In November, 1924, I received an injury to my spine which was diagnosed by a physician as a dislocated and fractured vertebra, and which caused me to have an operation for the removal of the broken vertebra. This affected the rest of my body, and I suffered considerably. One week following the operation I could not move off my back, or move my right limb. After receiving aid from a Christian Science practitioner I was able to draw my limb up, but unable to lift my foot off the bed. Near the end of two weeks I suffered with my chest, and the following Sunday I was taken to my home, still unable to sit up. I coughed, had pulmonary hemorrhages, and could not retain any nourishment.
After being at home for seven weeks I found the conditions there were very unsatisfactory for the study of Christian Science, so I consented to go to the tuberculosis hospital, where I could have quiet and rest and opportunity for spiritual study which was so essential for my recovery.
Sometimes the struggle seemed long and hard, but the loving practitioner would write to me such words of hope that I would press on. I seemed to lose my voice, and could only whisper. During the time spent at this hospital I was not compelled to take medicine. On June 13, just four and a half months after entering, I begged so hard to go home that the doctor let me go. My husband carried me downstairs in his arms to the automobile. I was told that my working days were over and I would have to lie in bed and direct others, as I would never walk again; that at the most I could only live five years, and that if I exerted myself I would hasten the issue. But I never gave up hope that I would be healed.
