Back at college a week after Christmas holiday, I checked into the infirmary early Thursday of rush week. I was quite weak and slept most of the day. That night when the doctor consulted with my parents by telephone, it was decided that I would be examined. During the day pain had begun to develop. The doctor took tests and diagnosed it to be a case of acute rheumatic fever. He had to leave town the next morning, so another doctor was assigned to the case. He reviewed the tests and came to the same conclusion.
After talking by telephone my parents and I decided to handle the condition through Christian Science and without medication of any kind. A Christian Science practitioner was called. I was made as comfortable as possible in the infirmary and treated very well. I had constantly been praying for myself and had talked long-distance with the practitioner. The prayerful work done was the only comfort I had—or relief.
Friday afternoon of the same week I remember that I was reading the Lesson-Sermon. I was in extreme pain, but suddenly a feeling of relief and joy overcame me. For some reason I just felt supremely happy and grateful that I had something as great as Christian Science on my side. The nurse came in and gave me a funny look because I had a big smile on my face. I told her I was going to be all right. She agreed, smiled, and left. It was really strange. The pain was still there, but it didn't bother me anymore. I was just in too good a frame of mind. I think that is really when the healing took place. I was all right—my body was just a little slow in catching up with the joy and conviction I felt.
