapy, instead of the initially prescribed eight. He gradually regained his strength and challenged physiotherapy head-on. 

Miracle Man 

His doctors and nurses called him “the miracle man” – for good reason. Bro. Maurice approached his recovery with faith and grit. The neurosurgeon told him he wouldn’t be able to walk again but instead of accepting it as a verdict, he took it as a hurdle to overcome. He was told by his family that he told the doctor, “You do what you have to do, I will walk again”, rebuking him. 

He exceeded the milestones at every juncture and had fun doing it. He took great joy in spirited competition with other patients in therapy. He fought fiercely, not just the illness, but the enemy that tried to take him out by sharing the gospel with others and encouraging them to fight. 

Staying Positive 

Keeping a positive attitude as well as the support of family and close friends, made Brother Maurice’s time in the hospital much easier. He mentioned always trying to keep a jovial spirit and his inquisitive mind got him through many days, not to mention the kindness of the nurses and hospital staff.

Light at the end of the Tunnel 

Brother Maurice admitted that his greatest fear was not waking up after surgery and being unable to see his loved ones again. He describes the exhilaration and gratitude he felt when he woke up. His dire condition in the preoperative stage and his amazing recovery gave credence to his testimony of the power of God not just to him and his family, but the medical caregivers who got to witness it firsthand. 

Be Encouraged

Since his diagnosis, Brother Maurice has prioritised a healthier lifestyle and regular medical checkups. To the person who had just been diagnosed he says this: “Do not be afraid; follow the doctor’s orders; speak to the heavenly Father; seek guidance from both parties.” He went on to say, “It is the heavenly Father who will instruct the doctors what to do.” 

For this writer, Brother Maurice John is an inspiration.