About ten years ago I was stricken with what proved to be a malady, which left me with what the doctors called an incurable disease. As is often the case, some believed the report and some did not. I, however, was one of those who firmly believed it. After doctoring for several months with one of the best physicians in Colorado Springs, Col., where I then lived, I seemed a little benefited. When he dismissed me, however, he said, "You may get better, but you will never get well." Although I was no longer under the doctor's care, I tried many remedies, hoping to find relief. I worried along for several years, able to be up and doing but at the same time suffering indescribable pain at times. I looked so well that my friends were loath to believe in my condition; however, in the course of about five years, I seemed to break down and consulted another physician, this time a homoeopath, and after diagnosing my case he advised me to go to a lower altitude. This I did, going to Canon City, Col. I tried to follow instructions as best I could, hoping all the time to get well.
My doctor was very kind to me and did all she could to relieve my suffering, which by this time had become almost unbearable. She at last told me I would have to leave Colorado altogether if I wished to get better. I had a brother who was in Oakland, Cal., at that time, so I wrote to him telling him the doctor's verdict. He telegraphed me to come to him at once. I took the telegram to my doctor, thinking how happy she would be to hear of my good fortune, but her eyes filled with tears at the news. When I asked her if she were not glad, she said, "I hardly think you will live to get there." I had grown so weary of myself by that time that I did not care much whether I lived to get there or not. I did live to get here though, and as before, sought the best physicians I heard of, only to hear the words "No cure for you." They told me, however, that I might live for years, and again I might pass away any moment.
This shadow of death haunted me wherever I went. After I had lived in Oakland about three years, a very dear friend of mine, who was pronounced incurable unless an operation was performed, was wonderfully helped through Christian Science, and while I had no use for the doctrine, as I called it, I thought I would see if they thought they could cure me.
