For five years I experienced very poor health. I was frequently bedridden and suffered from intermittent spasms of acute pain. On the advice of my doctor I was obliged to enter a hospital for the removal of gallstones. The operation was described by him as a very serious one, owing to jaundiced conditions and other complications of a septic character, and he estimated that it would be months before I could expect to be restored to health.
Although I had witnessed a beautiful healing of my sister through Christian Science, at that time I felt that I had not the faith to rely wholly upon Christian Science treatment, especially as my nearest relatives at home insisted upon the operation. It was only while undergoing the necessary preparations in the hospital that in my despair and hopelessness I clung to the little I knew of the teachings of Christian Science and requested the one in charge to ask the matron to ring a certain telephone number and convey a short message. I knew that the practitioner, upon receiving the message, would understand. Christian Science treatment was immediately given, with the result that my recovery was pronounced by the nurses and doctors as the wonder of the hospital. I was back at my home in three weeks. Much to the astonishment of everyone, I experienced only one day of pain during those three weeks.
Although I had been operated upon, and the gall bladder, appendix, and a portion of the liver removed, the underlying wrong thinking in my consciousness had not been healed; so that in a few months the doctor ordered me to the hospital again, to be operated upon for a torn duct, septic condition of the bladder, and jaundice. The doctor said it was one of the worst cases of its kind, and that the operation was necessary to save my life. After hearing the verdict of the doctor I insisted, much against the wishes of my family, upon sending for the Christian Science practitioner. Upon her arrival she assured me very lovingly and confidently that if I was prepared to place all my trust in God as an ever present help, He would indeed heal me. I expressed my willingness to do my very best, and treatment was immediately given. The practitioner's parting words to me were, "Let every thought be a loving thought, and every loving thought will be a healing thought." I was very resentful, antagonistic, and self-willed. This healing ministration lifted my thoughts to God, and from that day I have been a changed woman.
