SEVERAL YEARS AGO when I was in college, I noticed a lump forming under my jaw. After awhile I started having a distasteful discharge in my mouth. I went to a dentist to find out if the problem was my wisdom teeth. He took an X-ray, which showed not only that my wisdom teeth needed to be extracted, but he also discovered a large abnormal area, which had been causing the discomfort.
The dentist consulted an oral surgeon, who took a more extensive X-ray, which showed a growth. My wisdom teeth were removed, and a tissue sample of the growth was sent to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry for a biopsy.
When the oral surgeon received the results, he met with my parents and me. He said the growth was an odontogenic keratocyst. He explained that this is a complex, very fast-growing cyst with tumorlike characteristics. He said this was a serious condition and that the cyst should be surgically removed.
After praying about this and discussing it with my parents and a Christian Science practitioner, I decided I would rely on Christian Science treatment. My parents and I met again with the oral surgeon and told him our decision.
Despite our confidence in spiritual healing, both the oral surgeon and then the dentist were skeptical and concerned about me. The dentist requested that I have another X-ray when I came home from college for the holidays. I agreed to do this.
I knew I needed to gain a better understanding of my spiritual identity as explained in Genesis 1:27—that I am made in the image of God, Spirit. Therefore, since I am entirely spiritual, not material, I can not be subject to material problems and conditions. I needed to conquer the belief of an abnormal growth in a physical body by growing more in my understanding of my true spiritual identity. So for several months I prayed daily for myself, along with having regular prayerful treatment from a Christian Science practitioner. I also began reading Science and Health from cover to cover by steadily reading five to ten pages a day. This was the first time in my life I read Science and Health straight through.
When I came home in November, the area was X-rayed. It showed the cyst had shrunk and that there was regeneration of tissue. I continued to pray and read Science and Health. Several months later, I had another X-ray taken, and it showed that the cyst had disappeared entirely. There was extensive tissue regeneration and reformation of bone tissue. The oral surgeon said this was amazing and that he'd never seen anything like it. He said he was going to send the three X-rays to his colleagues at UCLA.
I was not fearful during this experience, and did not doubt that Christian Science treatment could heal me. And it did!
OJAI, CALIFORNIA
The Christianly scientific man reflects the divine law, thus becoming a law unto himself.
—MARY BAKER EDDY
